PC Or Mac???

Mac!! all the way! I cannot tell you how pleased I am that I changed from a PC to a Mac. The only issue and I really mean the ONLY issue is email has been a bit of a challenge for me and this is only because I haven't taken the time to really learn how to create "groups" to email to, arrange my address book (I don't even know where that is) and overall I think it is just a little more difficult than a PC. But really that is my only complaint. Apple has fantastic free classes to solve all of my issues, I just have to go there and take the class - Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. I vote for Mac! - A.

I didn't read all the others, but I'm all for Macs. We have a PC laptop for home. For the past 6 years, my school district has provided every teacher with a Mac for school/personal use as well. In my opinion it far exceeds the capabilities of the PC and has far more shortcuts to use with programs. I'm not crazy about "pages" the writing document and there really is no clipart that I've found--just google images. For what you're using it for though, PC sounds great. My students create podcasts, keynote presentations, and we use garage band for reading books aloud.
K.

Buy the Mac. Totally worth the money. It is a better built machine with better software available. I use three operating systems in my life right now, Windows, Mac OS X and Gnome (Linux based). Windows constantly crashes on me and the programs are not as easy to find things in. Please note that, I am not doing major stuff. Pretty much I need email, word processing, chat, financials and spreadsheets. I love my Linux computer and programs but since so few people have them and use the corresponding office programs I don't do collaborative work on that one. I do use it to run my business. My Mac is great and as far as I am concerned the best of both worlds between Windows and Linux. It is really stable and reliable and yet you can get the really common office programs, like Microsoft Office, for it. (I personally use the iWork suite to work in and then pdf things that need to go to other people, but that is just me.) The other Mac software is awesome as well and not hard to learn. Just remember on the Mac the "close", "minimize" and "expand" buttons are on the left side of the window, not the right.

Good Luck!
S.

Hands down, Macs are better computers. They rarely need to be fixed, and when they do you can fix them yourself. I love my Mac. I use both, but Macs are far superior! And a heck of a lot more fun. There are no issues with compatibility with Word, Excel etc. Good luck!

We got our Mac two years ago, and will never go back to a pc. I love it!! I was a little leery at first because I'm not good with computers, but the great thing about Mac's is that they are all self explanatory. It's so easy to use all the awesome programs. I highly recommend a Mac!

Hi, I'm a PC! :) I've never had a mac, but have never liked them when I've used them at school or work. We have vista and it's actually really nice and easy. No problems. I use my computer for the same basic things you do and am really happy with our PC.

Just got a Mac at Christmas and I love it. I am not a computer savvy at all and I have figured it out. It is a little more expensive than a PC, but not that much. They do that Microsoft office for Mac, which I would recommend if you are use to it or they have their own version of office, but some of the features are not compatible with power point, etc.
The photo, music and video are amazing tools....I love that I can plug in anything and it knows what to do. I don't have to open apps or anything....it is wonderful and really not that hard to get use to.

I can not say, since I have never used mac, but I just wanted to say I have pc with vista and have had no problems. I know they talk about bugs, but I have yet to find them.

PC, the Vista thing is going to be worked out with the new version. You are limited with the Mac. I hate limits!

I went through years of PC torture before I bought a Mac--a used Mac through Craigslist--and I LOVE my MAC. I will never choose another PC in my life. It is faster than anything I've ever used (and it's several years old), it's compatible with most Microsoft files, and it pretty much does everything in as easy a way as I can imagine.

The only thing it won't do is play the games on MSN... but it plays the ones on Yahoo (LOL).

Choose for yourself (of course), but since you asked for advice...

I love my HP. My friends have Macs and they seem to always have problems. Costco has a great selection
L

Both PC and Mac can do video and graphic editing as well as all the functions you described. However, you are right in that Vista is buggy. If I were you, and I'm a PC person, I would try to get a PC with Windows XP on it, at least until Microsoft gets the bugs worked out of their next operating system.

Macs are good too, but not all software works on them. I think you can get Word, Excel, and Powerpoint in Mac versions, but you might want to check on that before you buy.

For photo/video/music applications, go with the Mac. Just be sure that the software you plan to/want to use is available for Mac.

They are better built and much more stable, and the lack of viruses (for now) is very nice.

You can get software to run your Mac as a PC if you just can't adjust to the interface. I'm surprised no one mentioned that!

Ironically, I had used a Mac years ago and thought it would be no trouble to switch, but I really dislike the modern Mac. Couldn't get used to it (though I'm no fan of Windows), so I run it parallel as a PC.

I would say Mac--we've always been PC users, but wanted to do some video editing so we borrowed a friend's mac and then ended up buying it when they got a new one. I know some people have issues transitioning, but it really was pretty straightfoward I thought. Anyway, we love the Mac and have decided to eventually replace all our computers with Macs.

