Switch From Microsoft to Apple?

[5thwheeleroldma]

We've been using MS computers for 18 years now, but I'm thinking of switching to Apple. The reason is I get so many confusing software updates & problems. For instance, MS recently wanted to install a new IE Explorer. We said yes, then it said some other computer was using our address, to resolve it with our administrator. From past experience, I know this will mean hours on the phone and probably I'll still be confused. Seems like they can't leave us in peace.

My question is; do you get all this kind of bothersome******from Apple?
I suppose it would not be too difficult to learn how to use an Apple, and to transfer all my files?

[strollin]

j3ff9ack wrote:
You may have two different editions of Windows 7 (Home Premium vs. Starter) that doesn't allow file sharing.

That's not entirely correct. Home Premium and Starter can JOIN a Homegroup, they just can't CREATE a Homegroup.

Regardless, they could still use a Workgroup and share files that way.

[mileshuff]

We have 2 Apple Airport wifi routers. Simply put, they are a PITA so setup, configure etc. compared to a typical WIFI router that is browser configurable. I've never seen a router that took something so simple and made it much more complicated that needed.

Others here who have Apple notebooks do say for general use they are somewhat easier than Windows. However, when you want to do something above the average use thats where Apple seems to fall apart. High level networking, server connectivity, etc. all can be done but seems more complicated that it needs to be. Apple has THEIR way of doing everything and an IT person must conform to Apples methods which are not always the best nor easiest.

[j3ff9ack]

You may have two different editions of Windows 7 (Home Premium vs. Starter) that doesn't allow file sharing.

[fj12ryder]

5thwheeleroldman wrote:
Ryder, they are both on Windows 7; I may have a third party firewall as I use Stopzilla virus,etc protection.

I have spent about 3 hours working on this and have found that PNRPsvc, peer networking id mgr and peer networking grouping svc are all turned off. I found some procedures to turn them on, found the files, but the computer will not let me turn them on; they seem dead or something.

In the process, I googled the problem and found many, many people are having this problem. The instructions to fix it are beyond me and I doubt would work anyhow. Some organizations offer to fix it for money, but in the past have paid money, no results, don't trust.

Thinking stronger and stronger of Apple, but would feel pretty stupid if it had the same problems, after I paid the money. Probably would be halfway through with replacing the seals in a automatic transmission by now. Ha!

You can't turn the services on through Administrative Tools/Component Services/Local?

[Bill_Satellite]

TOO MANY $$$$$$!

[5thwheeleroldma]

Ryder, they are both on Windows 7; I may have a third party firewall as I use Stopzilla virus,etc protection.

I have spent about 3 hours working on this and have found that PNRPsvc, peer networking id mgr and peer networking grouping svc are all turned off. I found some procedures to turn them on, found the files, but the computer will not let me turn them on; they seem dead or something.

In the process, I googled the problem and found many, many people are having this problem. The instructions to fix it are beyond me and I doubt would work anyhow. Some organizations offer to fix it for money, but in the past have paid money, no results, don't trust.

Thinking stronger and stronger of Apple, but would feel pretty stupid if it had the same problems, after I paid the money. Probably would be halfway through with replacing the seals in a automatic transmission by now. Ha!

[TechWriter]

robsouth wrote:
I wonder why PC's outsell Apples by a ridiculous margin? If Apples are so good, then why ain't they selling rings around PC's instead of the other way around?

Because Quantity ain't the same as Quality. Otherwise, you'd only be eating at McDonalds.

You don't, right?

[mrkoje]

Gadget Guy wrote:

robsouth wrote:
I wonder why PC's outsell Apples by a ridiculous margin? If Apples are so good, then why ain't they selling rings around PC's instead of the other way around?

PRICE, PRICE, PRICE!!!!!!!

Price is right for the most part. Well in as much that Apple does not have a very cheap entry level computer system. You can get a basic Windows laptop at Walmart for $228 VS having to goto an Apple retailer or Apple store for a Mac and pay $1000 for the cheapest Macbook. Now you do get way better system with the Apple when comparing an entry level Windows laptop vs an entry level Apple.

Really the lowest priced Apple would be more on the lines of a mid-grade or higher Windows PC and when you look at it that way there really isn't a huge a price difference.

Desktops are about the same as well. Looks like at Walmart you can get a "complete" system with a monitor for about $300.00. The cheapest Apple would the Mac Mini at 599.00 and you would still have to purchase a monitor. Again though you get better components at Apples entry level price than with the cheapest Windows PC.

[fj12ryder]

When you're talking Windows vs Apple, don't forget the gamers. They drive the high end market and you won't find a decent gamer on an Apple system.

[fj12ryder]

5thwheeleroldman wrote:
OK, ryder, I found the password on my laptop, where I had told it to set up a home group. Went to the wife's desktop, into homegroup, entered the password there, hit next ----- it ground and ground, then said "homegroup cannot be set up on this computer". Went to troubleshoot---- it ground and ground, then said "problem not identified".

This is what drives me crazy about windows. It never tells you what to do next, or else gives you instructions that fit perhaps 50 different machines, then you get so confused you don't know what part of those instructions fit your own machine.

Well, it should work. 🙂

I take it you are both in the same work group, you aren't running a third party firewall, both are running Windows 7, and both have access through the router?

[Gadget_Guy1]

robsouth wrote:
I wonder why PC's outsell Apples by a ridiculous margin? If Apples are so good, then why ain't they selling rings around PC's instead of the other way around?

PRICE, PRICE, PRICE!!!!!!!

[strollin]

wintersun wrote:
... The Apple operating system was developed fron scratch originally by NEXT and then converted to the Apple OS X operating system so it is a very secure design from the bottom up. Windows on the other hand is based on circa 1985 Wintows NT ...

Wow, did someone get their facts wrong or what? The NeXT OS from 1991 was based on Unix (one of the oldest OSes around) and was NOT developed from scratch. Windows NT, developed in 1988, was developed from scratch.

One thing that Apple has that I think is really slick, is the magnetic power connector for their laptops. That's the only thing I'm envious of that I can't get on a Windows machine.

[kjburns]

Janss wrote:
Some people are mentioning iPads. The OP is asking about Apple computers, not iPads. All tablets are less capable than laptop or desktop computers. An Apple computer is quite capable of doing all the things the majority of people do on computers (internet, email, spreadsheets, word processing, photos, music, etc.). And by the way, an Apple does it with a lot less hassle 🙂

I've been using both Apples and PCs since the 1980s.

Right, I'm well aware of that. The problem with the Apple version of Excel is that it doesn't include VBA, which I use a lot. I've heard different reasons why it isn't in the Mac version, but regardless of the reason, it's not there so my important templates won't work.

[robsouth]

I wonder why PC's outsell Apples by a ridiculous margin? If Apples are so good, then why ain't they selling rings around PC's instead of the other way around?

[5thwheeleroldma]

OK, ryder, I found the password on my laptop, where I had told it to set up a home group. Went to the wife's desktop, into homegroup, entered the password there, hit next ----- it ground and ground, then said "homegroup cannot be set up on this computer". Went to troubleshoot---- it ground and ground, then said "problem not identified".

This is what drives me crazy about windows. It never tells you what to do next, or else gives you instructions that fit perhaps 50 different machines, then you get so confused you don't know what part of those instructions fit your own machine.