# Should I (even) consider getting a Mac?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 31, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808 "2009-10-31T02:55:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/41 "2009-11-01T02:59:54Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#):
>
> Tinkered with a friends Mac today. It was neat. Before I mentioned _World of Goo_, which I know comes for both PC and Mac. It’s been said that there are indie games that are often PC exclusive here. I’m thinking about just getting a capable PC laptop. I should be content to wait and see where the game console trends seem to go. They’re practical people, and thought that may cost less. I told them I’m content to seeing where I’m at financially, and what happens in a little time, (see what the trends may go).
>
> Mac is a formidable opponent to a PC, and I would be missing out on certain things if I were to go either way. I’m not sure they’re out of the running, but I visited Best Buy, and Windows 7 did seem pretty hot. This may be a stupid question; Does anyone think it’s worth it to get a computer at there? I know the, (I think), 3 year warranty deal… it took two years for mine to poop-out. I always wonder if any business I get a warranty from will be around in 3 years. I’m not computer savy AT ALL, the “Geek” I met was nice, and it was an overall nice eperience.
>
> I compared specs to one a Dell they had to the one I got from Dell, the $1,500 one… they were the same computer, (it seemed, and VERY close in price, the monitor made the difference). It was a Dell Studio XPS.
>
> Now I’m going to call Dell and bust their balls/ovaries about it… Just to see where that goes.
Don’t forget - you can install Windows on your Mac and run it and OS X concurrently. You can’t do this with a generic PC (at least, not legally or reliably).
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/42 "2009-11-01T03:01:31Z")
“They’re practical people, and thought that may cost less.” (My folks).
I feel bad. However they’re more eager to accommodate me than I let them .
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/43 "2009-11-01T03:02:39Z")
> [@beowulff](#):
>
> Don’t forget - you can install Windows on your Mac and run it and OS X concurrently. You can’t do this with a generic PC (at least, not legally or reliably).
Is it Windows XP still? Could I play the PC games?
I’m still not sure what I’m going to do yet… that why I’m calling Dell about a computer I no longer want… practice. Plus, vengeance. They pulled one over on my mom. :mad: 😃
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### Author:  [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/44 "2009-11-01T03:16:35Z")
I run XP on my Mac. I’m thinking of upgrading to one of the new 27" iMacs and Windows 7.
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/45 "2009-11-01T03:25:54Z")
So you can run windows 7 on Mac. The other problem is the cost of the software.
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### Author:  [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/46 "2009-11-01T03:32:12Z")
If you buy an iMac, don’t waste your money on an extended warranty from Best Buy or someplace like that. Get the Applecare Protection Plan. That gives you the extended APPLE warranty plus three years of apple phone support.
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### Author:  [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/47 "2009-11-01T03:40:15Z")
MAC vs. PC
It’s a long story, both systems have their place.
If you just want to browse the web, do emailing, word processing it generally does not matter which system you pick, both will do the job just fine.
The Mac has less problems with malware & spyware, the effects are just different.
If you are still interested in playing games, the PC is the better choice, you just have to make sure that the PC has a dedicated Graphics Card like an nVidia GeForce or an ATI Radeon.
Service & Repair
Since there are about 100 Pc to 1 Mac, it is much easier to get service for a PC and the rats are much lower, since there is more competition for PC.
Choice
Only MAC does MAC
PC - choose an ASUS or ACER for gaming (or Alienware if you do have the money)
if you don’t care about the gaming, you can also pick a Lenovo.
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### Author:  [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/48 "2009-11-01T03:47:08Z")
Lifespan
Most laptops last for approximately 2 years
Gaming Rig
Use a desktop PC
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/49 "2009-11-01T04:48:12Z")
> [@Doughbag](#):
>
> Lifespan
> Most laptops last for approximately 2 years
Come again? Most laptops in general? 😕
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/50 "2009-11-01T06:47:09Z")
> [@Doughbag](#):
>
> Lifespan
> Most laptops last for approximately 2 years
Cite? I have a five year old PowerBook G4. I can’t load OS X 10.6 on it (Apple gave up backwards compatibility for the PowerPC) but it runs everything I need under 10.5, and for Perl/Python hacking, web browsing, and office productivity it does everything I need without a hitch or hiccup.
We have Dell laptops at work that are over 4 years old; they’re slow (slower still because of all the corporate mandated malware that is loaded on them) but fully functional, and in fact, more reliable than the newer laptop machines from another manufacturer.
Now a gaming machine is a different beast; you need bleeding edge video capability and as much memory as you can stuff onto the motherboard to keep up with game requirements. But that isn’t the typical computer user.
Stranger
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/51 "2009-11-01T13:34:26Z")
The friend that let me use her Mac had another one for 5 years. No problem. Do laptops break easily.
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### Author:  [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/52 "2009-11-01T13:47:28Z")
> [@Merneith](#):
>
> a) Mac malware is real.
Do you have a source for that post? I have long expected malware to start showing up on Macs, but haven’t heard of it yet. Where can I get more information?
