Thinking Of Buying A MacBook

nc6000

Never used a Mac before, I've only used Windows PCs for a number of years now. Just upgraded to Vista and think that this can't be the best there is.

So anyway, I'm thinking about buying a MacBook. Can anyone give any advice about moving from Windows to Mac? Will it take long to get the hang of? I'm a bit worried about the choice of software should I get one.

SuperSean11

I dont use macs but i know theyre much cheaper in America just if you know someone headin there

BuffyBot

nc6000 wrote:

Never used a Mac before, I've only used Windows PCs for a number of years now. Just upgraded to Vista and think that this can't be the best there is.

So anyway, I'm thinking about buying a MacBook. Can anyone give any advice about moving from Windows to Mac? Will it take long to get the hang of? I'm a bit worried about the choice of software should I get one.

Doesn't really take that long to get the hang of - and for 99% of your day-to-day software there is either a Mac version or Mac equivalent.

Creamy Goodness

it's taken me about 3 days to get fully up to speed with mac os x, i know there's a lot more to learn but i've got the basics down now so i can do most things like surf/email/general maintaince/wifi setup etc etc.

triple h

nc6000 wrote:

Never used a Mac before, I've only used Windows PCs for a number of years now.
.

I made the jump just before xmas. I was 8 years using windows. I did not enjoy using computers until i got my mac.
It takes 6 weeks to get your head around the new system. One thing that you will keep saying to yourself in the first 6 weeks is 'It can't be, it's to obvious, why was windows not this easy to use or clear to understand'

Trust me, get a mac.

I was afraid to move to mac, so i know how you feel. But come in here everyday to the mac forum and read post, learn and ask questions, that's if you get a mac. There are a lot of wise people in here and these wise people are very helpful. I knew i had back-up in here so i felt safe buying a mac because of boards.ie

deevey

Well...

like Triple H said ... you'll find yourself doing alot of head scratching wondering where's the catch / surely not that easy !

I've had 4 macs and lotsa PC's .. (originally for windows stuff)

I now have a macbook (yay me)

I gave my mom one of my old powerbooks ... she then upgraded to a 20' Imac (Cow!!)

My best mate bought my another of my old powerbooks (newer one) lo-and behold gone were all his previous spyware/malware/e-mail/wireless/virus issues.. he does mostly basic office stuff, emails, surfing etc, photo viewing etc .... and is generally "at ease" with it.

My dad (who BTW never used a computer since 1989 (green screen thingy) now has a mac (tried him on windows first - disaster zone, virus on his first day via a popup).

My sister now WANTS a mac ..

you wont regret it .. and any issues .. bring on boards.

Yep there is a (slight) premium to pay .. but for the countless hours of not having to deal with OS and software headaches IMHO well worth it.

P.S. 3 weeks since I last restarted my Macbook

Cabaal

As a hardcore Windows user for years I used to take the piss out of people with iBooks, but in May of this year i got myself a lovely black MacBook while on holidays in the states.

Put it this way, if I needed to replace my desktop PC running windows in the morning I'd get myself a iMac

440Hz

That post has cheered me up no end Cabaal! I love it when people come to the bright side!!

also.. particularly enjoy when you post cos I get to laugh at your super sig hehe!

jmck87

For the OP..... dont think... JUST DO IT!

Like cabaal I switched not long ago with a macbook, and now that I need a new desktop guess what I'll buy.....

Hint: IMAC!!!!

Cabaal

haha, it sucks when I have to switch back to windows and I move the mouse cursor to the corners expecting stuff to happen and nothing does

deevey

"F9""F9""F9""F9""F9""F9""F9"

Somtimes I just feel the need to log off and on again ..

Ham'nd'egger

nc6000 wrote:

Never used a Mac before, I've only used Windows PCs for a number of years now. Just upgraded to Vista and think that this can't be the best there is.

So anyway, I'm thinking about buying a MacBook. Can anyone give any advice about moving from Windows to Mac? Will it take long to get the hang of? I'm a bit worried about the choice of software should I get one.

Just on the issue of price... If you were to get 3 years out of your new Mac, subtract €240 from the prices; this figure being 3 years of Norton Antivirus. So your entry level Macbook is effectively less than €800. Ok, you can get cheaper anti virus for Windows but it is a good standard to assume. You will also get additional softwares on a mac that you would need to pay for on Windows (Assuming you get them legitimate; copied software is a major source of bugs on Windows so not the best way to do things).

cornbb

Hamndegger wrote:

Just on the issue of price... If you were to get 3 years out of your new Mac, subtract €240 from the prices; this figure being 3 years of Norton Antivirus. So your entry level Macbook is effectively less than €800. Ok, you can get cheaper anti virus for Windows but it is a good standard to assume. You will also get additional softwares on a mac that you would need to pay for on Windows (Assuming you get them legitimate; copied software is a major source of bugs on Windows so not the best way to do things).

