[louise07]

Hi all,

Hoping for some advice on my next computer purchase.

I have always been a PC user, had no problems or reasons to change over to a PC, however as I am now needing to replace my computer I am starting to wonder whether now is the time to switch to a Mac?

My reasoning for this is that we have multiple apple devices, lots of apps and an extensive itunes library and I am wondering whether it is best to switch to a Mac for using/managing all these things?

Our main uses of the computer are for photo editing and storage, managing and processing video footage, itunes, surfing the web and a little bit of word processing. Having never used a Mac I have no idea whether it is better than a PC or if I will regret the money/change (I am looking at an iMac, had a quick fiddle with it at the store and love screen resolution, lack of bulk and cords etc...but other than aesthetics I have no clue about technology).

Is it worthwhile to change over or will I regret it?

TIA!

[axiomae]

I got a job doing reception in an office that was Mac based when I was a student (10+ years ago now!) and I was converted. I will NEVER buy a PC again. PCs to me are slow, clunky, poorly organised and they constantly get viruses etc. I have never had a mac get a virus (and I download a lot :/) and I have had very few issues with crashing, losing work etc

I would say, in your case, yes! If you use it a lot for photos and videos, iPhoto and iMovie are free, quite powerful, programs that come with Macs which are wonderful. You will use them a lot if that's mainly what you do on the computer. You can buy Office for Mac, so that's fine, and if you have multiple apple products it's a logical extension.

There is an initial learning curve, but you can buy PC-Mac guides in the newsagent or have someone show you. Once you learn, you'll never go back!

[JuniorSpies]

I think Mac's are genuinely better than PC's. They are intuitive and better for photo editing etc. Software is cheaper and easy to update. The new Macbooks are very light and more than powerful enough for your needs. It would be more convenient for you if you already have other apple devices.

In saying that though, Apple's arrogance is starting to get inconvenient (flash, war with Google etc) so when I next upgrade my phone and tablet I'm switching to Android. I'll probably stay with the Mac.

[silverstreak]

Mac all the way for me! So easy to use and so pretty! And I agree with Axiomae, iPhoto is fab. We use it all the time.

[Sofia*]

I love my Mac (have had one at home for years, recently got one in the office) and would stick with that from preference.
Every now and again I come across something (usually Flash) that doesn't work but that is happening less and less now.
If the main things you want to do are photos/video etc then Mac should be a great choice.
Be aware that there is a learning curve, it isn't the same as a Windows computer. But, you can get free training at the Apple store.
And you will pay more for a Mac, but in my opinion it's worth it - it starts up so fast, no (almost) viruses, things just happen smoothly, especially if you have iOS devices.

[lsolaBella]

We have just gone to an iMac for similar reasons. best Decision Ever. No going back for us now.

We got the new 21" with all the extra bits inside.

[MrsLexiK]

I like Mac's but I wouldn't buy one for the simple fact of keeping everything together. I have a very very large itunes library, 2 ipods, and 2 iphones I have found everything to be ok with using a PC.

My current PC is just a screen, no cords for the mouse and the keyboard, and a hell of a lot more free space and RAM etc then the Apple. I think Apple is coming to the end of their reign especially for phones (I wouldn't buy an iphone 5 when my contract is up for example) so I wouldn't be buying one simply because I wouldn't be sure that all my devices in the future will be Apple.

[~sydblue~]

If you already have multiple apple devices, then a Mac would be your best bet.
I have a 15" Macbook and the Ipad, Iphones and Itouch are all synced to it.

[liveworkplay]

In your case I would say try a Mac. I use Macs for work, PC at home. I must say I am a bit meh about Macs. Yes they are simple and aesthetically pleasing, but I really, really don't like how you are "locked in" to Apple and at their mercy.

I detest the Mac-sheep saying "Once you use Mac you'll never go back"


(we have always used a PC at home and never had virus/malware problems )

This post has been edited by liveworkplay: 29/01/2013, 12:56 PM

[countrymel]

My DP is a software developer so we have multiple computers in this house.

About 7 I think!

I have a Mac - DP fully supports this as he recognises it as the superior home user interface.

While he won't probably ever have one - and I KNOW we will never EVER use Windows in this home! - when my little MacBook decides to go to the big recycling bin in the sky it will be replaced by another Mac.

We don't use iPhones, Android all the way - and DP has ripped the operating system out of his iPod to run something different - yet all our Mac stuff and our PC stuff work in happy harmony together!