Apple - Some advice please

[irneb]

I do not like the new windows 8, therefore my looking at apple.

I'm with you on this. IMO anything is better than W8, I'd even be willing to go back to XP/NT (perhaps not 98/95/Vista though). But W7 seems to work reasonably for me still, it does have issues, but from my testing (since around 2010-2011) no major insurmountable pains. I've not had extensive experience with OSX, though I have tried it out in a VM. Just found it a bit not to my liking, and I'm not willing to buy into the whole Apple train for the foreseeable future (only my own feeling). My favourite OS at the moment is KDE on Fedora/Ubuntu, second Gnome3 on Fedora, and then Unity (the default for Ubuntu). At present I'm trying to learn BSD as I've heard even better robustness & lightness as compared to most Linuxes, fortunately it's not that different as it also grew out of Unix, and actually it's the system on which OSX is built. Major difference is OSX uses Quartz as the graphics engine through which their Aqua desktop runs, while BSD uses XWindows with your choice of Desktop (Gnome/KDE/LXDE/Xfce/etc.) - same as Linux does.

One of my most important programs on my current laptop is office, therefore I would need the same or compatible and it must be compatible with other computers in the office. I do not want anyone having to "convert" anything. I currently travel between JHB and CT quite extensively as we have a branch in both cities. I link up to both systems either via wifi or network cable.

You do get a Microsoft Office for MAC, but I've never used it so can't say much about compatibility. Though I'd guess it should be quite decent: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/m...5-a3506889b3ca

Only issue I can see is you might need to upgrade the PC MSO's to at least 2010 to ensure "perfect" compatibility and the 2011 for MAC. There's a noted issue (though minor) between 2007 & 2008. How well the two work on legacy files (i.e. DOC/XLS instead of Docx/Xlsx) is up for grabs - so if you need to send to people still using 2003 (or earlier) you might see some issues. I've even seen some hairy stuff between 2003 and 2007 (both for PC), so I'd not expect the MAC version to be any better.

Alternatively, you can even use Open Office or LibreOffice (my favourite) on OSX as well as nearly any other operating system you can shake a stick at. Though the Docx/Xlsx compatibility is not exactly "perfect", I have found that formatting gets corrupted in some cases - though I've never "lost data". The Doc/Xls compatibility (on the other hand) I've found to be better than MSO 2007 and later ... strange, but that's my experience.

Else you could opt for Office 360 - MS's on-line Office package, which they're trying to compete with Google. For any on-line stuff, you'd probably simply need a compatible browser. And I know that both Chrome and Firefox have Mac versions, if you find the built-in Safari browser not working as well as you'd like. Seems most people opt for Chrome/FF: http://web-browsers.findthebest.com/d/a/Mac-OS-X

I understand that the mac laptop is pretty similar operating to the I pad mini.

Well, both run OSX. Whether the versions are the same is a different matter. But fortunately Apple is known for reasonable consistency of UI, so I'd not expect any major differences.

Other stuff you may need to consider: What about contacts and emails on your current laptop? You should check about how you're going to re-use them or import them into whatever new program(s) you're going to use. If you find the Lion mail app not sufficient, then you could always go with something like ThunderBird - both should be able to import your Outlook PST files (at least I know ThunderBird does this perfectly). Some discussion as to which is better: http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/wha...a-thunderbird/

For me, I'd go with ThunderBird as moving your mail between PC/Mac/Linux/BSD is a simple matter of copying the files. Lion is only available on Mac, though you do get an Outlook for Mac.

I do not need graphics or media or music packages although I do download pics from my phone etc.

This greatly reduces the required specs. You thus don't need a dedicated graphics card - so the integrated Intel stuff should be sufficient.

[irneb]

I cannot give you names at the mo, but like the thin lightweight look to them and being light it is easier to transport. I do not like the new windows 8, therefore my looking at apple.

