PC or MAC for IM?

[David_Nilsson]

Hello fellow warriors.

I am in the process of getting a new laptop and I am wondering wheather to get a Mac or PC, which is better for IM?

I have never used a Mac before but when I watch video's of the IM "guru's" they all seem to be using a Mac.

Thanks for reading I know many people will find this thread helpful.

[Rich Struck]

Since you can run Windows on Macs now, getting a Mac is a no-brainer. My MacBook is the best computer I've ever owned.

[Traffic-Bug]

If some repair happens in your Mac equipment, then you can only use Apple-made parts for replacement. For Windows laptop, you can use any off the shelf compatible parts. macs are more expensive to maintain than Windows, in the long run.

[Revolves]

For IM, you could go with either of them. If you are comfortable with windows as an operating system then go with a windows based laptop. I do not know about prices in Australia, but a MacBook here is more expensive than a windows based laptop of similar configuration.

Revolves

[TheMagicShow]

I enjoy using my MacBookPro! It is my first Mac laptop and that's all I will buy from now on.

[jasonmorgan]

Doesn't make any difference... use what you like.

No, I take that back. PC's have more software available so I'd give them the edge if your into buying extra tools to make your IM life more automated and easier.

[tylergreen]

hardware and the user interface has a lot to do with it.
while i'm surviving using a windows xp laptop for the longest time now,
having a really fast processor will really help you in the long.

as well as a really thought out user interface. I've tried macs and that's what im going to get next. Mainly because of all the little stuff it provides like multiple desktops, and other perks. and because it runs faster than a pc with the same overall specs.

all those little seconds that you save from having to switch apps, search for files/docu, etc. etc. and its really a no brainer.

hope that helps.

[Platinum Matt]

Get a Mac. Spend 2 months with it.

You'll get rid of all your PC's and be converted.

[Dan Briffa]

Oh man

Get a macbook pro.. i got one a few months ago.. and i'm converted.

I am running VMWare Fusion so i can run Windows apps.. which is a handy tool Jason Dinner told me about.

Go for it bro !!

Dan

PS. It's funny Matt should mention that.. now i want to sell my desktop pc and get a mac pro desktop lol

[AceHazel]

Get a Mac if you can afford it (it's more expensive than a PC). As another poster mentioned, you can now run Windows on a Mac.

[Paulie Ciara]

Originally Posted by Traffic-Bug

If some repair happens in your Mac equipment, then you can only use Apple-made parts for replacement. For Windows laptop, you can use any off the shelf compatible parts. macs are more expensive to maintain than Windows, in the long run.

He's getting a laptop. He's not really going to be able to repair it with "off the shelf compatible parts" anyway.

I've been doing all my IMing from a Mac since January. You'll love it!

[ausmarketer]

I love my iMac. Even more now that I'm running Windows XP as well via Parallels Desktop. It's the best of both worlds all on one powerful computer that never crashes.

[Peter Shallard]

I moved from Sony Vaio (vista) to MacBook Pro a few months back.
1-2 reboots a day has turned into 1 reboot per month. It's all about productivity!

[Anonymous Affiliate]

You cannot connect two High-Resolution external monitors in a Mac laptop without expensive external hardware hubs. So I went for a PC.

[DavidO]

There's something about a mac that creates fanatics. But for purely business reasons I would choose PC. Not only is the laptop less expensive, but so are the peripherals. You also have more choice and flexibility with PC.

[Jack Chua]

I think both are appropriate for IM. The main thing is where are you more comfortable with? You have to consider your own comfort because at the end of the day it is you that will be dealing with the gadget.

[Platinum Matt]

The ONLY people who will recommend a PC 99% of the time are people who haven't LIVED with a mac for a few months (or PC gamers etc)...

When I first tried the mac I HATED it... wondered what all the fuss was about.

But over time... something happens. All that lifelong PC usage and habits get unlearned and you learn the Mac way and EVERYTHING is easier... Faster... Better.

If you ask me EXACTLY what I love about Mac's that you might love? I probably can't answer that.

But... I can PROMISE you, you'll feel EXACTLY the same if you spend enough time with a mac.

I will NEVER go back to PC's...

When I touch one now, I cringe like I'm sitting on a dirty public toilet seat... lol

Go Mac, you won't be sorry.

[Dan C. Rinnert]

Originally Posted by jasonmorgan

No, I take that back. PC's have more software available so I'd give them the edge if your into buying extra tools to make your IM life more automated and easier.

