Converting to a Mac - please help

[negativecreep]

I am thinking of purchasing a Mac in the near future. I am starting to do research to see if this will be the right fit for me. I have some concerns though.

-a fear of not getting everything I do with my PC (software features etc)
-not knowing how to use MAC operating systems like the official MAC one or LINUX or Free BSD
-compatability with my xbox 360 and creative zen microphoto mp3 player
-website design tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio

Then again I am really interested in the security features because I am tired of buying PCs and having them crap out after about 2 or 3 years due to viruses and spyware.

So my plee to you guys. Anyone have any reasons why I should goto a Mac, or maybe reasons I shouldn't. Any info concerning my above concerns. Maybe you know of a good site or document that helps people convert from PCs to Macs. Any help would be appreciated as your help with my research will eventually lead to a decision. Thanks in advance!

[thats all folks]

Well I can see that this will become a PC vs Mac, so this might get closed. I believe mac runs windows now so your pc software should work. For a reason to change, this is where the "fight" always starts in these threads. I would go to the apple store and talk with them, they have the pretty good knowledge on how to convert.

[negativecreep]

Well I hope this doesn't turn into a PC vs Mac.
Just help a guy out that is trying to figure out what kind of machine to buy.
I rather not talk to Apple people because they will be pretty biased towards Apples. If your biased you can make anything sound better.

[SlowRoasted]

Don't worry, just get a mac. Like thats all folks said, you can put windows and OSX on the new ones. If you end up hating OSX, which i seriously doubt you will, you can just use windows.

[simplistik]

anything you can do on a Mac you can on a PC. any major software is supported on a Mac, but if you pirate your software which, you give the hint that you do... then that's your problem. Buy it, if you don't like it return it. BTW I'm a Mac person/user but I use a PC as well, and there's no need to try to stereotype anyone here.

[graylensman]

Yeah, with the new Intel-based Macs, you'll be able to load up and run your PC software (within Windows OS limits, of course). My suggestion at that point is to get the biggest hard drive you can, so you've got space to keep what you already have on the PC side and also load up on the Mac stuff that I believe you'll come to love.

[negativecreep]

anything you can do on a Mac you can on a PC. any major software is supported on a Mac, but if you pirate your software which, you give the hint that you do... then that's your problem. Buy it, if you don't like it return it. BTW I'm a Mac person/user but I use a PC as well, and there's no need to try to stereotype anyone here.

I'm not stereoptying you or anyone here just trying to get different points of view. I would stereotype going to a macintosh site with them stating a mac is better, it would only make sense for their business :)

Anywho so far it seems a mac would be a good idea....

[Sketchaphone]

I've always had Windows. I grew up using Windows. Let's just make a list of pros and cons. This might sound like, "I'm a Mac." "And I'm a PC"

PC
Pros

Support for nearly all software
Ports for all your little techy stuff
Make your GUI look like a Mac like I did
Able to configure hardware for better performance
Right ClickCons

BSOD
Many bugs, glitches and errors that come up unexpectedly
Hard to fix problems for normal household computer users
Can breakdown in performance after some years
Viruses
Mac
Pros


High Resolution
Nice GUI
Not many viruses, if any
Fast
Easy to use for a normal person
Good for design
Support for Windows
Lasts longerCons

No opening up your computer to look at the hardware
Expensive
Many programs do not support Mac
Not easily configured for a hardcore PC user
Don't get me wrong, I'm not being biased towards Mac or PC. Mac is more for a business like, user-friendly person. PC's are typically for hardcore gamers and hardcore overclockers and such. You can compromise and get a PC that's "converted" to a Mac. Or you can get a Mac with a big hard drive to run Windows. That's all I can write on this two hour delay for school.

[thats all folks]

If your budget can afford a Mac, I say go for it and get windows on it. Sketch has a nice break down of pro's and con's!

[simplistik]

Mac
Pros


High Resolution
Nice GUI
Not many viruses, if any
Fast
Easy to use for a normal person
Good for design
Support for Windows
Lasts longerCons

No opening up your computer to look at the hardware
Expensive
Many programs do not support Mac
Not easily configured for a hardcore PC user


Well first PC has same resolution it's based on monitor and gcard not OS.
Good for design? PCs are equally as good, however the environment for OSX just looks sexier so it's more conducive to good design.
Speed... the price of a Mac will get you a better or equivalent PC in terms of speed.
Doesn't last longer, it's all in the user.
You can open up the case and look at the hardware AND upgrade if you want (not on a mini though)
Any type of program you want for the PC you can get for the Mac... notice I said type
If you're a hardcore PC user why you tryin to configure a Mac?
Macs have a right click

[simplistik]

I'm not stereoptying you or anyone here just trying to get different points of view.
Was just bein silly man.:hugegrin:

[negativecreep]

That was a sweet breakdown. Thanks for all your help guys. I think I have decided Mac is the way to go for me. I figure if I invest in a mac pay $1500 to $1700 (which is what I payed for my PC awhile back) it will return its value because if I got a MAC then I probably woudln't be having the problem of a crapped out computer from viruses/spyware. Hence I wouldn't need a new computer after all...

[graylensman]

PC
Pros
Make your GUI look like a Mac like I did

That made me laugh out loud. I've never ever run into a Mac user who wanted to make the Mac GUI look like a Windows machine. But I get tons of Windows users who come into my cube and are in awe of the GUI on my Mac, and ask if their PC "can do that".

One other Pro to toss onto the Mac pile: plug-and-play really is plug-and-play.

[.michael]

I was "raised" on pc's—have built many in my day. But also own and used MACs when i was in school, and continue to use macs now at work.

Comparing Mac's to PC's now-a-days is like comparing apples to oranges. They both have their differences and similarities.

There is NO advantage to a PC over a MAC nor MAC to PC when it comes to design purposes. I hated that stereo-type that MACS are better for designers. It's such a bullsh1t stereo-type.

[Overlord]

I went Mac a year ago and never looked back. Not even once. I don't even like looking at a PC based machine anymore. =) I do Flash, PHP, MySQL development and it works like a champ. Twice as much speed and everything just runs better. Plus once you get used to the file structure and interface going back to a PC seems so primitive with file lookups/installing software and modifying your config.

Anyway, hope that helps. Oh and buying a Mac is like buying a Porsche 911. Sure it's more expensive but it's the pro tools versus a Dell. I haven't had to reinstall my OS and back everything up constantly for the inevitable crash. I love my Mac.