If this is your main reason for going to Apple, then remember that you can overwrite the W8 installation (if the laptop comes pre-installed with such). You can either choose W7 or a Linux. And thin-ness & light-weight isn't an Apple bastion:

http://www.lptps.com/best-ultra-thin-laptops-2013/

[Upstairs]

I use Ubuntu with a kde desktop. Playing with Linux Mint and I like it. I have not tried it, but I believe you can run windows in virtualbox or just load office on wine. I will never go back to Microsoft. Apple locks you in. They decide what you can use on your computer. With opensource you can run what you want. When using a laptop make sure you get a Linux compatible dongle. Get a live disc and play around. There is a learning curve. The latest distros make it easy to install software. A new kid on the block is Makulu Linux.

[irneb]

I use Ubuntu with a kde desktop.

I'm with you there. I've used KDE on both Ubuntu and Fedora, tended to find Fedora working faster, but Ubuntu more compatible (at least with 64bit).

VM's work reasonably well. I've been using my old installations of Win98, WinNT, Win2k, WinXP and even W7 inside of the VM - they all work well (to a point - graphics is usually the issue as a VM introduces a software layer between the graphics card and the client OS so DirectX is not as performant as a "on-the-bone" installation).

One thing I've done before is use a hybrid setup: Dual boot of W7 and KDE/Fedora on the same PC, then install VirtualBox in both OS's and link to the other OS as a client VM. That way I can choose which OS to boot up and get the best performing graphics from while still being able to run the other OS in seamless mode so its programs "look" as if they're running locally. The reason I'm not doing it any-more is due to Windows' licensing: When I run W7 inside the VM it sees the hardware as a "new" PC thus wanting to re-register itself, then if I later dual boot direct into W7 it again wants to re-register.

[HR Solutions]

If this is your main reason for going to Apple,

No, I have an apple pad mini and an I phone 5, therefore are an apple fan at the mo and the mac air 13inch is a very nice machine that is super thin.

[irneb]

No, I have an apple pad mini and an I phone 5, therefore are an apple fan at the mo and the mac air 13inch is a very nice machine that is super thin.

Well, in that case it's probably a better idea to go fully Apple. Chances are that your other devices would work more easily in collaboration with it - though you'er going to have to also become an iTunes junkie . Cost-wise it's up to you: if you deem the ease of use between the devices is worth the extra cost for similar equipment, then cost is not to come into the equation.

Thus the only thing you need to ask yourself and try to find out: Software? Is it available or at least acceptable similar clone? Will it work with the files I already have? Will it work with others I have to collaborate with? This goes for all the software you use: word processor, spreadsheet, database, email, web, graphics (raster & vector), games (if any), and other specialist stuff like accounting packages as an example.

This last question is why I cannot get rid of Windows completely.

[HR Solutions]

My question is : Why have they come out with a crap system like Windows 8 ??
Why should I have to "change" systems because of this. I have spoken to a number of people who all hate it - from young to older people - and why should I have to wait till next year when I believe they are going to"revert" back to the old system and improve on that ? And seen as it is time to upgrade the ole laptop - I am going to go the apple way which a lot of people have gone.

No more viruses - no more "just wait your computer is downloading the latest software" - I trust and hope that apple also downloads the latest software, but if it like the ipad it is a whole lot quicker !!

[irneb]

My question is : Why have they come out with a crap system like Windows 8 ??

I'm fully with you on that score: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/wh...pening-windows

Actually I was fully on that point of view since they moved off XP. I was having issues with Mickeysoft since after DOS. IMO they started causing problems when they started doing too much to their OS ... they simply didn't (and still don't) know how to make something which "just works".

No more viruses - no more "just wait your computer is downloading the latest software"

Don't fall for that hype. http://www.theatlantic.com/technolog...s-free/258902/

No OS is "virus free". At best you can use an OS which is not mainstream, which means the bad guys don't target it as much ... until they do of course. I'd grant that Apple hasn't been riddled with as many viruses as Windows has, but they've also had many a security update (as has all Linuxes and Unixes and BSD's). Some aspects of other OS's I find makes them less prone to viruses, e.g. you have to enter the admin password every time you want to make some system changes (like installing new software) on a Linux - less chance of a web page simply installing some cr@pware. I hope Apple does something similar, though from my tests previously it was quite happy to run/install without asking too many questions.

[irneb]

No more viruses

No OS is "virus free".

