Need Help from all you Mac Girls!!

[B-Jo]

I'm not a computer geek by any means. I've always used computers as tools. I want them to do what they are supposed to do without much help from me. I don't want to know how or why they work, as long as they work. After many years of frustration with PC's I talked DH into trying Apple. He bought me a MacBook Pro just about 6 weeks ago. So far I LOVE it!!! Now onto why I need help~

Katina's 3 year old Dell Lap Top is dying and she needs a new computer. I've told her all of the things I love about my Mac, but she's not convinced. Being so new to Mac, I can't testify to how well or how long they run. I haven't had an ounce of trouble out of mine in the 6 weeks I've had it, but that's not a real great testimony! Even a PC can last 6 weeks!

What do YOU LOVE about Mac?

I know she is concerned about not having ACDSee. She also uses Microsoft Word and Publisher a lot. I know you can get Word for Mac, but haven't really used it myself. Do any of you know anything about running those programs on a Mac? (I know there is no version of ACDSee for Mac)

Help me bring another girl over from the Dark side!

[teeleedee]

Well, all I can say is I've always been a Mac Girl and it helps having a Mac tech as a husband.

It's hard to explain but I really feel that when you use a Mac your Mac becomes a friend and a part of you. I know it sounds strange. Mac people actually have a relationship with their Macs. They are so elegant and the "iApps" that come with the Mac are so intuitive it's a joy to sit and work on a Mac. Everything just works!

I'm starting to sound like an advertisement but it is soooo true!

I've been on a Mac for 7 years and have never had a problem. My husband has been a Mac user for 13 years and has never had an issue.

Mac's come with iPhoto installed and it's a great photo organizer and you can enhance and apply effects to photos. Quick View is part of the new Leopard operating system and it's a super fast way to view all kinds of media. The Microsoft Office programs work great on a Mac but there are so many better alternatives for OS X.

A Mac will change your life!

PS - They're waaaay cooler looking than any PC!

[tomkat]

Oh Brenda, you are a sneaky one! I was shocked to see you had started a thread for me!

I had it all figured out. A new Dell, what I've always had, only this time w/ 4G RAM, and now you're trying to throw a monkey wrench in it!

Seriously, everyone, I would not have asked this question myself, but I am highly interested in your replies.

I just "know" Windows. Everything I've learned, I learned on Windows. And like Brenda said, I use Word and Publisher ALL THE TIME! I also don't want to give up ACDSee. And I know you can run Windows on a Mac, but to do that I'm splitting up my RAM.

I always hear how great Macs are, but not really very many specifics. One thing I've noticed with Brenda's is how fast it starts up and shuts down, but though I'd love that, it's not enough to warrant a Mac.

Katina

[JesseEdwards]

well I use microsoft office on my mac. So they do have that available.

What i love about my mac:
It's fast.
It comes with so much on it that is fun to play with like idvd and imovie and garageband.
It uses storage so much better. When i was on a Pc I always had to defragment my hard drive...none of that. (it's been a while so I don't know if they still have to do that)
They are designed for designers. So they work extremely well with large files and rarely freeze. I sometimes freeze one program but I think I've only frozen my entire computer once.
Some MACs depending on what you buy you can get 4 GB RAM. Besides the fact that I've found that you can use about half the RAM and have it run just as good.

Plus the fact that they are pretty!

I'm sure Cassie will chime in here soon!

[tomkat]

Does it include Publisher, though? I looked online and it doesn't look like it does, but maybe I'm missing something.

Katina

[AmyPunky]

Why I love Mac:
- it's fast
- there's a lot of fun applications
- it's pretty!
- it rarely crashes down
- it's easy to install new programs
- my iMac is silent whereas my BF's computer is noisy like a truck! LOL
- I have an iPod and it's easier to use iTunes with a Mac
- it doesn't take a lot of place on my desk (I have an iMac)

That's the main reasons why I love my Mac!

[cedarhil]

I agree with teeleedee. I have an affair going with my mac.
I use PC's at work ( I teach technology to elementary school kids) and every single day I say to myself, Boy this would be easier on a mac. It just seems that applications are there when I need them . I rarely have to go to the finder to get one, and I had to load only my graphics programs. I have office 2004 on my MAC and it works perfectly when I transfer a file to office 2007. My Imac never freezes, so no more "three finger salute"! PS I love Safari. I love the bookmarks (no flyout windows) The menu bar and dock is clean and easy to navigate. I dont have that little square that follows my curser around like I do on a PC. And burning CD's and DVD's is a snap. I know at school I have to go to the program, the flyout menue and then choose which part of the program I want . With my mac, I just drag and burn.

