Comments on: Apple sale! All Macs must go! — Update

By: Chris, Macomb, IL

Chris, Macomb, IL — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:47:15 +0000

I think it's rather amusing that people would say that mac os is for newbies. Most (but not all) of the people I know that use a Mac are computer experts.

In fact, as an IT professional that has spent time as a Windows, UNIX, and network admin for over a decade, I can tell you that Mac OSX is a good OS.

The computers are wonderful with full virtualization support with VMware or Parallels allowing you to run Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX all at the same time.

The only downside is the added hardware cost and that they don't have an netbook or entry level hardware (mid-high range only).

Of course the iPod touch/iPhone is something of a netbook, kind of….a dock for it would pretty much make it so. (keyboard, mouse, and video output…)

That's my $0.02.

By: Bob J, Sacramento, California

Bob J, Sacramento, California — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:38:06 +0000

Of course, you could always buy a new PC and then load an old copy of XP (emphasis on "old" as in "used", as I don't believe Microsoft sells it new anymore) on top of it. Thus, you would be working with a familiar OS, one that you have some confidence in.

By: Zack O., Berkeley, California

Zack O., Berkeley, California — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:54:44 +0000

I've had the same HP XP laptop since 2005 and only wish I could afford an upgrade. We use the new Mac Pro desktops at school for my Digital Multi-Media Arts class and I love them.

I was never a Mac user before this year, but if I had $3k or $4k to drop on a computer, a Mac it would be. Of course the extra expense sucks, but it seems much more worth it with the esae of computing I find when using the Mac pro.

If I could only get a new PC with XP, I would be immensly happy. I think XP is great and the problems I've had trying to show my room how to use Vista (his lat PC had 98 lol) is just ridiculous!! I can't ever find the simple things in Vista that used to be so easy to find and do with XP. And since I'm not a computer nerd, I'm not down with trying to build one of my own either.

So if I had the cash, a new Mac it would be. The OS is just amazing and the ease I find running one and the ability to run the programs I need it to is just awesome.

But my little HP has been running strong from 3 years with only a few problems, which seem more related to the cheapy hardware in the computer rather than the OS.

By: James M., Tucson, Arizona.

James M., Tucson, Arizona. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:33:23 +0000

It is interesting to read the comments. Yes, this is an annual event. However, to get the same level of funtionality from Dell, Gateway, Levono, etc. you would PAY MORE. The $400 machine is stripped down to the minimum to get a functioning machine. I priced out a Dell and a Levono before I made the trip to the Apple Store and bought a nicely equipped MacBook Pro. Something that is interesting is the rate at which Apple releases fixes for known problems. If a problem is found in the MacOSX operating system, it is fixed much quicker than the same type of problem in Vista. BTW, I'm no Apple fan, but I've been working with computers long enough to realize this: I own an Apple because I want reliability, I rely on Windows to keep me employed fixing problems.

By: Mike, Monroe CT

Mike, Monroe CT — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:57:57 +0000

Wow, do you think maddawg has some sour grapes issues?

I use Mainframes, UNIX, Windows, and Macs. I started out on Mainframes and moved to UNIX. Then PC's with DOS and then Windows. I also used Macs – and it was the great GUI that made my decision to buy Macs for myself and my family.

I also use many audio recording software programs that aren't available, or run poorly on Windows. And there is nothing like Final Cut Pro on Windows.

For some people Windows may be a better fit and that's important — just, not to me.

I use Windows all day at work and I am no newbie. I prefer Mac over Windows and would gladly trade mine at work for a Mac, if I could.

By: Bob J, Sacramento, California

Bob J, Sacramento, California — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:30:39 +0000

With my experience I have found both operating systems, Windows and Mac, to be a lot more crash-prone than I would ideally want. I guess that this would reflect on the complexity of computers in general. Apple peripherals seem to work more easily together though. I like the operation of the Apple operating system better, but admit that Windows will run a lot more software. Since I don't play video games and mostly run software that is available on both systems, it doesn't really matter. The extra Apple price difference doesn't matter either; I can afford it. It's not something that I have to buy every day.

By: marietto

marietto — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:09:09 +0000

Brandon, I got macs because they are expensive and I want to show that I got money. Boatloads of it.

No way I'm leftist or liberal at all.

And Anonymous, mine is bigger than anybody else. Not just yours.

What a bunch of losers.

By: Luser, Portland, OR

Luser, Portland, OR — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:05:44 +0000

I thought about buying a mac. I was close to buying a macbook with 4 gigs, led backlit display, and a 128 gig SSD. Cost with $100 discount from apple: $2059.

I did price comparisons at dell and hp and found the absolutely stunning xps m1330.

Led backlit display, 4 GB ram, 128 gig SSD, core duo t5850 for $1399. And IMO, its far prettier than *any* mac.

$750 for for a crash-prone group-think OS.

Good grief.

By: Bob J, Sacramento, California

Bob J, Sacramento, California — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:27:48 +0000

I want a computer that works, with minimal personal attention. I am not a complete computer idiot, having used PC systems for many years before switching to Apple. I simply do not want to waste my time, which is valuable, on fixing something that should be working in the first place. After all, most of us have other things to do to provide for our families financially and do not have to voluntarily spend time making sure that the home computer is working correctly.

By: maddawg, wash. DC

maddawg, wash. DC — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:13:38 +0000

bottom line…

macs are still for noobies that don't really understand or care to learn about technology.

no price drop will ever change that…..macs rule the 'iTard' niche of computer users.

i like macs too and have used them over 20 years but i'll never get so dumb that i actually think they are any better in any way over a pc.