Mac users?

KindGrind · Post by **KindGrind** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:48 pm

Are there lots of you? Made the switch to Mac about 3 years ago and apart for some very minor things, I haven't been missing my PC at all.

Just curious, that's all.

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:53 pm

I'm a Mac laptop user. Switched around the same time, never looked back. However, my girlfriend used a PC and sometimes it's necessary for certain things to go back to the dreaded windows (like lots of PSP/DS/Touhou homebrew gaming mainly.)

OSX is a far superior operating system though - the days of monthly HD re-formats are long gone.

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:08 pm

Skykid wrote:the days of monthly HD re-formats are long gone.

:D

It always amuses me when a switcher names a reason that leaves me genuinely confused about its origin ("Woah! How in the world did they manage to make the situation that bad?!"), even if it's exaggerated.

OSX is still superior in many (most?) aspects, though I guess I'll never get fully used to its interface, which is more flashy and "intuitive" than what's comfortable for me to work with it efficiently. That, and having to experience the inconvenience of needing the compatible hardware in the first place (which is only an inconvenience to builders like myself, obviously). MacBook Pro is excellent, though.

kernow · Post by **kernow** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:10 pm

I've had XP on this laptop for about 3 years, same install. I guess if you are savvy with computers there is no need for any reinstalls.

D · Post by D » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:12 pm

You litteraly can't miss anything, cause you will run VM ware with windows on your mac.
This is what you do when you get a mac, run vm ware with pc programs and gradually look for better replacements for the mac platform!

t0yrobo · Post by **t0yrobo** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:22 pm

I have a macbook pro, not willing it's because of some stupid laptop initiative at my school. i got a nice discount which is nice, but I'm in the only program in the school that can't use osx because we need too many windows only programs.
I like osx, it definitely runs nicer than Windows. But the astounding lack of freeware and customization is a serious turnoff to me. I use it now and then since it boots up much faster than xp, but if I need to do more than go online or watch movies i use windows.

markedkiller78 · Post by **markedkiller78** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:50 pm

kernow wrote:I've had XP on this laptop for about 3 years, same install. I guess if you are savvy with computers there is no need for any reinstalls.

Agreed. My main pc has the same install from 4 years ago. It’s only now looking like a re-install is required as I can’t be bothered removing crap from the registry.

I did kill my 1st pc 3 times in one year through not knowing what I was doing and a few more after that. I’ve got a laptop that ran XP with no problems for 2 years, then when my girlfriend starting using it, the whole thing got clogged with torjans, spyware and all sorts of other shite.

I think that Mac’s are better than PC’s in nearly every aspect, but the cost is so off putting. They are definitely more user friendly & it’s hard to fuck a Mac up, but when you do it’s an expensive business fixing them

subcons · Post by **subcons** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:56 pm

I'm a convert. Grew up in a DOS enviroment, moved onto Windows starting with 3.1. Then in about 1999 I started using Macs at school. Got my first one shortly there after and have been using them ever since. I understand that it's all about what you're used to, but once you get us used to OS X, there's just no going back. Any time I use a machine with XP on it, it feels so clunky. Vista feels more slick, but it just has so many issues. At least it's improved a bit though. I know some people that use it and it doesn't give them too many problems. Says a lot though when you release a new OS and people are still using the old XP.

MR_Soren · Post by **MR_Soren** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:05 pm

I bought an Apple PowerBook in March 2000. It was my first computer and it is still my only computer. I upgraded to Mac OS X when 10.1 came out, and I am currently running 10.4. The system has been stable, often left on for months at a time, and I've been able to find apps that can do everything I've needed to do. I've used it for gaming, freelance web development, graphics design, programming, and general computer tasks like word processing, e-mail, and web browsing.

I only wish Apple sold a mini tower or allowed their OS to run on a custom-built PC because my laptop is over 8 years old and I'd like to get a desktop to go with it. Unfortunately, the MacMini is too weak, the iMac is an all-in-one which I do not want, and the Mac Pro is more than I need.

antron · Post by **antron** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:26 pm

I feel this way about Ubuntu Linux. I even got my wife to use it exclusively. No searching and paying for programs. Just browse and add.

My friend's mac OS died, so we booted an Ubuntu live disc on it to get the files, and when I saw the raw OSX file structure I realized that OSX really is unix.

MR_Soren · Post by **MR_Soren** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:30 pm

antron wrote:I feel this way about Ubuntu Linux. I even got my wife to use it exclusively. No searching and paying for programs. Just browse and add.

My friend's mac OS died, so we booted an Ubuntu live disc on it to get the files, and when I saw the raw OSX file structure I realized that OSX really is unix.

Yes, it is. That aspect of the OS has proven to be very valuable on many occasions.

crithit5000 · Post by **crithit5000** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:34 pm

antron wrote:My friend's mac OS died, so we booted an Ubuntu live disc on it to get the files, and when I saw the raw OSX file structure I realized that OSX really is unix.

After the first time I poked around OSX I told a fellow Linux geek I know "OSX is a prettied up *nix for trendy gays". We had a good laugh. NO HURTFUL FEELINGS, OSX USE, ah fuck it you're all fruits.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:18 pm

I've been using a MacBook Pro at work for a couple of years but I still don't see the hype. Even with VMware or Parallels, the Windows side doesn't have enough resources to provide equivalent performance.

