I am needing your learned and experience advice in picking a new computer

I am thinking of switching from PC to Apple. What do you think?

My list of things I want to do is pretty average: one, participate in LibraryThing, Facebook, Luminosity, Duolingo; two, read my emails, and do my personal bookkeeping by using two credit unions; three, store my photographs so I can occasionally dip into my piles and post or print something; four, very occasionally play some games such as Words with Friends; but, I also want to be able to respond to new opportunities, especially those I do not know about today.

I had my photographs put on a 32GB USB flash drive.

I think if I do get rid of the cable I will want to watch some movies or shows on my computer, maybe....

Oh, I do also plug my iPhone in and occasionally add some more music to it.

See... I don't even know what all I want my computer to do for me.

You will be happy with a Mac!

Maggie - more than anything - find a friend and try one out. See what's comfortable for you. One of the big reasons I don't use a Mac is that I absolutely hate its keyboard. For surfing the web and running online applications, there's no difference between a PC and a Mac - it's all done in the browser.

Keep in mind that a Mac will take some getting used to.  It took about a month for me to become completely comfortable with it, mainly because it feels so much more open.

Maggie, one thing that is possible in making a choice, is that those offering opinions tend to feel strongly about them beyond what is best for you. There is much emotion in both the pro-Apple and anti-Apple camps. I am in the latter, but more because I deplore Apple's 'walled garden' - where once you buy an iPod/iPhone/iPad, you must purchase everything you want to put on it from Apple - they get a 'cut' on it all, going forward. I don't like that, and so make purchasing decisions because of that.

But this has little to do with the computer itself.

If I step back, to be objective, I'd say this:

1) Overall, Macs *are* easier to use, because there's largely just one way to do everything, and Apple put much more control in how applications designed their user interfaces. As a result, they are very comfortable to someone who is a user OF the computer, or wants to use an application ON the computer, but doesn't have interest in the computer ITSELF - except in that it's a working tool.

2) In my personal experience, you'll spend more money, over time, with a Mac. It costs more for similar functionality to a PC.

3) With Macs, Apple makes them all, so if you don't like their options, you're outta luck. One reason I use windows is because I love using a laptop with a keyboard that feels more like a 'typewriter keyboard' (keys that have indented wells in the middle, etc.) I also love the 'toggle-stick button in the middle of the keyboard' mouse, which Lenovo and Toshiba use. I can get those UI options with PCs, not with a Mac.

4) Viruses exist on both Macs and PCs, but you see them more on PCs because Virus writers author viruses for the dominant OS (Windows.) Interestingly, friends I know in IT departments hate dealing with a Mac, virus because the users believe that Macs can't GET viruses, so don't install anti virus software, or refuse to believe their system can be infected, etc.

5) Because Apple controls the user interface and how applications behave far more closely than Microsoft does, Mac applications "feel more the same" than PC ones - so over time, the learning curve for new Mac apps is less.

6) If you largely use the computer to use the Web, there is very very little difference. The browsers pretty much do the same thing.

7) One other thing: I see no big difference, in my personal experience, in hardware reliability. In my experience, my friends with Macs go to the Apple store as much as my friends with PCs are getting theirs fixed.

One other consideration: having someone who can help you/work on your computer. If you have a friend/relative who is familiar with Apple then ask them to loan you one or tell you about it. If on the other hand, your friends/relatives are PC users, then remember you'll be on your own close to home.

And I endorse JPB's post entirely.

Thanks everyone!

About resenting having to deal only with Apple for hardware, repairs, and apps and all... I'm tempted to be irritated, too. I am kinda an "ungrown up adolescent" with a rebellious spirit which often exceeds reason but I also see how it simplifies life a good deal to always know where to go for help and stuff. That is what I have for my car because my niece works for the dealership where I bought the thing. I never worry about it because all I do is turn the key, everything else - I ask her to take it to work and Bingo, like magic, it comes back to me all good!

The extra expense is a concern, however. In retirement one does not look forward to "making more money", one looks forward to having less.

So, in the PC world: Are there any brand names which are leading the pack these days?

Get a pretty pink one! :)

(-;

I think you pays your money and takes your choice really. I have just bought a Sony All in One Touchscreen PC which ticks the box of not taking up as much space as a box PC - it looks like a TV really and I am happy with it so far.
Don't get too hung up on hard disk size - based on your list of activities, paying extra for more MBs is probably not worth it.
A good processor will be more valuable.

One trick to save money is to look for the previous model of something - if a company brings out a new all singing all dancing model, then the previous model drops in price and companies often have stock hidden away in their sales that they now want to get rid of.
Good luck.

If I were in the market for a new PC, I would wait until Fall when Windows 8 is released.

suitable1, good idea. Now lets all cross our fingers that the current lap top lasts.....

