MacBook pros and cons?

[Maisie]

iTunes on our PC is huge and growing by the minute. My DH has offered to buy me a iMac or MacBook for Christmas so that I can transfer iTunes over from the PC to the Mac. I have never used a Mac before and was wondering if anyone with some experience could give me some pros and cons of using one versus a PC using Windows XP.

Thanks in advance.

[blade88]

Hi,

I have and use a PC and a MacBook.

When I started using the apple it seemed very strange but after a few days I found it logical and very easy to use. With the MacBook you also don't have to worry as much about viruses and I find the operating system more stable than windows.

The PC has the advantage of more compatible software.

If you buy an Apple with an Intel processor then you are able to run windows on it using a piece of software such as Parallels.

Andrew

[fayeg]

DBF and I are big big biiiig mac fans - We both prefer them to PC's mainly because have found they dont have all the typical PC problems such as screen freezing, programs randomly closing and most importantly - virus'es!!! Granted, macs do take some getting used to when you have been using a PC forever, but once you have had it for a few weeks itll become second nature (we find it hard to use PC's now).

Another pro for macs is that they are sooo pweeetty and are very fun :) I love the programmes like iphoto and I even think that microsoft word for mac is better than the one for PC's.

However as Andrew said it can be harder to get certain games and programmes for macs and they are often more expensive than those for PC's! But I guess it depends on what you need your computer for - I use my mac for my music photos, internet and word processing etc so it fine for me - and all I needed to get was microsoft office :)

Good luck and let us know what you decide :) x

[essexmick]

pros no virii like windows or bsods

cons expensive

[Dollar_Bill]

As above, The Macs are more expensive than equivalent spec'd PCs, however I now have a MacMini and MacBook and really prefer the Macs to the PCs.
I don't play games, so don't know how that would affect your decision if you do.
Bill

[Jaybeez]

We only have Macs, as they are so reliable and there is no problem with viruses. I agree that they work out more expensive than PC's, but they are well worth the money.

Just editing to say that they look really good as well.

[Maisie]

Thanks for your input so far everyone. Games are not an issue, I don't play any! I use the PC for music, photos and browsing the web. I agree with Jaybeez and Fayeg about the look of them. Very pleasing on the eye! The smaller virus risk is a big plus for me as is the lack of screen freezing etc! I think I'm going to go for it. So, MacBook or Mac? The screen on the Mac are huge at 20 and 24 inches. Am I the only one who finds them a little overpowering?

[Anne]

I use an iMac with the 20" screen at work and it isn't overpowering at all :) I'd love to get one for home but I can't justify the expense.

[fayeg]

Yep the macs are huge, I guess they are made this way because they are mainly that way because designers etc use them and need them to be that size to work on them - I dont find them overpowering though, they are fab - like anne Id love to have one at home, but don't really need one :) although im sure when I move in with DBF we will get one so he can work at home - and Il just enjoy the prettyness ;) tehe

[Elsie]

This sums up my feelings towards the Mac (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/28/bofh_episode_33/) :d:

To nick a comment:

"What's wrong with Apples?"

"They're just not real computers," he says. "They're the piano accordion of the computing world, entertaining, but not made for professionals." ROFL!

Seriously, Macs are useful if all you want is 'a computer' to do computery stuff. Macs are fine for the basics (that's why they only have one mouse button to keep things simple) but ask them to do complex tasks such as chucking hi-res graphics around the screen they're stumped. A Mac that leaves the factory will, in hardware terms, be the same 5 years after it rolled off the production line. A PC is upgradeable, has the scope for so much more than a Mac and is by far the more productive tool.

I'd rather have a Ferrari performing PC and suffer the occasional problem rather than be hamstrung by the good looks of the Trabant style Mac.

[mapman]

Macs are, in a word, WONDERFUL ;)

It becomes your friend - LOL

Also, don't forget - they come pre-loaded with some VERY powerful and intuitive software for ANYTHING creative - working with music, photo's, images, web stuff, DVD's, Home movies etc etc etc etc . . . is extremely easy.

I use my 17" laptop for WORK and play, and I can ASSURE you it's NOT a Trabant . . I work with very large graphic files and huge music files for composing, and everything runs very smoothly - I have increased the RAM memory though !

You won't get any virus's or problems with driver software . . mac's really ARE plug and play.

:wave:

[Rebelrebel]

I've got a macbook and looooooooove it. Once you've had a mac theres no going back ;) :grin:

[Jools]

I'm not at all technical when it comes to IT, but can say my MAc has never suffered from screen freeze, a virus or crashed - ever. Unlike the annoying XP thing I have to use at work.