Ferrari Mailing List: Re: NFC - What Mac to get?

[Charles Perry (charles]

Definitely agree with Paul. We have two macs (iMac / Mac Mini) and a dozen PCs in the house. The Macs get used for nothing but internet. Doing even simple maintenance/configuration things on the Macs requires a Google search every time because they are built for people who are not technically oriented. Thusly, anyone who is technically oriented will find the way they organize things on Macs frustrating and obtuse.

 

Also we have had hard drive failure recalls on both Mac machines. Not an issue in and of itself (things fail), but the Apple store is absolutely maddening about how they handle repairs. You cannot just drop off a box and tell them what’s wrong with it. You have to make an appointment to come to the store, sit with a “Genius”, watch them troubleshoot it until they can tell you what you already know, and then they will accept it for repair. When we got the Mini back from the Geniuses, they had loaded the regular OS on it (instead of the Server version I turned it in with) and just said “Oh, you can re-load the right one at home. We don’t have the discs here for the Server version.”

 

My brother switched to Macs several years ago hoping to avoid PC issues like viruses and Malware. He loaded it with Parallels to let him run Win7 and software that isn’t available on Mac. His subsequent problems were infuriating, and neither the Apple nor the PC people wanted to help with his hybrid/bastardized config, preferring to point the fingers at each other instead.

 

I will be the first to tell you that whoever approved Win8.1 should be skinned alive and soaked in acetone prior to being set ablaze. However, if I were buying a new machine tomorrow, I would get one with Win7. It is stable, friendly and reliable and you can still get a wide variety of hardware configs that include Win7. We use TigerDirect.Com a lot, but everyone has their favorites. I also have one laptop where I’ve been running the Technical Preview of Windows 10 for a couple of weeks now. It is much more intuitive than Win8. It basically has added some of the look of 8 to the proper enterprise functionality that 7 had and made it a usable machine again. It does have a few nice features like multiple desktops. Still prefer 7, but time marches on. And 10 will be a free upgrade for Win7/8/8.1 users on release. A fitting apology for Win8.

 

There, that feels better. Haven’t had a proper rant in a bit…

 

-- charles

 

 

From: Ferrari [mailto:ferrari-bounces+charles=carolina-sound.com [at] ferrarilist.com] On Behalf Of pbennett [at] Paul-Bennett.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 3:00 PM
To: Charles Perry
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] NFC - What Mac to get?

 

>>Gonna get a Mac. 

 

If you spend your computer time on the internet browsing or if the expense isn’t important, ignore this.   

 

Elsewise, before getting a Mac, consider the software situation.  Myself, I’d love to change but I’d be into well over $4k just for the programs to create a minimal Mac workstation. 

 

Of lesser importance but not inconsequential is the re-training period required.  One builds up a great intuitive finger/mouse memory for the MSFT operating systems.  It must be relearned which I’m told can easily take several months of dedicated effort.

 

Apple did well early on by offering a 50% discount to the educational types and over the years it’s built an ‘I’m better than you’ disdain against Windows and pc owners.  But even though I’ve not seen a BSOD in 5-6 years,  I wish I had an Apple Laptop.  Those lit-up apple icons in the lid look so cool.