Computer Gurus: Sony LY or Mac OS X?

[Gary Wells]

I am looking at a new computer, Sony all-in-one, model LT, 22" screen witn computer internals built in, at about $1900 with no software, or a Mac, all in one, model OS X, 24" inch screen with computer internals built in, about $1800 with no soft ware. I have always used Windows XP, and now it will cost me about extra to have the Vista pulled out and the Windows XP installed, and same with Mac, I can have it switched over to Windows XP, but at extra cost. My problem is will I get used to & be able to adapt to the Mac with it's operating software? I am open to all comments & counsel.

 

[klrv6]

What are you wanting to do with the computer?

That will help answer the question. Any special applications, games or hardware you need to run?

 

[Gary Wells]

The Apple Store (U.S.) - iMac

I won't be doing any gaming, surfing the car forums and all of the normal, but I don't plan on replacing my next computer anytime in the near future. I would rather it be overly optioned rather than under optioned. A lot of word processing, too, and some Excel. I am leaning towards the $1799 Mac, but I am curious as to whether un-installing Leopard V10.5 and pay to have the Windows XP installed as I have always been on a Windows XP more than anyother system. Leopard looks better but somewhat of a re-learning procedss. Any information is appreciated. I do not want a laptop, nor do I want a cheap system.

 

[Little6pack]

BOTH that way you get best of both worlds

 

[GNandGS]

Just learn the new OS... Im not a Mac fan but no hater either.

OR just setup for dual boot.

 

[Gary Wells]

SonyStyle.com | Sony | VAIO® LT Series PC/TV All-In-One

This is the Sony unit that I have my eye on, very beautiful unit, but probably not quite as functional as the BigMac. Both these units are carried locally in their lowest form, the Sony at $1899, & the Mac at 1799, I believe. Sony 22", wireless, the Mac, 24", but wired, but can be optioned out with wireless for additional $$$. I have heard such bad stuff about the MSN Windows Vista operating system that I will probably pay extra and go to Windows XP. Anyone agree/disagree?

 

[incubus2432]

I was a Windows user until I bought my 1st Mac three years ago. My needs are about the same as your's.......it took me almost no time to adjust to OSX. I'll never go back.

Try one out at an Apple store and see how you like it.

 

[toofastforyou]

"i Mac"

I have an "iMac" that runs both OS X and Windows XP...and I love it!...When you've had a Mac, you won't want to go back to a PC again!...It reads and burns cd's and dvd's, has a remote control to play msic, no more cumbersome computer "tower" besides my desk, (everything is built in the monitor)...You get the monitor size of your choice (mine is 20"), the keyboard, and the mouse...that's it! It has built-in speakers, slot for cd's, several usb ports all mounted on the monitor, even two more on the keyboard for some short quick temporary jobs so you don't have to reach behind the monitor every time...
All in all, a great improvement over my previous PC...you won't regret it! :wink:

Claude

 

[GSX-PKV]

I've had Macs for years and they are easy to use, fast and can bring out your creative side with easy video and photo features. My newer one also runs PC software. My daughter has a PC and when I go by her house and use that, I feel like a 10 second Buick driver driving a deisel dump truck because I'm now used to speed. No comparison...get the Mac!

 

[Gary Wells]

Are they difficuly to set up for both operating systems? How do they switch over? Any drawbacks to running both systems in the same computer?

 

[GNandGS]

There are guides on how to do this... if your intended mac "qualifies" your vendor can likely do it for you. I cant think of any downsides unless you consider space used a downside.

 

[toofastforyou]

Reply to "Wells"...

"Wells", when I turn on my Mac, it automatically opens in the "OS X" mode...but if I want to use "Windows" instead, when turning the computer on, I hold a key on the keyboard making two icons appear on the screen. That's when you can choose between "OS X" or "Windows"..I just click on "Windows" and that's it!...Very simple to use!

Claude :wink:

 

[Gary Wells]

Claude & everybody:
Many thanks, and I am thinking, 20" I-Mac, OX s & Windows XP, and all of the upgrades to boot.

 

[klrv6]

If you're going to run XP...

Just buy a Dell or something, the MAC hardware is just that...hardware. You can have a great system with 22"+ of screen for less than a grand. Don't look at this MAC or anything else as lasting three years, you will hate it by then. PC technology is speeding up more now, save your money and pick up another computer in two to three years. The MAC OS is based on freebsd, Apple just made it so it will hold your hand and really just be an internet appliance. Oh.... and opened up several holes that allow the machine to be compromised just like an unpatched XP machine. I know some MAC lovers don't see the bigger picture, they just like a computer that does the simple tasks (excluding media work). I never question the stability of XP. Myself and two other network admins run a $2B a year network, we wouldn't run another desktop OS on it if given the chance. Most people just fill the computers up with ad/malware/viruses and blame the OS, it's not the OSes fault, someone is stupid! If you want a machine that runs something other than XP, put a linux or freeBSD desktop distribution on it (all free$$$ ) I will be picking up a Dell quad core, 4 gig, 24 inch LCD system after I pass my next round of certifications.

