PC or Mac?

What sort of computer(s) do you use, and why?

I made the switch to Mac about 13 months ago (before the cool and fun ads). I was mainly tired of battling spyware that seemed to infect my PC no matter what anti-spyware protection or browsers I used. After several hard drive crashes in one year, I'd had enough, and I ordered a iBook G4. It took me a while to figure out a few things - like the fact the apple key equates to the command key, f'rinstance - but overall, it was a painless switch and I wished I'd done it years ago (like my Dad, who is on his third Mac after buying himself one at retirement. I'm not sure he ever had a Windows-based PC).

I was pleased enough with the iBook that I decided this fall to buy a desktop Mac for our family computer as well, to replace one aging laptop (a 2001 Dell) and another 2004 model (an Averatec) that's had one problem after another. I ordered a refurbished iMac this fall, direct from Apple. It's basically been fine, but it has its quirks, mostly with printing. Sometimes we can print documents from the Internet; sometimes we can't. Sometimes we can print from Word for Mac; other times, no dice. So I probably need a Mac-savvy tech to come over and assess the situation. Any good recommendations?

Overall, I am pleased with my Mac experience. However, I've learned there are some things that I just can't do on a Mac. For example, I can't access the Idaho Democrats' voter data base on a Mac, and the website-building tools at Network Solutions - on which I've built professional websites for many years - also performs poorly on Mac (and NetSol seems uninterested in remedying the situation, despite the growing numbers of Mac users). So we keep the rickety Averatec laptop around just for these situations. It's literally falling apart, though. And no, just because the new Mac can reboot to run Windows doesn't mean I'll let it. The whole idea with ditching Windows was to get around spyware and viruses.

Happily, TypePad (this blogging platform), my email, and just about everything else works great on a Mac, though I do find myself switching back and forth between browsers. (Safari is best for email; Firefox, for just about everything else).

Comments

[John McGimpsey]

Julie -

I'm a Mac-head from way back (since Amiga went away), though I do PC as well. I'm also a Microsoft MVP for Office, so I may be able to help, though I can't just pop over for a house call.

I have no trouble accessing the Voter database using Safari or Firefox (and have used Chimera and Opera as well). The only quirk I've had is that the vendors have set up printing for PC-IE, so the pages don't line up quite right (but then I customize my printouts anyway).

[Jessica]

I use a PC, but I also have a iMac. I would like to make the switch to the new Mac laptops, but I am very happy with my laptop I purchased 16 months ago (Fujitsu). I actually have a Compaq laptop and a Fujitsu, and then an iMac.

When my Fujitsu stops working, or I decide to upgrade, I will seriously look at an iBook, though keep an open mind because I love Fujitsu's.

[Julie Fanselow]

John, are you saying you can do VAN on your Mac?! This is the message I get when I access it via Safari and Firefox:

"It appears that you are not using Internet Explorer as your browser. Because this site was developed for Internet Explorer, you could encounter some problems if you continue to use this browser."

So I've always just stopped there. Maybe I should forge ahead!

[Julie Fanselow]

As for the printing issue with Office for Mac, it seems isolated to the iMac. I don't have the printing problems at all with the iBook.

Jessica, thanks for the good word on Fujitsu. At some point, I'll probably need to replace the Averatec with another Windows laptop, so I'll keep that in mind.

[Scott Wells]

I'd

1. Use the Firefox browser on your Mac.

2. If you can't use Firefox for the Id. Dem db, ask their IT person why. It has enough of a market share -- more than Safari anyway -- to merit some attention. Or see if the db can "take" Netscape Navigator. Firefox is essentially a successor to Navigator, and I've found many sites that don't think they can be seen by Firefox do because of a legacy connection to Navigator.

[John McGimpsey]

Julie -

Just ignore the message, and access VAN in your favorite browser. Works fine for me.

[Jessica]

It is very difficult to find Fujitsu's. I got mine in the Seattle area. Apparently Fujitisu's are known for having the best screens-just look at the picture you get on a Fujitsu vs. any other laptop and be amazed at the impressive quality and difference.

I have had Compaq, HP, and Averatec laptops. This Fujitsu beats them all hands down.

The only other brand I will consider is a Sony, but you overpay for the name and you get more bang for your buck with a Fujitsu.

But this is just my humble opinion.