[teeleedee]

As you noted the brand new Macs come with BootCamp that lets you partition the Mac so you can run on Windows OS or Mac OS X. Then if you ever need to jump back in to ACDSee or Publisher (which you will rarely do if you get a Mac) you can use the Windows partition. You can make a small partition for Windows and it won't take up much of your hard drive. Then when you've found alternatives to ACDSee and Publisher you can delete your Windows partition all together and start living a Windows free life!

There are some excellent alternatives to ACDSee and Publisher for the Mac that once you get to know them you will never want to go back.

[B-Jo]

Originally Posted by teeleedee

Then when you've found alternatives to ACDSee and Publisher you can delete your Windows partition all together and start living a Windows free life!

This is really good advice! It's hard sometimes to step out of our comfort zones and this really gives you a chance to slowly change.

I run Windows with Parallels. Well, I have it, I rarely run it. I only have it for ACDSee, but ACDSEE is just not reliable on this computer. It worked for a while and then started giving me trouble. I wasted an entire day fixing it and the very next day it wouldn't even open. It's been 3 weeks since I've even started the virtual machine.

I'm still looking for a good alternative to ACDSee. I've been meaning to try Shoebox. It sounds like Mac has superior alternatives to Publisher though.

[tomkat]

Well, my husband and I are fixing to go look at Macs, but I'm still a nervous wreck about it.

I called my uncle who just recently bought a Mac to see how he likes his. I knew at first he was ready to throw it out a window, but he says he loves it now. He goes back and forth b/w mac and windows just fine.

I use Publisher to create newsletters for his business, and he mentioned InDesign. Do any of you use that?

I'd love to think I could use ACDSee on the windows side, but Brenda tried that and it didn't work for her, so it probably wouldn't for me either.

Katina

[B-Jo]

I've talked to Katina on the phone and her main hang up is ~ Do Macs really last longer than PC's? And are they really more reliable?

[Island Girl]

I use Pages part of the IWork suite. I describe it as the cross between Publisher and Word but WAYYYY better! I do a lot of newsletters and did not want to switch to Mac b/c I was so set on using publisher... Publisher has nothing on Pages. GO FOR IT!!

[tracydigigirl]

I just switched to a MacBook Pro last December and have LOVED it!!!

My surprise, however, is how unprepared I was for the software changes. In terms of hardware, there is absolutely no question that Mac is superior so I have no regrets.

Adding the mac software for the things that i like to do has proven to be more expensive than I had anticipated. Partly (okay, largely) due to my own ignorance, I've bought stuff that i decided I didn't like and finally spending even more to get the 'right' apps. I had decided that I'd buy VMWare Fusion to run Windows and use my Win apps until I could afford to transition to the Mac apps. Windows is every bit as buggy on the Mac as it is in it's native environment and just made me crazy! Also, some things, like PS CS2, I was told won't run in a Virtual Machine. (I never tested this so it's hearsay.) I can't speak to BootCamp as I haven't used it but if you'll read on the Mac Forums, you'll see that it has it's own issues. Techs seem to lean toward Fusion and Parallels with differing opinions to which is best.

I suggest trying the mac apps first and see if you can adapt. I still use the VM to run Windows because I have to use MS Access and there simply is no Mac alternative in my circumstances. But I've given up on Outlook, Publisher and FrontPage in favor of Mac apps entirely because the platform is SO much better on the Mac side.

Finally, if you do go MacBook Pro and must run Windows, don't buy until you can afford 4GB. (Others may disagree) If you choose 2GB, you get 2-1GB chips. To upgrade your memory after it's built, it's WAY more expensive. If they built it with 1-2GB chip, you could easily add a 2GB chip and be on your way. As it is, to go from 2GB to 4GB means outright buying 4GB. That frustrates me.

By the way, if you have school children, you are eligible to purchase from Academic Superstore. Check it out before you buy anywhere else.

This is alot of info but stuff I wish I had known before buying my Mac. I had to learn the expensive way!

