Should I switch to a Mac or upgrade to Vista?

Hello,

I am considering buying a MacBook from Apple but I really don't know if it's worth it. I am not sure if I should upgrade to Vista from XP or just buy a Mac. I do instant messaging, email, web surfing, just basic things like that and just wanting to know if I would notice really any "benefit" to go to a Mac or if I should just upgrade to Vista.

-Gracie

 

Hello,
Mac without the slightest doubt.
Mrk

 

I have a question first. You said you just do basic things with your computer, right? Why then would you want to upgrade to Vista? Do you really think Vista will bring you more than what you have now with XP?

Vista is not mature yet and for basic things, IMHO it's not worth to spend the money.But this is me...

 

Eww! Vista is bug city!
Mac...feels like I got exterminated out of earth.
Stay with Xp.

 

Agreed, although if it really is buy a MacBook vs. just an OS upgrade on an existing PC - do the cost analysis first (any required hardware + software subscriptions over x years (say x = 5) + OS upgrade cost vs. MacBook) and go with what makes sense. That said, I really like my son's MacBook....

Blue

 

If you do basic things, neither Vista or OS X will change much your computing experience.
Also, Apple´s Boot Camp will allow you to run Microsoft´s OSes. If you buy a PC, you can´t install OS X without legal concerns and certain skills.
You should ask yourself if you feel that XP limits your computing experience.

 

Just curious, is this something you are doing just because you want to\can? IMO Stay with XP and spend a few $$ on upgrading your current PC. MACs = big $$$. Vista, depending on the vers. = big $$$. Some more memory, even a new processor (depending on mobo support) can make an old PC seem like a new one for less $$$ if you shop carefully.

 

vista is just xp with even more crap.......
i found out how much crap xp had today by installing windows 2k pro.
so stay with windows xp but IMO i think xp is to bloated.
lodore

 

mac

and in the event the link in the sig is overlooked
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html
for the latest blow by blow

a nice tidbit from the conclusion

 

Hi, gracie123

Do neither and GO LINUX, their free. [If you like, make a donation]

Take Care,
TheQuest

 

well technically so are BSD's
just not the mac flavored BSD (as OS X)

a Linux distro holds the pall of "hard to install and use" to most folks, its not actually the case these days, but there are several substantial hurdles to becoming a "power user"

since a "switch" is already being considered, its certainly a viable alternative, slightly steeper learning curve in some respects, but well worth the effort for long range freedom

 

Hi. Ice_Czar

I thought I knew your face, it just that your hat throw me.

I agree, but sadly a lot of M$ users are just that, Users and and have not [will not] really learned how the OS works.

Very well worth it.

Take Care
TheQuest

 

@gracie123: sorry for temp. changing the direction of your thread a little bit...

@Ice_Czar & TheQuest: I´m interested of seriously learning Linux to an advanced level, but I have recently heard more and more of BSD. What´s the main difference of these two OS? and which one should I choose to learn as an alternative to MS Windows, regarding that I´m a beginner in both of these systems?

/Cerxes.

UPDATE: O.k, I´ve been at the FreeBSD site and it seems very promising. I think I will start learning this OS but I would like to have some advice about it from you guys. Do I need two CD:s for installing the OS?

 

I would miss Cleartype, though...

gracie123,
Go for a Mac with bacon and fries!

 

Hi,
yeah I like mac, got one on permanent borrow, Its a no hassle machine.
Seriously think about any extra cost this will bring also as opposed to an upgrade! Start having a look around the mac blogs and forums.

edit:Blue already mentioned the 'do the cost analysis first'

 

@gracie123:
Given the info you gave you shouldn't upgrade. No need for it.

 

BSDs are a Unix derivative, and while they are often considered some of the most secure operating systems available, they are also typically fairly specialized as well or just generally "sparse" when it comes to applications.
Of all the Unix like OS's Linux is the one that has grown to be the most well rounded (setting aside the OS X branch) with a wide array of applications and the ability to emulate Windows w\ WINE

If I was building a server, or some other dedicated computer I'd likely consider a BSD, but for a desktop, Id likely go for a Linux Distro. By all means install a copy of a BSD, great basic NIX learning experience, but make it a dual boot with something your already familiar with. I havent run any BSD's myself, at this point concentrating on bootstrapping myself to a Linux power user (which also hasnt happened as far as I can tell )

 

@Ice_Czar: Thanks for the reply. I´ve already downloaded FreeBSD and it looks promising. My goal is to use this system on a machine dedicated for server use, so I´m now collecting all sorts of tutorials about it.

@gracie123: Back to your topic...Thanks!

/Cerxes.

 

Hi everyone,

Sorry for not replying to this thread sooner. I have decided that I will stay with Windows for now... and not buy a Mac because I don't do that much on a computer to make it worth it.

Thanks everyone though for all your thoughts.

Gracie

 

This is very sad. A friend likes my scanner. However, she (happily) uses Win98 and the scanner requires ME/NT forward. So, she opts for another brand that is compatible with Win98.

This is simply not true. Not everyone installs Windows Updates and Patches, and get along quite nicely, thank you very much!


regards,

-rich

________________________________________________________________
"Talking About Security Can Lead To Anxiety, Panic, And Dread...
Or Cool Assessments, Common Sense And Practical Planning..."

--Bruce Schneier​

 

Although the poster has already decided, for anyone else that is deciding this is my experience yesterday:-

Trying to set up bluetooth between PC and MACbook.

MAC "ah yes hello you want to connect your pc, this is the security code for your device when it wants it"

PC "I can't see anything" a long time later...."Oh the laptop thing, ok but I'm going to make you work to find how to do it"

I've only owned the mac a couple of days and I'm really surprised at how it just works.