Mac converts

Goofy · 11-05-2009, 08:23 PM

so here's the long story made short...my old laptop is on it's last leg and I'm looking at a new one.

I've read review after review and tech specs and all that jazz. I know that the vast majority of Mac owners are fiercely loyal to them...but what I'm really interested in, is hearing from real folks about their experiences in switching from a PC to a MAC....

was it a difficult switch? Is there anything that your pc did or have that you wish your mac had or did? Were you able to move all the stuff you wanted (music, pics, etc) from your pc to your mac? What was the "getting used to it phase" like and how long did it last? Did anyone switch to a mac and wish they hadn't?

And lastly...any suggestions, advice or anything like that? Thanks in advance!

IrishGrrl · 11-05-2009, 08:25 PM

well damn, I thought you were talking makeup..LOL

Goofy · 11-05-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishGrrl

well damn, I thought you were talking makeup..LOL

I probably should have specified eh?

But I figured folks would see my name and figure that it wasn't about makeup

Selenay · 11-05-2009, 08:28 PM

I love my mac! I converted in 2007 after 10 years of PC usage. I found it 100% fine, with no adjustment time. The only pain in the ass thing was losing all of the extra applications that were not mac compatible (games, etc.) and having to buy the microsoft suite again. This past month, my mac had an issue and was brought to be serviced, and while that was going on I rented a PC.

The comparison is unbelievable, I will never go back.

Oh, by the way, if you're getting the laptop? Buy a protection plan. Seriously.

Goofy · 11-05-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selenay

I love my mac! I converted in 2007 after 10 years of PC usage. I found it 100% fine, with no adjustment time. The only pain in the ass thing was losing all of the extra applications that were not mac compatible (games, etc.) and having to buy the microsoft suite again. This past month, my mac had an issue and was brought to be serviced, and while that was going on I rented a PC.

The comparison is unbelievable, I will never go back.

Oh, by the way, if you're getting the laptop? Buy a protection plan. Seriously.

apart from games, what sort of aps did you lose?

and I'm curious about the protection plan...did you have issues that needed it?

Mister Bent · 11-05-2009, 08:37 PM

Ha! I thought it was about makeup, too, until I saw Goofy's name.

I really can't speak to the Mac conversion process. I was born into the cult of Mac and have never actually owned a PC. All hail the Apple!

Just get the thing!

The extended warranty isn't a bad idea for any laptop, assuming you actually take it places. While Mac is known for excellent hardware, they aren't by any means perfect. I had an iBook that had a recurring logic board problem. Mac actually offered the extended warranty to anyone who had this known issue with their machine, I managed to eke out a couple more free repairs (the logic board needed replacing a total of 5 times) before finally giving up - after 6 years (seems like a pretty good lifespan).

My MacBook has had a few issues, all of which have been resolved with updates, no hardware issues.

Queerasfck · 11-05-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

Ha! I thought it was about makeup, too, until I saw Goofy's name.

I really can't speak to the Mac conversion process. I was born into the cult of Mac and have never actually owned a PC. All hail the Apple!

Just get the thing!

(The extended warranty isn't a bad idea, though I've never needed one).

O, I thought it was about food, as in Big MAC's...............

bonne-maman · 11-05-2009, 08:49 PM

I was really shocked, as I thought Mr. Fender Bender had gone straight.

Selenay · 11-05-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofy

apart from games, what sort of aps did you lose?

and I'm curious about the protection plan...did you have issues that needed it?

Aw, shit, I can't even think now, it's been so long. The biggest pain in the ass is that when you find a really cool free download.. for example, software to rip movies off of DVDs onto your Hard Drive... you have to search twice as long to find something mac friendly. That's changing, though, so not such a hassle. The biggest things for me were photoshop/PSP and the microsoft suite.

I've actually had more problems with my mac than anyone I've ever spoken to.

I've had: speaker problems, case problems, keyboard problems, clamshell problems, software problems and hard drive problems.

They wound up giving me a completely new computer that had more RAM and Disc Space than my old computer for free due to all the hassle. Recently, I had a complete hard drive failure because I work with files so much and they all got fragmented, and it was really just a big mess. After all the recovery was done, (by an outside party because my warranty was up) Apple helped me migrate all my files to where they belonged so none of my settings were wonky.

