NWR: Mac or PC?

dori851 · March 2012

FI & I are in the market for a new laptop. We have only ever had PC before, but have heard pretty much nothing but great things about Macs. So, we're kind of stuck! Which one do you have? Do you like it? Would you recommend it? What makes the Mac better than the PC or vise-versa?

In case it matters, I will be using this laptop for my online classes, & then we'll just use it for our everyday web-surfing, etc. Nothing fancy shmancy like making videos or music, etc.

comeongetdown · March 2012

i bought a mac book after hearing all the hype about them. i've always only ever had PCs. i really love my mac, but to be completely honest, if i were to do it all over again i would have shopped around for a PC.

the whole mac operating system is completely different, and granted, it doesn't take that long to figure out, but i work on a PC at work all day, so going back and forth can trip me up sometimes. we bought microsoft office for the mac so that's awesome because now i can work on my wedding stuff at work AND at home hahaha

i think the reason i would look for a PC is just because that's what i've always been used to, that's what i've always had and for the money you'll spend on a mac you can get a really awesome PC laptop.

i'm not trying to persuade you either way, this is just my honest opinion.

i think since you're using it for online classes you might be better off with a PC because that's most likely what the university will use, and sometimes programs or websites that work on PCs may not be compatible with a mac. for example, we can do our timesheets for work online, so if i forget to do it at work i can do it at home, except it doesn't work on my mac. :-/

ETA: oh yeah, if you frequent coffee shops a lot to work on your poetry about how the cold hard world doesn't understand you... you'll need a mac. lol, jk

comeongetdown · March 2012

whichever one you go with, get the extended warranty.... i know from experience. i got the one that covered everything including accidents and it more than paid for itself.

caitlinc09 · March 2012

MAC! I'm currently using my second MAC laptop and I have zero complaints. The battery life is awesome, very user friendly, fast start up and shut down, no problems with viruses or annoying anti virus software required, I could go on for hours. I know this isn't super technical but I know my father as a senior level computer programmer is impressed with it so that speaks a lot for it as well. I'm finishing up college right now and it has done me well all four years!

amanda14lynne · March 2012

I currently have a PC laptop and I really like it... but my Mom works in the tech department at the local school system so she's always bringing home new things to try out and learn. She actually ownes an iphone, ipad (1 and 2) and a MAC.... She has converted me. FI and I will probably get one this Christmas. When we move in together, we will have to share a laptop because his just bit the dust. Oh, the horror... haha! (SN- you can get a PC laptop for a lot less $ than a MAC).

skpurnell · March 2012

Mac- I had a mac in undergrad and never had a single issue with it, and have a school-issued PC for graduate school and hate it. I've had multiple viruses, have gone through 3 hard drives, and it has so many more problems than my mac (slows down all the time, crashes a few times a month, etc...) Once I graduate I will be buying another mac, and don't think I will ever go back. It's worth the extra $$$!!

gpapale1 · March 2012

I used a PC for the longest time, but I switched over to Mac in 2008. I will probably never get a PC again. Although PCs cost much less, they are nothing but trouble! You have to have anti-virus software, defrag your hard drive, deal with slow start up and shut down, crashing, etc. I've never had any of those problems with my Mac.

amandad18 · March 2012

FI is a gadget nerd, so he knows his nerd stuff- He uses Macs for his graphic design/ website creating work, but I use a PC. All I needed was something for notes/ surf the web, so I really don't need the super fast processor speeds/ fancy graphics cards.

Plus, irregardless of what you get, you will end up spending about the same amount- I figured I could pay half as much for my PC laptop now and replace it in about 5 years (which I would probably want to do no matter if it needed it or not) with another one, or get a Mac laptop and probably get a few more years use out of it but in the end wind up paying more.

I had an HP Entertainment Pavillion for 3ish years with no problems (aside from it starting to lag towards the end), and got a Samsung QX411L in October and LOVE it.

mancila60 · March 2012

I prefer PC to me it seems easier to use. It's more obvious with the layout. I have heard great things about both. I am just used to using a PC since that's what I have at work and home. FI has a PC and loves it got a better price on that too.

cswooley · March 2012

I used PC my whole childhood and life and then got a Mac when I graduated high school to take with me to college and I've loved it. It takes a few days to really learn the new operating system, but after you put the time in, I think it's much more intuitive and simple compared to PC. I use a PC at work and have no problem switching back and forth. If nothing else, I get annoyed with my work computer and it's frustrating to me. Since getting my Macbook, my parents have both replaced their desktop PCs with iMacs also.

toothpastechica · March 2012

I have a PC (DELL) and FI has a MAC,

Personally I like the PC better...the mac confuses me, and mine was a lot cheaper, is wayyyy easier and cheaper to fix (can usually fix it myself, especially when its a software issue), where as the macs are such specialized parts that you HAVE to have them serviced if something goes wrong and NOT cheaply!

ALso for school, I cant get into a lot of my online labs from the mac, and have trouble when trying to convert files, so I use the PC exclusively for school. The MAC is better for photo editing, but as far as I can see, thats the only place where it has significant advantage.