I've had a pretty nasty experience with the default Mac hard drives failing too. If almost half my clients weren't on Macs, I'd prefer having a ThinkPad W, which would be cheaper too.

At home, I'd only buy PCs for economic and software reasons. I'm still on XP since Vista is a complete waste of memory.

Post by **spadgy** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:36 pm

My family have used MACs since the Performer 200 (So very late 1980s I think)), so I've just never used anything but. I really need to learn what VM is about, if only so I can play some old PC games I missed out on.

One day, I'll even finally work out getting UAE for Mac working!

antron · Post by **antron** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:55 pm

spadgy wrote:I really need to learn what VM is about

VM Player is free, but it won't create disc images for you. The free emulator qemu can create them. I have an empty 100G image handy if anyone needs it. It will grow as you install an OS and programs to it. I only use it to run AnyDVD to decrypt Blu Ray movies.

KindGrind · Post by **KindGrind** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:03 pm

The only minor annoyances with my computer (Imac) is the lack of region-free DVD viewing -at least, so far, I've had no luck, any help?- and little apps/games like Touhou, which I don't like much in the first place. I haven't been missing anything else, really. I've initially made the purchase because I was in need of space, and had to move the computer to the dining room. The huge PC tower was a no go for the girlfriend, and since it had been noisily whirring/grinding for quite some time I was happy to let it go.

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:25 pm

moozooh wrote:
Skykid wrote:the days of monthly HD re-formats are long gone.

It always amuses me when a switcher names a reason that leaves me genuinely confused about its origin

It amuses me when a poster finds something amusing that isn't really amusing at all.

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:40 pm

Skykid wrote:
moozooh wrote:
Skykid wrote:the days of monthly HD re-formats are long gone.

It always amuses me when a switcher names a reason that leaves me genuinely confused about its origin
It amuses me when a poster finds something amusing that isn't really amusing at all.

How amusing.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:08 pm

Mac Mini user here. Never really bothered the relatively low system specs, though my harddrive needs some cleaning up. It runs Firefox, GIMP and MAME, and that´s the main thing. "It just works" indeed.

A pretty defining story for me was when I first tried to install software. I searched for something similar to install.exe for hours, until someone told me you just drag the program icon to "Applications". That literally is so simple I would NEVER have figured that out myself.

I mainly use Firefox and GIMP, however, so I think about switching to Linux someday.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:40 pm

What' the difference between Gimp and Gimpshop?

Re: Topic

Also a Mac user, since 1994. I have both a MacBook and a souped up G4 Cube that still serves me well. Had a PC from 2004-2007, but it went on the fritz – so, back to Mac again.

ptoing · Post by **ptoing** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:50 pm

markedkiller78 wrote: Agreed. My main pc has the same install from 4 years ago. It’s only now looking like a re-install is required as I can’t be bothered removing crap from the registry.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Very nice registry cleaner among other things.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:18 pm

CIT wrote:What' the difference between Gimp and Gimpshop?

Gimpshop is Gimp modified to be a bit more like Photoshop. Still far from the real stuff, tho.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:52 pm

If I ever get a Mac, I'll make sure I can install XP on it.

innerpattern · Post by **innerpattern** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:39 am

Specineff wrote:If I ever get a Mac, I'll make sure I can install XP on it.

I have bootcamp/XP on my mac book and use both OS's daily. The Mac is the center of my computing world with XP being a handy tool in the drawer. Going to upgrade to a MacBook Pro in a few months.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:41 am

I do a lot of recordings on Hi-Minidisc, and unfortunately, it's restricted to Winblows. That's why I'm not switching, as magical as Apple-Land may sound.

UnscathedFlyingObject · Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:48 am

The reason I don't buy a Mac is that people who buy a Mac also buy an ego with it.

subcons · Post by **subcons** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:09 am

UnscathedFlyingObject wrote:The reason I don't buy a Mac is that people who buy a Mac also buy an ego with it.

Man, I got ripped. I didn't get my free ego with either of the two Macs that I've bought over the past nine years.

UnscathedFlyingObject · Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:24 am

subcons wrote:
UnscathedFlyingObject wrote:The reason I don't buy a Mac is that people who buy a Mac also buy an ego with it.
Man, I got ripped. I didn't get my free ego with either of the two Macs that I've bought over the past nine years.

Ask someone and they'll tell you you're an ass

.

Pixel_Outlaw · Post by **Pixel_Outlaw** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:22 am

It seems like a solid platform, however the software selection is limited. Also many cross platform office software programs are more expensive.

I liked Windows XP, I loath Vista.

As a programmer of games I need to make games for my best audience, that audience being PC users. PC's simply have more programs and often at a slightly cheaper price. I do not like the user interface on the native MAC OS.

Let it be known that my first computing experience was on the Apple IIe. I loved those computers in school.

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:13 am

FrederikJurk wrote:A pretty defining story for me was when I first tried to install software. I searched for something similar to install.exe for hours, until someone told me you just drag the program icon to "Applications". That literally is so simple I would NEVER have figured that out myself.

Exactly. People are so used to having computer stuff the most complicated way imaginable, so they are totally confused whenever something is really simple. My girlfriend switched to a MacBook recently and one of the first conversations we had went like this:

"Where is the button or menu option to get a program icon into the dock?"

"There is none."

"So how do I get it there then?"

"You just drag it there. You know, like putting a cup in the cupboard."

"This is stupid."