[JLW02]

I am a power Windows user. I have 1 Vista
Ultimate Desktops and 1 XP laptop. I have the AT&T Tilt phone, Xbox 360
with Media center hooked up on my TV to watch my DivX movies & music, and Microsoft
Zune with the 14.99 all-u-can-eat subscriptions.

Out of all of that, the only thing that working right is my
Toshiba laptop (which is what I’m typing on now). I have an old iMac that was
given to me when I was a tech at CompUSA in 2000 with OS 9.2 and never had a
problem with it, it still work but Ol’ Girl (that’s her name) is really old and
slow.

I’ve been using a new iMac in school (University of Texas)
for 2 years in the music program and they work so much better than my PCs. I’m
getting an iMac in June, but I wanted to know is it worth the trouble of replacing
everything except my Xbox & Zune. Meaning, am I gonna have problems out of
iMacs as well or will the adjustment be to much or warning to look out for? Any advise will be helpful. I did a search and didn't find any thing that I was looking for.

I mostly use a computer to watch (legal DivX) movies,
(legal) music, web, and school.

BTW, I’m in school right now (MBA), so I need a reliable
computer and my desktop keep crashing ‘cause I used NVIDIA video cards.

Any help, advice, warning you can give will be helpful.

[Demonic_Rush]

If you're a true Power user of the Windows OS you'd be more comfortable in the windows world (My friend is a power Windows user while I'm a power Mac user and we can't stand the other's OS, although he seems to be leaning ever-so-slightly to my side). If however all you really use your computer for is Divx, Music, Web and School (I'll assume school means word processor and not some proprietary arcitecture program or something crazy like that) then a Mac is just fine fore all that.

Be aware of the following: Zune currently doesn't support Mac OS X so you'd need an iPod or someother MP3 Player that is OS agnostic or you'll need Emulation software/ a copy of Windows on a disc (XP SP2 or higher) to use your Zune. Also you'll need to install DivX on your mac (in one way or another, perhaps Perian/FLV/ or DivX player) since AVIs aren't natively supported.



Hope that helps ^_^

[JLW02]

Thanks Demonic_Rush,

I have to do something. Today I almost tossed my desktop out the window when in crashed in the middle of my mid-term paper. I lost everything, I'll be starting over on my laptop. I've read a lot about Mac and I'll just do the boot camp thing to work with my Zune and Cell phone. I've tested Vista on Macs for about 3 hours and it didn't crash. The worst thing that can happen is I'll get a better computer. I've had it with Windows. It's been a 7 year battle of trying to repair an operating system that's flawed. I have many friends, teachers, band directors and others that will only use Macs. I guess there's a reason why Mac users are so dedicated to Mac, they tell me they just work.

Thanks again

Go Arucard!!

[Typhoon14]

Just a word of warning, Macs are not immune to problems, and are as susceptible to hardware failure as any other computer. Whenever I'm writing an important paper, I make backups several times per day (copy it to a pendrive, a web server, anything), and so should you. This is no reason to lose any important work on account of computer problems.

[JLW02]

Thanks Typhoon14



I understand what you are saying. I mostly blamed myself for the loss of my
paper. I really think that why I didn't toss my desktop out the window. I wrote
it in my notebook first (the trusty 5 star), then I was typing it, putting in
sources from the web, and had 4 pages open in FireFox. I was only on it for
about 15 min and was 4 pages into it when I got my old friend Blue Screen. I
learned a lesson on that day, automatically back up school work on my external
hard drive. It's not just that, but its so many minor things like Windows Media
Player stopped working the second I installed Service Pack 1 for Vista. Now I can't upload my playlist in my Creative Zen.
I use it to work out with. So I had to use Rhapsody and create new playlist
which took a long time.



I do understand that Macs aren't problem free. I am a PC Tech so I know
hardware breaks from time to time. I can live with a video card, sound card, or
even a motherboard going out. It happens, but to get updates that "breaks
your operating system" is just too much for me. I used iTunes, my old iMac
and had an iPod and nothing even close to Window OS problems. I will get one
next month and keep you guys posted from a Windows PC Tech P.O.V. If it's not
for me I'll give it to my mom and start building a new PC (which you know I
really love doing), but this time it will be with Ubuntu, not windows.



Thanks again for all the support.

[jroller]

Well, if you are a poweruser who does tech support and have used a Mac already, you probably already know what you think is best for you.

All I can add is that you need to be prepared for an adjustment period. You should read what you can about making the switch. There are a number of good sites, including Apple's own Switch 101 (there is a link to it in the iSwitched site in my sig) . Know, also, that most of your keyboard shortcuts will be the same, with the notable exception of the fact that you use the command key instead of the control key. For example, on a Mac, the copy command is command c, while on Windows it is control c.

Macs are not perfect; they are merely better (in my opinion). They have hardware failures, software issues, and compatibility problems from time to time. The question you need to answer for yourself is: are you ready for a change? I believe you will be better off, but it's time for you to do your own research. And asking questions here is a great place to start.

[JLW02]

Thanks for the reply. Instead of switching just to mac, I'm going to add a Mac to my inventory of computers. I plan to get a Mac Mini ($799). I just can't give up my Zune and Media Center w/ Xbox. I've had iPods and Zunes are so much better, IMO. I try to get a 20" @ Frys, but they were sold out of all models, then tried Best Buy, same thing. Maybe I'm not the only one look for a Mac. My next paycheck should get me there.

Thanks for all the help.

[rab777hp]

Use should use Time Machine to backup your stuff, it does hourly background backups, and is free in leopard. It works well and is efficient, check out some mac switcher sites.

[JLW02]

I will look that up. Thanks. That'll be helpful. If it is wireless and work with windows that'll be a dream come true.

[rab777hp]

Time Machine comes preloaded in leopard and it works with both Macs and PCs. It can be wireless using apple's Time Capsule or using a NAS (network attached storage) device connected to an apple airport.