I just noticed how cool macs are...

[[NoSpace]]

...and I wish I had one. I was over at my uncles house and saw his mac. He has a degree in graphic design or something like that, so he has photoshop and all those cool programs.

I was wondering, is there anyone on these forums with a mac? Which one, emac,power mac etc. Are they even better than I think they are? Do you think the OS is better than windows?

[kemikalfire]

me, and (i think) peg have macs.

I like macs better than pcs. I have a g3 running os 9.2, but I am looking to get a new one in the next year or so. They just aren't making programs for the older ones anymore.

kate!

[putts]

ah, yes, macs

the only reason they don't rule the world of computers right now is probably arrogance.

Steve Jobs did such a good job getting that company off the ground that I think he thought his "baby" was invincible.

Then, all of a sudden, a little thing called Windows 95 happened and knocked them out of the water.

I still believe that both the PC and Mac have their uses.

Personally, for Joe-schmo computer user, a PC is optimal - especially if Joe doesn't know much about computers because not only do most games written for a PC but also the versioning between the Mac O/S themselves.

However, if you are a graphic design professional - WOAH - there's no comparison. That's the niche that the Mac started in and that's what they've always kept at their fore-front. Adobe has been making apps for them since that beginning also so it surprises me little to hear that Photoshop on a Mac would blow you away. :D

[Pegasus]

Do I have a Mac? Hmmm... Let's see, a working Apple IIc in the basement, a PowerMac 6100 and 7500av in Butterfly's room, an Apple IIgs in storage, Lizzy's iMac and my G4. Yeah, we have one or two kicking about. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. As you can see. ;)

The one thing Apple has prided itself on was its user-friendliness and that hasn't changed since the beginning. You want to find your CD? Don't bother looking for a specific drive. The icon is right there on the desktop. All your drives are right there on the desktop, come to think of it. Need to switch from a printer to an Adobe printer to do a PDF? Apple>Chooser and take your pick. My favourite is my typos. Lizzy will proofread my stories, but there's no way I can find the same mistake. Sherlock2 and Find-By-Content and I've got the typo in minutes - after it searches over 200 pages of text. I've got my desktop littered with all manner of postit notes and if there's something I absolutely have to do first thing in the morning, I'll leave the sticky note open on the desktop. Instant reminder. Have several programmes that you use on a regular basis? Programme your keyboard shortcuts, Alt+F#, and you can add 12 frequently used programmes to your keyboard. Don't like using a standard American keyboard? Take your pick of dozens. I have mine set to Canadian French so I don't have to go looking for all those little squiggly marks to put over or under the letters. Some of them are even done as single keys - éç - one-stop shop for those two.

And that's just for OS9.2. OSX has got, so I'm told, even more features, bells and whistles.

But the best thing about my Mac? It's got this little folder on it that I *know* I'm supposed to keep my grubby little paws out of. It's called a "System Folder" and has a Mac-face on it. I don't need to wonder what's in the "File Manager" at all. System means don't touch. How simple can that be?

*snicker* And then, of course, there's the matter of having a system immunity to 95% of the virii and junk that's floating around. No spyware, no hidden files, no snoopers in my folders, and all manner of other lesser and greater Evils.

Do I want a PC? :rofl:

Peg

[Erikina]

You make Macs sound very nice. I was at a large computer shop, and they had a little section for Macs. I think they were called imacs (but I'm probably wrong) - and it was a very nice looking flat screen monitor, without the "tower". Everything was just built into the flatscreen monitor - it was VERY nice.

But even yesterday you told me you couldn't access Gmail because you are running a mac. That's something that would drive me crazy, as I imagine Gmail isn't the only service you can't use.

[Pegasus]

Thing is, I don't need Gmail. I have several email addresses that do quite well for what I need most. My ISP email will take fairly large files without a problem, and once it's saved to disk, I'm not going to loose it. If that doesn't work, sending the email to my website address will.

I don't need MSNchat and a lot of the other wonderful things around that are similar. If I need to get into a discussion with someone, if ICQ or a forum chatroom don't work, I'll pick up the phone.

If I have to send a large file out to someone I either send it directly or post the file to my website and give the person the direct address to it.

The way I look at it, and you'll pardon the bluntness?, but PCs are great for games and such, but if you need a computer to get things done, get a Mac.

I could use Gmail if I had a newer OS, but paying for one just isn't in the budget right now.

Peg

[Horus_Kol]

actually, the success of the PC can be as much attributed to the stupidity of IBM. They didn't bother copyrighting the basic architecture of the IBM/PC, and so any 2-bit operation could build PC's and components - kinda like how VHS took out Betamax.

