DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Help on a computer decision.

Well it is tax time and we have decided to get a new computer. The last two computers we got were from dell.I am thinking of buying one of the new imacs, just wondering how many of you would recommend one or not. One of the big pros for me is not having very many cords hanging down.(we have a 2yr old and not enough room to move the comp. out of his reach.)

Also any recommendations for other computer brands would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If you can afford it I'd go the Mac route.

I went with an HP Laptop since you get all the power at half the price. I like Windows Vista as well.

But the Mac seems so tempting.

if you want to stay on the windows platform Sony has a model that has the computer residing in the monitor.

sony web page

the challenge with any combined monitor/computer is that replacement and upgrades are limited.

Mac without a doubt. My husband and I converted last year and it has been smooth sailing ever since.

I still use a POS Windows machine at work and it gives me nothing but problems.

Uh oh, it's the WinDoze/Mac debate again! This thread is gonna get ugly!

I have an eMac, and I love it. There isn't a tower....the computer is inside of the monitor.

Bad part is (and you probably already know this), Macs are a lot more expensive.

Plus's - no virus worries, no downloading security patches, user friendly, just to name a few.

First, figure out what you want to do with it (Gaming, taxes, checkbook, surfing, email, etc)

Then figure out your budget.

Then find what works within your budget and does all that you wish it to do.

As others have said, Mac will cost a little more up front.

Windows has more issues to deal with, but if you use spy software, virus software, and don't download a bunch of crap off the internet, they run just fine with minimal intervention. I haven't had a windows computer crash on me in years.

Oy...the Apple vs Windows debate. Here is how I see it. Macs are more expensive (by a considerable amount mind you) and effectively are running identical hardware to a PC now anyway. So from a hardware standpoint it is a wash. The biggest difference is that Apple has a high degree of control over what hardware they support...the net result being they have less driver issues than Windows.

Now I build my own computers. So that said I'd never buy anything someone else put together. I save a ton of money by knowing how to do it myself, but honestly most people may not be even remotely interested in what I consider a hobby. If you aren't interested in learning about the OS and hardware at this level I'd say a name brand system is the way to go.

OSX because it is written for pretty specific sets of hardware is more stable as a result. That said there are still issues with security just like Windows, just far less, but the do exist contrary to popular opinion. It should also be noted that Linux is also an option of you want a smaller footprint and more security than standard Windows as well...though Linux is considerably more complicated to work with.

The biggest problem with name brand PCs is the shear amount of garbage they load on to them. Dell, Compaq, and HP load their machines up with a significant amount of bloatware...then people wonder why they run so slow. Add on that people often by the most common virus software (norton) which also slows down the entire machine and you have a recipe for a slow and clunky machine.

There are brands that do not load as much crap on the machines, but they tend to be the smaller companies or "enthusiast" gaming machine companies. Falcon Northwest and the like...the issue here is that you will end up paying more for one of these than you would for the Mac...though for pure horsepower they could not be beat.

With a Mac a big part of the price is that you are paying for something "designer". You might compare it to getting Jordache vs Wranglers. Same job done, but one costs more.


Pluses for most PC's:
Cheaper
More expansion options
cheaper expansion options

Pluses for Mac:
Looks (I mean honestly they have some of the best looks on a standard system easily)
Overall Stability

If you have programs on your current computer that you are going to want on the new one, then your choices are this:

Buy a Mac. Also buy new copies of the software, and learn a new operating system.

Buy an IBM-Compatible and pick up where you left off, just install from your existing disks.

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Dell, Compaq, and HP load their machines up with a significant amount of bloatware...then people wonder why they run so slow.

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We just upgraded our computers at work. We bought Dells, but was sure to buy their business machines, a Vostro 200 and a Vostro 400.

The main difference between Dell's home computers and the business machines is that the business computers have none of the bloatware. It's clean from that standpoint.

So, my advice would be to look into that regardless of which manufacturer one would buy from.

You can specify with Dell that you do not want certain things loaded, or that you want a stripepd down machine with just the OS preloaded, you just have to ask.

Yeah, I didn't mean for it to sound like Macs are 100% immune to viruses, because they aren't. But they are so rare, that you almost have to purposely download a bunch of strange attachments and whatnot on a daily basis to find one...

I have owned Macs for the past 12 years, with no virus protection.

The thing is you can run a Windows machine with no protection as well if you run it the right way. I don't, because honestly some of that takes work that I don't feel like doing

That's true too.

Honestly I'm not crazy about Dells, Hp's or the like based purely on the fact that they tend to use the cheapest possible components in their machines. This means that they are more likely to have issues. At work we have had both IBM and Dell desktops. The IBM desktops with identical specs tended to last about 2 years longer (Cheap company that doesn't upgrade as frequently as some might mind you).

Edit: Let me clarify that a bit. I think the low quality overall of some of the bargain machines from the cheaper companies gives the overall impression that PCs have more issues than they actually do when built with quality components.

