New computer advice

Post by **Kate** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 18:50

My computer has started turning itself off (usually at the most inopportune moments) and when I turn it back on it says something about it being over temperature. It is over five years old, and the tower is in an enclosed space so am assuming it has something to do with that.
As I spend so much time on it, I think it's maybe trying to tell me something - that it is time for a new computer. Am considering a Mac. Can anyone give me any advice, reasons why I should or shouldn't get a Mac. I am reasonably computer literate, but only know what I know, if you see what I mean. Would a Mac mean a complete change in handling as I am an old dog and not sure that I could learn new tricks!!
Any advice where to get one? I need a specialist computer place I think, as I will need all info transferring for me and programmes loaded etc.
Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Sav · Post by **Sav** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 19:07

Hi Kate

This may help

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 019AAmLUbJ

Cheers Sav

interiors66 · Post by **interiors66** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 19:24

we bought a new p.c. from a shop in cabestany near the asia centre about 2 years ago now. we printed a spec from the dell web site and said this is what we are looking for and they matched like for like with their own brand but costing half the price (€1200 down to €600)they loaded windows xp in english as well. we have had no pppppppprrrrooobbblems wwwitthh it aaaattttttaaalll , thats better it just needs a kick sometimes (only joking). all in all a good service at a good price.

polremy · Post by **polremy** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 19:48

I've got a MacBookPro.
Have only ever had two computers.
Have only ever had a Mac.
In fact my first one was working perfectly well until mr pr took a hatchet to it last week - it was purchased last century!
I was really lucky - I happened to pose a question on Living France forum about how to add a scanner to my iMac (my lovely green one wot is not more).
I was given advice but had to keep asking him more questions as I was (andstill am) very very dim. I was an inexperienced cybernaut.
But he didn't give up on me.
The kind chap eventually flew into Barcelona (from Newcastle, man); we picked him and his wife up at the airport ("the man you met on the internet" as my daughter always referred to him) and he stayed for a week playing around and adding all sorts of bits and bobs and giving me tutorials.
He is a Mac fanatic and would help anyone, anytime.
He helped me get the MacBookPro up and running a couple of years ago and talked me through wireless connection too.
(We bought it through Apple - it arrived by post - but then we wanted an English keyboard and setup cos I touch type and can't cope with a z up there!)
I'm sure he would love to help you if you do decide to buy a Mac and need assistance.
Try posting on Living France.
If he doesn't respond then I'll give you his email address.

Colin L · Post by **Colin L** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 20:29

I have always used Macs, simply because that was the platform we used in our schools and so I was familiar with them before buying my first one. Never had any problem with them - very robust; do all you want; fantastic for graphics; easy to use (you don't really need to ship someone in to show you how!); not prone to getting viruses (never had one ever); easy to back up important stuff like your photos (hint, hint); great integration of applications; synchronisation of calendar, e-mail, settings, bookmarks etc amongst different computers; secure webspace for storing stuff that is accessible on any computer anywhere.

I can't really make a comparison with PCs which may do all of these things too: all I can say is you won't be disappointed with a Mac.

BUT, you do have to take care if you plan to change that you don't find yourself with software that is not Mac compatible. For example the rather important software that runs your website and the forum.

Post by **Kate** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 21:22

Thanks for the info so far.
I will go and have a chat with the guy in Mas Guerido.
Yes Colin. That is my problem. I'm pretty familiar with all my software (in a very amateur sort of way) for running site, forum etc and am worried that is something isn't compatible I wont know how to adapt! Might just take the advice given in the link from Sav and clean my computer!!

russell · Post by **russell** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 21:40

Hi Kate,

First, do you really need (or want) a new computer? Your problem with overheating is almost certainly just a build up of dust. All you need do is unplug it, take the covers off, and dust it using a paintbrush (new, not covered in paint!) and a vacuum cleaner, replace the covers, plug it back in, and it should be good for another few years.

As for Mac v. PC, unless money is no object I would go for a PC. They are much better value for money (about 2 to 1).