[Kathie]

Got my macbook pro when they first came out with the intel dual (has it been two years??). It took a while for me to feel comfortable, but I loved it instantly. I was a SERIOUS addict to publlisher, and that was the hardest thing for me, and the only reason I had bootcamp. But then I became more familiar with other things, and I found I wasn't using the "dark side" as I began to call it, and finally had it deleted (so I could fill up that space with other things LOL) about four months ago. You are right, the Mac version of office doesn't have it, but that same version works differently somehow, and I can use Word as easily to set up stuff like I did in Publisher. Between Word and PS I don't miss it anymore.
I can't judge to the longevity since it has only been two years, but what I can say, is I have NEVER frozen my computer (I did freeze PS once or twice, but that was me, not the OS) and I have NEVER gotten a virus (although my PC hubby has gotten three in the same period of time). I don't even know how to defrag or any of the other routine PC things....
Also want to add two other things: the computers do seem to never die--on the podcasts I listen to, people are always trying to find things to do with their old macs...because although they are outdated--too small hard drive, to slow processors--they still run. They find all kinds of cool things to do with them--like making them into "home made DVR" machines, etc. (The OS is supposed to be the same, as they are linux based.) I am not geekie, but I understand this is common to find ways to reuse them because they never die!
The second thing is my sister just switched to Mac about a month ago on my recommendation. She lives in MI and I live in WA and we now video chat once week. Since we are both on laptops we "carry each other" around when we are cooking etc, and it is so much fun!! We tried to video chat when she had a pc, and it just never worked. Now we "talk" so long that our hubbies are hating Macs. ;-) I can point my built in web cam at something I just bought and she can show me her redecorated living room. It feels like a "real" visit, and I can't tell you how wonderful that is with 2800 miles between us.
OH!! And, there are a couple of programs that are ONLY Mac ones that I couldn't live without now--one is "delicious library". It uses the built in web cam to scan bar codes on videos, music CDs and audio books--it will then save a list on my iPod so I don't buy duplicates (happens a lot with our music, as we have a LOT) and it will also integrate with my address book, so I can lend stuff out and it will email me a reminder when it is "due back" from a friend, so I can remember who I lent stuff to.

[ptknox]

Cassie must be sleeping in late today...can't BELIEVE she hasn't popped in on THIS thread!

I've heard so many wonderful things about Macs that I'm sure you'll be happy if that's the way you decide to go Katina. I'm a PC girl myself and frankly the reasons I stay PC are twofold.

As a technology teacher I need to be able to use many of the children's programs from school at home and the district is PC based, and....

(And this is where I'd pause and think things through if I was you) I am a software junkie! I've got a small fortune invested in plug-ins, filters, graphic software, etc. that is all PC based. (And yes, I've heard that I could run it on a Mac...but I've also heard that not all PC software performs well that way)

Now, don't throw tomatoes at me here all you Mac chicks...but I love Dell!

[B-Jo]

Originally Posted by ptknox

(And yes, I've heard that I could run it on a Mac...but I've also heard that not all PC software performs well that way)

That has been my experience, with ACDSee at least.

No tomatoes here~ I really appreciate your input. My experience with Dell was less than pleasant, but I'm glad you've gotten good products and service from them.

This is a major purchase for Katina and she is very nervous. She needs to look at it from all angles before making up her mind. Thanks for bringing up the software, plug in issue.

[B-Jo]

Originally Posted by tracy.digigirl

I suggest trying the mac apps first and see if you can adapt. I still use the VM to run Windows because I have to use MS Access and there simply is no Mac alternative in my circumstances. But I've given up on Outlook, Publisher and FrontPage in favor of Mac apps entirely because the platform is SO much better on the Mac side.

This is great advice too, Tracy! Probably what I would do, if I were Katina, since I've already tried ACDSee.

Originally Posted by tracy.digigirl

if you do go MacBook Pro and must run Windows, don't buy until you can afford 4GB. (Others may disagree) If you choose 2GB, you get 2-1GB chips. To upgrade your memory after it's built, it's WAY more expensive. If they built it with 1-2GB chip, you could easily add a 2GB chip and be on your way. As it is, to go from 2GB to 4GB means
outright buying 4GB. That frustrates me.

Another option is to buy your RAM online and install it yourself. That's what we did and it only costs around $114. This is where we got it~ http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...ook%20Pro&cat=

Thanks for all the responses! All of you are a BIG help!

[tracydigigirl]

Originally Posted by B-Jo

Another option is to buy your RAM online and install it yourself. That's what we did and it only costs around $114. This is where we got it~

OH MY GOSH!!! You SO Rock!!! I LOVE YOU & I LOVE this Forum!!!