I don't want to get offtrack, but I'm happy to explain in more detail why I wound up with a new comp, as well as my trials/tribulations with mac people, and all that, if you'd like to hear it, either in PM or in the thread (don't wanna talk too much, shit!)

Oh, and another thing I hate about macs are that if you have something wrong with your computer they must restore it to factory default before they can fix it. Example: your USB port doesn't work, and you have a broken clamshell, they must fix the broken clamshell before they touch the USB port.

Goofy · 11-05-2009, 09:10 PM

Mr Bent, thanks a bunch for you input. I was an avid mac user back in the day, but I think that was in the day of the IIc, if I remember right.

Selenay, I don't do too much with the free downloads, so I think I'm ok there. I appreciate hearing about your trials and tribulations, since I haven't heard of many. I'm fairly computer savvy, but I'm not familiar with "clamshell"...can you tell me what that is?

Selenay · 11-05-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofy

Mr Bent, thanks a bunch for you input. I was an avid mac user back in the day, but I think that was in the day of the IIc, if I remember right.

Selenay, I don't do too much with the free downloads, so I think I'm ok there. I appreciate hearing about your trials and tribulations, since I haven't heard of many. I'm fairly computer savvy, but I'm not familiar with "clamshell"...can you tell me what that is?

Okay, so you know the part of a laptop that does the actual opening (the hinge)? That's the clamshell.

As for my trials and tribulations. . . I'm the exception to the lovethemac rule.

Linus · 11-06-2009, 07:50 AM

Hey Goofy,

I'll add my expertise in that might be of help. I've used all platforms throughout my life (I actually counted and have used 13 different OSes). Prior to going back to Mac I had been using XP because of my computer security needs (XP is great to break into) as well as gaming needs (I gotta have my WoW). My work offered me the opportunity to get a MacBook Pro (OS 10.4 at the time and we're about to upgrade to 10.6 once corp finance gets its butt in gear). So I decided to go back to Mac again, after an absence of about 7 years.

It's actually very easy to switch over and if you're really not sure, the Apple stores have a program to help you. One of the pluses I have (given the company I work for) is the ability to use a program called VMware Fusion. You can take your old PC, turn it into a virtual machine and run it on top of OS X (like an application, not instead of). I did this for a while so I could take my time transferring what I needed (you can use VMware Converter, a free application, to turn your old PC into a virtual machine). Once I had finished the transfer, I deleted the VM and got the extra space back. I'm now pretty much using my Mac exclusively and my Dell desktop has just bitten the big one so I think I may be forking over for a new Mac laptop for personal use.

If you have questions or need advice, just ask.

Goofy · 11-06-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selenay

Okay, so you know the part of a laptop that does the actual opening (the hinge)? That's the clamshell.

As for my trials and tribulations. . . I'm the exception to the lovethemac rule.

well now I feel like a doofus. I've never heard it called that before *shrug*

Thanks Linus! I may be hitting you up for more info soon!

blush · 11-07-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofy

so here's the long story made short...my old laptop is on it's last leg and I'm looking at a new one.

How about this...
If you get your Mac and don't like it, you can use my PC, and I'll use the Mac?

Jet · 11-07-2009, 09:24 AM

I've been on a Mac for almost 15 years, love it. I would NEVER own a PC after growing up on a Mac; I've had to use a PC every now and then, and I can't stand Windows. But that's because I'm a designer and Macs are better for design in my book.

Waldo · 11-08-2009, 11:49 AM

Goofy - I, like you, started off on Apple products - way back in the late 70s. Stuck with them through the very early 90s until I got my first desk job and had to switch to Windows 3.1.

Now that was a "culture" shock. But once I got used to it - and particularly once Win95 came out I was pretty much ok.

Fast forward to two years ago when I went to work for a Mac only shop and I had to make the transition. For me, it was actually semi-painful, but worth it.

If you haven't already, I say go for it.

Darth Denkay · 11-08-2009, 07:12 PM

Linus,

Thanks for your expertise! I can't really call myself a convert - I started on an apple machine in the early eighties and I've never owned anything but. I use a pc at work, but my preference is and always will be a Mac. Nice to hear someone like you support Macs!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus

Hey Goofy,

I'll add my expertise in that might be of help. I've used all platforms throughout my life (I actually counted and have used 13 different OSes). Prior to going back to Mac I had been using XP because of my computer security needs (XP is great to break into) as well as gaming needs (I gotta have my WoW). My work offered me the opportunity to get a MacBook Pro (OS 10.4 at the time and we're about to upgrade to 10.6 once corp finance gets its butt in gear). So I decided to go back to Mac again, after an absence of about 7 years.

