MAC Computers?

[trxrustler11121]

Anybody have any info on Mac computers? Namely the G4? My PC is down to it's last 34 megs (I know...too much CRAP!). I have Windows 2000 and everything seems to be going wrong with this dang thing. The video card is SHOT, no games because of the 3D accelerator not working... The disk burner went out, I mean EVERYTHING. I'm just going to throw this computer in the closet when I get a new one. I'm not salvaging anything. I want to know what is the compatability with a Mac? I know they're really awesome computers, but frankly I have never used one. I want to know will all my programs work? Like Photoshop and all those? I don't want to buy a computer to find out it won't support the $700 program I bought. Are Macs any good (from an opinion POV)? And what about gaming? I just need basic facts. I will keep this PC for my mom to use Powerpoint and Excel and stuff. I just want a nice computer for me. Thanks.

[ND4SPDR]

Boo! Macs = expensive, limited compatibility, one mouse button (half the features!), pretty, and fast.

Many of the games you have probably won't work on a Mac. Photoshop might, but then again it might be the PC-only version. Just go to Fry's and get a cheap Win XP system...they're around $300 right now. The bigest problem with Macs is tht they make up just 5% of all computers sold...that equals less developer support which equals significantly fewer programs. Not worth it at all, IMHO, when a Win XP Pro system will be just as, if not more, reliable than a OSX (10.2) Jaguar system, and will run significantly more programs. I know this because I have both. Or run Linux. :)

[trxrustler11121]

What is Linux? (wow, not very computer oriented). I know how to work them, well actually. I just don't know about all the programs such as Linux. I have this computer which I made with some parts from my dad's office about 2 years ago. I did this, and it has finally been giving me problems so I figured I would upgrade and probably just trade this one in. It has really good specs, just not what I want. The one thing I'm dreading is removing all the hardware/software and reinstalling it. ACK! What about Dell PC's? I have used one in my dads office and it seems decently nice. You have to remember though, I'm a GAMER! I have ALOT of flight sim games (love flight sims). I want something that can run all these, so it needs the memory to do it all. Lets see, what's Linux like? I was thinking 'Soft XP Home edition if I get a basic computer. Any objections? I would really like to learn more about Linux though. Thanks!

[ND4SPDR]

Linux is an open-source OS...bsaically, anyone who wants can have the code. It has both Windows and MacOS emulators, but it still isn't very computer-n00b friendly. Win XP home is fine...just get a cheap computer and buy a massive video card... a 128 or 256 meg GeForce 4 or Radeon should do the trick. Also look into hard drives...you'll want at least 40 gigs.

[maddawg]

MACS suck in alll ways including graphics. not bad but not good there ugly and expensive. Dell all the way!!

[madrusty289]

Maddawg, that is not true. You obviously haven't used a new one or heard about it. Macs are much better for video editing, CD burning. And how can you say they're ugly when most of us have beige boxes? Macs have colors and interesting shapes. After using Max OSX, and if they were cheaper, I'd get one.

[Doc Holliday]

If all the software I use was available for mac, I'd get one. Mostly because of Windoze.. Microsoft sucks! :D I've used macs before and found it to be a pleasant experience. No crashes, just productive work. I really wish for a replacement for windows, but none worthwhile exist at the moment. Maybe Linux is the answer for the future, but definitely not at the moment.

[trxrustler11121]

Yeah I used a G4 at my dads office...WHOA! It was very pleasant. But I found some pricing on a low-end G4... Alittle more than the Dell I can get. I think I might go with a Dell, or even a not-so-popular-name-brand WIN operating computer. There is one at our local Best Buy called a VPR Matrix. I was playing around with it the other day. I really liked it ALOT. Pentium 4, flat screen, and it seemed really nice working. Also my dad has one ;). They are somewhere around $900 for the top one, and that's not even at a computer store. Or I might try to get a G4 from my dads office when the G5's arrive. Don'e you hate it when they have money they HAVE to spend?

[Bow_3022]

mac suxs!well atleast my bro don't allow in the house:rolleyes: he says they suck and pc's only hehehehehe:rollin:

[stampedefreak.]