Originally Posted by ptknox

Now, don't throw tomatoes at me here all you Mac chicks...but I love Dell!

It's fair to say that my 4-1/2 year old Dell Desktop is going strong. I just wiped it out and rebuilt it for the kids and it's just as fast as my brand new MacBook Pro. No Dell complaints from me! It's the Operating System that causes me to complain.

[AmyPunky]

Originally Posted by B-Jo

Another option is to buy your RAM online and install it yourself. That's what we did and it only costs around $114. This is where we got it~ http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...ook%20Pro&cat=

This is what I did for my Mac!!! Good point!

[ptknox]

Crucial.com is AWESOME! For those of you thinking of upgrading your RAM (either PC or Mac) the coolest thing about their site is that you can install a little program from them that will scan your system and tell you what you already HAVE in terms of RAM, the maximum you CAN have, and give suggestions for what to purchase. I think buying RAM is confusing and a bit scary for most folks...and I send everybody to Crucial!

With that said (and feeling like a huge traitor)...we ordered some RAM for my husband's laptop this week...and I checked newegg.com for prices after visiting crucial.com to determine what we needed. Believe it or not New Egg sells Crucial brand RAM and it was $20.00 cheaper than Crucial's own site. Pays to shop around...and newegg.com always has great prices on hardware/software.

[digigrandma]

In answer to the question, are Macs reliable and do they work for a long time. I have always had Macs. I have never had to replace one because it didn't work any more. I have only upgraded to a new one when I just couldn't resist all the new bells and whistles on the latest model. It is very hard for me to quit using my old reliable mac because they are just that—reliable! I use my computer every single day for hours.

I advise anyone interested in finding out whether a Mac is for them that you go to a apple store if there is one in your town. You will not believe how well informed and friendly the sales staff is at an Apple store. You can tell them what you do on your computer, what software you use, etc. and they will guide you to the right mac for you.

I have my new MacBook Pro about 6 weeks. I purchased iWork to use instead of Office for the Mac. It has applications called Numbers (which I use for opening Excel spreadsheets or to create my own Spreadsheet if I ever need one), Pages which I use for creating brochures, newsletter or just general word processing and it has Keynote which is presentation software that I would use if I was still creating Power Point presentations like I did when I was teaching.

In general, what I like about macs is that everything works together so well—my printer, my scanner, my cameras, etc. Never a problem and if I have a question I know I can call Apple.

[tomkat]

Well, we went to the Apple store. And the experience wasn't that great. It was super crowded, but it wasn't long before I was approached by a less-than-professional saleman. He just was not a good salesman and did nothing to sell me on a Mac. I love salesmen who are enthusiastic and actually friendly. Ones who go on and on about the features. Kinda like the Dell salesmen I've encountered. He didn't have anything really to say. He'd answer my questions a little, but he let me know he knew nothing about running Windows, so he couldn't help me much there.

I left there ready for a Dell computer, but my husband really wanted me to get a Mac, though he knows nothing about computers. He just wants me to get one that actually last longer than 3 years!

So we just came home. After catching up on this thread, I read it to my husband, and guess what? Merrilee, my husband thinks you are a great salesperson! He says you're better than the man at the store, and he insisted that I order the Mac. He said you sold him on it!

And I did it. I ordered a MacBook Pro. I'm a nervous wreck about it. I can't help but feel a little sick. I didn't order Windows because I decided if I was going to do it, I should go all the way. I can't believe I just gave up ACDSee. After hours and hours of tagging everything. And Publisher. I figure I'll buy InDesign or the Pages for my newsletters after I look into it some more.

Pattie, I hope I don't end up wishing I'd stayed with PC like you! Besides the items I've mentioned, I don't really think I use anything that can't be used on Mac. I don't have a lot of filters and plug-ins, so hopefully it won't matter to me as much.

Everyone, thanks so much for your help and replies. Like I said, I'm not at all comfortable with what I just did, but I'm hoping that it won't be long before I am another Mac lover. Oh, I hope so! I can't afford not to now.

Thanks again (I apologize for this long post),
Katina

[ptknox]

Congratulations Katina! I'm sure you are going to be happy with your "new baby"... as I said earlier, I've heard wonderful things about Macs and I've often wished it made sense for me to go that route myself because...let's face it...they're just plain cool looking!