We have one MAC in the entire company where I work. There is just not enough on the management side of the OS to run an enterprise with. I dual boot my work laptop from XP to PCBSD.

 

[GNBRETT]

Yea it seems that people with Macs seldom bring them in for repair.

 

[toofastforyou]

I've had mine for two years and never had to spend a single penny to fix anything whatsoever...works FLAWLESSLY every time! :wink: I use it 365 days a year for approximately 8 hours a day, sometimes more, sometimes less...

Claude

 

[klrv6]

Maybe it's just me?

I only spend money on mine when doing upgrades to the hardware to keep from having to buy another machine. I put about $100 in a dual head graphics card to run my twin 22" LCDs at the house. I have done my share of repairs on MAC based systems, have you figured out how to keep hard drives from failing.. any computer can lose one? I have a friend who purchased a $6500 MAC Ti Book and the Apple techs at the local computer shop couldn't get the Apple wireless card to work on it. She sent it to Apple and they *fixed* it, the OS crashes when booted with the card installed...nice. Yes, lots of people like MACs, just don't go dropping a few grand and think the computer world will be perfect for you.

I guess with my background in IT, I would much rather buy a new computer and blow away vista with an install of XP, Ubuntu or PCBSD on it. Search the internet for ubunbu users who have given up their Apple systems. You can even boot ubuntu from CD and let it run from memory, although slower, you will get a feel for what you can do with the OS. Yes, it's that simple and easy to use. Millions of people are switching away from proprietary OSes and going opensource. Apple is as big of a money machine as microsoft. They just do a very good job of PR and microsoft doesn't have the best track record for stability or security prior to windows 2000...OK since they came out with XP SP2


Heck, you could even run opensuse on it and have more fun.

 

[GNandGS]

While I would echo much of klrv6's comments, I think Apple products will do what he requires just fine. Go to the store ALONE when you can spend a LOT of time and try it out for yourself.

 

[Phoneguy]

I love my MAC. I was a PC user prior to purchasing my MacBookPro this March. I will never go back to a PC and the buggy Microsoft OS. I never have to reboot my MAC due to memory issues, viruses. FLAWLESS performance. Extremely fast. If I chose too, I could run both OSes. I see no reason for anyone not to get a MAC. You get 5 licenses with most of the software purchased for home use which saves alot of money for people with kids and multiple computers.




PCs are like air-conditioners.... neither one works worth a f**k when you open windows.:biggrin:

Bryan

 

[klrv6]

MACs are PCs!!!!

I love my MAC. I was a PC user prior to purchasing my MacBookPro this March. I will never go back to a PC and the buggy Microsoft OS. I never have to reboot my MAC due to memory issues, viruses. FLAWLESS performance. Extremely fast. If I chose too, I could run both OSes. I see no reason for anyone not to get a MAC. You get 5 licenses with most of the software purchased for home use which saves alot of money for people with kids and multiple computers.




PCs are like air-conditioners.... neither one works worth a f**k when you open windows.:biggrin:

Bryan

I hate to break it to you, but MACs are PCs!!! Why do you think they can install XP on them. The OS really doesn't define it as a PC or not, the hardware does. PCs can be had with OSes other than Windows. I find it funny that you say not can't find a reason for anyone not to get a MAC. Perfhaps your years of surfing pron, running out of date anti-virus and genreal poor judgement when installing every software package under the sun, has led you to Apple? Those are the things that destroy computers faster than anything. I won't get into some big arguement on the misconception many people have about which OS is better, I know the answer to that already. Do a search on security web sites and see just how Apple machines are just a little more secure than the default install of XP. They don't suck as much....most of the time. My really important machines at home and work are running a highly secure installation of XP or FreeBSD (Apple started with FreeBSD code for current OSes).

"PCs are like air-conditioners.... neither one works worth a f**k when you open windows.:biggrin: "

Do you fit in the group of people that should be required to have a license before you can operate a computer? The Windows PC does have it's place, why do you think so many fortune 500 companies insist on running it. You just have to know how to talk to it.

Keep surfing your pron on that MAC and watch what happens, it's just as bad as when you had your Windows machine It will be a nice surprise for you...read...the MAC OS has many holes in it.