I own two.  One desktop unit with twin 24 inch HD monitors, and a 15 inch Powerbook.

Once you get into video editing, photo editing, photo archiving, etc., your Mac will make total sense.  I do HD film editing, and compile CD's, and photo books, and love the thing. 

The quality of the unit is, hands down, better than anything around.  I couldn't understand why someone would buy a piece of crap Dell, IBM, or Sony when the build quality is total BS.  Mac is the best in terms of feeling like a 'solid' unit, without any question.

The drawback is that you may have issues running Safari (web browser) with some sites.  I'm an RIA, and can't use the Fidelity Advisor Channel site from home, since Safari isn't compatable with the site.

I love the Mac platform, and wished I had converted sooner. Stick with it... you'll eventually see why you made the change.

C

Unfortunately, those artistic applications are useless to me, and that's why I think I wasted my money.  And actually, HPs have served me VERY well over the years, have been very reliable and are about half the cost, particularly after buying the necessary software for the Mac.

The MS Office application for the Mac is not as good as the original, and I too have had some issues with Safari, so I can't really use it for work.  That being said, isn't the Mac simply an overpriced toy?  What am I missing, Capt? 

[quote=Starka]I bought a MacBook about six months ago to see what all the hype is about.
To date I haven't seen anything significant that justifies the additional costs.

What am I missing?[/quote]

Why didn't you just play with one at the store?

It's not overpriced if you've ever tried to do editing, write music, computer animation, etc.  Every profession has it's special tools that make the job easier, but the DIY guy isn't going to buy for his weekend projects.  The Mac and it's programs the best tools for the serious artist.  If all you're using it for is email, web browsing, or for your biz, then yes it is an overpriced toy.

[quote=My Inner Child]

[quote=Starka]I bought a MacBook about six months ago to see what all the hype is about.
To date I haven't seen anything significant that justifies the additional costs.

What am I missing?[/quote]

Why didn't you just play with one at the store?

[/quote]

I'm not near a store.

[quote=Starka]

Unfortunately, those artistic applications are useless

to me, and that’s why I think I wasted my money. And actually, HPs have

served me VERY well over the years, have been very reliable and are about

half the cost, particularly after buying the necessary software for the Mac.

The MS Office application for the Mac is not as good as the original,

and I too have had some issues with Safari, so I can’t really use it for

work. That being said, isn’t the Mac simply an overpriced toy? What am I

missing, Capt?

It's the little nuances that are different in Office.

I guess it's my mistake for not investigating more deeply. 

Oh well, live and learn.

One very big aspect that hasn’t been mentioned is the fact that Mac OS X

is a very stable operating system. Crashes, freezes and restarts are rare if

at all.



Also, I’ve connected every type of peripheral, device and software from

various manufacturers and they always work on the Mac. On a Windows

PC, you have to allocate at least 48 hours of tech support to get the

configuaration(s) right.



I bought my Mac to edit home movies and photos onto DVD. iLife is an

awesome suite of programs. Safari is the fastest and cleanest web

browser out there. I use Firefox if there is a compatibility issue. Mac

Office does everything I need it to, no complaints.



When you compare what you get as far as speed, memory, hardware

(displays are among the best in the industry), sofware, and tech support,

the Mac is actually a very good deal. Configure an HP or Dell to perform

equal to a Mac and you will blow way past the $599 teaser deal.



MS released Vista this week. 4 different versions, as if the consumer isn’t

confused enough. I think its ridiculous. Now take your cheapo $599 Dell

system and change out the motherboard, upgrade the graphics card,

display, add a DVD burner, etc, etc. You end up with a Frankenstein

machine and you saved a whole $150 bucks, no thanks.

I forgot to mention that Macs are very resistant to viruses and spyware also.

[quote=skeedaddy2]I forgot to mention that Macs are very resistant to viruses and spyware also. [/quote]



I’ve used Macs since 1986, and personally I hate OSX as it is confusing
as hell. IMHO the best feature of the new Intel macs, is that you can
run windows or OSX on them as needed, thus getting the best of both
worlds.



If you don’t like safari (and I don’t) you can download firefox for OSX, which is very nice.

[quote=skeedaddy2] One very big aspect that hasn’t been mentioned is

the fact that Mac OS X

is a very stable operating system. Crashes, freezes and restarts are rare if

at all.

[/quote]



Now that’s not true. Freeze ups, in my experience, are quite common. It

hasn’t crashed yet, but I really don’t use it much any more.

[quote=Spaceman Spiff]

It’s not overpriced if you’ve ever tried to do

editing, write music, computer animation, etc. Every profession has it’s

special tools that make the job easier, but the DIY guy isn’t going to buy for

his weekend projects. The Mac and it’s programs the best tools for the

serious artist. If all you’re using it for is email, web browsing, or for your

biz, then yes it is an overpriced toy.

You’re freezing up just surfin’ the net? Well, I guess even a BMW can turn out

to be a bad experience for some.

Or, more appropriately, even a couple of Yugos were reliable.