My humble opinion on the alternatives:
Mac:
Double the price of a Windows PC
No danger of viruses
Smart external design
Hardware and operating system (OS) from one company (fewer compatibility problems)
Additional software is expensive and limited
Only one manufacturer - less choice.

Windows PC
Cheaper
Must use anti-virus software and still some danger
Clunky appearance
Much more choice of hardware at lower prices
Easy to upgrade except that you have to pay to upgrade the OS
Lots of software choice, some free (such as OpenOffice instead of MS Office)
Lots of manufacturers and competition

Linux PC
Cheaper (same PC but OS and software are free)
Less choice unless you install the OS yourself (Dell are one of the few suppliers of ready to go systems)
Used to be a bit geeky but now has a similar look and feel to Windows
Very secure, no virus threats
Any new software you want is just a click or two away and free.
Lots of manufacturers and competition.

Russell.
[/b]

Colin L · Post by **Colin L** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 22:11

I'm always amazed at one of the differences between PC and Mac which Russell refers to. I see PCs with this big stack of stuff under the desk whereas my iMac has everything built into what amounts to no more than a rather elegant looking flat screen TV on top of my desk. Don't know why there has to be such a difference, but maybe that's part of what I paid more for.

polremy · Post by **polremy** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 22:33

My thoughts too, Colin, but much more elegantly put than I could have managed.

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 22:45

I'd agree 100% with Colin - go for a Mac.
I have had a succession of Macs since the early '90s (since my professional days with the BBC), currently a four-year-old (or more) iBook. Never had a sniff of a virus or a real crash. The present Mac OS is based on UNIX, the OS behind the majority of the major web servers, and is supremely stable.
You should have no problem switching from windows to the Mac environment, hell, you can even run windows on the Mac if you really want to.
The only caveat, as Colin rightly points out, is the possibility of cross-platform software compatibility issues with specialist programmes though it sounds as if Polremy's Mr MacFixit should be able to advise.
Sorry to hear of the fate of your iMac, Pol, my previous computer was a lime-green iMac - served me well.
Bonne chance, Kate.

Colin L · Post by **Colin L** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 22:51

Kate
It wouldn't be a matter of your having to adapt if the site software couldnt be transferred to a Mac, but simply a matter of it not working at all. I haven't need to install much since the Mac comes with virtually all you need in the package, but if I do, I have to make sure I get a Mac version.

It used to be that installing software on a PC could be problematic. The IT section in my education offices wouldn't allow anyone else to install on a PC whereas installing on a Mac was and is a dawdle for anyone to do.

How can you resist anything as sexy as this? (That's it - nothing under the desk!)

mrob343 · Post by **mrob343** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 23:14

Colin L wrote:Kate
It wouldn't be a matter of your having to adapt if the site software couldnt be transferred to a Mac, but simply a matter of it not working at all. I haven't need to install much since the Mac comes with virtually all you need in the package, but if I do, I have to make sure I get a Mac version.

It used to be that installing software on a PC could be problematic. The IT section in my education offices wouldn't allow anyone else to install on a PC whereas installing on a Mac was and is a dawdle for anyone to do.

How can you resist anything as sexy as this? (That's it - nothing under the desk!)

Looks like the decision's been made Kate !

Take a look:
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/s ... General-UK

Cheers

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 23:18

I changed two computers this year. Both are Dell machines. One is a laptop and I'm quite happy with this unit. It ended up for 575€. This laptop was a 17" screen and had a good hard drive and a fast microprocessor.

The second unit is a Dell Optiplex 780. This gave me two hard drives and lots of bells and whistles. There is a lot of space for internal bays to put more cartes, drives, and other toys. This model also allows me to open this unit without needing tools. It's just simple to open~you push a button and it's ready to play around inside.

Again, Dell gave me a three year guarantee with will arrive in my house to fix my machine in the second day of the problem. This is a winner.

Both of my new computers have English version of Windows 7. The other software is in English too. The keyboard is a QWERTY and it has an international keyboard.

