[question] why did you buy/switch to a mac?

I am a PC owner. I have never seen an Apple computer in real life. Yet here I am, a member of a Mac enthusiast message board. In the future I would like to own a Mac in addition to my PC, the main reason being aesthetics. I like customizing my PC, but there's just something about the smoothness and clarity of Mac themes that makes me want one just to play with and look at lol. (Yes, I realize that's rather vain of me, oh well.)

But, I'm curious to know why people buy Macs (as a first computer), or switch to them after using Windows. For example, Bzietler (sorry to use you Bz lol), made many themes for Windows, but now he has a Mac and is making themes for that platform instead. And, there are the various people that post in the "I got a Mac" thread. They certainly are happy, but why did they want one? I really am curious.

PLEASE post with an honest and mature answer, and NOT with "M$ sux0rs", "I hate Bill Gates", and the like. Those aren't valid responses to my question lol. This thread is not meant to start a flame war. I guess the main point of making this thread is that I don't really know (and I don't think they are discussed that much because flame wars errupt), the positive points in picking Mac over Windows, other than aesthetic value.

#311048

Got tired of spending half of the time on a PC "fixing" things, and the fugly GUI and general lack of taste people had when designing apps for windows. Plus a couple of good friends of mine were all wanting a mac, so peer pressure was a part of it I guess.

And they look dam nice, both in terms of design and GUI, plus its very "indie" (gotta love being in a niche)

#311049

I would have to say one of the main reasons I purchased a Mac was because of the iMac G4 design. Yes, I purchased a G4 instead of the G5...but as it turns out it really didn't matter anyway because Apple is going Intel starting 2006 and I will probably be purchasing another computer around that time anyway.

Another huge factor was that I was sick of Windows. I was tired of the spyware and pop ups and the whole design of XP. I just could not take it anymore! I had tweaked XP to make it look like a Mac, but nothing will ever compare to the real thing.

The only thing that I was scared about was compatibility. Once I discovered Virtual PC, I decided that I would make the switch. I only use Virtual PC once in a blue moon, but it does come in handy sometimes when I need it.

Believe it or not, the Mac can do just about anything a PC can do. Except of course if you are a PC gamer...that is a different story. It seriously is just a better computer!

#311050

I chose Mac not only because of it's nice and smooth design, but mainly due to the lack of viruses. It seems to me like nobody bothers creating viruses for Mac, while there are millions infecting your pcs right now. I think that is the main issue which distinguishes Mac from PC. The interfaces in Mac programs is user-friendly, and yet very professional.

#311058

My reasons in no particular order:

- They Are damn sexy

- HCI Guideline based GUI design (one of the leading brands in HCI enforcement)

- Overall headache-less usage of the OS

- Built on UNIX without having to go Linux (which would mean harvesting for programs >_< )

- I find PS/AI to be more responsive/easier on mac (This might be a bit biased, but thats my feeling)

- Fontsmoothing is AMAZING

- Clarity/Gamma is incomparable

- Practically no virii (yes, there are some, but they are as clever as an email saying "please delete your c:/windows/ directory")

#311060

I like pcs better because of the games.... and etc... NO I'm not talking about solitaire I'm talking about counter-strike....

IF I had a mac and a pc I would use both as one if you know what I mean.... because everyone knows that there are somethings that a PC can't do and a MAC can't do and truth is when a guy is 1337 he owns in any OS

#311062

Who buys a mac to own? :confused:

#311064

and truth is when a guy is 1337 he owns in any OS

#311072

Mac for graphic design, PC for games

And I'll go with Seph with the reasons (although I'm not familiar with #2 and #4

#311075

i own a mac a g4 imac-i dont like the g5 design anyways

i fell in love with macs when i went to an apple store and started messing around with them

i purchasedit basically to do alot of video editing and music-i just recently got into graphic design

i noticed that on a mac this taks perform better more reliable-dont get me wrong i cant never leave windows for numerous reasons-i use my now for entertainment purpose watch movies browse the internet etc.

i just got me a bad ass windows desktop and will be using that for what i use to use my mac for-way more powerful-but you gotta love the feel mac gives you-ilife rules and final cut studio

in regards to viruses i love it-but in all reality viruses means bussiness

i will not be surprised if in the future aplpe is bombarded with viruses after all

that will equal out alot more money for apple and the cmpanys making them

#311078

I don't think Seph could have put it any better.

I'm planning ahead at the moment. Just bought myself an Apple Mighty Mouse and I'm off to the store today to get an Apple Keyboard and 20" Apple Cinema Display all for my PC. Then later down the line when I can afford one, I'll probably get a mac-mini or see what options there are for installing OS X on PCs later on when x86 support has improved. But I'll most likely get a mac-mini as they'll be cheaper (especially with the intel-based macs on the horizon) and then I've got a mac and PC ready to go. (Current mouse/keyboard/monitor is going into storage until then lol).

But overall, I agree with Seph 100%

#311094

why everyone in this forum try to turn their Pc into a Mac? That is the reason why!

And just dont ask why, try it and you will get the answers for yourself!

Mac mini - $499

#311162

Macs are quite attractive, and that's what originally got me interested. But I have to say that I just wanted the opportunity to use OS X. I am a network engineer and am extremely familier with MS and Linux, but have never used a Mac at all. So I decided to get a Powerbook for grad school. I love my powerbook as a companion to my main pc.

#311164

I needed a new computer.

And mac's are about as sexy as sexy can get.

So I got a Mac. I wanted the best of customising both worlds.

#311170