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/53 "2009-11-01T13:55:58Z")
Just to point out some earlier questions:
You can run Windows 7 on Mac?
If I had Window on Mac, could I play ‘PC only’ games?
Is there any reason to get a get a store-bought computer? The one we were looking at was similar in price. I don’t know about hidden costs though. (This was a PC at Best Buy)
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/54 "2009-11-01T14:03:29Z")
> [@rbroome](#):
>
> Do you have a source for that post? I have long expected malware to start showing up on Macs, but haven’t heard of it yet. Where can I get more information?
Yeah, it’s “real” if you think that a grand total of less than 10 trojan horses - none of which is circulating to any significant extent in the wild - is a real threat. More new malware gets created for Windows every day.
It’s so absurd - the people who say that OS X is “just as vulnerable.” I’ll take my theoretical risk over your real one any time!
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### Author:  [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/55 "2009-11-01T15:06:26Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#):
>
> Just to point out some earlier questions:
> You can run Windows 7 on Mac?
Apparently, [yes.](http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/01/15/using-boot-camp-to-install-windows-7-on-your-mac-the-complete-walkthrough/)
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#):
>
> If I had Window on Mac, could I play ‘PC only’ games?
Yes.
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#):
>
> Is there any reason to get a get a store-bought computer? The one we were looking at was similar in price. I don’t know about hidden costs though. (This was a PC at Best Buy)
No idea.
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### Author:  [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/56 "2009-11-01T15:07:21Z")
I wasn’t going to pipe up but I have to now. I see that some of the Apple fanboys are going on about malware and viruses that infect pc’s. It’s amazing that us poor windows users get any work done at all. Yep, all we do most of the day is fight off those pesky trojans just waiting to exploit the 1 gillion and counting security holes.
Give it a rest. Unless you are like my mother Foots you are unlikely to have a major problem if you get a windows machine. And with windows 7 there is no need to get Norton or Mcafee software (thank god).
Microsoft has a new security program called Windows Security Essentials that can be downloaded from their site for free, it is slick and very unobtrusive. The reason it didn’t come bundled with win 7 is because of potential anti trust headaches coming from the anti-virus software makers.
Apple makes super nice computers and so do the pc makers. Just don’t make your decision based on very old (before XP sp2) data points about blue screens of death and viruses and such ok?
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### Author:  [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/57 "2009-11-01T15:17:48Z")
Apple fanboys, huh? :rolleyes:
Shit, I say at this point, he should just get a PC. He seems very nervous and reluctant about the Mac… it’s just not worth all that energy and stress. It seems obvious he’ll be much more comfortable if he just sticks with what he knows.
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/58 "2009-11-01T15:22:38Z")
> [@gravitycrash](#):
>
> Give it a rest. Unless you are like my mother Foots you are unlikely to have a major problem if you get a windows machine.
I’m a tad bit like your mother.
My brother’s the Computer Engineering, ‘mensa material’, guy. I got the looks. That’s to say you’re mother’s one fine looker. I probably will go with a PC if it weren’t for the extra cost of Windows 7 on a Mac. I LIKE that you drag the damn icon to the garbage and it represents taking the whole program. I’m always afraid I’ll break something whenever a window pops up asking me if I want to do something. But I still know windows enough and… it’s getting good reviews.
Mac’s are still damn cool if I’m buying good customer support, quality, and simplicity. I really like to reward that standard of quality over quantity. Like I said, I own a Wii.
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### Author:  [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/59 "2009-11-02T07:21:11Z")
Macs are fine if you can justify the expense. Just under 1k is what you will spend for a low end apple laptop. I want a macbook to be honest, but can’t justify the expense. I buy 400 dollar laptops and run them down in 4-5 years.
I don’t personally understand brand loyalty or hatred.
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### Author:  [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2009, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-even-consider-getting-a-mac/515808/60 "2009-11-02T07:28:57Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#):
>
> If I had Window on Mac, could I play ‘PC only’ games?
Yes, but you’ll want to keep the specs in mind like I mentioned earlier. Macbook Pro is definitely a better choice if you go that route.
Win 7 will work fine.
> [@](#):
>
> Is there any reason to get a get a store-bought computer? The one we were looking at was similar in price. I don’t know about hidden costs though. (This was a PC at Best Buy)
You mean store-bought vs online ordering? It might be an issue if you need repairs. I buy all my machines online out of habit. It used to be cheaper. Now it’s about even.
Laptops tend to have shorter shelf-lives than desktops just because they take more knocks and dings. Even if you’re careful, it’s easy for something to get banged around. Also, laptops have more severe heating issues since they can’t use big fans like a desktop does. Two years is a little pessimistic but mobility can take its toll.
rbroome -
most of my Mac-related news comes from Ars Technica. In the last few months they’ve mentioned a new version of the most common trojan, this time pretending to be Quicktime, malware from bootleg copies of iwork, and a zombie-Mac botnet running DOS attacks. Mac malware is uncommon but not unheard of.
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