I am a Mac person--I do graphics. I bought a G-4 11 years ago. I was able to up grade it to 10.3os and it died last year. I paid $1,400. That is $140 a year. I bought a Imac last year and it cost $1,500.

I love mac's frankly. They are intuitive, functional, and responsive to the creative mind. Don't believe the PC quote that macs and pc's can't interface. They can. Macs have a built in function for that.

Mac all the way, baby! I've been very happy with all of mine. So easy to use. No VIRUSES! Seriously, there are virtually no viruses that impact Macs. How nice is that.

I have been a PC/Windows user my whole life up until about 3 years ago.

MACs are more stable, hands down. I've never, EVER had a Mac stall on me or crash on me. Every once in a while I get the "beach ball of death" but it usually ceases in a couple seconds, and is extremely rare.

I'm completely converted and hope to never have to go back.

love my new mac!! I got it as a birthday gift from my hubby, it's wonderful. This is coming from someone who swore she'd never own a mac.

I am biased as my hubby works for Apple. But I love the Mac because it is so user friendly.

We are a Mac family and have been for 20+ years. I love my Mac. It is great for publishing, for family pictures,for music, etc. My older children published a magazine for a few years with our Mac, they did newsletters, brochures, produce whole albums, etc. It has been great. Also, a BIG benefit IMHO is that we have never had a virus.

My question would be about your use of Word Doc. You would probably want Word Mac if you need to use word frequently. I usually have people send me RTF or PDF and that works for most things. I also send in those formats.

We also ordered ours online this last time and saved a bunch!

Ahhhh...the great debate.

We have almost as many computers in our house as guitars (which is a LOT since my husband's a programmer and a muscian. Ummm...I would say by day/night, but anyone else here married to or is one or the other? 24hours a day thing.)

We've had the lot, but we're gradually transitioning over to all Mac. ;) This also means that we can get rid of our TV....eventually we'll just get a big monitor (since with Mac it connects wirelessly) that we can put anywhere. We watch nearly everything either online or with netflix anyway. Why pay for cable or upgrade the TV?

While I LOVE my laptop (the modern day version of "a room with a lock and a key"), the desktop Mac versions really aren't that expensive (and unless you're looking at Alienware, about a gazillion times more powerful then the average Dell.)

I do have to say...it takes some getting used to. I've had my laptop for about a week and I'm still figuring it out. For me it's worth it though. I can use WORD & ADOBE, in CONJUNCTION with Pages & Aperture. There's also a ton of storage, and backup, which for someone else who has a lot of photos...is a huge deal.

N.,
My hubby is a computer programmer and we have SEVERAL PC's and I have a Mac. I went to school in CA in the era of Apple so thats what I learned on, therefor I think they are more user friendly. Hubby has always been a PC guy, but bought me a Mac laptop when we first started dating (10+) yrs ago and they are so much "fun" we have had atleast one ever since.----I say get a Mac...try something new!---FYI- the Vista thing is not that big of a deal, it is buggy but dont base your choice on only that, its not that scary!

K.

My husb and I publish books from home – he writes, I illustrate. We've had nothing but Macs from the beginning, so it's hard to say whether I would have liked other products. But our Macs have been so sturdy, servicable, and versatile, we have only updated computers a few times in over 25 years.

Macs run fabulous, user-friendly software programs. And they are fairly immune to viruses like PCs. I don't think you'll ever regret spending a little more to get a Mac.

I'm a little biased because I used to work for Apple, but I'd say a Mac. You just can't beat the Mac for creative purposes. I wouldn't give mine up for anything.

MAC even though we live in a PC area. Hands down MAC is better.

Like everyone else, I say Mac. Get the Microsoft Office for Mac and you should be good to go.

I started with a PC and switched to Mac. I run my business with it and love it. There are less headaches, easier, more effective.

There is a definite learning curve from PC to a MAC, but once you get used to them, Macs are great.

Still there are certain things that just work better on a PC. I use a mac for my business most of the time, but I have a PC too, to handle the stuff that doesn't work well on Mac.

Hi N.
Well to be honest with you my brother kept on me that if I was going to buy a computer for a business or to really have one that does not fall apart on you then get a mac as my other was a pc I had for four years and I had to get it fixed several times, so I decided when the first stimulis check came I was going to get me a good computer guess what its a mac and to tell you honestly I would not trade it for two other pc brand new ever the mac does so much and great sound, picture and all else you just got to learn the different icons and your on your way love my mac. S. Vancouver Wa.

I have a new I mac and I love it! It is pretty and well designed and I can do so much with I movie and photos! Highly recommend the mac:)

Macs are worth every cent! If you are a student or teacher, you can get $100 off. I LOVE MACS!