Congratulations to AcaCandy on her 100,000th post!
There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
 
Tag Cloud
acer backup black screen blue screen boot bsod computer connection crash css dell driver drivers email error ethernet excel explorer firefox firefox 3 game hard drive internet internet explorer itunes laptop linux malware monitor network networking nvidia outlook outlook 2003 outlook 2007 outlook express partition problem router slow software sound trojan usb video virus vista windows windows xp wireless
Apple Macintosh
Search
Search in:
 
Advanced Search
Tech Support Guy Forums > Operating Systems > Apple Macintosh >
Help


HELLO AND WELCOME! Before you can post your question, you'll have to register -- it's completely free! Click here to join today! We highly recommend that you print a copy of our Guide for New Members. Enjoy!

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
michael_jii's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,258 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Malaysia
Experience: Ninja.
11-Dec-2005, 03:48 AM #1
Help
Hello
I am totally new to the Mac world (windows user) and would like to buy a pc for my Grandmother who is new to the computer world. She has sent 1/2 emails with guidance from me on a windows PC but has not moved further than that. She has finally decided to buy some sort of computer. What i am wondering, is it worth while her buying a mac: for these reasons:
  • They are easier to setup and use
  • They are incompatible with most malwares and viruses therefore safer for a beginner

Is that true in comparison with a Windows based PC?
Would emails, photos and possibly web cam/voice chat be compatible between PC and mac?
Can anyone site any more problems/good things for a PC vs. a MAC

All she really wants to use it for is Email, Photos (sent from family and friends), Word Processing, Webcam and Voice Chat and possibly to use with her digital camera.

I have looked at lots of models, could you guys reccommend some? She's in Australia so perhaps apple.com/au is the place to look if you have time

Thanks in advance
__________________
reply lah!
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
11-Dec-2005, 07:59 AM #2
Hello michael_jii:

I switched over to Macs about 4 years ago.

Learning the OS environment is easy for a novice. It is pretty much flawless as far as "problems" go (spyware, viruses, etc.) In other words - it is quite easy to maintain as compared to a PC.

From what you describe your Gma intends to do with it, YES a Mac would be able to handle all of that with no problem.

The big question is: do you (or she) want to spend the money for a Mac when she can get a PC for cheaper, considering that she just wants to do basic work with it?

If money is no object, then I would suggest an iBook as it would be portable and easy for her to move around. If she would rather have a desktop and doesn't want to spend the money, then the Mac Mini would be perfect for her.

I'm sure others will pipe in opinions - good and bad - for you to consider.

Hope that helps. Good luck.
__________________
Microsoft Certified Professional Mac Addict
"It's All About the Pentiums, Baby!"
michael_jii's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,258 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Malaysia
Experience: Ninja.
12-Dec-2005, 12:47 AM #3
Thanks for the advice...

The iBook and MacMini i think are the final 2 options... any words on these or other issues?

Thanks again Yankee Rose.
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
12-Dec-2005, 07:56 AM #4
Hi Michael:

You won't be disappointed by going with a Mac.

I would make a suggestion - and that is to wait until after Mac World in January. Apple notoriously introduces new products and upgrades to current products and this year there are rumblings within the industry that they will be revamping the Mac Mini, and possibly introducing iBooks with Intel chips (though most insiders agree the Intel chip iBooks might not be introduced until late this year.) In any case -- I would take the time to read through some reviews of the Mac Mini and the iBook, to decide which system would be best for your Grandmother. I'm looking forward to Mac World -- my son is getting a gift certificate to the Apple Store for Christmas and I'm anxious to see what will be new or improved! (Last year the Shuffle was introduced).

Here is a good link from a Mac forum for reviews of the Mac Mini:

http://www.macaddict.com/forums/search/1995471839

Best of luck. Hopefully others will jump in here and give their opinions.
__________________
Microsoft Certified Professional Mac Addict
"It's All About the Pentiums, Baby!"

Last edited by Yankee Rose : 12-Dec-2005 08:18 AM.
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
12-Dec-2005, 08:22 AM #5
Here's a link to a review of the iBook from a PC user:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2142
michael_jii's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,258 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Malaysia
Experience: Ninja.
13-Dec-2005, 12:49 AM #6
Thanks again, that's really helpful
michael_jii's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,258 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Malaysia
Experience: Ninja.
03-Jan-2006, 04:25 AM #7
Any new developments or suggestions guys?

She'll be buying Q1 2006, mabye even January

thanks again
michael_jii's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,258 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Malaysia
Experience: Ninja.
10-Jan-2006, 01:42 AM #8
BUMP

or for that matter, anything we should know/ consider such as problems/setbacks vs. windows?

Thanks again..
rebeccap's Avatar
Junior Member with 8 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
10-Jan-2006, 10:16 AM #9
You should hear some time this week what Apple is coming out with. MacWorld starts today and Steve Jobs should be giving his keynote. Check http://www.apple.com and http://www.macworld.com for updates.
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
10-Jan-2006, 11:46 AM #10
Hi again Michael:

Here's a little "teaser", possibly. Apple is notoriously mum, though:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/0...eut/index.html

I know I'm anxiously waiting!
rebeccap's Avatar
Junior Member with 8 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
10-Jan-2006, 12:28 PM #11
The Apple store is down which means they are updating something. I keep praying the keynote will be on iTunes somehow. The Macworld Expo site just went back up.

Since I moved to Wisconsin from California, I haven't been able to attend MacWorld in 5 years.
rebeccap's Avatar
Junior Member with 8 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
10-Jan-2006, 12:40 PM #12
Hey, how do we get a live feed for the keynote? iTunes?

Last edited by rebeccap : 10-Jan-2006 12:39 PM. Reason: I was wrong
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
10-Jan-2006, 02:13 PM #13
Hi rebeccap:

Evidently you can get a live broadcast from in an Apple store.

I've been updating through Engadget.

I'm going to be in California next month -- one month too late!

Can't wait to find out "Oh, and one more thing . . . ."
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
10-Jan-2006, 02:15 PM #14
This is a good live update link too:

http://www.macrumorslive.com/
Yankee Rose's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 1,697 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Workin' on my fitness.
Experience: BS Degree/A+/MCP, OS X
10-Jan-2006, 02:17 PM #15
Looks like the big new thing is a Macbook Pro -- http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

Cool!
Closed Thread

THIS THREAD HAS EXPIRED.
Are you having the same problem? We have volunteers ready to answer your question, but first you'll have to join for free. Need help getting started? Check out our Welcome Guide.


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
WELCOME TO TECH SUPPORT GUY! Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question -- for free! Our site is run completely by volunteers who help people like you solve computer problems. See our Welcome Guide to get started.



Thread Tools


You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:26 PM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2008 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Powered by vBulletin, Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0
Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.