Far too expensive and so are the parts when you come to upgrade, I also build my own computer which I really enjoy and you get far more for your cash. Never really got in to MAC's although I've tried OS X on a PC but just didn't get used to it, can't beat a PC as far as I'm concerned. As far as Virus', haven't had one in over 3 years since I moved to Nod32

Have always used PC's but bought an iMac last year. Was running a PC in a different room at the same time, and so I was able to compare and contrast.

In terms of cost, to see if it was good value, I went on the Dell site and tried to assemble a PC of the same spec, with a large monitor (the iMac is 27" screen). The PC worked out more expensive. So Macs are expensive, but only because they are good spec.

Pros for Macs:
1. Look good.
2. Quiet. Silent, in fact, most of the time, just the occasional hard disk chatter when doing stuff in the background.
3. Stuff looks good on the screen because of the high pixel ratio.
4. Seems reliable.
5. App store is a very convenient way of getting software.

Cons for the Mac:
1. Not as much software, and not as much good free software, as for every paid-for PC software, you could easily find a free alternative
2. The Mac version of Word seems a bit glitchy compared to the PC version
3. Some of the native software isn't as good. Microsoft Movie Maker seems to produce better results than IMovie, and IPhoto is good but takes forever to load.
4. It does things differently, which eats up hard disk space. For example, if I understand it correctly, PC's work by links to files, and so if you have photo-organising software, it will generate links to the photograph files. Macs seem to do it by copying, and so I have my pictures in the pictures folder, but if I import them into IPhoto, it seems to copy the pictures, and so they are in two places, which soon eats up the hard drive space.

On balance, I like my IMac, and would get another, certainly over and above a PC of the same spec. The problem is that I could get a PC that would do what I need to do, surf and use Word and store photos and music, for a quarter of the price.

Your entitled to your flawed belief however you miss the whole point with that statement. Ordinary folk just want to plug and play which simply never happens with a PC. Hence Macs never needs parts upgrades because they arrive fit for purpose and that is the key difference. A mac out of the box will last you 8-10 years without ever needing to be upgraded other than the OS.

As I said on my first post, find me a 10 year old PC that hasn't been rebuilt at some cost requiring some tech knowledge (a triggers broom) and I'll find you the pot of gold at the end of rainbow.

PC's are fine if you have the time and inclination to learn how to run them. Most people who buy Personal Computers just want them to do what they are supposed to do all the time.

think it's a mac book pro for me. nhs discount is 17%.

thanks to all for the advice.

for pc user i cannot reccomend nod32/ESET highly enough. been using that for around 5 years now, and never had a virus. compared with the market leaders in that field it's so much quicker and less intrusive that it's unreal. fantastic product.

still going to plump for a mac i think though.

got the mac.

dead pleased with it. it's rapid.

There's always using Linux on a PC. Works for some, but not for others.

Mine's quick and pretty and all the software's free. Doesn't slow down over time and does what I need.

I like Linux but you can get some of the software on it that I need, such as iTunes, I did duel boot it one time though

Yeah. If that's because of an iPod, it's a problem as Apple are totally against open source software.

Still, it's horses for courses. I'd not want to go back to Windows, and Apple gear's SO expensive and not as secure as the blurb would have you believe (Safari was hacked after 5 seconds in the pwn2own comp last year!).

Macs are overpriced from start to finish.

The hardware is a total rip off and is always a step behind PC, but still costs more!

The software is so tightly controlled it borders on fascism. Why? So they can make more money! There are serious limitations on mac software in certain fields (scientific for one) and I would be very careful before spending thousands on a box because "it looks pretty". The virus argument in favour of macs is a valid one, but I cannot and will not bring myself to buy a mac until they drop the whole pathetic "you aren't cool if you don't buy a mac" thing. Being told what to do by your technology is not cool, it is lazy.

If you are an engineer or graphic designer or music technician, buy a mac. If not save yourself a huge wad of cash and buy a pc.

I have been told (although never tried myself). If you really really want a mac, buy the cheapest one you can find with an OS, build your own PC and then install the OS on the PC (whilst obeying all laws obviously) and pay for the OS upgrades. You will have a much better much cheaper box of hardware but still have mac software.

Just switched to Mac myself and really pleased with it.
The NHS discount makes a real difference.
I got it on line but went into KRCS in Leeds to do my research.
Apple stores are otherwise Manchester or Sheffield.
I got the 30 day free trial of pages(word), numbers (excel) and keynote (PowerPoint). They're only about £14 each from the app store. I didn't bother with numbers.

Probably the silliest statement I've ever read within one of the poorer posts - I really can't believe that you actually believe this and it's just a wind up. Still opinions and all that.

I'm not anti PC they have there place just, but never in the last 20 years have Microsoft or the jerry built clones they run it on ever been ahead of Apple or even close, even Bill Gates would concede that.

As for tightly controlled - this would be the same Microsoft who were taken to the Supreme Court and told to release it's iron grip on browser software for Window which Gates and Co fought all the way because the greedy pigs clearly hadn't fleeced folk enough with his second rate crud already!

As for being lazy, it just shows how folk like you clearly mis the point. Most people don't have the time or inclination to mess about as you suggest with OS systems, they simply want something that works and will pay for it. Until Microsoft along with the manufacturers continue to produce stuff that doesn't do what it promises Apple will continue to prosper.

Geek fight!

If I were a geek I'd love PC's, trust me I was and remain a reluctant user of this technology - my life was way better and wealthier when it was film, pen and scalpel!

I like Macs because non geeks like me can use them successfully JUST - so I'm afraid on this one Bren old boy you're a million miles off the mark.