I need someone who has used both Windows and Mac to respond to this post.

I am trying to upgrade my (Windows) computer. It looks like it will cost me the price of a new Apple Mac Mini. It might be worth it for me to get a Mac.

Like I said, I would like someone who has used both Windows and Mac consistently. I don't want people to respond that have gone to Best Buy and played with a Mac. I want someone who (for example) uses a Mac at home and Windows at work.

You can reply to this post or:

• AIM: kc8yff
• YIM: kc8yff
• MSNM: kc8yff@hotmail.com

Thanks.

This post has been edited by miCRoSCoPiC^eaRthLinG: Dec 21 2005, 07:09 AM

That would be me. I used PCs for most of my life, then got a mac. But, I still have to use PCs at work. That said, you didn't ask what you needed to know about the platforms, so let me know and I will tell you all that I can.

Thanks for replying. There are just two questions I have:

- Which OS is more user-friendly?
- Which OS do you prefer?

Thanks.

Mac is the answer to both questions for me. After I bought my ibook, which is what I am writing this on, I rarely used my much more powerful desktop anymore. I just didn't want or need to.

That being said, any computer you get, make sure to put in at least 512 MB RAM. OSX needs this much, and apple is being silly selling things stock with only 256.

The other thing you should take into account is software. What do you need to do with your computer?

Let me know, and I will make sure there is software that does it(cheaply) on the mac.

For the most part, when it comes to software, you can find mac compatible programs fairly easily. Either the developers of the program you want made it themselves, there's a third party port or there's a substitute that closely resembles it. You'll probably need to get used to buying things online though. Most major retail stores like Best Buy or Circuit City do not carry mac compatable software. I'm not sure about CompUSA. Be sure to correct me if I'm mistaken, anyone.

CompUSA carries Mac software. Also, there are Apple stores all over the country(world) now and they have a fantastic selection of software you can buy.

I forgot the apple store. We don't have one in our area yet but we do have a cool little local place called Gorham-micro that specializes in selling and reparing apple computers and selling mac software... I imagine it that doesn't compare to the Apple store though. It's strange why we don't have one. Our former governer, Angus King, initiated this huge plan to provide all low income students in high-school and junior high with iBooks. You'd think after that, Apple would've more agressively pursued the PC market here.

Basically I will need:

- A good word-processing program.
- Good photo viewer and editor.
- Video editor.
- POP3 program.
- Nice internet browser.
- Chat client that can handle MSNM, YIM, and AIM.

Thanks.

A good word-processing program. - Appleworks which probably comes with the machine.

Good photo viewer and editor. - iPhoto or just about any image editor you can think of is available for the mac. There's a program called Graphic Converter too, which I believe is also out for the PC, and that's a handy little piece of freeware.

Video editor. - iMovie, iDVD, Adobe Premiere. (the first two are free).

POP3 program.- I wouldn't know.

Nice internet browser. - Just about anything you can think of plus Safari (by apple) which blows 'em all out of the water.

Chat client that can handle MSNM, YIM, and AIM. - iChat handles a AIM and mac.com accounts. I'm sure you can find something that handles the others too.

I'm sure the POP3 program is available. This summer (I am a high school student) if I made the $500, I'll seriously consider the Apple Mac Mini.


Are there any good games for the Mini?