Need Freeper help: PCs vs. Mac

[gonewt]

The eMac is quite inexpensive (under $1000, I believe). Here's why I'd go Mac:

• VIRUSES! (Or lack thereof)
• Mac OS X is the best consumer OS, bar none. It recognizes peripherals like no other, and usually requires no additional drivers.
• Did I mention viruses?

[Made In The USA]

I agree.

It's not like we're arguing over GM vs. Ford. I mean, we all know the GM's are superior... That and the imports are aluminum foil steel and lawn mower engines.

But I'm not one to start a brawl...

[aegiscg47]

I have a Mac, PC, and Linux box here at the U of U. PCs are great for Office apps, but the Macs are the best for graphics. If you can afford a G5 with the OSX.3 Panther, get it. If not, then go with a Dell/Gateway special. If you're just doing basic stuff, there's no need to spend extra money. One good thing for non-computer pros is your chance of getting a virus with a Mac is pretty small.

[Richard Kimball]

Panasonic sucks.</g>

[Agnes Heep]

If she's not a computer person, get her a PC and she'll probably become one. Get her a Mac and it's doubtful.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

We have both. Lately, the macs haven't been as dependable as they were.

PC's screw up all the time,too, but I can always fix them.

[TheBigB]

Oy. Now look what I started. :^)

[Woahhs]

We have a winner! Get her an iBook.

PC advocates always amaze me with their advice on avoiding trouble by going Windows. It's like the joke about owning the same axe for thirty years... except for three new heads and two new handles.

[SpaceBar]

Get an old television and tape a photograph of a Windows desktop on it, and then slowly lower the dosage on all her medication while expousing things like "user friendliness" and "overall cost of ownership".

[Hank Rearden]

If she gets a Mac, sooner or later she'll end up at the airport in a long saffron robe, along with the other Macmoonies.

It's a cult, you know.

[Woahhs]

Mac users are usually found on the DU site. Real conservatives use PCs. {:-]

Ever hear of Rush Limbaugh?

[lilylangtree]

At 80, who is she more comfortable with--you or the neighbor? Who will she call on first when she has a problem--you or the neighbor? Who will come to her rescue first--you or the neighbor? Since she's already familiar with the PC and windows, stay with what's she is used to? At 80, familiarity is lot more important than you think.

[Ronzo]

My Mom is very smart, and has learned the PC environment well.

You just answered your own question. Get her a nice Dell, and kindly tell her neighbor to STICK A SOCK IN IT. Windows XP works just like 98, except it's better -more stable, and even EASIER to use. And you get set it up so it looks alot like Win98 if you want. There will be little to know learning curve for her, and it can run ALL THE SOFTWARE she currently uses and is familiar with. Remember, you're not just buying a new platform when you get a MAC, but a whole bunch of new software to go with it. Don't forget that little bit of info as you do your cost/benefit calculations. It was that reason ALONE that kept me in the world of PC's, and stopped me from switching to the Dark Side. I've got several thousand's of dollars worth of software, and some of these titles I use frequently have no Mac equivalent.

I use both PC's and MAC's, and I GREATLY PREFER the Windows/Intel/AMD platform. It's not even a contest.

Sure, MAC's don't get all all the lovely worms & virus's that the PC's do...but why would anyone want to write a virus for a platform only being used by five or six people?

Enough said. Go get her a Dell for $700. She'll love it.

[Conservomax]

In this case, I would most definitely go with a PC, I work on both on a daily basis, Although MACs are more powerful with OS X, they have become relatively difficult to get used to if you are a windows user. Go to Dell.com, get her a refurbished model, you can get a 256 ram 2.4ghrz desktop for around $450. You can't even look at a MAc these days without spending that much.

[new cruelty]

The mac I had at home was serving me more as a big paper weight, so I gave it to my parents. They love it.

[HAL9000]

I definitely recommend a Mac for your mom. It is absolutely the best choice for her - and most other typical computer users.

I know some senior citizens who use Macs - and it has been a good machine for all of them. One of them migrated from PC to an iMac a few weeks ago after he had shoulder surgery. He got Apple's wireless keyboard and mouse because it was easier to work with the limited mobility in his arm. He likes that fact that the Mac user interface is less cluttered and easier to use. He uses his Mac mainly to manage his investment portfolio.

I know another who also has limited mobility due to a stroke. He's been using Macs quite successfully for a couple of years to surf the Internet, take digital photos, etc. He now has a Mac G5 with a 23-inch Studio Display.

My mom is a Mac user too. She is doing much more stuff on her Mac than she ever did on her PC - digital photography, burning audio CDs, listen to streaming radio stations, etc. I got her an iSight camera for Christmas so we can do video chats. She loves it.

[Woahhs]

If she gets a Mac, sooner or later she'll end up at the airport in a long saffron robe, along with the other Macmoonies. It's a cult, you know.

Who needs tinfoil when you have an iPod?

[Leroy S. Mort]

Forget all this PC/Mac crap foisted on you by tool-worshippers. Get her a second-hand Cray. Not only is it blindingly fast but it acts as a secondary source of heat for her home and also a stylish circular sofa.

[Lael]

Ever hear of Rush Limbaugh?

Ever hear of George 'Dubya' Bush???