Regarding the comments about viruses: Dont download porn and you wont get viruses

, but seriously, I use AVG a free anti-virus software and I have had no issues with viruses in 5 years, have to deal with popups about what they have stopped, but if I paid 10$ a month those wouldnt come up, I'd just rather save the money and it doesnt really bug me that much.

AurorasEnvy · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_nwr-mac-or-pc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:3eb2f2eb-aa27-4a6b-80e1-988f961152d8Post:86d26ea1-1b88-4dd9-9c51-ace3cca5b4b9">Re: NWR: Mac or PC?</a>:
[QUOTE]i bought a mac book after hearing all the hype about them. i've always only ever had PCs. i really love my mac, but to be completely honest, if i were to do it all over again i would have shopped around for a PC. the whole mac operating system is completely different, and granted, it doesn't take that long to figure out, but i work on a PC at work all day, so going back and forth can trip me up sometimes. we bought microsoft office for the mac so that's awesome because now i can work on my wedding stuff at work AND at home hahaha i think the reason i would look for a PC is just because that's what i've always been used to, that's what i've always had and for the money you'll spend on a mac you can get a really awesome PC laptop. i'm not trying to persuade you either way, this is just my honest opinion. i think since you're using it for online classes you might be better off with a PC because that's most likely what the university will use, and sometimes programs or websites that work on PCs may not be compatible with a mac. for example, we can do our timesheets for work online, so if i forget to do it at work i can do it at home, except it doesn't work on my mac. :-/ ETA: oh yeah, if you frequent coffee shops a lot to work on your poetry about how the cold hard world doesn't understand you... you'll need a mac. lol, jk
Posted by comeongetdown[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I agree with this, I don't think they are better enough to justify the cost difference. If you are smart with your surfing, you shouldn't have any problems. I can't remember the last time I had a virus on my PC laptop, and Microsoft offers free antivirus software so that you don't have to purchase or suscribe to one. The compatibility issue is always a PITA with Mac.</div><div>
</div><div>Really the only instance I would rec. a Mac over PC is if you are heavy into graphic design & video editing that have long complicated renders. Or if you want to look really trendy.</div><div>
</div><div>FWIW, I worked 2 years as technical support at my university's library while in school and I'd say I'm more tech savvy than most.</div><div>
</div>

mandi921vh · March 2012

MAC! I have ony ever used MACs. I feel they are user friendly and like others have mentioned you do not need spyware, or virus protection, and rarely will have any problems. If you have any problems most are protected under apple care. I would definitely get the extended 2 years.

I have had my MacBook Pro laptop since June 2009 and FI has had his PC laptop since December 2009. He has had so many problems with his laptop, and is on his 3rd battery. He says he wishes he spent the extra money on a MAC. I have had no problems with my MAC

sfylstra · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_nwr-mac-or-pc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:3eb2f2eb-aa27-4a6b-80e1-988f961152d8Post:dd663939-c495-4c94-8767-b3c48a9ee989">Re: NWR: Mac or PC?</a>:
[QUOTE]I used a PC for the longest time, but I switched over to Mac in 2008. I will probably never get a PC again. Although PCs cost much less, they are nothing but trouble! You have to have anti-virus software, defrag your hard drive, deal with slow start up and shut down, crashing, etc. I've never had any of those problems with my Mac.
Posted by gpapale1[/QUOTE]

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</div><div>
</div><div>THIS. I love my Mac. It's never slow, no strange pop-ups or error messages...</div><div>FI uses a PC and it's always giving him trouble, he often asks me to search something for him when I'm on my Mac, just because he knows its quicker! </div>

bpphoto785 · March 2012

I'm on the Mac bandwagon! My college PC barely lasted me 4 years (it was a Dell) but the Mac I bought after graduation (5 years ago... ugh!) still runs like new. I've NEVER had a problem with it!

I also use a PC at work. i bought Office for Mac and have no problems sending files back and forth. I have more problems with XP versions of files from other PCs than anything from my Mac!

Tully16 · March 2012

I have a Macbook Pro and love it. It's the first Mac I have ever owned. I bought it after having numerous issues with two Dell laptops right in a row. Though it is pricey, the battery life is great, the construction is sturdy, and the speed is amazing!!! My Dell laptops slowed waaaaay down after a few months of use. I'd frequently have to wipe them out in order to make the laptop run quickly again. I've now had my Macbook for almost two years and it still has the same speed as the day I've bought it! I've never had to wipe it out. In my opinion, it's worth the money.

COSmitty · March 2012

If you are a PC user and you get a Mac buy the one-on-one support with it... for 1 year it's a bunch of classes and makes the transition really a million times easier.

I do a ton of support and have been using PCs for over 15 years... I am loving my MacAir laptop. It's light and easy and once I took the classes I was pretty good.

I have done both and for personal I like the Mac... for work it will always be PC due to software.

NWR: Mac or PC?

Re: NWR: Mac or PC?

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