Considering a Mac?
Mac computers are the popular computers made by Apple Inc. The Mac brand has been on the market for many years now. It has a long history of competition with IBM and Microsoft corporations. In fact, it was one of the first ever personal computer brands in existence. The Mac computer has evolved in the design of its hardware as well as in the advances of its software. Mac is one of the most distinct brands in personal computing.
Apple provides a huge range of Mac desktop and laptop computers. More recently they offer small netbook-like computers as well. The Mac that you choose will basically come down to your purpose for buying the computer and how you will use the computer on a daily basis. Some of the most popular models are Mac Pro, Mac Mini, the MacBook, the iMac and the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is a fairly new model. It is tiny in comparison to your average laptop and it is described as being ultrathin and ultraportable with a processor that pushes the limits.
The important thing to know about a Mac computer is that a Mac is a Mac. Unlike PCs, Mac computers are only made by Apple. When you purchase a Mac laptop or desktop, you can know that all parts and all aspects of that computer were developed and manufactured by Mac. PCs are a lot different. You can have a PC monitor, keyboard and tower all created by completely different companies and they will all work together mostly without problems. Only you can judge which of these set ups you prefer and which is more beneficial to you as a computer owner. If you want brand integrity and assurance about who is behind the product you are using then Mac is the company to buy from.
Apple retail stores exist in major cities all around the world. If you have an opportunity to visit one of these stores they can provide you with a great opportunity to test and check out the Mac that you are thinking of buying. Most Apple stores are highly interactive and allow you to actually use and play around with the display equipment provided in the store. In addition to this, Apple has a great web site that is very resourceful and full of well laid out information that is easy to find.
As with all purchases, ask around and talk to people that are already using a Mac computer to find out what type of experience they have had using it. Ultimately you have to make the decision for yourself because you will be the one using it on a daily basis. However, if a product has a reputation for having flaws or errors, it is great to learn of this before buying rather than after you have spent huge amounts of money.
Frank Doerr on Mon, 1st Mar 2010 9:49 pm
In regard to purchasing a Mac, people should be aware that not all Assistance providers have Mac literate people and should advise them when calling for assistance, that it is a Mac that assistance is required for.
Fortunately Geeks2U sent me a guy who had some knowledge of Macs and was of great help in setting my Mac up initially.The reason I chose to get help is that I am not computer literate and sometimes PC and Mac Manufacturers forget that we are not all Geeks and use esoteric language when forcing choices during setup, eg, abbreviations such as WEP leave me struggling when a choice has to be made about wireless security.
Also I bought a portable 320Gb WD Passport for Mac and at the same time a WD “Elements” 160 GB portable HDD for my wifes windows based PC (a Sony VAIO), now I am unsure if they can be interchangeably used on our different systems , however I am sure I will find out despite the lack of information in their respective packaging.
Similarly, it seems not all software is interchangeable as WMVs’ that have been sent me simply won’t play on the Mac, I have downloaded a plug in but still am having some problems getting the WMVs up and playing.
The purpose of this comment is simply to point out that the Mac is very intuitive to use and set up, there is a learning curve if one is transferring from a Windows based PC, but it is not difficult. Finally, that not all Mac and Windows based softwares are compatible !