I'd not worry about Windows 8 as it's going to be quite different and will need a shakedown period.

I'd go with what you know.

I'm a big Mac fan and would argue that when they OPENED the platform to other manufacturers in the late 90s - the company almost died (barely saved by the iMac and later, the iPod).

I switched to Mac from DOS in 1993, so always get annoyed by Windows. As far as work, I've had to go to Windows since 2009. What I hate most about Windows is the windows - when you close a window it closes the entire program. On a Mac, the program stays open until you quit it, even if the window is closed. The file architecture of Windows is not intuitive to me and is based on very old underpinnings. Dragging and dropping can differ in Windows - sometimes moving the file, sometimes making another copy of the file. Both "Computer" and "Start" in Windows doesn't let me see the entire heirarchy of my hard drive.

But once you can do what you want to do in either, each is easy.

>13 Titano: "What I hate most about Windows is the windows - when you close a window it closes the entire program. On a Mac, the program stays open until you quit it, even if the window is closed."

Funny, that is the same thing that annoys me, but from the other side. If I close something I want it to be gone. Really so much of it is what you are used to.

>7 maggie1944: "So, in the PC world: Are there any brand names which are leading the pack these days?"

I'm a big fan of Dell. I like how I can pick and choose what features I want to upgrade and which I don't so I'm not paying as much for things I won't use. I've also been quite happy with durability, all the ones I've had have become obsolete (for my heavy usage anyway) before they have died in anyway.

Karen, there are a lot of good brands of PC. It depends what you want. I'd advise you to go to a Best Buy or equivalent and take a look at computers that are running, to see what the screen looks like, brightness, how the keys feel, etc.

I'm a person who likes to 'mess with' computers and fix a lot of folks computers. I've seen some good ones of any number of brands: ASUS, HP, Dell, Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba.

If you mostly just use the internet and a few simple programs, you don't need an expensive laptop. As someone said, buying a closeout when the new ones start to come out is a good way to get a nice computer at a great price.

I advise against a Toshiba. I don't like mine and A few other people I know also don't like them

I have always had PCs until recent years and find that they have not performed well over time. They slow down; to get them to perform well, I've reinstalled operating systems. It's been frustrating. I'm happier with Apple products,which I find more robust. I'm sure not everyone has this experience, but I am glad not to be dealing with the PC world anymore.

(16) I loved my Toshiba. I had it for over 9 years before it died.

We had Dell computers at my previous job, and at my current job. Some are good, some are not...I've seen several die after only 2 or 3 years.

IF you get a Dell printer, though, you have to buy the ink cartridges from Dell. That's something to consider.

My current computer is an HP, about 2 years old. About a year ago I started getting "Windows is not genuine" popups, which keep returning. I don't have a Windows 7 CD to reinstall because I didn't get one when I bought my computer from Office Depot, so unless I want to pay them $$$, I'll keep getting these popups.

Apparently this is a common issue as there are many discussions online about what to do about this blip. I just close the stupid Windows popup when it appears.

But I do like Windows 7! It's almost as nice as Windows XP was. Vista was HORRIBLE.

Regarding Apple computers: I have the use of an i-Pad, from work. I do enjoy it, but have issue with there being NO DELETE BUTTON!!!!! (which I understand is the same with Mac computers). I also miss my arrow keys.

Six of one, half dozen of another. Take your pick. :)

Yes, yes there IS a delete button. (Truly: Mac is user-friendly. I hope you can find someone to let you see its features. Perhaps at the Mac store they have classes and/or demonstrations to help you make up your mind. We have a Mac Users group here so someone is always sharing info.)

I am so grateful for all your comments! I can see that people do feel quite loyal to the machines they've come know well!

I need to weigh how much I want my decision to be based on careful, thoughtful, consideration of needs and pro/con vs. how much I want to be happy with getting what I want, and what I feel will make me happy. Hahahahahah. Ying and Yang!

If there is more opinion and information: carry on. I'll read every posting before I decide what to do! And the more you all post, the longer I'll take to decide which probably is a good thing. (Assuming the Dell I am on today holds up....)

#13 I'm still sitting shiva for DOS, I find that I love the control of Linux with my lenovo, plus it's very difficult to get a virus onto a Linux computer because they prompt you for your password anytime something wants to write itself onto your system, of course you may just choose to add any old thing to it anyay

I was doing very well with a Samsung laptop for more or less what you are doing (and also had good service for about 6 years from an HP laptop), but I needed something more ergonomic for working at over longer periods. I am now getting the hang of a Lenovo desktop with a Samsung monitor. My only warning comment is that the desktop is crap for wireless internet access compared to the laptop: I have had to borrow an Ethernet cable and run it all the way up the stairs from the router to my desk.

#22 - you can buy a dongle to make your desktop wireless, you know. We have a desktop so equipped.

