Considring replacing Windows 7 computer with Apple

Gratitude

New member
First, I have a lot of Windows programs on my current PC. In searching this site, I have not seen any conversations comparing Windows vs Apple. I believe that there is an Apple program called parallel that will allow a Mac to run windows programs in the back ground.

With the recent warnings to uninstall QuickTime, and Apples dropping support for Picassa, I am considering options.

Thank you for your time and considerations.

Gratitude (Jim)
 
Hi Jim,
I am an Apple guy, although I have several windows computers for my business.
I find it faster, more reliable and easier to run, with better security. Also the I pad, iPhone and i pod, all interface nicely with the Apple OS.

Boot Camp is a native Mac program which comes on an Apple Computer, and will run Windows programs. There are 3rd party programs also, such as Parallels.

The advantage of Parallels is that you don't have to reboot the computer when you switch between Windows and Mac OS.

I have a 15" MacBook Pro, and the 27" screen, with ports, for graphics and photo shop. The 13" Macbook Air, was, and to some extent is my daily work horse, but more of the time, I use the 12" Retina Macbook most of the time, because it is light and not much bigger than the iPad (especially with the keyboard case), and is far faster to use.
 
With a good 15" laptop PC starting at $250 and top-of-the-line I7 PC going for $700, why would anybody consider a Mac? I know people do, but I can't see it. Especially if you have a lot of PC programs. You want them to run on an emulator?

Boris
 
Windows PCs are generally more for people that are of a technical bent and like to play around with them (e.g. engineers, gamers). Apple computers are more for "non-technical" people (e.g. artists, musicians) who consider the computer more of an appliance like a TV or refrigerator. You turn it on and it just works.
 
I purchased my first Apple computer (Mac Mini) in 09 and a MacBookPro in 11. I got very tired of Microsoft PC problems, constant updates, security flaws, anti-virus programs, etc. My last Windows OS was Windows 7.

First off, Apple computers are more expensive than Windows.

What do you get? Better hardware, Long uptime, with many fewer reboots. A company that builds both the hardware and the software. A company that has real, English speaking support folks. Free one year warranty and support and the provision to extend that warranty and support to 3 years. There are no viruses that can infect an Apple computer, so no need for anti-virus programs. Apple has a built in anti malware program.

The Apple OS has many built in programs or apps that can do almost everything that you can do on Windows. All apps for Apple are distributed thru the Apple App Store and are safe, some are free, some are pay for.

Downside? There is a learning curve, Apple computers do not operate exactly the same as Windows. Do not just try to do things the Windows way on an Apple. Expect some frustration at first. I recommend taking a class or two, and reading on the Apple support forums.

A good Apple support forum is http://www.mac-forums.com . It is like the c-brats with experts who will help you. If you are considering a Mac computer, go there first and read the 'Switchers Hangout' forum. It's at http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/switcher-hangout/ .

Summary, Seven years now using Apple computers, iPad, and now iPhone. I will not go back to the Windows world.
 
I recently had to replace my old 32 bit Compaq laptop because they no longer make batteries for it. I was forced into buying a 64 bit laptop, Windows 10 system.

My greatest fear was my older version of Capn's Voyager and the MS GPS puck that I use for navigation would not work and I would be forced to buy a newer program.

Was I surprised when Capn's loaded right in and the system recognized my GPS. :smiled I added an open source word processor for my log and an upgraded e-mail program and I'm ready to go again.
 
My thought would be that there is no one right answer, and it just depends. I've always used Macs for my own computers (since 1988 or so - whee, 2mb of RAM!), but have always used Windows machines at work.

In "the old days" (mostly pre-Internet) it was kind of a hassle having a Mac, because if anything went wrong, people always had the "Oh, you have a Mac" response, and there was no way to really argue it (and no Internet to go to to figure it out on your own). Once the Internet came along, not only could you figure things out, but that argument kind of went away (because it's not likely to be my computer's fault if an e-mail can't get to its destination, a web page goes awry, etc.). Then when the iPhone and iPads came along, lots of people suddenly had Apple stuff so you were no longer a cult weirdo.

Another argument (back then) was that there were so many fewer programs for Mac than Windows. That may still be true now (I don't know), but there are so vastly many programs (and apps) that it may not matter if there are "only" 100 of a certain type of program for Mac and 200 for Windows.

