Ok Mac users

[Kite]

I am totally tired of all this windows **** and am thinking of trying a Mac laptop.
I am a total Mac ignoramus so please be gentle.

Here is what I

[2Dogs]

I recommend an Ipod ;)

[Kite]

I recommend an Ipod ;)

maybe an I Plod? :p

[Archangel]

3+4: NeoOffice should do you fine.

Not sure about 8+10, never used either before. What is Memento? Google found some reference to some kind of desktop note program - there's bound to be a replacement.

Wouldn't be a problem with anything else. Oh, except maybe (1) - do they have Internet for Mac yet? :-D

Virus scanner and firewall? It's not Windows, so you don't need either ;-)

[Kite]

What is Memento?

http://www.momento.com.au/

Girly stuff

[Marcus]

you can also download Parallels for Mac which allows you to run a virtual PC type system so if you have a PC program you MUST run you can (like Accurate Sights)
There is a built in Firewall so no drama there, oh and all the ports are off by default so no drama anyway.
Virus scanners? Waste of money.

[Aussierox]

Can anyone post a screenshot of what the macs desktop looks like, because ive never seen one.

[Marcus]

http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/


Screen shots don't do it justise.

[bmbclubrep]

Dear Kite

I have been working Macs for over 20 years and have NEVER had a virus and have never run virus protection software. You just don't need it for Macs.

I currently operate a 20 inch iMac which has been faultless and have worked many models before it. At home I have a G4 (about 5 years old) running the Mac OS X Panther (10.3.9).

Since the advent of Operating System Ten (OS X) the computer industry has been once again revolutionised by the innovative and creative influence of Apple. The latest operating system replaced the OS 9.2.2 and relegated this very worthy software to the middle ages where it is still light years ahead of anything Windows has ever come up with.

The Mac OS X software uses big cat names to distinguish it levels of development, eg. the current version is Tiger and is denoted by numbers from 10.4.0 to 10.4.9. Previous to this was Panther 10.3.0 to 10.3.9, Couger 10.2.0 to 10.2.9 etc.

The next level, to be released about October 07, will be Leopard 10.5.0 to, I guess, 10.5.9. Leopard is again revolutionary. A Beta or test version, with reduced facilities, can be got from Apple to try out. It will enable users to work both Windows and Mac platforms on the same machine with the touch of a keystroke. You will be able to run all your normal Windows stuff that you use now. It will have advanced iPhone technology amongst a host of far-reaching advancements which Windows will try to copy somehow.

As for your questions, it is yes to all, except No. 8. At this point in time the ATO doesn't support on-line tax forms via a Mac Platform, but rest assured they too will catch up. As for Momento, I looked it up on Google and couldn't really understand what it does, so can't really comment.

I bought a MacBook 13inch wide screen for my son. It has 1 gigabyte of RAM, 120 gigabyte hard drive, airport, bluetooth, infrared remote for media centre, has music editing, photo editing etc, etc. It reads and writes CDs and DVDs and you can watch DVDs as well. There are facilities to add additional screens if you want a bigger one and wirlesss keyboard and mouse are available. The list goes on. This cost around $2000 and came with Windows 2004 for Mac thrown in as a bundle, complete with Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc. These all work and look just like on a Windows machine so there is no relearning. If you are a student or teacher you can about $300 off the price as well as getting some additional goodies.

I have a G4 hooked up to a Linksys Wirless-G 2.4 Gigahertz router, via the ethernet port on the router. The router connects directly to the telephone line using the standard telephone plug.

My son easily picks up broadband wirlessly from his bedroom as well as any other computers connected to the router. We can have four computers connected to the router (via ethernet) as well as wirless computers all at the same time, using broadband with no lag. It is all very simple.

The router has a range of about 15 metres but you can buy bigger. The one I bought cost me $99 from any computer shop, Dick Smith store; which I could have got somewhere else for $75 but I couldn't be bothered walking back to the other shop. Some routers have Firewire, USB and Ethernet ports, and although a bit more expensive, are well worth looking at.

Firewire is a very fast way to transfer data between computers. My sons laptop is 1000 BaseT which transfers data at 1000 megabytes a second whereas the G4 is 10 times slower at 100 BaseT.

A friend of mine has an iMac and watches TV, DVD, Videos as well as directing his sound system through the Mac. As for video editing, photo editing, etc Macs have the grunt. Macs are the industry standard in the Movie/Music editing world as well as the Printing and Graphic Arts industries. Macs are used extensively in scientific research and analysis environments and there is a move back to Macs in the education system.

I would recommend PhotoShop for photo editing but it all depends on the level you wish to work at.

The thing about Macs is they cost a bit more but you get it all built in. There is no need for third party additions and you avoid the third-party incompatability issues inherent in PCs.

Go to the Apple site http://www.apple.com/
or
http://www.apple.com/getamac/
for a complete discription of the advantages.

PS the widgets are great – little programs that tell you every bit of usefull/useless information you need to know about everything.

I strongly urge you to investigate a Mac – I doubt you'll regret it.

Regards
Lyne

PPS If you decide to get a Mac give me a hoy! I have some bits and pieces you may like.

[Marcus]

[quote]PS the widgets are great

[Kite]

Lyne,
Thanks for delivering so much info. :thumb:

[Liam]

GIMP, Fireworks and photoshop are all available on OSX.