[Erikina]

Peg,

That was a quick response. :P

I'm not saying "The downside of a Mac is not being able to use Gmail", I'm just talking about the lack of compatibility (and Gmail happens to be a recent example), but from reading your post it seems with a later version it wouldn't be as big of an issue.


I never use my computer for gaming, the only stuff I have installed is a c++ compiler, apache (and all the crap that goes with it), a text editor, firefox and UD to donate CPU time (I've so far donated 650 hours).

[senshi]

Originally posted by putts
ah, yes, macs

the only reason they don't rule the world of computers right now is probably arrogance.

Steve Jobs did such a good job getting that company off the ground that I think he thought his "baby" was invincible.

Then, all of a sudden, a little thing called Windows 95 happened and knocked them out of the water.

...


it all happened with Altar Basic my friend, if billy gates had lost the contract to supply one of the first operating systems, then Microsoft wouldnt exist as it does, it may not have even started if it hadnt been for the winning of a software contract that the software 'He' bought from someone eles, he didnt write any of the code but got all the credit for it.

various flavaz of DOS arrived before any GUI programming from Gates, Steve Jobbs was well established by then and sneaky bill managed to get onto the dev team and eventually he stole the operating system and thats when we saw a massive technological leap for mr gates by using someone elses operating system (nothing new here!), hacking his own version and using cheap japanese computers with a pre-installed operating system to dominate the market.

@Hardware restrictions make the Mac's very unpallitable for the majority of people and it is an issue if your Mac breaks down as its an RTB job, you cant replace parts as they are not off the shelf items, sure you can plug what ever you want into a Mac if it has a port on it but adding internal components is not an option, what you buy is what you get, PC's on the other hand are flexable, upgradeable and easily repaired and have way more support available and really do a wide range of jobs.

If you want a quick answer, unless you have a real need for a Mac, you will be better off going the PC way, if your Mac breaks down then its an RTB job (Having delivred 1,000's to the apple centre down the road from Birmingham Euro Hub, decided on PC based on the number I was returning for repair, not a good advert) but if you MUST have a Mac, buy one which is fully loaded as you will get longer use out of it before it becomes obsolete, something that PC's to a large degree get around.

PC's give you more choice in operating system, Macs.... Guess.

I have used Macs, they dont fairwell either as they generally break, dont ask how but one machine I just touched the mouse and the screen went off! another I was using the Floppy Disk I thought was Jammed was astually locked into the system and it was the OS that refused to eject the disk even after turning it off and back on, was an RTB and a couple of others ended up in crash loops, so I dont go near Macs as I tend to kill them very easily :D

[[NoSpace]]

Man, I wish I had enough money for a mac. But we just bought a new computer a few months ago:eek:

[kemikalfire]

Originally posted by Erikina
You make Macs sound very nice. I was at a large computer shop, and they had a little section for Macs. I think they were called imacs (but I'm probably wrong) - and it was a very nice looking flat screen monitor, without the "tower". Everything was just built into the flatscreen monitor - it was VERY nice.

But even yesterday you told me you couldn't access Gmail because you are running a mac. That's something that would drive me crazy, as I imagine Gmail isn't the only service you can't use.

I can access gmail on my mac...it's just not as fancy of a version as you can access with osX

kate!

[Pegasus]

Originally posted by senshi

@Hardware restrictions make the Mac's very unpallitable for the majority of people and it is an issue if your Mac breaks down as its an RTB job, you cant replace parts as they are not off the shelf items, sure you can plug what ever you want into a Mac if it has a port on it but adding internal components is not an option, what you buy is what you get, PC's on the other hand are flexable, upgradeable and easily repaired and have way more support available and really do a wide range of jobs.

If you want a quick answer, unless you have a real need for a Mac, you will be better off going the PC way, if your Mac breaks down then its an RTB job (Having delivred 1,000's to the apple centre down the road from Birmingham Euro Hub, decided on PC based on the number I was returning for repair, not a good advert) but if you MUST have a Mac, buy one which is fully loaded as you will get longer use out of it before it becomes obsolete, something that PC's to a large degree get around.

PC's give you more choice in operating system, Macs.... Guess.