Since Macs these days can run Windows as well as Mac OS X, a Macintosh is capable of running more applications than a Windows PC.

Originally Posted by DavidO

There's something about a mac that creates fanatics. But for purely business reasons I would choose PC. Not only is the laptop less expensive, but so are the peripherals. You also have more choice and flexibility with PC.

Most peripherals run on either system, so it's not going to be an issue for most people, unless something very specialized is required.

[DrewG]

It's personal preference. Either of the two will work in IM. It's sounds like you're most accustomed to Windows, so a PC would be the best option...and with Windows 7 coming out, it'll be great.


~D.C.

[garyk1968]

Originally Posted by Nathan Segal

I like Mac's but I feel they're overpriced. As a case in point, my current laptop cost $1,000. To buy a Mac that would do the same would have cost me $3,000. It was a pretty simple choice for me.

Thats reflected in the resale price though, my 5 year old powerbook is worth more than a 3 year old pc lappy i recently sold.

As a mac user for IM? Well the bottom line is you are going to have more software that is for windows than Mac but alot of stuff is going webby anyway which is less of an issue. Otherwise use vmware/parallels/boot camp.

[Anonymous Affiliate]

Is there any way to connect 2 external monitors to a 13" Macbook Pro? that's the only reason as of why I've stuck to my laptop PC for so long.

[JonathanBoettcher]

Interesting.. I was sitting on the fence for a LONG time on this question, having been a long time "PC Power User" I wondered how long it would take me to adjust to a Mac.

So around the beginning of July I finally did get a Mac - MBP13" (just as the new series came out). I took a LONG time to switch over fully - going away for all of August didn't really help =) - but finally made the final transition (all work now done on the Mac) a few back.

A few observations:
- Yes, there is definitely a learning curve. If possible, do something like I did and allow yourself time to get used to it. Or, just jump in with both feet =)
- Figure out which software you use, and find out if it is available for Mac. In my case, I use StatsJunky, which isn't available for Mac (yet), and Dreamweaver and Photoshop which I don't want to buy for Mac (yet), so I bought Parallels instead and run them in XP. Surprisingly, this works fairly well, and I can run them in a window just like any other program. Pretty cool.
- Microsoft Office for Mac SUCKS. I don't like it at all. I consider myself an Excel power user and the Mac version sucks. So I installed Excel on Parallels and I use that instead. Also, Entourage is a poor little sibling to Outlook. It works but I don't like it a whole lot either.

The hardware is brilliant. I used to have a higher end Dell XPS laptop (15") and it basically stayed rooted to my desk most of the day. Now I've got the 13" and I frequently grab it and go work outside if I've got something like writing that I can do that with. For the rest of the time I set it up with a 24" monitor on my desk so the size isn't an issue. It resumes from sleep SO FAST you'll be surprised. I leave it lying around the house, and if I want something off the net, I just open it and I've found it in 30 seconds. With a PC, you're still opening it 30 seconds later, let alone surfing. The trackpad is also brilliant. Makes surfing the net and basically just using the computer as a laptop super simple. Now when I go to other computers I miss my trackpad.

Specifically in relation to IM - it really depends on what you're doing. Do you have all kinds of special little Windows apps to help you do what you do? If so, you can get around that with Parallels.

For things like screen capture videos, you can get Screenflow which is 200 bucks less than Camtasia and just as good.

Anyways, there's my 2 cents.

From the size of it... that might have been 4 cents actually

[blur]

Honestly? I have a mac now but most of the IM software that is out is made for PC so I bought a $350 netbook from walmart that runs XP and all my IM software (MS, article spinners, friend adders, etc..). I can take it with me to work and do some IM there, take it on trips to type, etc... I only have Office and marketing stuff on it and it runs great.

[JonathanBoettcher]

Originally Posted by blur

Honestly? I have a mac now but most of the IM software that is out is made for PC so I bought a $350 netbook from walmart that runs XP and all my IM software (MS, article spinners, friend adders, etc..). I can take it with me to work and do some IM there, take it on trips to type, etc... I only have Office and marketing stuff on it and it runs great.

$100 would get you a copy of Parallels, allowing you to do all of that on your Mac. Netbooks are pretty darn portable, though I must say my 13" MBP is too.

[blur]

oh yeah, I have parallels but I just like the portability of the netbook. Plus booting into my bootcamp takes resources away from using photoshop, etc (do graphic design FT). I only have the macbook, not the pro.