Mac's are good for a lot of high end stuff. But if you are new to coputers or want something easy, a pc is the best way to go. Macs are better for games that will run on them though.

[trxrustler11121]

Mac's don't suck, by any means. That's all I use or video editing. I just want something COMPATIBLE with all my programs. So it looks like another PC. Dang Microsoft. The new keyboard for 2004: Ctrl>Alt>Delete :rollin:

[stampedefreak.]

Another contribution to Bill Gates!:lol:

[banditnut]

Go linux! you can use windows and mac programs on linux. If you do get a PC I recommend one of the nicer HPs. I use the a220n (2.04 ghz athlon, 120 G hard drive) and it has never given me problems. I have heard nothing but bad stuff about the lower end dells. I have a buddy who works at a computer repair shop and he says that they are the most expensive to repair.

[ThorPrime]

As everyone knows, macs are great for Video Editing, Image Editing, Audio production, pretty much all creative tasks. However, becuase of the Unix capabilities, they are also great for Developers, and fans of open source (Gimp/Film Gimp/Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/) anyone?) The new G5's push the power up to a level that crushes any PC on most tasks. Especially in the pre-mentioned image/video editing.
Most games out for the PC don't come out for the mac. The good news is that 90% of those sucked anyway. Most good games either start with mac support or get it sooner or later. (EG every blizzard game is a dual system disk) However, you will have to buy mac versions of your games or you can try to use Virtual PC to run them, but you won't get very good results.
A mac is great for both high end applications and everyday browsing(safari kills IE, but IE still works on the mac too), however, if all you want is a games machine, get a PS2.

[trxrustler11121]

Got a PS2... :D Thanks anyway though ;)

[banditjon]

Macs are great computers. They are super easy to use. It's like they had my Grandma in mind when the designed them. I personally don't use them because I like to get into the nuts and bolts of the system, and macs hide that from you really well.

Windows sucks, but is getting better. Win2k and XP are pretty stable. All the games run on them. Cheap and widely supported.

Linux rules buddy, but is definately for advanced users.

Programs for the Mac won't work in Windows and vice versa, unless some kind of emulator is being used to fool the program. If it is using an emulator the performance is usually not so hot.

I see another windows box in your future.

[ThorPrime]

Originally posted by banditjon
Macs are great computers. They are super easy to use. It's like they had my Grandma in mind when the designed them. I personally don't use them because I like to get into the nuts and bolts of the system, and macs hide that from you really well.


Excuse Me? it's windows that hides the nuts and bolts from the user. you can't even look into the windows folder without jumping through a few hoops. In mac OSX, you don't even have to use aqua. I've installed an run Xwindows on Darwin (free BSD) and ran it like that. The console is your door to Unix without leaving Aqua. You can dig in as deep as you want, just like in linux.
Originally posted by banditjon

Linux rules buddy, but is definately for advanced users.

I agree with you on that point

Originally posted by banditjon
Programs for the Mac won't work in Windows and vice versa, unless some kind of emulator is being used to fool the program. If it is using an emulator the performance is usually not so hot. Yes, that is true, but there are mac versions of almost every program you could ever need, and most can be found for free or come with the Mac. EG Quicken, Office, and IE.
Games are the only draw back to using a mac. They run just as good or better on the mac than the PC, you just don't have as large a selection.

[Doc Holliday]

Excuse Me? it's windows that hides the nuts and bolts from the user

maybe in your world.. not in mine! :D

[banditnut]

go LINUX! it has a GUI and command line access.
:D

[jlpmackin]

I have had both a pc and a mac.And now i have onley a mac!, and my opinion is that macs are superior to pc's.The only bad thing about macs is they have less of a veriety of games to choose from.Macs are much esier to use, once you get the basics down you pretty much can do anything.
The G4 is a excellent computer!!
Everyone thinks macs stink because they can't compute with pcs. But in fact that is just hte opposite !
PC's are the ones that can't compute with macs.
So the moral is that if you want to just play a bunch of diff. games, get a pc, and if you want a simple computer that can do almost every thing better get the MAC!!