I have used Macs, they dont fairwell either as they generally break, dont ask how but one machine I just touched the mouse and the screen went off! another I was using the Floppy Disk I thought was Jammed was astually locked into the system and it was the OS that refused to eject the disk even after turning it off and back on, was an RTB and a couple of others ended up in crash loops, so I dont go near Macs as I tend to kill them very easily :D

Not so. I have off-the-shelf PC equipment in my Mac. Granted, the motherboard is Apple-only, but the RAM is the same Kingston RAM that PCs use. Any EIDE drive will work in a Mac. I've got a second-hand Epson printer that originally was attached to a PC. I'm not sure what I've got for a graphics card. Never bothered to look, but I believe those are interchangeable with PCs, too. I'm getting a new CD writer and it was previously installed on a PC. I believe it'll work. I'll have to try it. I just bought Lizzy a new mouse and it works. Staples doesn't handle "Mac stuff". My ethernet connect works with the generic modem I got from my ISP.

Anything USB or Firewire will work on a Mac. Just like the PC, all you need is the correct driver and most places have those, if not on the accompanying CD, then on their website.

The only thing that doesn't seem to work generically are the mics. The bayonet on the PC plugs are too short for the Mac.

Peg

[senshi]

Peripherals are designed to be universal.

I have never seen mac stuff on sale (components) when I mean components IM talking internal like CPU's.

If what your saying is correct, then Macs must be using a PC based system because Macs traditionally have never been machines that you could crack open yourself and replace parts, theyre a plug n play machine in the way they allow you to add anything Externally to it. Internal stuff has normally been the domain of the Mac service centres who do charge allot for simple repairs.

As for me I stick with PC because it is very flexable and plenty of software to choose from as well as a choice of operating systems.

[senshi]

Just been into a Mac center and they said...

Power Mac's no problem, all the rest are RTB as you cannot buy off the shelf components like HDD's as the several models of macs they do only the power macs are able to source other parts, all the other macs are RTB items.

[omirix]

Haha... I prefer Windows or Linux, not a middle-ground... I have a funny pic to take, I will post on this thread tonight.

[afterburn]

Originally posted by Pegasus
Any EIDE drive will work in a Mac.



I beleive it needs to be clearified that older Mac's could only use 1 IDE drive. Everything else was SCSI. I believe for the most part that has changed and they now use PC Ram and drives.

They are currently using the Motoral G5 chip, that will also be uses in the Microsoft Xbox version 2.

[[NoSpace]]

One click mouses are "da bomb". I don't think my graphics tablet would work on a mac though:(

[RobRoyRogers]

NoSpace, what make/model is your tablet?

Again, as Macs are used primarily for multimedia, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find one that didn't support Mac.

[Pegasus]

Wacoms work on Macs, but I'm not sure about some of the others. If it's got a USB or FireWire connection, odds are it will work.

[[NoSpace]]

I see. What computer would you suggest for a first time "mac-er" with 850 dollars?

[Pegasus]

Hmmm.... You could try for a second-hand iMac. There's a few of those around. That much money could well get you a few peripherals to go with.

You might be able to get a G3 for that price, too. I'm not sure. You'd have to look around.

Peg

[RobRoyRogers]

Do you have a monitor? Are you using it to jump right into the applications, or just for getting familiar with the Mac OS all around (doesn't take long, trust me)?

If all you need is the computer, you can get a nicely loaded Mac Mini for ~$500 new. I really really like these models alot, considering getting one myself. Basically it fits the same principle as the iMac (everything you need, minimal space). But I don't think they come with anything. And by anything I mean keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. It was intended more for Mac users who want to upgrade JUST their cpu.

Second-hand Macs is a territory I've only ventured into once, and it was through a friend. So I can't really be certain as to the market, as there's no official Mac reseller program or anything that I know of. If you're going to go down that road, become VERY well-versed in all thing Mac so as not to get ripped off. Just knowing the language will make a con-man think twice about giving you the one-two.

[Schmeghead]

Mac's rock! One shouldn't be doing graphic design on anything else.

Does that make me a Mac snob?

[Schmeghead]

Originally posted by [NoSpace]
I see. What computer would you suggest for a first time "mac-er" with 850 dollars?

Mac Mini....or a used Emac.

http://www.dvwarehouse.com/index.php/cPath/253_53_129

[Ezkimo_Pie]

I use my G5 PowerMac nearly exclusively. I find that I can do everything on my Mac that I can on my PC with no more effort, and usually more quickly. Granted there might be 5 software titles to do something insead of 10, but I dont find I need any more then 5. I have found most of what people consider downfalls of the Mac are myths or based on old information (not to pick on whoever said it, but the floppy problem is a good example). I openly admit there are faults, like gaming, but overall I consider to to be a better system then windows or linux, and Tiger will only improve that. Its all really preference though.

[afterburn]

How are you able to make those claims against windows or linux? OSX = FreeBSD = Unix Favor = Linux!!!

What you thought is out the window with Security coverage. Obscurity no longer means security.