#23 I think Myopic is saying that their desktop computer has wireless, but has poor connectivity with it. Perhaps this has to do with the antennas being close to the floor?

Well, I switched to a Mac several years ago and haven't looked back - but mainly because it completely suits my needs (mostly editing photos!)

In my experience you certainly get a high quality product from Apple, but you definitely pay more for it.

I recommend finding an Apple store (or somewhere that sells them) and have a bit of a play, the operating system is a bit different to Windows (although it's easy to get used to) and you'll know straight away if it suits you or not.

The video, audio, image, text, PDF, Postscript capability is better on the Mac

Exactly how?

At least here in Sweden the price tag is the real deal-breaker - put a Wintel laptop and a Macbook side by side and the Macbook will be about US$1.400-1.700 more expensive.

That said new Toshibas and the new Lenovos have serious issues with their cooling systems - they get VERY hot, adding to which my Lenovo W510 (which I hope to get replaced SOON, it's my work machine) sounds like a plane getting airborne. And every time I lift it the DVD sledge ejects.
Not to mention I would get burnt from the heat if I had it in my lap. I'm surprised that the casing hasn't melted (yet).
Beside which I just hate it. First computer ever to make me feel that way.

One of the nice things about purchasing a Dell is that, over the phone, they ask about what you use the computer for and then put together a rig that is ideal for you. They have been very reliable for me.

Yes, mamzel, I've been very happy with my Dell, too. But I think I am hankering for some new experiences. I believe I will be visiting an Apple store tomorrow.....

Told my niece I thought I should probably put my credit cards in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. I doubt I'll do that..... but maybe I will.

I am saving for a trip to Hawaii, and I have already bought the plane ticket, paid for the rent for the 10 days, and have cash to pay for the dog sitters. I still need to save for my share of the rental car, and for incidental expenses... dinners out, etc. I need to remember my priorities.

#33 - An Air is not an option for me, I'm well into the 18.000 SEK price range when I look at Macbooks. A bit too much money for me, personally. I might had paid it 15 years ago but as a parent I need to prioritise other needs.

The burning laptop (well inside safe operating range but still too hot to have in the lap) isn't mine, it's my work computer and is on lease. The contract is owned and managed by our global IT/IS operations (35.000 ppl worldwide). Either I get a replacement as I think is regulated by contract this fall or I'll treat it as a warranty issue. The problem is if it is handled as a warranty issue I will be without a work computer for at least a week.

21 years as a consultant working in the IT biz, more or less, has made me quite... jaded when it comes to computers.
Also, almost no data is such as you can't live without it. It's sad when you photos go but you won't die.
It is embarrassing when you can't deliver your report on schedule due to computer issues but again - such is life.
It is a bit worse when you lose your research data so you can't reference it properly.

I might add that nowadays I'm fully backed up, which is one reason for my general lack of worry ;-)

I think my biggest concern is just backing up my photographs! I must make it a very very regular habit. Otherwise, I'm completely in agreement that obsessing about perfection in not losing data, etc. is just not on my mind these days. Much more important matters to attend to: reading, exercising, eating...

Exactly.
I routinely move them to a separate disk, plus I use Flickr as storage too.
I prefer not to depend on one single computer and many of the cloud-services are reliable enough.

I am sorry. I did not completely understand your last sentence, Busifer. Did you mean that you prefer to not depend on both "one single computer" and "cloud-services". Or did you mean that the cloud-services are reliable, and you would feel OK about depending on one of them?

Storage, back up and redundancy are key to making sure you don't lose your photos. I wrote a whole article about it on my photo blog and it gets quite a few hits daily. It's not a matter of IF your hard drive will crash, it's WHEN.

#37 - Sorry. I mean I use a computer/disk for storage plus cloud-services for redundancy/storage and sharing.

#38 - It's not a matter of IF your hard drive will crash, it's WHEN.
Precisely so.

And the cloud-services are good at redundancy. Trust goes away real fast and if for example Flickr suddenly would start to lose peoples' photos customers would flee.

Thank you! You LT and GD friends are awesome!

OK, I did it. Bought a new 13" Macbook Air, with the Classes, too. I am looking forward to messing around with my photographs on it. And of course, since I love books, I went to B&N and bought iPhoto'11 Portable Genius. I don't think I'll ever be happy with totally electronic media. I need those real life books, yes, I do.

Stay tuned. More shall be revealed.

Classes?

For $99, when you buy a computer, you can have 1 on 1 classes, by appointment for a year. Go as many times as you want. Appointments like getting a haircut.... hahahahah.

Very nice, hope you enjoy your new toy, er, computer...

Good luck with your new computer, Karen!

ha! There always is that breaking in period where I frustratedly attempt to make the new one behave just like the old one, which is of course, impossible. Tea is just not coffee, and coffee will not be tea! But progress is being made!