The total price of the Optiplex 780 arrived to 1,000 € +/-.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have bought a lot of material from the shop in Mas Guerido ~ D & B Media. They're honest and knowledgeable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

People agree that a Mac will not be needed for anti-virus software. Forget that~that's in the past. Same for the Linux. Both have viruses and need the anti-virus programs. This is the real time!

Mac software isn't as available as a PC and it's a lot more expensive. Look into some software companies and compare. If you're using Word or Excel, check with the company Rue du Commerce. com . They will give you an idea of how much extra you will need to buy new software for your new Mac. To put my two new computers to start being ready, I paid zip for new software. I have quite a few expensive programs and they work with the new Windows 7. Look closely at the extra cost to change over to a Mac. Plus, if you have a laptop, you probably need to change the laptop over too. Cher!!!!

Blackduff

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 23:34

Damn! "Mac OS based on Linux..."! meant to say UNIX, of course (specifically a shell written by good old Mr Bourne and called BASH, for Bourne Again SHell, if that is meaningful to anyone).

And, Kate / Colin, surely all the clever PHP stuff and the like is handled for your site by the web server - shouldn't matter what you use to communicate with it - certainly is for my sites.

Pol, I've lost count of the number of printers, scanners, HDDrives, etc that I've connected over the years and I have never installed a driver to go with them, Mac OS knows them all.

Dave

Colin L · Post by **Colin L** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 23:39

I'm not in a position to make a detailed comparison: all I can do is to say how pleased I have been with Macs and why. I wouldn't dream of changing now.

I am curious about the matter of more expensive software, though. Mostly the software you need is in the package, so what additional software might you need? Well, I did install Photoshop Elements for instance (although the iPhoto provided has a good range of editing tools) but the Mac version was the same price as the Windows one. And that has been true of the few other things I have installed.

You do need to be aware, however, of where the Mac is not supported. Internet Explorer for example is not supported. But Apple's own Safari is pretty good and Firefox is supported and works well.

Dave - your point about the php stuff and the server may well be the case, but obviously Kate needs to have this checked out. I do have a challenge for you though: find me a driver for my canoscan 8000F for Mac OS 10.5.8

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 23:45

I switched from an extremely old Dell PC to an iMac, just over a year ago. It's got a 24 in screen and looks every bit as stylish as other people have already said. It's very intuitive to use, it's brilliant for graphics, is good to go from switch-on within about 30" and has an incredible light keyboard action. No thumping like a typewriter required (unlike my pc at work!)

To cope with compatibility issues with work documents I bought the full microsoft Office-for-mac software but, even so, find I need to be careful how I save documents if I know it's going back into my work environment which is totally pc based.

The big issue Kate, will be transferring across all your old documents and, as Colin says, being sure that the website and the forum package will even operate on a mac before you even think about replacing your pc with one.

I know Apple has a real monopoly, but I love the way more and more devices integrate seamlessly with its OS. Today, I transferred music tracks and photos from the i-Mac to an i-Touch and it was really simple. Next on the list is an i-Pad - once they're more readily available.

Kate, I think you'd get on really well with a Mac, but the website/forum/old document transfers are big issues to have answers to before you fall under the spell.

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Sun 06 Jun 2010 23:55

MRob
It's a nice looking computer but there were two problems. First, I ran the selections for the choices and the total price arrived to £2570. That's a whopper. The second problem is that there's no place to put my router card to make my desktop a Wi-Fi. Hmmmm! Pretty expense for not having the bells and whistles you need.

Blackduff

Colin L · Post by **Colin L** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 00:05

blackduff wrote:MRob
It's a nice looking computer but there were two problems. First, I ran the selections for the choices and the total price arrived to £2570. That's a whopper. The second problem is that there's no place to put my router card to make my desktop a Wi-Fi. Hmmmm! Pretty expense for not having the bells and whistles you need.

Blackduff

£2570

How did you reach that sort of price? The Apple shop is showing the 21.5" starting at £969 and the 27" starting at £1378.

