OSX Help

I've been thinking about buying an Apple laptop, but I have a few concerns at the moment that are preventing me from taking the plunge.

People will often say only get a Mac if you need OSX, but I've never had the opportunity to use OSX and that worries me a little. When I say I've NEVER used OSX I'm lying. I've spent maybe 10 mins playing around with it in a store, but I find that the only way to get a good feel for it would be in the comfort of my own home.

Basically, is there a way that I can try and or demo OSX without buying a Mac?
I'm aware of the whole "hackintosh" thing, but I'd prefer an easier method if on even exists.

Thanks in advance.

 

borrow a friends? see if some rental place has current Macs? buy one and use it for awhile then return it and pay the restocking fee?

 

Do you live near an Apple retail store? I think they take appointments for one-on-one help / demonstrations for new customers in your position.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, but I do not live near an Apple store. The only place that sells them retail (that I know of) is Bestbuy.

I have also considered buying an old used iBook or powerbook with OSX. Anyways thanks for the suggestions.

 

The best option that I see is to just try it with hackintosh. It is illegal so I can't discuss in detail here. If you really like it and you're comfortable about the price preimum you're paying for a Mac, then go ahead a buy the Mac.

Hackintosh is the only suitable solution for me to get better performing computer than the best iMac without spending any money on a "powerful" Mac.

 

try it out in the stores, if there are none then ask a friend. If none of your friends have macs then look up features of OS X and see if you like then. However OS X or windows the same basic things you do are the same (Microsoft office for mac, Internets the same) the only different things are navigating and a few features here is there. The average user will get used to it fast. I'd suggest looking at the actual laptop. Do you find a laptop about 1 inch think, lightweight, and a long battery life useful? Mac as some of the best laptops in the portability area. If you'd rather have more power for your budget, or a greater variety than don't buy a mac. Even if you do get a way to test OS X theres no way you can go through every feature (like ilife and mac software vs windows media center and Pc sofware) so since you don't need OS X or have a particular hatred for microsoft just go by the hardware. You can't go wrong with OS X.

 

Personally I think the statement should be:
Don't get a PC unless you have to use Windows.... lol

While not perfect, I would check out all the video's and guides on the apple website. They can really help give you an idea of how things work on OSX. Then once you've watched them, make a list of things you want to try out & go back to the best buy and play with a purpose.
I found it took about a week to get comfortable when I switched... and I doubt I will ever go back.
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I feel your pain. I heard the same things as you for years. An in store experience doesn't give you a true feel for the system. I was a Windows user my whole life and afraid to try something else. Even when my wife insisted on a MacBook to replace her Dell this year I was unsure of how it would go. I was hooked after going through the setup with her and poking around the system at home for an hour. I suggest finding a friend who will let you poke around the system for a bit or just take the plunge. If you don't like it you can pay the restocking fee or just install Windows on it.

What kind of things are you looking to do with the system?

 

You can always just get the mac and dual boot windows if you really really need windows for anything.

 

That's totally untrue, at least for 99.999999999% of the time.
You probably can't even afford a computer that's not PC (personal computer).

If you're talking about PC as in Windows perinstalled PC, then still 99% of the time, the "Don't get a PC unless you have to use windows" statement is false. E.g. Lazy linux users usually buy "PC". It provides better support/driver/compatibility..etc. It's also in rare occasions cheaper than building a computer.

 

^^^
Maybe the LOL should have been more prominent. It was a tongue in cheek/joke statement.

I guess I must be really really rich as I own 2 macbooks? (NB: sarcasm intended)

Personally I think that mac's are cheaper in the long run compared to PCs. They tend to have less issues, and better support. Re-sell value is much much higher, meaning cheaper upgrade costs.
For the average consumer who just wants something that works, its much much cheaper to invest in a mac. Sure a "PC" maybe $500, but when it craps out 6 months latter on "mum" and she has to pay $50/hour to a tech support guy to come & fix it.... suddenly the price difference doesn't exist.

Don't get me wrong I think PCs are great and have there place, but I think the simplicity and less hassles make the mac a better platform for the average person who just wants to get some work done, email, internet etc.
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All Macs are PC as in personal computers. Computers that are not PC are something like servers farms and super computers. E.g. Blue Gene must've cost couple hundred million dollars.

Yes, I know you're rich. Good job in doing well in life. I still have at least half a decade before I can succeed in life. Wish me luck.

If I can afford Macs and like it and have no guilt feeling for wasting money (in my case), then of course I'll get a Mac. Though, if I had that kind of money, I would probably hire someone to built something more powerful than the highest end MacPro. Something like quad or octa quadcore proessor with 64GB ram will do.

 

I'll give those a look. I'm somewhat torn between buying the new MBP 13" and the 09 MacBook white. I know that currently I can get a education discount from my University on the MacBook white, making it considerably more affordable than the new MBP with similar specs.

 

Apple offers educational discount across its whole line, you can get it online as well if that helps. (mb=$949 mbp=1099)
While the white mb is a great machine and performance wise there will be virtually no difference between it and the pro... I would strongly suggest getting the base model 13" pro for the following reasons.
1) better build quality
2) lighter (0.5kg)
3) much better screen
4) backlit keyboard
5) SD card reader
6) Slightly faster memory and cpu.
7) Improved battery life
I know that its an extra $150 (edu prices) but I think that this new model is really worth that extra cash.

good luck with your possible switch, I hope all goes well.
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