[Archangel]

My sons laptop is 1000 BaseT which transfers data at 1000 megabytes a second whereas the G4 is 10 times slower at 100 BaseT.
Nitpick: It's 1000 megabits per second, not megabytes.
On the other hand, gigabit is rarely even close to 10 times quicker than 100baseT in practical situations, so don't do your G4 down too much :-)

[Progen]

Would be lovely to have 1000MB/s. :o

[Pat Mole]

Nitpick: It's 1000 megabits per second, not megabytes.
On the other hand, gigabit is rarely even close to 10 times quicker than 100baseT in practical situations, so don't do your G4 down too much :-)

yea i was gonna say... lol.

I'm also looking into a MacBook.
whats the go with upgrading the OS? like if i buy one soon, then when leopard comes out, will i need to pay full price if i want to upgrade to that?

[recurve boy]

yea i was gonna say... lol.

I'm also looking into a MacBook.
whats the go with upgrading the OS? like if i buy one soon, then when leopard comes out, will i need to pay full price if i want to upgrade to that?

Depends when you get it. If you get it a few weeks before the upgrade is released, you can get the upgrade free.

Also, if you are a student, you can get student discounts. Tiger only cost me something like $75 as a student.

[Rixter]

GIMP, Fireworks and photoshop are all available on OSX.
All of the Adobe range of software are available on either Mac or PC platforms. The latest release is CS3 (Creative Suite) released only in the last couple of weeks and is released in a number of configurations to suite either web designer thru to graphic artists. I have previewed it and its Awesome!! :drool: :thumb:

[GrahameA]

All is not as rosy as it seems in the Mac world - they do fall over. From my viewpoint it is no different than the PC world - you just need to be competent with the tools you use.

Be aware that some specialist tools are not available for Mac. I am under the impression that 3D Max is still only available for Windows based systems - and if you use that can be a compelling reason to own a Wintel machine.

(I probably should say I have a G4 plus 2 off Win XP systems. Then again there is a Macintosh II still sitting on a spare bookshelf.)

[Liam]

All of the Adobe range of software are available on either Mac or PC platforms. The latest release is CS3 (Creative Suite) released only in the last couple of weeks and is released in a number of configurations to suite either web designer thru to graphic artists. I have previewed it and its Awesome!! :drool: :thumb:

Fireworks is still Macromedia in my heart. :silly:

Yeah, CS3 is pretty sweet.

[Magnascan]

yea i was gonna say... lol.

I'm also looking into a MacBook.
whats the go with upgrading the OS? like if i buy one soon, then when leopard comes out, will i need to pay full price if i want to upgrade to that?

Just got my daughter a macbook 1.83Gh laptop last week, its pretty cool. The biggest reason we got her a Mac was NO VIRUSES. In 20+ years on macs I have never had a virus. All your comparable Wintel software is available for mac and even if its not with the new Intel chipped macs you can download Bootcamp and install windows and run it like normal. 2 computers for the price of one! Only problem with installing windows is that you would then have a virus on your mac!!!
One quick warning on the Apple laptops, before you leave the store open it up and try charging the battery, there are a few DOA batteries floating around and it will save you a trip back to the shop!

[Batman]

you can also download Parallels for Mac which allows you to run a virtual PC type system so if you have a PC program you MUST run you can (like Accurate Sights)
There is a built in Firewall so no drama there, oh and all the ports are off by default so no drama anyway.
Virus scanners? Waste of money.

I've been using Macs for 10 years now (for Photoshop and digital camera software) and have always heard that Virtual PC is SLOOOOOWWWW.
I recently bought a new Imac with the Intel processor.
It has the Mac OS and Windows installed... the drive is partitioned as two.
On start-up, I hold the option key down and this gives me the choice of the two systems.
AND... they're both FAST.
GET THE MAC and enjoy a virus-free existence! :thumb:
AW.

[hoyt for life 2]

Just got my daughter a macbook 1.83Gh laptop last week, its pretty cool. The biggest reason we got her a Mac was NO VIRUSES. In 20+ years on macs I have never had a virus. All your comparable Wintel software is available for mac and even if its not with the new Intel chipped macs you can download Bootcamp and install windows and run it like normal. 2 computers for the price of one! Only problem with installing windows is that you would then have a virus on your mac!!!
One quick warning on the Apple laptops, before you leave the store open it up and try charging the battery, there are a few DOA batteries floating around and it will save you a trip back to the shop!
I got one of them when I brought a spare battery, luckily the one that came with it was good.

[Progen]

A life without viruses and blue screens is a life not worth living. ;)

[recurve boy]

I've been using Macs for 10 years now (for Photoshop and digital camera software) and have always heard that Virtual PC is SLOOOOOWWWW.
I recently bought a new Imac with the Intel processor.
It has the Mac OS and Windows installed... the drive is partitioned as two.
On start-up, I hold the option key down and this gives me the choice of the two systems.
AND... they're both FAST.
GET THE MAC and enjoy a virus-free existence! :thumb:
AW.

Parallells is a virtualised environment. Virtual PC is an emulated environment.

Win XP on my Pro is actually quite speedy. And it 'boots' in something like 5 seconds. So if there are only a few things you want to do, it's the way to go. Some games even work really well in it.

[Archangel]

I've been using Macs for 10 years now (for Photoshop and digital camera software) and have always heard that Virtual PC is SLOOOOOWWWW.
As recurve boy pointed out, they're not the same thing; until they put Intel chips in Macs, an approach like Parallels wasn't possible, so you had to go the slow way.
On the other hand, the advantage of emulation is that it runs anywhere, so you could run Windows software on PPC Macs through it.