I learned on a Mac and they are much simpler--at least they were way back when. I'm talking mainly about using the computer NOT Internet features. Thinking seriously about getting one when my Dell bites the dust. (Unless someone who actually knows computers has reasons not to.) Hope you get lots of input on your question.

This is NitaAZ I am still at Hayjud's house.

I just got a Mac about a month ago. It does take some getting used to but I really like it. My DH got me a program so that I have windows and it is like having 2 computers in one. I am looking forward to learing more about this machine in the coming months.

I thought about getting one a month ago when my computer died. Sons like theirs. But they are more expensive, so we bought an HP from Costco. Works just great for several hundred less. DH set it up for me.

You'll love a Mac. Your son is right, they're much easier to use and set up than PCs. Get the program Nita recommends.

As an aside, the Mac I'm using to type this is from the last century (1998) so it's a dinosaur by current standards. Nevertheless, it does amazing things very easily. Two of my kids are Mac-only users, and a third is going to get one next week. And, like Toyotas, Macs never seem to need repair! None of us has ever spent a nickel on repairs, and they never crash. Also, so far they are less vulnerable to hackers.

When I was working we used Macs and PCs, so I am used to both. Macs are easier. Like Nita says, it takes a little (but not much!) getting used to, but I think that's because we are used to PCs and as a consequence over-think the Mac.

You'll be glad you switched.

Sherry

I have a MacBook laptop and I love it. It came with all the software I needed. Easy for even me to learn and great customer service.

Listen to your son!

What a timely question! We have been "on the road" (Oregon to Iowa) for a little over a month now and I left home with a 5 day old MACBOOK. What a treat it has been to use, and can it catch a WiFi connection in a blink of an eye . DH has his own laptop and has rarely been able to connect or stay connected while I am in KT heaven keeping up with news weather, friends and family. I am not a computer "whiz" by any stretch....and never thought of myself as being very chatty but,I've been sending travel reports regularly, downloading photo's from my memory stick (new for me)....maybe next comes posting photo's. I do love this MAC.
BTW our son has been trying for years to convert us and I am glad he has! Nanny

We have macs in the house and while I'm a PC person...I'm at least no longer intimated by it...it really is easy once you get the hang of it...I rarely hear my hubster talking about problems with them!!

This is timely!
I replaced my home system just about two weeks ago. I got an iMAC. It does take some getting used to, but I would never go back. So much simpler to use.

FYI, if you are used to using MS Office software (Word, Excel) they have MAC versions. I went ahead and bought that software as well, since I often bring work home with me.

liz ga,

Not to be too intimate, or anything, but ...

... did you mean, "intimidated", maybe?

ole joyfoul

I have a Mac and a PC at work. Hate the PC. I'm a Mac person and would never switch. I have an IBook G4 (laptop) at home. I've had it for several years and it's still going strong and I don't worry about computer bugs either.

I will switch from a Mac when you pry my cold, dead fingers off the keyboard.

Linda

The Microsoft Office products for Macs are not as robust as the programs for Windows computers.

And if the Mac users think Macs are so wonderful, then why would you feel the need to purchase a software program that puts Windows on a Mac???

So you can access stuff your PC friends send you on CDs.

Like Liz was, I am intimidated by Mac's but it's just fear of the unknown. My brother works with computers all day every day and he will ONLY own a Mac. He's my guru and I suspect that eventually I will switch over.

And if the Mac users think Macs are so wonderful, then why would you feel the need to purchase a software program that puts Windows on a Mac???

Directed at my post? Please read where I said, "I often bring work home..." My workplace is 100% PC and I cannot work from home without Excel/Powerpoint/Word, because of my job. If I did not need MS Office for work, I would not have bought the software at all, I find the MAC programs more than adequate.

As to the "robustness" of the MS Office/MAC programs, I disagree. I can perform exactly the same tasks on the MAC that I do in my office, (although to be fair, I have only been doing this for a few weeks now, so I may not have run into the issues you are referring to).

I really appreciate all of your opinions. I think I'll get a Mac, but I'm going to wait a few weeks. I'll have to adjust to having no computer at night, but maybe I'll get more stuff done around the house...lol.

I don't have software to use PC products on my Mac at home and I don't need it either. The only reason I also have a PC at work is because of dealing with outside vendors that don't use Mac software. Granted there is more software developed for the PC but most of it is really just games.

Linda

Lindsey - putting MS office on a Mac is not putting 'Windows' on it, just the programs.

Windows is actually a way to make a DOS machine look and act like a Mac :) A PC is still a DOS shell underneath (and where do you think BG got the idea? Here's a hint - he interned at Apple...)

Oh, I almost forgot the OP! I love Macs and have never used anything else except at work where I have no choice. I also send Excel work home and have had no problems.

You can get a Mac w/the capability of running your Windows programs. That's what we did, but we've never actually gone back and used those programs. Mostly, I wanted the option, in case there was a program we wished we could still use, or if my DH got a file to work on for a project and he needed to be in the Windows universe.

We could have added that capability later, but it was cheaper and easier just to add it in.

I really like our old PrintMaster Gold, and am used to it, so I would still ike to finish setting that up. I haven't worked in Pages (the design/desktop publishing program) very much, and I prefer PrintMaster Gold, plus it has a nice selection of clip art.

Our iMac is REALLY fast, and really powerful.