It's actually very easy to switch over and if you're really not sure, the Apple stores have a program to help you. One of the pluses I have (given the company I work for) is the ability to use a program called VMware Fusion. You can take your old PC, turn it into a virtual machine and run it on top of OS X (like an application, not instead of). I did this for a while so I could take my time transferring what I needed (you can use VMware Converter, a free application, to turn your old PC into a virtual machine). Once I had finished the transfer, I deleted the VM and got the extra space back. I'm now pretty much using my Mac exclusively and my Dell desktop has just bitten the big one so I think I may be forking over for a new Mac laptop for personal use.

If you have questions or need advice, just ask.

Andrew, Jr. · 11-08-2009, 07:14 PM

I'm laughing now...I thought the thread was about makeup, not computers.

God bless me,
Andrew

Dylan · 11-08-2009, 11:33 PM

Get a Mac

I was forced into Mac-dom, and I'm so glad. I will never ever ever go back.

And a lot of offices in the Austin area are switching to Macs. Austin is (supposedly) the highest Mac-using city in the country.

PC's Blow,
Dylan...devoted Mac-er

P.S. It's sooooo relieving to NOT have to worry about virus after virus after virus, or endless pop-ups, or just the b.s. of PCs

Goofy · 04-22-2010, 08:44 PM

Okay, I finally did it! I picked up my new macbook about an hour ago. Haven't done too much with it yet, but so far I absolutely love it!

Thanks to everyone that gave their input!

11-05-2009, 08:23 PM	#1
Goofy Member How Do You Identify?: Cheesecake Daddy Preferred Pronoun?: he Relationship Status: I'm blushing Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 300 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 120 Thanked 599 Times in 170 Posts Rep Power: 2573088	Mac converts so here's the long story made short...my old laptop is on it's last leg and I'm looking at a new one. I've read review after review and tech specs and all that jazz. I know that the vast majority of Mac owners are fiercely loyal to them...but what I'm really interested in, is hearing from real folks about their experiences in switching from a PC to a MAC.... was it a difficult switch? Is there anything that your pc did or have that you wish your mac had or did? Were you able to move all the stuff you wanted (music, pics, etc) from your pc to your mac? What was the "getting used to it phase" like and how long did it last? Did anyone switch to a mac and wish they hadn't? And lastly...any suggestions, advice or anything like that? Thanks in advance!

11-05-2009, 08:37 PM	#6
Mister Bent Senior Member How Do You Identify?: . Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,905 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,151 Thanked 5,826 Times in 1,721 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Ha! I thought it was about makeup, too, until I saw Goofy's name. I really can't speak to the Mac conversion process. I was born into the cult of Mac and have never actually owned a PC. All hail the Apple! Just get the thing! The extended warranty isn't a bad idea for any laptop, assuming you actually take it places. While Mac is known for excellent hardware, they aren't by any means perfect. I had an iBook that had a recurring logic board problem. Mac actually offered the extended warranty to anyone who had this known issue with their machine, I managed to eke out a couple more free repairs (the logic board needed replacing a total of 5 times) before finally giving up - after 6 years (seems like a pretty good lifespan). My MacBook has had a few issues, all of which have been resolved with updates, no hardware issues. Last edited by Mister Bent; 11-05-2009 at 08:41 PM. Reason: more words

11-05-2009, 08:25 PM	#2
IrishGrrl Member How Do You Identify?: Queer Femme Leatherdyke Preferred Pronoun?: She/her Relationship Status: In a relationship/non-monogamous Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 877 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 276 Thanked 1,209 Times in 366 Posts Rep Power: 2427288	well damn, I thought you were talking makeup..LOL

11-05-2009, 08:28 PM	#4
Selenay Member How Do You Identify?: A soul for a compass and a heart for a pair of wings. Preferred Pronoun?: All I ask of living is to have no chains on me. Relationship Status: All I own are the strides I spend to the finish line. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Somewhere in between here and gone. Posts: 662 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 110 Thanked 1,448 Times in 369 Posts Rep Power: 6344715	I love my mac! I converted in 2007 after 10 years of PC usage. I found it 100% fine, with no adjustment time. The only pain in the ass thing was losing all of the extra applications that were not mac compatible (games, etc.) and having to buy the microsoft suite again. This past month, my mac had an issue and was brought to be serviced, and while that was going on I rented a PC. The comparison is unbelievable, I will never go back. Oh, by the way, if you're getting the laptop? Buy a protection plan. Seriously.

