Wonder if Mac and I should Part Ways

Published on November 18, 2004 By InBloom In Personal Computing

I am a mac user...Don't Know if there are Many of you out there....
and I am not even an upgraded mac user at that :/ There are many features I cannot use with this mac version, and it seems like I am years behind other ppl as far as advanced computing is concerned...

This is my dilemma...I would like to get a new laptop soon (and another car...mine's getting to be a clunker..but that's another story...), but I am not sure if I should just upgrade the one I have to MacOSX or if I should go for the gusto and get a pc with the works.....
Here is what I am looking for in a Computer....
A system that is not too difficult to use,
One with cd burning and dvd viewing capabilities,
One with enough memory to store lots of things such as music and photos and documents,
Something lightweight,
I can be a girlie sometimes, so something with a sleek look and style,
something that is of quality, but not too expensive...

The reason I hesitiate to upgrade to MacOSX is that I dont think I have enough memory....I am not a technical wizard, not too familiar with lots of things having to do with computers, but i do know this...this version is not working as great as I'd want it to, and I just hunger for something for advanced...

Comments (Page 2)

InBloom

on Dec 02, 2004

Ty caddy, meowy, buu for the input...it definitely helps me think about the different options i have...

I agree...OSX is a whole different world! I use Ibooks at work (i teach)...has wireless interent, has fast connections, and well, just great overall...
My sister has a Dell....lol...it's a whole other planet to me since I am so used to Mac.

I wish I was more technically advanced to tell you more about my software....I just know that I am on os9.2 and I need something newer!

btw...my school will be sending me to a Technology convention in February ...maybe I might learn a few things! also, despite me saying I dont know much, I guess they thought I knew enough to send me to a state convention, which I am looking forward to! I'd love to learn more about the different sorts of software and sites and internet lessons and resources I can use in the classroom (and at home).

Septimus

on Dec 02, 2004

Have you considered a Sony machine. Again you get what you pay for and they are only slightly cheaper than PowerBooks/iBooks equivelant's.

With Windows, if you really can't get used to it, can be made to look and function in similar respects to a Mac. It's customisation ability is Windows strength, especially for most of the users of this site. I use Mac's in work alongside PC's daily (and own/mod' both) and I know I couldn't just use a Mac. I'd miss the amount of tinkering you can do.

Otherwise, I'd say stick to what you know and get a new iBook. If your machine came with 9.2 then I think it's hardware will struggle greatly with OSX. If you have ever tried using Panther on a G3 500Mhz, you'd never want to use OSX again.

InBloom

on Dec 04, 2004

Septimus, thanks for the information. I am still pondering that Windows or OSX thing...I know that windows has many advantages...but I also know that OSX does, too, and it is a program I am familiar with....
Well, I will be using my mac for at least a few more months...then we will see what happens.

paxx

on Dec 06, 2004

If you're looking for a low to medium price laptop, you'll pay a lot less for a PC. If you're looking at higher price laptops, prices are similar. Note that you can get a very decent DELL laptop nowadays. Around $1200-$1500.
The learning curve from Mac OS 9 and Mac OSX is just as steep as going from Mac OS 9 to Windows XP. If you've never used OSX, then switching to Windows won't be any more or any less of a problem. If you've already tried OSX (at work?) and didn't have a problem, then the switch to Windows won't be a problem for you. Don't forget, the gap is in you head, it's psychological. I remember when I made the switch myself eons ago (more than 10 years ago), I was terrified. But once you get passed that "fear of Windows", it goes pretty smoothly actually.
In your area of work, there is no reason to stick to Mac. PC's will get the job done just as well for you. I know, I'm a teacher too.

craeonics

on Dec 08, 2004

I thought you were in the multimedia biz, paxxy?

Anyhow, if you feel comfortable with Macs and aren't too tech savvy, then I'd say it's best to stick with the Mac. The differences between "Carbon" and OSX are under the hood mainly. Usage is about the same, I'd say.

Switching to XP means you have to get used to all kind of little things that are different between Mac and Windows. It's hard to unlearn usage patterns that have worn in year after year.

