Help! Getting a new Computer!

Ok. So it is quite likely that we (my family) will be getting a new computer soon. My dad is a die-hard windows advocate and is not flinching in light of all the upsides of a Mac. I need your help convincing him just how much better a Mac is than Windows. Currently, he would be considering a...

Dell XPS 400

Pentium D Processor at 2.8 Ghz, 800 MB FSB

Windows XP MCE 2005

256MB nVidia GeForce 6800

1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM

250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ double layer write capable (Dual Drive)

13 in 1 Media Card Reader and 3.5 in Floppy Drive

17" Ultrasharp Digital Flat Panel Monitor

Integrated 7.1 Audio

Total Price: $1,848

I want him to get an iMac with...

1.9 GHz PowerPC G5

1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM

250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

SuperDrive

ATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128MB DDR Video Memory

AirPort Extreme

Total Price: $1,474

Can you help me persuade him away from the Dell?

#344623

You can show him the Switch Site , it's very informative, or you can show him one presentation of Steve Jobs when he showd some of tiger's features before it went out, I think it's this one but not for sure, I showd that to my dad and he loved it (not that I have a mac now, but that's a different story).

Good luck

#344631

Mac- pros: easy to use, bye...viruses,trojans and net ****s, beauty will kill the beast(you )

- cons: expensive, less apps and games,

#344663

macs are certainly great but it comes back to what you really want to use it for.... i know there's a lot of windows bashing around and i myself don't like windows at all but keep in mind that macs do also have their flaws.... u can check out other forums where actual mac users talk about their own experiences (including the bad) and decide for yourself... any reasons why your dad likes windows so much? ( im sure it's not because of the numerous games )

but in the end, OSX10.4 is a much more stable OS then XP in general and also like Millennium stated, there arnt many if none at all viruses and trojans for mac...

the two computers you're considering are both in the high ends... and the imac is one sexy beast ( dont forget the incorportaed isight )

on the apple website theres also a section in the eduction part called Parental Persuassion so definitly check that out.

but at the end of the day just keep in mind what the purpose of this new computer would be... and don't forget it's a family computer and everybody might not want to learn a whole new OS (though it isnt that complicated... )

Hope it helps! Good luck!

#344683

Well, the reason my dad is so die-hard about Windows is complicated...

1. He has always used MS products (including DOS)

2. My Mom is practically technologically inept and he doesn't want to stress her out with learning a new OS.

3. The ever popular compatibility issue. Even though I explained to him that Office is made for Mac as well, and that most of the Apps that he uses are available for Mac, or built in.

#344685

Well, the reason my dad is so die-hard about Windows is complicated...

1. He has always used MS products (including DOS)

2. My Mom is practically technologically inept and he doesn't want to stress her out with learning a new OS.

3. The ever popular compatibility issue. Even though I explained to him that Office is made for Mac as well, and that most of the Apps that he uses are available for Mac, or built in.

hear hear

thats exactly my case

#344697

Then you know what? i mean, just get the windows PC for the family and save up and get a ibook for yourself or even just a mini.... i mean it's a fact that as we get older it takes more time to learn things (though they may seem so simply to our generation) and really, for your parents sake i would say go for the windows, it looks like you have a good setup just keep your OS well maintained (eg: run virus check weekly if not daily... dont download random crap of the net (such as limewire and torrent), check for spywares,etc ) ... and firefox is also much more secure.. )

i know i know, the original idea was the help you convince your parents into getting a mac but honestly... i think you're better off sticking with Windows for the family for now and getting a mac for yourself...

(also... MSOffice may be slugish on mac -> try the apple apps)

well.. those are my thoughts since i took your whole family in consideration.... but the decision lies between you and your parents... remember, with communication anything is possible

Hope that helps,

Good luck!

#344700

here - show him this video - good quality, good host, mentions lots of cool features

http://www.apple.com/macosx/quicktours/viewall.html

#344707

In reply to the aging remark: My grandparents are also buying a new computer and have decided on the 17" iMac already. So, I mean I can show my dad the benefits of a mac using theirs, when they get it.

#344709

if your mum is tech inept... then it means she would hardly know enough of windows for it to be confusing to relearn it on tthe mac... and there is nothing to learn... put all the stuff she uses on the doc... lovely big icons for her.

the only reason your dad needs windows it seems (from what youve said) is dos... and what does he do that hes using dos anyway... unless he uses microsoft access or something like that all tasks can be replicated on a mac... he may however not want to rebuy all the software...

nearly 400 dollars is quite a big chunk or a price difference...

why not save up for your own mac, that you can keep and take out into the wide world, and put up with windows at home, it will keep your dad happy, your mum wont have to relearn the smidgen shes learnt and you get your own mac...

sharing computers sucks

#344719

Virtual PC.

#344721

My dad doesn't still use dos, he just has always used MS products. Sorry if you misunderstood. And your right, my mom can barely use windows as it is. Everyone is telling me to save for my own mac, but I have other things that I need to save for as well. For example, I'm going to need a car soon, and I place transportation over having a computer of my own. Also, the price for all the software isn't that much of an issue. We have a family friend who are Mac Fanatics (e.g. he has two maxed out quad proc. PowerMacs, each with dual displays) who volunteered to fill my grandparent's iMac with software. I'm sure they would be more than willing to do the same for our theoretical Mac.

#344771

quit yer whining, kid. the dell xps is a nice system. you can piss and moan all you like, but what are you gonna do on a mac that you can't do on xp? not play games?

oh, and i'm not an xp fanboy, i happen to use both pc and mac at home and at work.

besides, this'll give you a chance to show your dad how smart you are by recommending a few really cool and non-obtrusive security products: zonealarm, avg, spywareblaster and windows defender, all for free! or, for a little cash: mcafee personal firewall and nod32. your dad will think you're a genius!

#344786

quit yer whining, kid. the dell xps is a nice system.

Hardly, dell xps is full of bloatware, and ads.

Just look at this review of the system.

#344837

Are you like crazy? Look at the Dell's specs and look at the Mac, the Dell is obviously better...Just wait until Apple comes out with the Intel versions and install OSX on your dell.

#344849

Hardly, dell xps is full of bloatware, and ads.

Just look at this review of the system.

true. i forgot to mention that i'm talking hardware only. whenever my friends or family buy a system, i format their drive and give 'em a nice clean install of xp. still dell has almost no bloatware compared to hp/compaq. they're the worst!

#344852

@shmengie: I'm not pissing and moaning. I would be more than pleased with the XPS. But I am sick of Microsoft's crap. A few hours ago I was trying to do some schoolwork, but MS Word froze! I have heard about Mac being more stable and just plain nicer to look at. Also, Dell uses a lot of proprietary crap, like ram, fans, power supplies, ect. This means you have to contact Dell to check compatibility issues with other ram makes.

#344926