Well, not yet, but we soon will be a Mac family. This weekend, after many frustrating moments with our current computer, Jenn asked if we could get a new one. We've had some issues with it lately and, frankly, it's about time for a new one anyway. The funny thing is, just the other day I was going to ask Jenn if she would be up for getting a Mac to replace our current compter when the time came. It's like I'm psychic or something. I figure, we have plenty of iPods, an Airport Express to stream iTunes, and I plan on getting an iPhone, so we might as well go all the way. Besides, we get a (small) discount through work, and I had some gift certificates to take the bite out of buying the Apple. (I reached a little for that one.)
So now I ask any of you Mac people: what do I need to get? Oh, I should mention it's an iMac, not a MacBook. Any applications I definitely need? Any software besides what comes with it and iWork. What about virus software?
Anyone? Also, please feel free to tell me I made a good decision. Even if you don't really believe it. Thanks!
7 comments:
iPods and iPhones and Airport Express - you're already in the cult. Might as well go all the way. Good call! I heart my MacBook. My husband has been a Mac user both professionally (he's a graphic designer) and personally for years.
The good news with a Mac is that you really don't need anti-virus software; there just aren't a lot of viruses WRITTEN to attack Macs.
My own advice: download Firefox for the Mac and use that instead of Safari. My husband would strongly disagree. Safari's a faster browser, but Firefox allows for tweaking.
My husband is the real Mac guru, so I'll send him over here later to leave you his two cents.
Florinda: Thanks! I knew you would be able to help me out. I'm sure I'll have a few (dozen) questions once it actually arrives. I haven't used an Apple computer since high school. :)
Mike,
Welcome! Florinda uses Firefox because she likes all the add-ons. I use Safari because it runs cleaner and faster. She's wrong, but she's happy being wrong, so who am I to spoil it for her?
You don't need to by anti-virus software...yet. As Macs become more popular, the chance that a virus written for them may become more likely.
The most useful Mac site you can go to is www.macsurfer.com. There are articles posted there from a wide variety of Mac-oriented web sites.
I have an iPhone and it syncs up all my info so smoothly, I wonder how I got by without it before.
Personally, I would love one of the 24" iMacs. You may consider the wireless Mighty Mouse (I love mine).
Also, make sure to get an external hard drive to back up to using Time Machine. Macs are dependable, but they are machines, and parts can and will go bad. You want to have you hard drive backed up when it happens.
The software that comes with it should handle your basic photography, movie making, DVD burning, and music needs. I can't imagine life without iTunes!
I hope you are happy with your choice. Best of luck!
I actually remember this playing out a little differently. I think I said something about needing a new computer out of frustration and before I had the ". . .tion" out Mike was already on his iTouch comparing prices. Jumping on the opportunity, to say the least :)
Tall Paul: Thanks for all the info! I'll definitely check that site out. I can use all the pointers I can get.
Hey, al long as she's happy, it doesn't matter if she's wrong. :)
We actually just bought back-up drive about a month or so ago. I hope I can still use it for the Mac. From what I can tell, I can at least use it to transfer stuff from the old computer.
You've pretty much hit all the things i'd be using it for. I have a Flip camera that I haven't done much with yet, I'm hoping I can do done fun stuff with it.
Thanks again!
Jenn: I think you may be exaggerating a tiny bit.
After being life-long pc users, we switched over to an iMac last year, and I love it! The only thing that I can think to add is that we initially got the wireless keyboard, but it didn't have a 10-key number pad on it, so we took it back and went with the regular keyboard because I like having that 10-key functionality. I hate the extraneous wires, but at this point, what's one more?
I like Safari, but there are some things out there that just don't work with Safari...of course I can't think of any of them now, but you'll know them when you run into them!
Have fun-I think you guys will really like it!
Dreamybee: Thanks for the tips. The funny this is that Apple now sells the wired keyboard without the number pad too. You have to make sure you select the correct keyboard so you don't get the tiny one.
I'll watch out for the sites that don't work with Safari. Hopefully, my favorites will all work! :)
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