Learning OSX

Puppetmaster · 29 Oct 2010 at 22:40

So, im a windows user but considering that the shop i work in is doing mac repairs now, it would be pretty handy to learn osx.

We have a fairly new mac mini at work (6-12 months old or something, the one before the latest mac mini) but i dont always have a lot of time to play around with it.

So im considering buying a mac laptop.

Whats the best way of doing this. Should i just take the plunge and pickup a new macbook, go for a refurb or just buy a 2nd hand one running an old version of osx?

Iceman · 29 Oct 2010 at 22:49

To be honest about 6/7 months ago i was in a similar situation, I bought a new macbook and still getting used to the short cuts (know everything about windows lol) But i would never look back now, everything is just so much well less like windows lol.
I bought my macbook second hand but was only a couple of months old and got a good deal on it. I would recommend getting new as the second hand can still hold there price.

theheyes · 30 Oct 2010 at 10:39

Do you need a laptop? If you're looking to buy a laptop anyway I'd go for a new or refurb. You learn things in day to day use, and I think you'd be more inclined to use a new/ish MacBook pro as your main computer than an old PowerBook running an old version of OSX that you dig out every now and again.

Puppetmaster · 30 Oct 2010 at 18:12

I already have this desktop, so dont want another really. I dont need a laptop, but thought its handy to have a portable computer rather than 2 desktops.

"andy" · 31 Oct 2010 at 01:30

everything is too similar to windows to even bother with IMO

and if you ever get stuck you can just google. seems a waste of money if you dont really need one

Spit · 31 Oct 2010 at 09:42

The biggest thing I struggled with when changing to OSX was the installing and uninstalling of programs. The rest has been OK.

Blackhawk47 · 31 Oct 2010 at 11:16

Spit said:
The biggest thing I struggled with when changing to OSX was the installing and uninstalling of programs. The rest has been OK.

I hope thats a joke because installing/uninstalling applications on OS X is about as easy as copy and paste. :rolleyes:

Spit · 31 Oct 2010 at 11:18

That was the problem, I came from 20 years of Windows and thought I was doing something wrong when installing on OSX!!

Feek · 31 Oct 2010 at 14:27

I've just removed your post Faustus, the only thing it could achieve is to spark the OS Vs OS debate and that's not for this thread. Please don't start it all off again, we've had it far too many times.

Faustus · 31 Oct 2010 at 14:48

Feek said:
I've just removed your post Faustus, the only thing it could achieve is to spark the OS Vs OS debate and that's not for this thread. Please don't start it all off again, we've had it far too many times.

Well in the spirit of fairness perhaps you should have removed the offending post also? I get so tired of all the rubbish that is spouted and that's all it is - utter rubbish.

Feek · 31 Oct 2010 at 14:52

I don't see any 'offending' post, you picked up on a throwaway comment and reacted strongly to it suggesting someone was either immature or had a complete lack of computer knowledge which could only cause the thread to descend into the old arguments and this isn't the place for that.

Let's keep this on topic please.

iMacMart · 31 Oct 2010 at 15:47

Purchased a MBP 2010 13" the other week, absolutely love using it, was going to boot camp with W7 Ultimate but can't see the point really...

I use only windows machines at work and all spend a lot of time fixing windows laptops and to come back to OS X on my MBP is soooo nice...

Lots to learn on the Apple side but loving it...

Margaret · 31 Oct 2010 at 17:06

OS X is great but it is annoying reading various Mac forums where everybody slates Windows. Windows 7 is a fantastic OS and so far my Mac has had more cases of apps crashing in one month than my PC has in a year.

I accept Windows takes more know-how to maintain and operate, OS X also seems harder to accidentally **** up.

theheyes · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:35

"andy" said:
everything is too similar to windows to even bother with IMO

and if you ever get stuck you can just google. seems a waste of money if you dont really need one

In terms of having a WIMP interface... maybe. Under the hood I can't agree it's anything like Windows at all, especially from a troubleshooting perspective which is what the OP seems to be after.

I would agree though that there is nothing really special about OSX that Google wouldn't answer. Another cheaper option would be to buy an OSX book for a high level overview. Andy Ihnatko books are quite good for newcomers.

Puppetmaster · 1 Nov 2010 at 19:20

"andy" said:
everything is too similar to windows to even bother with IMO

and if you ever get stuck you can just google. seems a waste of money if you dont really need one

Well when i try to use the mac at work, i get lost for doing anything other than basic stuff. I'd like to be able to provide support at work for macs, cant just "google everything" would take forever.

stoke1863 · 1 Nov 2010 at 19:24

Coming from someone who is a windows user at home and OSX at work i dont get these people who say "i would never go back to windows"

Honestly Windows 7 is a very good OS. OSX is very good as well i just cant justify the prcie outlay for using it. One thing i HATE about OSX is how it manages application windows. Drives me up the wall!

funguST · 1 Nov 2010 at 22:11

I have also been considering purchasing a mac just to learn the OS, i think i would have gone the imac route with run windows 7 on it aswell, but i really cant justify the price of a shiny new imac.

Would say a base 20" 2ghz imac have enough grunt for video editing aswell as running w7 pro 64 bit possibly all at the same time? Sorry to highjack the thread just thought the answer may also help the op.

theheyes · 1 Nov 2010 at 22:24

funguST said:
I have also been considering purchasing a mac just to learn the OS, i think i would have gone the imac route with run windows 7 on it aswell, but i really cant justify the price of a shiny new imac.

Would say a base 20" 2ghz imac have enough grunt for video editing aswell as running w7 pro 64 bit possibly all at the same time? Sorry to highjack the thread just thought the answer may also help the op.

You mean in a virtual machine? It would run it fine if you had plenty of memory.

Messiah Khan · 1 Nov 2010 at 23:03

You could do an OSX support course such as the support essentials 101 (I did this one a few months ago. Gave me a good overview of how OSX is structured and how to support it) Or your could do the Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) certification, which is required if you ever want to work for a apple certified repair centre.

Faustus · 3 Nov 2010 at 00:17

funguST said:
I have also been considering purchasing a mac just to learn the OS, i think i would have gone the imac route with run windows 7 on it aswell, but i really cant justify the price of a shiny new imac.

Would say a base 20" 2ghz imac have enough grunt for video editing aswell as running w7 pro 64 bit possibly all at the same time? Sorry to highjack the thread just thought the answer may also help the op.

Mac Mini is a very good little machine and would serve you well.