And for what it's worth...I use both Publisher and InDesign and I find InDesign VASTLY superior.

Be sure to come back and tell us all about it when you "deliver!"

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Katina -

Just a few things . . .

1. I'm sorry you got a crummy salesman. That's so very VERY rare in an Apple store.
2. If you're planning to upgrade to CS3 (if you don't already have it) you will love InDesign. It's got its own learning curve, but one "how-to" book or podcast, and you'll get it.
3. Pages should do pretty much what Publisher did. I just got it myself, so I can't say for sure, but that's the whole point of the software.
4. I know you didn't have a great experience in the store, but if it is close by, you should seriously consider the "One to One" program they offer. I've never seen a better deal in my life. You can pay $99 for a FULL YEAR of weekly, one hour sessions with a Mac Creative (that's their way of saying tutor). It will NOT be a salesman. These are people who know the operating system and software (many kinds, not just Mac . . . including photoshop!). You basically get one hour a week of one-on-one tutoring for a whole year for $99. That's less than $2 per hour. Seriously. Who wouldn't do it? You can pick the topic or let them pick, and you just take your laptop up there and they work with you on your own system. Have I rambled on enough? I just can't believe they offer this. It's such a sweet deal.

Enjoy your new Mac. It truly is a beautiful thing.

ETA: I forgot to add . . . if you didn't already buy it, be sure to get the Apple Care Protection plan for your laptop. It's worth every penny to be able to call customer service for free for 3 years and when you have something that can be dropped off a counter, you really must consider that insurance.

[digigrandma]

Originally Posted by TomKat

Merrilee, my husband thinks you are a great salesperson! He says you're better than the man at the store, and he insisted that I order the Mac. He said you sold him on it!

And I did it. I ordered a MacBook Pro. I'm a nervous wreck about it.
Katina

Wow, am I ever glad I posted! Congratulations! (You tell your dh that he is one really nice guy! and smart, too!) I predict you're going to love your Mac! I would be glad to give you whatever support you need to help you get over those feelings of buyer remorse which is what I think many of us go through when we finally make a big purchase.

Sorry, you had a bad experience at the Apple store. I have been to 2 Apple stores here in Minneapolis and always had a good experience. In fact, the young salesman I worked with was so good at his job that my dh kiddingly told him he wasn't going to allow me in the store again!

again, big congrats! Let us know when your computer arrives! I want to hear all about it!

[tomkat]

Cassie,

You know, I'm sure most of them are great salesmen. I just got the bad "apple"! And there's some of those everywhere you go.

That One to One thing sounds AWESOME! However, I ordered the computer online. Does that only apply if you buy the computer from them? They're 30 minutes away from me, but I'd do it in a heartbeat if I could. I'll certainly check into it.

I've been using PSE6, but I was thinking I'd get CS3 & InDesign. Now, if I get InDesign, do I need Pages? Or which one is better for newsletters? I know you said you just bought Pages, so you may not know yet.

The Apple Care...I didn't get it, but I could probably still add it. I specifically looked to see if it covered accidents like dropping it off a counter, but it didn't mention it that I could see. Are you saying that it does? If so, that along might be worth the extra money.

Katina (w/ more questions than answers!)

[tomkat]

Merrilee, I'll tell him what you said. He'll get a kick out of it.

Believe me, I'll probably have some questions to ask! This is so new, but it is nice to know that there are people here I can ask.

Thanks for the congrats!

Katina

[tomkat]

And for what it's worth...I use both Publisher and InDesign and I find InDesign VASTLY superior.

I'm so glad you just posted that. That really helps in my decision.

Thanks!
Katina

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

1. Yes you can still buy the Apple Care Protection plan. I *think* that no matter when you buy it, it covers your system from 3 years from the day you purchased the machine.

2. Yes you can buy the one-to-one no matter where you bought the machine. Just go into or call that local store and ask to speak to the head Creative. They'll be the most helpful.

3. I would call the Apple store and ask them exactly what's covered with the Apple Care plan. I'm not so positive about the "dropping it off a counter" issue. That was kind of a joke. I do know that even though Macs have FAR less trouble than a PC, there's always that odd chance that a hard drive goes bad or something like that . . . and those would definitely be covered.

[B-Jo]

I think you made the perfect choice, Katina! You won't regret it. Just give yourself some time to get used to the changes and you'll be joining in the Mac praise chorus!

Woo Hoo! I'm really excited! You deserve a new computer!!