Then again, it's cheaper and there's (presumably) more diversity in apps.

paxx

on Dec 08, 2004

crae: indeed I was for the past 10 years. But due to downsizing where I worked, I lost my job, so I decided to go back to teaching (teaching was my original profession pre-1994). But I had been thinking of going back for a while, this just gave me the push I needed to make the move.
I still do multimedia on my own as a side line.

craeonics

on Dec 08, 2004

Aha. Depending on whether or not you prefer teaching over doing multimedia, my response would be either "that's great" or "that stinks". Then again, getting sacked is never fun.

craeonics wonders if this message will be threaded (edit: apparently not)

MarkMcQ

on Dec 08, 2004

I've been a PC user for 6 years and recently I decided to pick up an old G3 B&W PowerMac from ebay. I spent some cash upgrading it to run SATA, and will be putting the 1Ghz CPU upgrade in next month, plus more RAM.
It currently runs 400mhz, 348MB RAM, and I have a just installed PC Radeon 7000 flashed to run on a Mac. I installed OSX Panther on it, and I find myself barely using the PC since I did so. Despite it's current low specs, it's a VERY stable and fast machine. OSX is so better designed than XP with regards to playing nicely with hardware, so it has less overhead.
The only thing that really stops me switching for good is partly because of gaming reasons, and that my current form of income depends on creating graphics for Windows software.Were it not for those 2 reasons, my PC would be retired.
I really would recommend the upgrade to OSX. For one thing it'll be cheaper, plus as a previous MacOS user, you'll still be in a familiar environment.

InBloom

on Dec 08, 2004

Pax, Crae, and Hippy

Ty for the info...I do use MacOSX at work....we use the ibook G4s..and although i am still not familiar with some of the applications, I am getting pretty used to it, and don't find it too difficult to work with. If osx has some similarities with windows, that would be great. I wouldn't feel as intimidated by switching over if I decide to.

lilstarfish

on Dec 08, 2004

Hi InBloom!

I would recommend you to check out the new
G5 iMac, it comes in 17" and 20" models.

I helped an aquaintance install his
new 20" model and it is SUPER nice!

He is an old cinematographer but has never
worked with digital movie editing before,
so he got one with 1 gig of ram and it
works flawlessly

One problem that you'll encounter if you try
to upgrade to OS X is that you can only do that
if you run somewhat recent hardware.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/requirements.html

Check out them cool iMac wonders here:
http://www.apple.com/imac/

You'll definitely not be disapointed

InBloom

on Dec 08, 2004

sounds coool, Starfish. were you talking about imovie? I actually went to a training today to use imovie in my classroom...we learned to edit, add effects and so forth...I still need practice on it, but was pretty fun to do.

paxx

on Dec 08, 2004

Use iMovie in your classroom?
You have computers in the classroom where you live? Cool. Here, we have one computer lab for the whole school (all PC's, but old ones)...

kona0197

on Dec 08, 2004

It also has a Pentium processor, which is the best for you if you are mobile computing.

Actually a centrino setup is a bit better.

lilstarfish

on Dec 09, 2004

Yes,

we started with iMovie since it comes bundeled with OS X.
It is really a quite capable application and since he will
use it for doing his regular professional stuff and not making
any of those "wedding videos with a thousand different
transitions" =D he is perfectly set.

When he feels comfortable with iMovie we'll introduce him
to Final Cut Pro so he have the top of the line tool.

Something tells me he will be content with iMovie for
a good time yet though.

The G5 iMac is so beautiful it's impossible to explain
without seeing it in real life. The images online doesn't
give it justice and you need to work with it to feel
the speed of the G5 processor.

And, if you want you can get it with the SuperDrive so
you can also burn DVD movies, not just watch them

It has seriously made me consider getting me a Mac too.

InBloom

on Dec 10, 2004

paxx,

actually, we have what are called Computers on Wheels...it is a well..basically a cart full of laptops that can be taken to class...We have a population of almost 1,000 kids in this school, and we have two of those carts for the whole school, so I am only able to use them once a week...we used to have a computer lab, but they turned it into a daycare....lol

Our school district was awarded a grant to buy these g4 laptops (with printer and projector)...and we also get trainings on them every month...I have yet to use the imovie with the kids, although I hope to do it soon...I would rather start off by showing them how to do simple slide shows.

kona, ty for the info. starfish, sounds like your friend LoVes imovie

....btw..I Love your "thumbs up" emoticon lol

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