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Need Freeper help: PCs vs. Mac
Posted on 02/02/2004 9:34:22 AM PST by Maceman
OK Freepers --
My 80-year old Mom needs a new computer, and has asked me for advice on whether to get a PC or a Mac. (Her old computer, which she got in 1999, is a Gateway PC running Windows 98.)
I am a Windows person. I have been very pleased with the Windows XP Professional OS that came with my computer, which I bought in 2001. If my mom gets a Mac, I will not be able to help her with troubleshooting as I have in the past.
On the other hand, her neighbor is a Mac-person, is available to help her with trouble shooting, and has been aggressively lobbying for her to get a Mac.
My Mom is very smart, and has learned the PC environment well. She is not a power user, but she knows how to reinstall Windows and can do a lot of other cool stuff.
But she is confused by the conflicting input she is getting from me and her neighbor.
Cost is definitely a consideration here.
So I put it to my fellow Freepers -- should my Mom's next desktop be a Mac or a Windows XP PC? (Please let's not complicate things with Linux).
TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
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1
posted on
02/02/2004 9:34:22 AM PST
by
Maceman
To: Maceman; Tijeras_Slim; Paul Atreides
2
posted on
02/02/2004 9:36:06 AM PST
by
martin_fierro
(97.238 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot)
Comment #3 Removed by Moderator
To: Maceman
Get her an iMac or iBook. Cheap. Fast. Good quality.
I'm typing this on a 15" Powerbook in Iraq.
To: Maceman
You know XP, she's used to win98. Why on earth go to Mac? No need.. Just more expensive, slower, and less compatible.
Go with what you guys know.
5
posted on
02/02/2004 9:37:29 AM PST
by
Monty22
Comment #6 Removed by Moderator
To: Maceman
I've always had a PC at home, and used a Mac for three years at work. I never had any problems with either of them. Truth be told, though, you can simply do more with a PC.
7
posted on
02/02/2004 9:37:58 AM PST
by
TheBigB
(My opinions aren't formed with your approval in mind.)
To: Maceman
PC - the computer world needs standards, but those dratted Mac users just keep holding on! ;)
8
posted on
02/02/2004 9:38:15 AM PST
by
bolobaby
To: Maceman
I am sure the Wintel folks will all tell you to get her that. I have and do use both. I got my mom a Mac ( one of the new G4 iBooks low end) and she loves it ( she is 86). The Mac is essentially bullet proof and is very easy to use. The proce for what you get is in fact competitive and if you want a real bargain either get a used system or a refurb ( these are a great buy). The interface for the Mac is super ( that's why it gets copied by Bill Gates and crew) plus there will almost never be a virus problem or an accident because you have to work hard to get to important system level stuff
9
posted on
02/02/2004 9:38:46 AM PST
by
jnarcus
To: Maceman
Treat her right and get her a Commador Vic 20
10
posted on
02/02/2004 9:39:18 AM PST
by
Phantom Lord
(Distributor of Pain, Your Loss Becomes My Gain)
Comment #11 Removed by Moderator
To: Maceman
This is such an invitation to get a brawl going over pc's vs. Macs. ;)
Get whatever your mom herself is most comfortable with. That would be a pc. To avoid problems, make sure she has a nice service plan through the manufacturer. Dell, for instance, has excellent tech support where she could just ship the thing to them if she has problems. Asking your mom at her age, a pc person, to learn a Mac, no matter how easy that may be, seems kind of unkind. As for the neighbor, if he is such a computer wiz, he should be able to help her with her pc, too. In a lot of ways they aren't THAT different.
Btw, my dad is roughly the same age and definitely not a computer wiz. Got him a Dell and he hasn't had a problem.
Comment #13 Removed by Moderator
To: Maceman
PC. In case you or her neighbor are ever both unavailable, she'll have an easier time finding support for PC than
Mac.
To: Maceman
If my mom gets a Mac, I will not be able to help her with troubleshooting as I have in the past. If you get her a mac, she won't need trouble-shooting.
15
posted on
02/02/2004 9:40:34 AM PST
by
Woahhs
To: Maceman
My Mom is very smart, and has learned the PC environment well.
Can she log in? If so, can you ask her to Freepmail me and explain how I can do it?
Owl_Eagle
" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"
16
posted on
02/02/2004 9:40:41 AM PST
by
End Times Sentinel
("24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.")
To: Maceman
Unless she's unusually computer-savvy, get her a Mac. Otherwise she'll be bombarded constantly with viruses and other hacks. If her neighbor is a Mac person that's a social plus as well, allowing you to offload thankless and frustrating troublshooting sessions.
17
posted on
02/02/2004 9:40:50 AM PST
by
thoughtomator
("I will do whatever the Americans want because I saw what happened in Iraq, and I was afraid"-Qadafi)
To: Phantom Lord
*shake* 64.
To: Maceman
Here we go again.
Virtual fists will be flying in a minute.
19
posted on
02/02/2004 9:41:18 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(When they asked me what I thought of freedom in America,,, I said I thought it would be a good idea.)
To: Maceman
Who does the most helping her out?
If it's the Mac neighbor, get the Mac. If it's you, get the PC.
An eMac is a great deal and cost competitive with any PC. iBooks can be had for a good price too, if she wants a portable.
Applications aren't really a consideration here if all she's gonna do is surf the web and maybe write emails Good luck with whichever she chooses
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