My next computer will be a Mac. I used them for many, many years, then went with the other guy. Never again.

That is very true. I build my own machines, with parts I know and trust, and like I said before, I have not had a crash in several years.

A little clean-up maintenance every couple months, and they run great.

My next will probably be a Mac as well - just because I've always wanted to use one more for personal reasons: pictures, videos, etc. I have heard Macs are much better for stuff like this.

I'll research it in a few years when I am ready to buy.

Thanks for all the responses. Money is not an issue and the we will be using it to surf the web and also storing our pics. My girlfriend is also in college and will use the computer for her some of her homework. The main thing I am worried about is the transition from windows to leopard, or whatever it is called.

Some good advice given so far.

Like somebody said above, it all depends on what you intend to do on the system.

There is no clear "this is better than that" because much of it depends on what you use it for. If you only plan on doing email, photos, documents, and web-surfing ... and don't plan on upgrading any hardware, then Macs are the way to go. Yes it will be a little more expensive, but you will have a lot less issues with hardware/software. This is probably the best system for standard computer users because they aren't looking to upgrade or get high "fps" for gaming, etc ...

If you plan on gaming, using a large variety of software, upgrading hardware a lot, or don't want to pay the initial cost of a MAC ... then go with a PC. The reason PC's have a lot more problems is because they are much easier to upgrade hardware and easier to create software for. That's why they have a lot more games and software available to use ... and also why they have "win-rot" (not everyone codes very well). If you know what you're doing, you can swap out parts of the hardware for faster parts fairly easily, so rather than buying a new system, you can upgrade bits and pieces here and there. So, you get a lot more versatility, but you're also opening up yourself to viruses, spyware, win-rot and a host of other problems because of it.

I use a PC, because I know how to build my own system, upgrade, and also play a lot of games (PC's are one of the best gaming platforms available). I'm not like a lot computer users though, who just want to use it for email, web, and photo-editing. If that's the case, I'd definatly go with a Mac if you can afford it.

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I'm not sure if they changed the apple-mouse recently, but the mac mouse I used in college was the most annoying thing to use ever! You might want to try and swap it out with a more PC-like mouse if possible.

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Yep, it's true...not only that, but they break easily for some reason. I use a Logitech mouse with my Mac.

Never used that one...this is the one I'm referring to...

Yeah ... like I said, it's a little longer than the previous mouse, but still pretty small and not very fun to use. Definitely swap for a 3rd party mouse.

I would personally stay away from Windows Vista and get XP on the machine if you go Windows route. XP Service Pack 3 will be out sometime this year and I'm reading where people are getting a 10% improved performace over SP2 with the beta version. Also, my calculator runs faster than Vista. Microsoft would never admit it openly, but Vista is a BUST!

One of the bigger problems with Vista is that it's hard to get drivers for anything.

But still, this is similar to the Windows ME days. Win98 was a pretty solid OS, and ME came out just for the sake of it it seemed. Most people just went back to using 98 for stability. XP is a pretty solid OS itself.

Running Vista 64 and have 0 problems since about July last year. I won't say it's the greatest ever but stuff looks fantastic in DX10. That said I'm dual booting with XP as well...some old stuff still hates Vista unfortunately, but I'm not sure we can blame Microsoft for that.

I heard that the next Windows version they are going to offer a version that chops all the legacy code that is bloating XP, and Vista. Of course then you really won't be able to run old stuff.

Personally, I would just build my own computer and pick the parts I want and put Linux on it

but otherwise Mac is a really good choice for a lot of users. If they have never used a computer before or have time to get your mind trained to the way the Mac OS works, which is not hard.

One thing I want o point out if you go Mac though, and this is not a jab at Mac.

Just be sure when you buy software, that you get the Mac versions.

I had a friend bought several office productivity programs and could not get them to work on his Mac, I got there and first thing I noticed is they were all Windows versions.

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I had a friend bought several office productivity programs and could not get them to work on his Mac, I got there and first thing I noticed is they were all Windows versions.

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No disrespect for your friend, but....duh.

While this topic is still active...where is the best place to buy a Mac? I realize they really don't go on "sale", but is there a reputable cheaper place to order from? Newegg? Macmall?

I've always purchased mine through Mac Mall. I don't believe that there's anywhere that you can get them cheap.

I thought Mac Mall was a few bucks less than retail....either way, doesn't matter....I'm just not sure of a local retailer I want to support. Of course, they may have a nice same as cash program going on.

I wasn't even aware that you get find a Mac at any retail store...I thought you had to go to a Mac retailer.

The closest Mac store around here is an hours drive...so I never bothered. I just ordered it online, and got free shipping.

I think there is another one called Mac Connection. There might be about a $100 difference between the two from what I recall.

microcenter has macs

think it was only one model...the one that the computer is built into the screen...

don't know if they had the upgraded one or not...

they also had the mac mini advertised when they came out....never saw them in the store though...

CompUSA before they tanked, and Best Buy are two off the top of my head.