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Best Used Bang for Buck if I Finally SWITCH ?

I have recently started to use iTunes in a windows environment. Despite some problems, I would ultimately like to back up and/or collect music in an uncompressed format although this project is off to a slow start.

For many years I have used windows just to more easily integrate with the office, but now I have just had my SECOND Sony VAIO laptop die in < 12 months, which is particularly tedious at home where I am unable to check emails, surf audigon and other critically important things over the weekends and at night while I wait to have it shipped off and repaired.

With hopes of a more stable operating system, I am thinking of switching to a Mac, thinking that my music and photos etc should also live on the home machine and I can transfer documents if really necessary on a portable USB chip.

Could any of you please advise me if you have successfully switched over to Apple?

Have you had greater reliability with both hardward and software?

For a good all around at home PC for general purposes and primarily internet access, which used Apple would you suggest to get started?

I am not doing any CAD, heavy number crunching, video editing etc, but like any self respecting agoner, would like the highest performance with the most extraordinary discount from original retail price.
cwlondon
mcmanus
82 posts
 
After 20 years with PCs, I went to Mac and it is like upgrading from coach to first class. It is a much smaller world, higher quality, better service and fewer problems. Look beyond the initital purchase price at the cost of an operating system over a few years. If you place any value on your time and you are willing to pay a little to avoid computer glitches then you will find Macs a bargain.

I believe the best value are the reconditioned units sold by Apple on their web site -- you can get a really nice current model G5 for like $899 -- incredible deal. You can get an eMac G4 for a few hundred less.

I would do that over a mac-mini as you have to add $200 - $400 to get them well-equiped. I would not got with a G3 -- you want to be able to run the just-released Tiger operating system and a G3 will struggle too much. And why not set youself up for a few years in the future for just a little more.

I do not know any one who has gone back from Mac to PC -- that speaks for itself. Take the plunge and enjoy that "first class" seat every time you sit down at the computer.
aroc
760 posts
 
One word: THINKPAD. get the T-series or the X-sedries, much better build, albiet at a higher price (but still worth it).
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Aroc

I spoke to the IBM reseller about a thinkpad today.

Not an expert, but my sense is that 15" is that max screen size and video performance gets a bit pricey?

Mcmanus

your argument is tempting, but I am wondering if the real cost of upgrading is replacing Office etc, given that I have a zillion files in Word, excel and Powerpoint?
mcmanus
82 posts
 
I use MS OFFICE alot as well. And with this software (and others) the same logic about the hardware applies. The Microsoft team that developed the MAC version admitted that it is a nicer program than the original MS version. It can be designed to higher performance because there is a single maker of the hardware (Apple) so the programmers do not have to build in functionality for numerous hardware possibilities. You will have to upgrade but you will get value for your money. BTW the files are 100% compatible back and forth.

Also, take a look at the new operating system Tiger on the Apple web site. It has features that I believe are worth the switch alone. MS is coming out with a similar upgrade but not until Dec 2006. The more you look the more you will be tempted. Anyway, they are both so much better than just a few years ago. You have some great options.
dmitrydr
221 posts
 
I'd never trade PC's flexibility to MAC's "reliability". Get a good, I mean - good (have I mentioned "good"?) hardware, install XP Pro, and then tell me you have to reboot your PC every minute. Most PCs are mass market crap from hardware perspective, so why would you expect them to perform better then $200 home theatre? MAC has consistent quality just because it's made by... MAC, don't compare it to Wal-Mart or "white box" PCs, but rather to ones made by IBM or the like - expensive and of high quality. As for Windows, again, it's a trade off - you either get simplicity, which is often perceived as reliability; or - flexibility.

Disclaimer: unfortunately I don't have any connection to Microsoft.
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