On the other hand, if your core use is heavily involved in a Windows program, it may make more sense to use a Windows machine. I have a few isolated things I need to use Windows for, but they are just that, isolated. And I prefer Macs, so it's an easy choice for me.

As far as cost, yep, Macs cost more. However, (and I speak in the laptop world, as that is my world) they last a fairly long time if you are not a super/uber power user who just has to upgrade constantly. My first iBook (just after OSX came out) was $1500 back in around 2001. Shocking. BUT, it worked well for me until I replaced it in 2010, so that's not much more than $150 a year. The only repairs it required were covered by Apple.

The computer I replaced it with was also $1500 and was a bit of a lemon. It never left me stranded, but had a few things done under warranty, and then, a year AFTER the warranty expired, a big issue (logic board). I dragged dejectedly into the Apple store and after some conferencing they handed me a brand new computer (!). Not that I didn't deserve it as I had already had the logic board replaced under warranty some years ago, but they sure didn't have to do that. I'm still using that computer, so now it's amortized to around $250 per year and still going down. I'm happy with that. For the amount I use a laptop it's a tool, and I never mind spending money on a good tool. If it looks good (to me), so much the better. Another factor is that used Macs go for very good prices, so if you sell them you can often get quite a bit of money towards the next one (they are easy to wipe clean for re-sale).

Once Mac went to OSX, and then later Windows became more similar, I really didn't find that much difference between working at work (Windows) or at home (Mac). Just little things. Now I don't use a Windows computer at work anymore, so haven't kept up on things.

Anyway, I like them, obviously. But just like most other things there is no one, right answer as to which is "best." To me, Macs are the best. That doesn't mean there is nothing I would change about them - or that they are best for everyone - just that for me they are the best choice.
 
On a forum where the whole reason for existing is a boat that is decidedly different from other boats - and is a bit more expensive than "the average" boat - I find this discussion interesting.

Singles vs twins. Raymarine vs Garmin. Fishing vs cruising. Tow vehicles made for the task vs tow vehicles that might be OK for the task. Wallas vs every other type of heater/stove.

Just like all of the above, the choice of a computer comes down to what works best for you. I'll admit a bias. I bought my first Apple IIe back in the early 80s; the first MacIntosh in 1984. We used Macs in our photography business. By the time we made the switch to a full digital lab, Kodak chose to go with PCs for running some proprietary software that ran the printing equipment. We were forced to use PCs for some of our studio work. No one on the staff liked 'em, but we used 'em. These days, Macs and PCs are like Android and iPhone: the generally do the same stuff.

From my perspective, the Macs do it in a more fluid manner (yes, I have used the equivalent software on both). IMHO, they are worth the additional cost because they simply work better. Just like a diesel pickup is a better tow vehicle for a CD-25 or TomCat. Or, a C-Dory is a better boating solution than a similar size (and less expensive) ___liner (fill in the blank :wink: ).

If cheap is what you're looking for, there are options for that in every market. You pay your money, you make your choice. I've heard it said: if your truck was like a computer, you wouldn't put up with a vehicle that locked up part way into a trip... one that was priced with the least expensive engine, 4 barely adequate tires, and a speedometer that just "spins and spins." :mrgreen: In that case, you would opt for a GMC (Mac) instead of a Dodge (PC). :twisted:

Just havin' a bit of fun! 8)
 
Thank you one and all for your thoughts, and recommendations. For now I will stay with my Windows 7 machine, and upgrade to a Mac when necessary. Therefore, for now, which software program/s would the group recommend to get my pictures off my iPhone 6 plus since Apple no longer supports exports to Picasa.

Thanks,
Jim
 
You can download Apple iTunes 12.3.3 for Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10. It will sync your iPhone to your computer, and transfer photos. iTunes will also play music and video. You can also purchase music and movies from iTunes.

The link for direct download from Apple is: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Beware of downloading from any other source, crapware and malware could be attached.
 
In my opinion, Windows 7 was not the best OS...I still run SE on may business computer (no longer supported, but it does the job well). I have had Windows thru OS 8--but not 10. There is some software which only works on a PC--and that is one of the reasons I have a cheap PlC, with OS 8.
 