Ok I'm a Mac fan too but this post is very misleading - There are a number of security and antivirus packages for Win which are free and widely considered to be better than Norton/MacAfee. And there is a far greater selection of quality free software for Windows than there is for Mac.

Macs are more expensive whatever way you look at it, but that shouldn't stop anyone from making the switch.

Dublinstiofán

nc6000 wrote:

Never used a Mac before, I've only used Windows PCs for a number of years now. Just upgraded to Vista and think that this can't be the best there is.

So anyway, I'm thinking about buying a MacBook. Can anyone give any advice about moving from Windows to Mac? Will it take long to get the hang of? I'm a bit worried about the choice of software should I get one.

Just buy one you will never look back and regret it. Bought one last year and love it. Dread going into work and working on windows.

Macs Just work, simple as. I would wait for leopard though. In case you don't know what it is its the new operating system for mac due in a month or two.

Hope your in the Mac forum as you needed the extra push to go and buy one.
Doubt you will hear a bad word about about buying one here tbh. Should probably try find someone who used both for a less one sided opinion.

Spud83

I just wanna say one thing that is related to the Mac v Windows War. There is an Apple event next week on the 7th where they are expected to release or at least give concreate details on their new range of macs including mac books. So it could be worth waiting for that and looking at the new range, also the old range may see a price reduction.

Also Apple are bring out a new operating system this quarter so that could be worth waiting for too. Nothing worse than buying a new machine only to have both the hardware and operating system updated in a few weeks.

440Hz

alanmurphy83 wrote:

Nothing worse than buying a new machine only to have both the hardware and operating system updated in a few weeks.

I can think of something worse than that....


VISTA!!

we win

Creamy Goodness

leopard basic €129
leopard home €129
leopard business €129
leopard home premimum €129
leopard ultimate €129

why wait tbh, it's not like leopard is going to be half a thousand euros, i rest my case tbh.

Spud83

Cremo wrote:

leopard basic €129
leopard home €129
leopard business €129
leopard home premimum €129
leopard ultimate €129

why wait tbh, it's not like leopard is going to be half a thousand euros, i rest my case tbh.

Good point but it still putting an extra expense that you could use for better hardware or other software if you just wait a few weeks. €129 is a lot of money to some people. Especially when they probably wont start shipping the new macs until Leopard is available. My guess is that leopard will be released alongside these new macs with the details of when coming out on Tuesday. Thats why I'm saying wait till tuesday and see what the new machines will offer.

decob

Cabaal wrote:

haha, it sucks when I have to switch back to windows and I move the mouse cursor to the corners expecting stuff to happen and nothing does

i know the pain, but it's also annoying when using someone else mac and they use the corners for different things than you., or when using someone else pc laptop - two fingers to right click and nothing happens. grrr

440Hz

Im not a hot corners fan. Expose + Spaces is the way to go!

Re Tuesday, I would say expect more changes than just announcing the new machines. I would expect a few announcements about changes to software as well. Almost all the native applications are going to get a huge refactoring with Leopard and 64bit on the way. The look and feel has been nicely improved in Leopard, for applications like Preview, iChat etc.

Creamy Goodness

also i don't think there will be a new macbook, if there is they won't discontinue the current one, if there's a new one it will be a super ultra light one i'd imagine that would be the price of a mac pro.

nc6000

alanmurphy83 wrote:

Good point but it still putting an extra expense that you could use for better hardware or other software if you just wait a few weeks. €129 is a lot of money to some people. Especially when they probably wont start shipping the new macs until Leopard is available. My guess is that leopard will be released alongside these new macs with the details of when coming out on Tuesday. Thats why I'm saying wait till tuesday and see what the new machines will offer.

Thanks everyone for your responses and feedback.

Is there a new version of Mac OS due out soon? Maybe I should wait for that to come out.

babypink

wait til next week!!! who knows what el Jobso will drop at the event!

440Hz

babypink wrote:

el Jobso

lmfao! All Hail Steve!!

Dear Steve,

I would like to offer the sacrifice of this horrible PC, to be burned at the alter of Apple in return for more great gadgets.

Thanks loads,
Your biggest fan


lol

Ham'nd'egger

cornbb wrote:

Ok I'm a Mac fan too but this post is very misleading - There are a number of security and antivirus packages for Win which are free and widely considered to be better than Norton/MacAfee. And there is a far greater selection of quality free software for Windows than there is for Mac.

Macs are more expensive whatever way you look at it, but that shouldn't stop anyone from making the switch.

I know there is cheaper and better than Norton, but as the default anti virus Windows users use, it is fair to say what I did. The software on a Mac I was thinking of would not be freeware, more so the out of box stuff.