jim_art

I have been using computers for business and school related things since the late 1980's. I have been around Mac's through schools/universities and friends quite a bit (could never really afford them) and I have built all my PC's till recently.
 
I prefer PC's because it is what I have been used too and I can get more machine, faster processors, more memory for less money (in my opinion.) Right now I am running a Dell Studio Xps 7100 Desktop Computer, AMD Phenom II X6, 8GB, 1.5 tb main drive, 250 gb highspeed drive (for a scratch disk only), and a VGA MSI|R5770 HAWK 1G RT graphics card. I am also running Windows 7 with the 64 OS so it is dramatically faster than a similar machine running Vista (which almost sent me to Mac.) I know a lot of it is not necessary hardware, but I got it all for under $1000 and about support that is no problem. Phone support in my opinion has been great and for a little bit of extra money (really not bad)for the next 3 years, they will come out to my house within 24 hours of the call and fix it if the phone support does not work.
 
I also run virus software, so in over 20 years of computers in my house I personally have only gotten 2 viruses on my personal computer (I have dealt with others that are not as dilegent as I am getting more viruses and having to remove the viruses for them....pain in the a__ , so I understand that worry.)
 
The interesting thing is that inside the electronics of all the machines they are pretty much the same. All the components are pretty much made by the same manufacturers.
 
I have a lot of friends that love Mac and will never change and I have a lot of trouble getting around on them (compared to Windows based units.) something I would like to remedy when I can afford a Mac. My son is a musician and wants one for a music studio.
 
It really boils down to what you are used too, what you want to get used to and what you want to pay. A good well built machine with good parts in it is a good well built machine.
 
One warning, in the PC industry, stay away from the deal that seems way to good to be true, they usually have old out dated parts or they have lower end quality parts (this does and has happened on Apples....I have seen the recalls, but it happens a lot less, because there are not low end clone makers out there.)

One suggestion, if your previous monitor is a flat panel and it isn't to bad, keep it around if your computer has multiple monitor capabilities. I have a 24inch (widescreen) LG as my main monitor in front of me and to my left I have my old 19in (square) Samsung, old monitor but great in its day to my left. I use the older monitor to place up any text editing or text driven programs and graphic driven programs are up on my LG. I don't have to switch programs back and forth as much. I love the duel monitors and would add a third if I had the space on my desk.
 
The only down side is I keep losing my cursor. ;-)

I have been using computers for business and school related things since the late 1980's. I have been around Mac's through schools/universities and friends quite a bit (could never really afford them) and I have built all my PC's till recently.
 
I prefer PC's because it is what I have been used too and I can get more machine, faster processors, more memory for less money (in my opinion.) Right now I am running a Dell Studio Xps 7100 Desktop Computer, AMD Phenom II X6, 8GB, 1.5 tb main drive, 250 gb highspeed drive (for a scratch disk only), and a VGA MSI|R5770 HAWK 1G RT graphics card. I am also running Windows 7 with the 64 OS so it is dramatically faster than a similar machine running Vista (which almost sent me to Mac.) I know a lot of it is not necessary hardware, but I got it all for under $1000 and about support that is no problem. Phone support in my opinion has been great and for a little bit of extra money (really not bad)for the next 3 years, they will come out to my house within 24 hours of the call and fix it if the phone support does not work.
 
I also run virus software, so in over 20 years of computers in my house I personally have only gotten 2 viruses on my personal computer (I have dealt with others that are not as dilegent as I am getting more viruses and having to remove the viruses for them....pain in the a__ , so I understand that worry.)
 
The interesting thing is that inside the electronics of all the machines they are pretty much the same. All the components are pretty much made by the same manufacturers.
 
I have a lot of friends that love Mac and will never change and I have a lot of trouble getting around on them (compared to Windows based units.) something I would like to remedy when I can afford a Mac. My son is a musician and wants one for a music studio.
 
It really boils down to what you are used too, what you want to get used to and what you want to pay. A good well built machine with good parts in it is a good well built machine.
 
One warning, in the PC industry, stay away from the deal that seems way to good to be true, they usually have old out dated parts or they have lower end quality parts (this does and has happened on Apples....I have seen the recalls, but it happens a lot less, because there are not low end clone makers out there.)