Gratitude":2aadr8gb said:
Thank you one and all for your thoughts, and recommendations. For now I will stay with my Windows 7 machine, and upgrade to a Mac when necessary. Therefore, for now, which software program/s would the group recommend to get my pictures off my iPhone 6 plus since Apple no longer supports exports to Picasa.

Thanks,
Jim

In 2006, I completely turned my back on Windoze, except for work. This has been thoroughly addressed above, so no need to touch it here except to point out that Jim (Wild Blue) pretty effectively demolished Boris's (Journey On) argument! :-) (Just kidding, Boris! Whatever works best for you is OK with me!)

Getting photos off your iPhone is trivial. As noted, iTunes can do it. But in my mind, a better alternative is Dropbox. If you don't have Dropbox, run don't walk to get it. It is free. When installed, as soon as you connect your iPhone to your computer running Dropbox, the import starts automatically. The photos get renamed so the first part of the name is the date they were taken. Dropbox has both a local folder and a cloud folder called Camera Uploads, and whatever you import ends up in both folders. If you add or delete something to your local folder, that change is mirrored in your cloud folder, and vice versa. The naming part REALLY helps me keep stuff organized, and I usually rename any picture I want to keep between the date and the .jpg extension!

Here is a picture from a few days ago, in Camera Uploads it is 2016-04-15 10.43.06.jpg. I would rename this 2016-04-15 Access Port Cover.jpg.

Fuel_Tank_Access_Port_Cover.sized.jpg
 
journey on":17rbsohi said:
With a good 15" laptop PC starting at $250 and top-of-the-line I7 PC going for $700, why would anybody consider a Mac? I know people do, but I can't see it. Especially if you have a lot of PC programs. You want them to run on an emulator?

Boris

Because at work, where the Security Team reported to me, Tuesday was known as Microsoft Tuesday. That's when the latest Microsoft security vulnerability patch was released. Just about every Tuesday.

Apple isn't impervious to hacking, but I believe a lot more quality assurance goes into their products.

And, as mentioned above... They just work!
 
I use Windows 7 and don't really have a lot of issues. I run free Avira anti virus software. I run Coastal Explorer on a laptop for navigation with a USB type GPS puck and save routes as Windows files. The laptop has a 14" screen so that's a deal for a 14" screen considering what big chart screen plotters costs.. For me I don't really care for Apple in general. I use a Samsung Droid for a phone no IPhone for me. I thought Apple were like gangsters with the music thing. ITunes has it's fair share of updates. I would consider one of the new surface Microsoft Surface Pro-4 touch screens. Then you have a computer with the same manufacturer providing the software.
D.D.
 
I just upgraded 5 family pcs (desktop and lap tops) running WIn XP and 7 to Windows 10 and m2cw it is a lot better than XP, Vista, 7 and 8.

For security I have 2 firewalls (builtin and router) and run AVG free and Malwarebytes pro along with WIN 10 tools

I reinstalled Yamaha Diagnostic Software (it is old) and it works. Which is handy wen working on Yamaha OBs

I also have an older Mac Book for scanning and ibook that I passed on to a relative.

I am OS neutral and use WIN pcs at work exclusively at work. I estimate 38 PCs . Others have iphones and ipads, Thus more familiar with WIN OS and made over 100 microbiology educational CDS using mostly free software like Producer from MS (thank you, thank you) which has made our microbiology group a small fortune but I didnt accept a penny

I use gdocs or Drive. It is free and Office 365 yearly subscription. I use Pilcasa but like Adobe Elements entry level software better.

I have Android phone and iPad Air so keenly prefer cloud storage, apps and Office 365 drive came with 1 TB compared with 20G free Google space. Both offer very useful collaboration features like sharing doc and spreadsheet files with many uses

One of the biggest improvement was swapping out a fast 10K rpm HD for Solid state drive ... SSD on my main and older desktop. For $60 drive, it is very fast and smooth and bought a new High Def monitor and card. The monitor is so sharp/ Other disk drives are installed on desktop and made into USB external drives. I bought a $5 blue tooth adapter for the PC so the phone and tablet can access it by bluetooth

Sorry I dont think I answered your Q
 
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