A Mac for me?? Maybe...

[Byron Gale]

Our "Family Room" PC died.

The main things we do (did) with the PC were email and web browsing, with occaisional image viewing, and light MS-Office usage. While I would use it from time to time, my wife was the main user, and it is where she would surf and get her email on her own.

I am considering replacing the carcass with a Mac of some sort. Since we have a perfectly good set of keyboard/mouse/monitor that are no longer needed by the lifeless Windows box, the Mac mini appeals to me in that I could re-use those pieces... ...but I am allowing that I could be persuaded to consider an iMac.

Budget is a factor.

So, for the Mac-o-philes in the audience, what do you think?

Would an entry-level Mac work well as a Family Room computer, and be something my wife could control on her own? My own Mac experiences (two Saturday software classes) were very frustrating because I just couldn't figure them out. I just couldn't relate my years of Windows experience to what I was seeing... so I don't have confidence that I would initially be able to provide the self-tech-support that I do with Windows, so the thing will need to live up to the "easy to use" hype!! It would need to access our existing wireless network to reach the Internet.

Also... can you suggest any web sites which are geared toward a Windows user experiencing a Mac for the first time? We would not be "switching" per se, but adding a Mac to a network of existing Windows machines.

TIA!!

Byron

[Chuck S.]

Byron, OH NO!! Considering going over to the Dark Side!!! Where will it end??!:eek:

[mom to 4]

Byron:

Let me be the first to say it: MAKE THE SWITCH.

I did in March and I have NEVER been sorry. Not even for one little second. Best purchase decision I have ever made.

Now, I need to go back and finish reading your post.:D;)

[Byron Gale]

Chuck,

Think of it more like learning a second language... :rolleyes:


Colleen,

I am not condidering a "switch" - just replacing one machine to add "Mac" to my vocubulary.

Byron

[Chuck S.]

Chuck,

Think of it more like learning a second language... :rolleyes:

Byron

I have enough trouble with one.....:o

[mom to 4]

Byron:

At the risk of stating my age :eek: ... Oh, who cares!!!! I made the switch at age 52 (now I'm 53!!!) I had been a PC user for 20 years (including work). Was there a little bit of a learning curve. yes. But really nothing all that hard. Think of it like a word processing program. You get used to one, but then make the switch to another. You know you have to be able to do it, you just do it a little differently.

I didn't take any "classes", but a few friend would give me ideas of places to find info, or I just sent an email and got an answer. Actually, the mac help line is terrific. I have called several times with a notebook in hand and wrote down their instructions for doing things I couldn't figure out.

No for one second have I regretted (sp?) my decision

[Tom K]

Hi Byron;
In your post you said 'money is a factor' - in our local newspaper they are
advertizing Dell machines starting at about $400. That's hard to beat.
I won't say anything bad about the Mac except the price is going to be a lot higher........ Tom :)

[mom to 4]

We still have the pc too. I rarely use it. The imac belongs to my pictures and videos. The kids can use the PC, Oh, and Jerry too. Actually I liked the imac so much that when Maryellen went to college, I got her an a mac notebook (laptop). She is loving it.

Right now my pc is in the kitchen (it's a big kitchen), and since my fall we brought the imac up and put it on my antique sewing machine cabinet. Soon, I will put it back downstairs in my studio.

Oh, I use a wireless router for my connection to the internet.

[mom to 4]

Tom:

You are correct. However, in my humble opinion, worth every penny.;)

But, yes, you certainly can get a PC much cheaper.

[Russinator]

Byron, four days ago I bought an iMac. It works great with our home WiFi set up. This is our first Mac, we have two Windows machines [a desktop and a laptop].

I'm having very little trouble getting used to it, but there are a few things I'm working on.

Russ

[SleeveTugger]

Well, I can't pass up the opportunity to add my 2 cents here......;)
I learned on a Mac years ago, was forced to change to the Windows world a couple years ago when I went back to school. In my opinion, you'll not be sorry you bought a Mac Mini. Sounds to me like the perfect choice for the tasks you've described. To be honest, I'd even consider a refurbished mac if money is a big issue. There are so many deals out there if you look.
As far as plug and play......it's a snap!

Good luck with your decision.

Sending a PM as well.

Mary

[ljameso1]

When comparing prices, don't forget to factor in the software that is included for a mac that is often additional cost for a pc. Make a list and compare. Not such a horrible difference after all. ie all the iLife stuff is included.

[Red Sky]

Byron- Go Mac and you'll never go back. I recently added a PC laptop with Vista and really don't like it. All the dang security updates, all the time. Three years now with the iMac without one call for support.

[Echo9er]

OK. I decided a few years ago I wanted a notebook computer. I went back and forth. I've been a Windows guy for too many years. I got into a discussion with a co-worker. We compared notes. I did more research. In January (this year) I took the plunge and bought a bought a MacBook. There is a learning curve, but I have picked up on it and am confident enough with the Mac, that I have decided when my Desktop PC finally dies, the replacement will be a Mac.

To make a long story short, make the switch. You won't regret it.

[Wendy]

Hi Byron ...

I have always found Macs easy to use so I donlt think that your wife will have many problems. How about taking her to an Apple shop so that she can play around with one and see what she thinks :)

If you can possibly stretch the budget then I would go for the iMac rather than the Mac mini. That way you get the whole package together and I do think that its a much better package ...

.. and there really is lots of help for newbies to Macs, not only here but at dedicated switcher sites like MacMentor. They offer one to one help if people need it.

http://forums.macmentor.org/

(Joe Henry from the Adobe forum used to be active over there ... don't know if he still is)

Wendy

[Grant]

It seems you needs are modest so I suspect any entry level computer should fit the bill.

"Budget is a factor."

As was pointed out earlier you can alway buy a Dell for about 2/3rd of the cost of an entry level Mac Mini. If you go with a Windows based machine and for your needs you should only have to add a virus protection program with yearly support and maybe a network care. The cost of this protection, for expected life of this new computer, should just about erode the difference in cost.

" Would an entry-level Mac work well as a Family Room computer, and be something my wife could control on her own?"

Well my 84 year old mother in law controls hers and she was a PC Grrrl up to a couple of months ago.

So..... Should you buy a Mac? :twisted:... NO! ...:twisted: The little blighter's are like Gerbils they are cute, cuddly and easy to live with but they breed. Two years ago I bought a Mac and now our extended family have Six of them.

Of the five of us none will even consider going back to a PC. The concensous is "They just work."

"Once you try Mac you won't go back!"

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