Are MAC (apple) computers worth it?

I use an HP so cannot tell, but family members who have Apples swear by them.

I had Gateway and Dell units before this. Viruses got 'em both, alas.

More money but in the longterm less expensive than a PC. I converted over from a PC to MAC five years ago. It was the best computer ownership decision I ever made. I have more free time for running, and other life events.

Non-techie wrote:

Are MAC (apple) computers worth it?

What are your needs? For most, MACs aren't worth it. Look at consumer reports where MACs are usually rated in the middle & are priced more than the top rated computers & laptops.

Yes. Buy a MacIntosh.

You based your don't buy a MAC on consumer reports? You never actually owned one have you?

Buy a MAC and save yourself the nightmare of owning a PC.

IT consultants love PCs. They keep them in business.

IT consultants hate MACs.

Definitely not. Had a Mac Pro desktop that cost me $4000 and died the first day I brought it home. Had to email Steve Jobs directly to get them to fix it within a few days. The fan ran 24-7 and it was sluggish.Sold it, bought an Asus laptop and haven't been happier.I use my computers for photography work and no games.

Non-techie wrote:

Are MAC (apple) computers worth it?

Definitely YES. Had a Asus laptop that cost me $400 and died the first day I brought it home. Tried to email the manufacturer but they never responded. The fan ran 24-7 and it was sluggish.

Sold it, bought an Macbook laptop and haven't been happier.

I use my computers for REAL work and no games.

Gastronicus wrote:

I use an HP so cannot tell, but family members who have Apples swear by them.

I had Gateway and Dell units before this. Viruses got 'em both, alas.

Viruses didn't "get" your computers. If you bought a new computer because your old one had a virus then you failed epically and don't really have a valid opinion here

Only as compared to everything else.

They make your dick bigger

An ENTRY level macbook Pro laptop starts out at $1,100 (without taxes.

Keep that in mind when asking if they're worth it. Here are the specs you get for that $1,100.

13-inch: 2.5GHz

2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5

4GB 1600MHz memory

500GB 5400-rpm hard drive1

Intel HD Graphics 4000

Built-in battery (up to 7 hours)

So no, macs are NOT worth it. Do your homework.

macos is better so spend the money and you won't be disappointed.

I hope I don't jinx myself. But yes they are. I had every brand you could imagine. They were always getting viruses, stalling, and died within a year. My mac was my best purchase. It's is a good 5 years old and still going strong. Even after some coffee spills and drops. :)

once u go mac, you don't go back.

those who say MAC > PC highlight the software capabilities (viruses, blue screens, ease of use)

those who say PC > MAC highlight the hardware underneath (CPU, RAM, disk, video)

there is your answer - which do you value?

unfortunately, the "good" software isn't available on the "inexpensive" hardware (legitimately)

MAC - the one we hate to love

PC - the one we love to hate

Mac's are worth it if you are technologically illiterate and have a sub-par understanding of what it takes to keep a computer clean and working.

If you understand the very basic principles of using a PC such as not downloading obscure file formats, keeping your updates in check, and making sure you don't have multiple applications running, you should be fine using a PC.

The effort it takes to learn proper computer skills is not worth double (or more) the price of an actual PC.

That being said, if you oodles of cash to blow and don't really mind the lack of software functionality, knock yourself out.

this here wrote:

Mac's are worth it if you are technologically illiterate and have a sub-par understanding of what it takes to keep a computer clean and working...

Spoken like a true computer guru.

You neglected that PeeCees are ever changing. Only people who don't value their personal time chose to waste their lives keeping up with the always changing computer cleaning requirements of PeeCees. Amazingly, the housekeeping cleaning requirements on MACs is minimal.

yesssum wrote:I had every brand you could imagine. They were always getting viruses, stalling, and died within a year.

What the hell were you doing to your computers? I don't think I could kill a computer within 1 year if I tried.

A mac doesn't get viruses because it runs a Unix-based OS. There are plenty of other Unix options that don't require extravagantly costly platforms.

Bad Wigins wrote:

A mac doesn't get viruses because it runs a Unix-based OS. There are plenty of other Unix options that don't require extravagantly costly platforms.

uh, no.

There is no point in making viruses for a computer OS which only a fraction of the world uses. Very small fraction. Point of making them is to steal data.

With this in mind, I do support MAC, to an extent. If you're a guy who plans on just jumping on the computer to do norma everyday email web surfing, a MAC is good, but you could get a $300 emachine and hook it up to the TV. I keep my anti virus updated automatically, just browse on websites like netflix, gmail, & youtube. I have a stand alone which is off the net which I do work on. If I need to download something, I have an old computer with Fedora on it I bought back in 2000 which I use to download stuff off sites that may be sketchy.

If you have the money to blow on a MAC, go for it, but it's just a matter of time til more viruses come out for MAC especially when they start getting into doing network infrastructure for businesses, then MAC OS viruses will spike.

If you plan on doing hardcore gaming, a PC is your best option. A strong motherboard can last years and take various upgrades as they get cheaper, in the end, costing less than getting a top of the line MAC. That's really my only problem with MAC is their price. Businesses, just don't like how horrible their infrastructure support is currently (Intra-nets)