As to the second "problem", you don't need a place to put your router card in a computer that comes with Airport built in. The machine is already set up for Wifi.

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 00:30

Colin
If you start with the basic iMac 27", add these items:
2.8 GHz Quad Core i7 ~£160
8 GB memory ~ £ 163
iwork Preinstalled ~ £55
Aperature 3 ~ £169
Filemaker Pro ~ 249
Apple Care Pro Plan ~ £139

Total price ~ £2,569.95

Mac's best reason to buy is the graphics. Buying cheap on the microprocessor, when you have this Intel Quad Core i7. Same for the smaller amount of memory ~ buy enough to use what you've bought.

I don't find the Wi-Fi built-in on the list for this unit but if it's in there already, it's great. Yet, there's still not another card for extra USB 2 or 3 slots.

Dell has some nice slim models too but I bought the big, large model. Like some women, they come in various sizes.

Blackduff

mrob343 · Post by **mrob343** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 00:45

blackduff wrote:MRob
It's a nice looking computer but there were two problems. First, I ran the selections for the choices and the total price arrived to £2570. That's a whopper. The second problem is that there's no place to put my router card to make my desktop a Wi-Fi. Hmmmm! Pretty expense for not having the bells and whistles you need.

Blackduff

Yeah, ageed Blackduff..... they are expensive but they do provide an impressive computer experience...
I had a high spec pc built in the UK here:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/
Windows 7 and all the whistles and bells..

Cheers

Roger O · Post by **Roger O** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 00:49

Have a look at this one, Kate:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/desktops ... vpc-l11s1e

As to help with transfers etc... as you speak perfect French, I would highly recommend Mr. Durand - as already detailed in other threads.
http://www.toulinformatix.com/
Don't mess with him, though - he's a black belt!!!

Colin L · Post by **Colin L** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 01:13

Yes indeed, the graphics are outstanding which is why the Mac is the industry standard in the graphic design world. Your add-ons are interesting, but I think your requirements are more demanding than the norm. You no doubt have reasons to need the extra performance of the quad-core machine at £1634, but how necessary is that for ordinary users like me? And all the iMacs now come with 4 GB memories. You need an additional 8 GB? Wow.

Filemaker Pro is, like the software I mentioned earlier, the same price for the Windows version as for the Mac. I don't know an equivalent application for Windows to Aperture 3, but again Photoshop or the cheaper Photoshop Elements is the same price for whichever platform.

I know Macs are not cheap, but I do wonder if you are really comparing like with like when you consider all the specs.

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 05:13

Colin
The i5 microprocessor can only use 4 GB of memory. If you choose the i7 microprocessor,it can use the 8 GB of memory.

I have a friend who has just bought a new desktop PC. He had the i7 Intel since he was doing film editing and it would do this in a "real" manner. He had previously had the i5 Intel.

Currently my PC has Photoshop CS, Dreamweaver 8, Fireworks and a few other similar programs. Being capable to buy these programs will cost a bomb. Same for the full Microsoft Office group. None of these programs had any indigestion when I put this software from Windows 2000 into the Windows 7.

I have used Filemaker previously and I knew the program, so I would lump this into the purchase of the Mac.

Generally I find the iMac a bit short of USB 2 ports~only four. Plus, they're all behind the screen. I couldn't find any information about the media drive~is this a CD player and/or writer? How about DVD RW lecture?

The iMac has a very nice hard drive but how are you going to backup your files, if you cannot put another drive into your slim monitor. I ran through a few fora about the iMac and one problem was you had to constantly archive your files elsewhere. The iMac problem for fixing problems on the hard drive means losing all of the files on this big drive. Drives which have so much space much need a "Raid" program and this means "Drives" which means internal space for drives. If you want to backup your drive with a program similar "Ghost", you will need another drive to use as a clone. iMac will only offer the space externally for a clone drive so this means it will be very, very slow through the USB 2 port. A drive inside of the computer will be much faster. iMac isn't the only computer with this archive problem, since slim PCs can backup your files. In any case, if you're backing-up your drive through the USB port, remember you are using one quarter of your "Quad" microprocessor doing this archiving from the USB port.

