who are the MAC users out there?

I'm with Jim. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif[/img] I've used (and continue to use) various Macs over the years (yikes...it's been over two decades for me too). Problems have been minimal to say the least. My I-Mac is bulletproof. Ditto with my I-Book. My daughter finally wore out her own I-Book after a gazzillion years in University and a bunch more using it for work. Let's just say it was used and abused. The hinges finally wore out [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

I don't think you can go wrong.

Wayne

[jannes_z-28]

The only drawback I see is the &quot;loaded&quot; software. You apparently will not get the licenses for it. Discs is no problem really those can be borrowed but are pretty useless without the license codes.

Adobe CS5 has only been out for a few weeks and is locked to two computers. Meaning if he leaves one open to this computer he can only use it on one other computer.

Going with a Mac will make you see the &quot;light&quot;, you'll never want to go back to Windows. There are a few things that are done differently but in a more logical way. But you will learn quickly. The Mac community has a lot of sites with helpful people and for some its even like a religious sect.

Ask for the serialnumber to check with Apple Care if it has been reported as stolen. In some cases they will know that.
There is a function in MacOSX that will Find your Mac over the internet to prevent theft.

Just as with cars, there are a few things to look out for when buying a used computer.

About the reliability, I bought a MacBook for my daughter when she started at the university four years ago. She is still using it without any problems, all her classmates who has had PCs have changed at least once in those four years, some even twice.

One tip: Buy an extra harddrive and use the builtin backup software TimeMachine, it will save your day when you accidently delete or overwrite a file. I know from experience [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]


Jan

[69Tom]

I've now had my iMac for 8 years, and while it's getting a little slow for some modern sites, I still haven't had a single problem with it. Why I buy another computer, which hopefully will be relatively soon, it will definitely be another iMac.

[mssl72]

You should be just fine with the hardware. I've worked with Mac's and PC's for many years and prefer Mac's overall. I am also running Windows on my Intel Macbook, but don't use it a whole lot. I had to have it for specific programs for work. Windows actually runs better on my Mac than most PC's I've used! Both of my Mac's are factory refurbished units and have run flawlessly for years. I do a lot of my own upgrades and maintenance which helps. In regards to the software that is loaded on the drive you might buy, that may become a problem down the road. As mentioned above, not being the registered owner can be problematic when you try to do upgrades. Sometimes you may need to supply the license/registration number. Unless he gives them to you, you may be out of luck. You may have to eventually buy your own copy. You can probably coast along for a while, but just be aware that it may catch up.