Mac or PC

I just had to add my two cents, along with everyone else...
I don't believe the learning curve is higher with a mac, I would say lower. As with anything new, you have to learn how to use it. I think it has a great interface. It's easy to load new software. Many of the programs that only run on a mac, like iMovie, iPhoto have some really unique, easy to use features you would not find in a pc software. Some may argue that opinion, but I am always getting calls from friends using Sony software, etc on a pc for home movies and stuff. I love iMovie/iDvd, though I am not using the newest version. I used pc's in school, and in college started learning graphic programs on a pc, until I took a mac class. I have been a mac user ever since.
There are some compatability issues with software, but it's so much better now than 10 years ago. There are also lots of free software available, such as openoffice.org, google docs (new), etc. Apple has a list of theirs and 3rd party software on their support pages.
I would highly recommend going into an apple store when you have some time and play around with one of the setups, and ask questions to the staff. Also, I think some people are thrown off by the buttonless mouse. I'm not sure if a laptop comes with a mouse, but anything usb should work if you prefer buttons. If wireless internet is something you may want to use, check out Apple's airport vs. buying a wireless card made for mac (cost). It's probably cheaper to get another brand of card, but the apple stuff probably works with less effort. Just something you might consider before deciding whether or not to do that later.
If you get a mac, you can email me questions if you run into user problems.
Good luck - GO MAC! =)
M.

Hi there!

I have been PC all my life and am now going to be switichng over to a MAC as soon as I can afford it. Everybody I know that has one says MAC's have almost no problems, can't say that with the PC. GO check out the MAC at your nearest Apple store. Some have free workshops on Saturdays for people who are considering buying one. Also, I believe you can have some Microsoft software on your MAC like office and outlook.

Good Luck!

No doubt a MAC is easier. It also has less trouble. You said your PC has been getting tempermental - that's so typical of a PC and they are more vulnerable to viruses. Macs are not affected by viruses. My husband uses a PC and is always swearing at it and getting aggravated. I use a MAC and never have any trouble. If you are just going to use it for easy business stuff and internet and email you don't need to purchase a top of the line expensive model. The base model will suffice. All the Microsoft programs work the same if you are used to using Word, Excel, etc.

Hello-
I'm not that big of a computer nerd, but I agree with your husband! I currently have a mac powerbook, but i've owned an ibook as well. They are really easy to use, come with a lot of fun applications and rarely have problems with viruses. I own a business as well, and I run the whole thing on macs. It has presented a challenge or two with finding compatible programs, but for the most part, everything comes in a mac version. They are more expensive, but I think the extra is worth it. I would suggest the ibook. They are the most affordable and are ready to use right out of the box. They also have pretty awesome customer service. I would suggest going to the mac store in Woodfield to give them a try. I hope this helps.

We had a Mac years ago. I didn't like it much. Later we bought a PC a few years after that and having been using it for the past 10 year or so. Earlier this year I bought a PC laptop and it came with Vista. I HATE IT! Before this laptop I swore up and down that I would always be a PC user. VISTA SUCKS! Thank you Vista for making me a future Mac user. When we are ready to buy another computer we are going Mac all the way. Mac has gotten so much better these days. Soon if not now, Mac will have the same platform as a PC. I will NEVER buy a PC again.

Just to give you an example, a friend of mine was a PC networking guy for 17 years. Swore by PC's and just last week bought a Mac and has been in heaven ever since. He calls me everyday to tell me what a great machine the thing is!!!

Go MAc....not PC! You will be much happier. I have had nothing but problems with my PC since I have gotten it this year.

I say take a trip to the Apple store near you and play around with the machines...ask questions....you'll fall in love.

We recently faced a similar decision, and after my husband did his research we purchased an iMac for our home computer. I hadn't worked on a Mac since grammar school (many years ago) and had no trouvble adjusting to the Mac. I would say the only "learning curve" is for how much more the Mac can do, and how much easier it does it. Macs are so smart, when we got it I set it up right away without any help, and was printing, surfing, downloading, etc within 30 min. I love that anything I hook up to it (printer, camera, etc) just starts woking right away, no "adding hardware" or "searching for new hardware" and not being able to get the computer to recognize new things. And you can't beat no viruses!
S.

We have both at home but my husband the techie and i both love our mac G5, it's just so very awesome, and so easy, and Macs are not susceptible to any virus like PCs seem to be. I'd say go w/ the mac, they are so much more user friendly, even if you don't use the photo, dvd, movie, music centers, just good machines that don't have a lot of problems. :)

Hi B. -
I swithched from a PC to MAC almost a year ago and I regret not doing it sooner!! I have a MacBook and I am blown away with everything I can do on it. It is so easy to organize pictures and make DVDs. I have not had a pop up or some screen asking if I am sure that I want to do that with the MAC. I really hate that about the PC. It always made me second guess myself. The MAC is so worth the extra money. You will not regret it!

I think Mac all the way. I have a laptop and we have a mac at home and incredible. LIke the other moms say, it is worth every penny. I thought at first that the mac was overpriced, but it is way easier and much more user friendly than PC's. I also like the fact where you do not have to install all that fancy anti-spy stuff, it comes with it along with the software, you do not have to look for it and all that nonsense.

We switched to a Mac three years ago and have not regretted it. We have a IMac G5 and it's wonderful. Any support we've needed has been excellent either from calling or going to the Apple store. I do love my mac. I'd hit an Apple store if you're serious and they can tell you about switching your business over. Good luck.

Hi B.,

I taught 2nd graders and all of the students (K-5) used Mac. I am now at home full time and still use a Mac. It is so user friendly. I bought a Mac laptop 3 years ago and have not had ANY problems with it. (It's a iBook G4). My kids are in kindergarten and they have MACs at their school so it's already familar to them. I LOVE my Mac, and I would recommend you at least try one out in a store. I bought my laptop at the Mac store in Woodfield. The salesman I got was very helpful with everything. Good luck.

Hi B.,

My hubby is total mac head, had to be a mac. We used to have an imac and when it went we got a mini mac. Truly unbelievable that the whole computer is just the size of a cd case but more depth! I only use the computer for internet, typing up books for my dd's school & doing the newsletter for my moms group but all in all the computer is very easy to navigate through.

good luck
C.

We have a mac desktop and I used to have a laptop too... I LOVE IT! I also use a PC laptop for work and I can't stand it. Mac's are great. Never have virus problems and they are so user friendly.

If you are used to a PC and know how to use it fairly well, I wouldn't switch. There is a pretty significant learning curve between a Mac and a PC. If you know little to nothing about how to work a PC, then Mac is easier to learn, but going from a PC to a Mac kinda requires a switch in the way you think about things...everything is in a different place than what you are used to. Macs are also much more expensive. Unless you are doing work with graphics or webpages or are just generally not good with computers, I would stick with a PC. I work in technology as well, and have always worked on PCs.....I occasionally run into a Mac that I have to work with and it is very confusing to me. But.....if you don't know much about how a PC works, it might not be as big of an issue for you.

I LOVE my mac, but have always been a mac person. Another thing to think about is how many amazing things kids are able to easily do on a mac with movies, music, etc. A mac is easy to learn, very intuitive, and many of the schools still have them.

We are PC family and always will be and we are in Information Technology fields. PC is more common especially in working world - or at least I have found that to be the case. I agree with previous post -- "If you know little to nothing about how to work a PC, then Mac is easier to learn, but going from a PC to a Mac kinda requires a switch in the way you think about things...everything is in a different place than what you are used to. Macs are also much more expensive. Unless you are doing work with graphics or webpages or are just generally not good with computers, I would stick with a PC."