Actually just seen this: http://betanews.com/2014/02/12/2013s...eater-threats/

I knew it would only be a matter of time before the malware thieves started targeting Linux in full earnest. Microsoft's been in their scope since the 80s, and Apple since the early to mid 2000's (Android also). But Linux was still not that much used, it seems the 1% to 2% these days means it's catching interest from these criminals.

[twinscythe12332]

I recently picked up a macbook pro through this fnb device deals where you pay monthly for 2 years.
a couple of points that may be relevant in your choices:
it carries a heft premium. if bang for buck is a concern for you (and your line of business doesn't require photo touching or video making) then I'd say you're better off with an equally well crafted windows machine. you can still find windows 7 downgrades here and there if windows 8.1 doesn't tickle your fancy.
a lot of the open developers and big names do get apps going on mac. if you have an obscure app that you love on windows though, it may not be available for mac.
no dvd drive, only wireless (you can get an ethernet adapter though).
bootcamp can be a bit of a pain when partitioning. sometimes not the most user friendly of experiences.
app store doesn't have much useful free stuff. you're going to he scouring the web as per usual for a lot of apps, most of which aren't signed like the app.store is.
some of the good stuff you will already know, but I'll go over it for posterity:
useable os overall.
the trackpad is amazing. multigesture support is a dream. I kid you not when I say this feature sold me.
full screen apps allow you to flick through open apps in an exciting way that windows just hasn't managed to get right.
your devices will talk to eachother. I've noticed that iphones in particular make it their mission in life to be as snobbish as possible when connecting to other phones and comps.
it's a system you're used to. that always counts as a big plus.

[irneb]

I'd grant that Apple hasn't been riddled with as many viruses as Windows has, but they've also had many a security update (as has all Linuxes and Unixes and BSD's).

Just saw this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/ap...pert-1.2549294

So iOS has a bug which allows a site to fake its identity through the "supposedly secure" SSL connection (this basically ensure the identity of the site). That means you'd have no way to know if your bank's website is not perhaps a look-alike based in Nigeria. At least they "fixed" it last Friday, but this shows that no OS is "secure" - even the mythical secure Apple doesn't exist (go figure).

They're still only humans making these things, they make mistakes, they forget to think of every single atom which might just brush past their software. Chances are that every single OS out there still has a whole set of such flaws which even the crackers haven't (yet) become wise to.

My advise: forget about security as some measure of what OS / brand of PC you want. Or at worst turn it into a very minor comparison point. But if you do, then I'd actually prefer an OS which updates more regularly - again, most of them are about on-par here (between daily and monthly).

[irneb]

Here's another weird thing: The new OSX's Boot Camp will not allow a windows older than Win8. So if you want the Apple, but also want to run windows programs in native mode (i.e. not through Parallels / VMWare / VirtualBox) you'll have to live with the latest idiocy from MS.

http://www.infoworld.com/d/consumerization-of-it/windows-8-picks-unlikely-ally-in-apple-238557

Several possible reasons why Apple did this listed in there.

[HR Solutions]

Thanks inerb ................. I still haven't got a new laptop. In fact I bought a new laptop for one of the girls down in Cape Town and got a Samsung - I then got it "downgraded" to Windows 7.

A lot of what you say makes sense, but I also look at it and think how long do I want to keep it before upgrading it again ? It seems like we are a nation that likes new things like getting a new cellphone every 22 months on a contract. And sometimes it is also better to get new than repair because of costs etc. ....... I will get around to getting a new one still. I'm looking at a motor bike at the mo, so cant have it all , so have to way it up

[Neville Bailey]

When my current Windows laptop comes to the end of its lifetime, I think that I may migrate to Mac. They are beautifully engineered machines that "just work". My only problem will be that Pastel only runs on Windows. But then I can simply use Parallels on the Mac and install a virtual copy of Windows on that, with Pastel installed there.

Well, I pulled the trigger last week and got myself the MacBook Pro 13" and I am a happy chappy.

It is fantastic for processing my photographs on Photoshop and Lightroom and I have Pastel running happily on Windows 7 in virtual mode (using Parallels).

The machine is so portable, slim and beautifully engineered - quite sexy!

[HR Solutions]

How do you find the 13" Neville - is the screen big enough ?