11-05-2009, 08:49 PM	#8
bonne-maman Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: All right SPA. I am single. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 147 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 39 Thanked 158 Times in 61 Posts Rep Power: 2494	I was really shocked, as I thought Mr. Fender Bender had gone straight.

11-05-2009, 09:10 PM	#10
Goofy Member How Do You Identify?: Cheesecake Daddy Preferred Pronoun?: he Relationship Status: I'm blushing Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 300 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 120 Thanked 599 Times in 170 Posts Rep Power: 2573088	Mr Bent, thanks a bunch for you input. I was an avid mac user back in the day, but I think that was in the day of the IIc, if I remember right. Selenay, I don't do too much with the free downloads, so I think I'm ok there. I appreciate hearing about your trials and tribulations, since I haven't heard of many. I'm fairly computer savvy, but I'm not familiar with "clamshell"...can you tell me what that is?

11-06-2009, 07:50 AM	#12
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,729 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Hey Goofy, I'll add my expertise in that might be of help. I've used all platforms throughout my life (I actually counted and have used 13 different OSes). Prior to going back to Mac I had been using XP because of my computer security needs (XP is great to break into) as well as gaming needs (I gotta have my WoW). My work offered me the opportunity to get a MacBook Pro (OS 10.4 at the time and we're about to upgrade to 10.6 once corp finance gets its butt in gear). So I decided to go back to Mac again, after an absence of about 7 years. It's actually very easy to switch over and if you're really not sure, the Apple stores have a program to help you. One of the pluses I have (given the company I work for) is the ability to use a program called VMware Fusion. You can take your old PC, turn it into a virtual machine and run it on top of OS X (like an application, not instead of). I did this for a while so I could take my time transferring what I needed (you can use VMware Converter, a free application, to turn your old PC into a virtual machine). Once I had finished the transfer, I deleted the VM and got the extra space back. I'm now pretty much using my Mac exclusively and my Dell desktop has just bitten the big one so I think I may be forking over for a new Mac laptop for personal use. If you have questions or need advice, just ask.

11-07-2009, 09:24 AM	#15
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	I've been on a Mac for almost 15 years, love it. I would NEVER own a PC after growing up on a Mac; I've had to use a PC every now and then, and I can't stand Windows. But that's because I'm a designer and Macs are better for design in my book.

11-08-2009, 11:49 AM	#16
Waldo Member How Do You Identify?: Special Snowflake Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wine Country, Oregon Posts: 470 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 22 Thanked 792 Times in 238 Posts Rep Power: 1006288	Goofy - I, like you, started off on Apple products - way back in the late 70s. Stuck with them through the very early 90s until I got my first desk job and had to switch to Windows 3.1. Now that was a "culture" shock. But once I got used to it - and particularly once Win95 came out I was pretty much ok. Fast forward to two years ago when I went to work for a Mac only shop and I had to make the transition. For me, it was actually semi-painful, but worth it. If you haven't already, I say go for it.

11-08-2009, 07:14 PM	#18
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,250 Times in 2,217 Posts Rep Power: 0	I'm laughing now...I thought the thread was about makeup, not computers. God bless me, Andrew

11-08-2009, 11:33 PM	#19
Dylan Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: She thinks all my jokes are corny Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Great State O' Posts: 880 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,027 Thanked 1,838 Times in 500 Posts Rep Power: 0	Get a Mac I was forced into Mac-dom, and I'm so glad. I will never ever ever go back. And a lot of offices in the Austin area are switching to Macs. Austin is (supposedly) the highest Mac-using city in the country. PC's Blow, Dylan...devoted Mac-er P.S. It's sooooo relieving to NOT have to worry about virus after virus after virus, or endless pop-ups, or just the b.s. of PCs

04-22-2010, 08:44 PM	#20
Goofy Member How Do You Identify?: Cheesecake Daddy Preferred Pronoun?: he Relationship Status: I'm blushing Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 300 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 120 Thanked 599 Times in 170 Posts Rep Power: 2573088	Okay, I finally did it! I picked up my new macbook about an hour ago. Haven't done too much with it yet, but so far I absolutely love it! Thanks to everyone that gave their input!