So after 24 hours use... what do I REALLY think?

[charleski]

I personally find mac OS quite awkward to use

It's largely a result of muscle-memory, you will find the interface you use the most to be the best, simply because you've learnt to use it without thinking. This will happen on any interface switch, and is probably the main reason I found Vista to be a step backward from XP.

I'm considering switching (back) to a Mac and any switcher needs to factor-in this element. The OS will be awkward for the first month until your motor systems relearn the movements needed.

The whole process is actually made worse by the fact that you can easily run your old Windows programs on your new Mac, as you end up switching back-and-forth between two different paradigms and disrupt the learning process. So if you plan to use the Windows programs you know on your new Mac, you should add a couple of months to the time it will take you to feel comfortable with the Mac interface.

[DR]

I've just been asked to get this updated - so time for some updates.

Well I am still using my Mac day-2-day and have had very little problems with it, last week I upgraded to Leopard and I am pretty pleased with the 'service pack' It's not a revolution more of an evolution. The upgrade went without issue, I love stacks etc.

However - I'm miffed that Time Machine won't use an SMB share - which I've got a hack which can be used.

The mouse is still driving me insane... but I am going to replace that with something new soon.

[usxhe190]

good to hear DR

to me...i have never gotten used to using the Mac...it feels so restricted...i.e. you have to feel into the mold and do it in their certain way...PCs are sort of everything and anything goes...

[DR]

I will no doubt use a PC again one day but right now my Mac just 'works'

[ikonia]

have you reverted back to a PC for any tasks on a regular basis, or any on a random basis ?

[DR]

I have a PC based notebook - I've not used it for anything specific....

[Sinizter]

I found my first 24 hrs on Mac OSX pretty entertaining and pleasant. Finding out how little things work, and the pretty looks etc.

But for normal use, my PC is faster, more responsive, programs open faster, and I know how it ticks.

So my mac is doing HTPC duties and I dont use it for anything that I need to do quickly. Playing media files, torrent downloading and basic web browsing. Rest of it will be done on Windows.

[Stoo]

I'm on my 2nd mac laptop (2nd gen macbook), and love it, I've still got windows boxes as well though..

I must say, I am rather temped to simply not bother upgrading the windows boxes ever again and eventually replace them with mac pro's...

[DR]

I wish I was rich like you Stoo.... 'replace them with mac pro's.....'

[charleski]

I want to be there when you walk into the Apple Store and ask for a Family Pack of octo-cores .

[Gordy]

I'm on my 2nd mac laptop (2nd gen macbook), and love it, I've still got windows boxes as well though..

I must say, I am rather temped to simply not bother upgrading the windows boxes ever again and eventually replace them with mac pro's...

Quite tempted to do the same myself

[Stoo]

I wish I was rich like you Stoo.... 'replace them with mac pro's.....'

hahaha

I've only got 2 desktops

but tbh one of them was custom built ages ago, and the other was built up from spares

I want to be there when you walk into the Apple Store and ask for a Family Pack of octo-cores .

That would be quite amusing

Although it'd probably be one at a time over a loooong period

[Jiff Lemon]

Kind of a thread revival, but find this quite interesting having gone through a similar excercise myself;

Mine wasn't by choice - We've taken on a new client who have a variety of Mac's and someone has to be able to support them.

Started by grabbing an old G3 imac from the bay for a tenner - No point in spending big eh? Stuck some spare memory I had in and a bought a copy of OSX. First annoyance straight away. OSX comes on DVD - this thing had a CD so had to spend another tenner to get CD version (why can't I just ORDER the cd version?)

For a 600mhz with half a gig of memory, the thing was suprisingly usable. First thing that was junked was the keyboard and mouse; Microsoft filled that role as the lack of that second mouse button just seems bizarre. Firefox replaced safari, so things began to feel a little bit more comfortable.

The Imac was joined by an Emac (again, ebay bargain, £30 dead - 10 new capicitors (£3) and it lives!), which has become my main machine at home. For general use the swap over to OSX has been fairly trouble free. Some things, however, I simply cannot get used to - I-tunes being the main one here. Guess being a winamp user for years has spoilt me.

I'm also in the process of trying to repair what will be my only Mac - No, not a G5, but a 20" G4 which for me, was Apples best design. The G5 Imac's don't appeal, and whilst the Mac Pro looks fab, If I wanted a PC looking mac, I'd build a PC.

So, my overall opinion? Well, now I see both PC's and Mac's as the same thing. It's just a tool. Select the job first, then use the correct tool, or one you feel more comfortable with, for it.