If you buy an iMac and put the skimpy ingredients, its similar to buying a Porsche and put a VW engine under it's skin.

Blackduff

Post by **Kate** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 08:06

Thanks everybody for the very very useful advice. I actually gave it a good clean this morning, and it already seems happier.
Will give it a day, and if it stays on, know it's cured. Trouble is, I was beginning to get excited at the thought of a new computer and I'm feeing a bit cheated now.

joffan · Post by **joffan** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 09:51

OH chose a Mac when our old PC died - I was not happy - I don't like change.

We have never had a problem with it in 4 years. It looks stylish and is as quiet as a mouse.

In the meantime we have had 2 portable PC's 1 has already died and the second is beginning to play up.

I know I am just repeating what others have said but I love my Mac.

Julie

Roger O · Post by **Roger O** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 10:47

blackduff wrote:If you buy an iMac and put the skimpy ingredients, its similar to buying a Porsche and put a VW engine under it's skin.
Blackduff

Just a quick aside... The above reminded me of a German friend who did the reverse in a VW "beetle" (after strengthening the chassis).
He did it just for love of the expressions on other motorists' faces when the lights went green! (Childish, I know, but still fun!)

blackduff · Post by **blackduff** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 11:04

Roger
Here's a youtube with a typical Southern California Hybrid. There are lots of these vans in So.California too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTB_6g-apY0

You never who was waiting at the stop lights when you pulled along.

Blackduff

russell · Post by **russell** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 16:17

DaveM wrote:The present Mac OS is based on UNIX, the OS behind the majority of the major web servers, and is supremely stable.

Yes, MacOS is based on UNIX as is Linux.
The vast majority of web-servers use Linux, not UNIX and certainly not MacOS. If you want to see what OS is being used by which server have a look here: http://searchdns.netcraft.com/?restrict ... on=limited and try typing Amazon.com or google .com. Even some of microsoft's servers run Linux!

blackduff wrote: People agree that a Mac will not be needed for anti-virus software. Forget that~that's in the past. Same for the Linux. Both have viruses and need the anti-virus programs. This is the real time!

Sorry, I disagree. Neither MacOS nor Linux are affected by viruses. However you can get antivirus software to run on them so that you do not pass on any Windows viruses that you receive in emails to other Windows users. File security is built into UNIX, on which these are based, as it was originally intended for use on large mainframe computers with hundreds of users at terminals. With Windows file security was bolted on afterwards and it never really fitted.

I am writing this on a PC that I bought on line without an OS for about 300 euro and added the OS (PCLinuxOS) and all the software for free. It is just as powerful as any Mac and didn't cost two grand! - but then you could consider me to be a bit of a geek as I wrote my first computer programs in 1964 well before anyone dreamed of personal computers.

Regards,
Russell.

Post by **Kate** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 17:03

Oooooh I love geeks - it means that you'll be able to answer all my questions. Sorry guys (and gal) but most of this has now gone way over my rather fluffy simple little head. I actually hoovered the inside and it's working fine now but.... on a whim I've changed from Explorer to Mozilla Firefox and now have loads more problems tho it is much faster.
1 I've downloaded the French version and actually want the English one. Please don't say 'Duh' and point to your head. Do I have to uninstall and start again?
2 How do I move over my favourites and similar stuff?
3. HELP!!

russell · Post by **russell** » Mon 07 Jun 2010 17:26

Hi Kate,

Sorry, if you have installed the French version you will have to remove it and install the correct version which you can find here: http://download.mozilla.org/?product=fi ... lang=en-GB
It is dead easy to import all your settings from MS Internet Explorer. Just click on the "File" menu (top left of the window) and then select "Import" then just follow the wizard. I would suggest ticking all the boxes to import everything.

Hope that helps,
Russell.

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