On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 9:03 AM, mike <[email protected]> wrote:
> > I did. I switched at the time because of pricing mainly. I'm also
more
> > inclined to the pc side because the mac side is not for hobbyists
in any
> > way, I like taking apart my tower, putting in new parts, moving things,
> > checking out what works and doesn't. Changing CPU's and
motherboards. I
> > felt hamstrung by the mac hardware, limited space for expansion
unless you
> > paid a LOT of money for a tower. At the time the macs I had
couldn't run
> > windows so I was also out all that software I wanted to poke around on.
> > Yes, a lot of crap, but a lot of useful programs too for those just
wanting
> > to play around.
I see the "hobbyist" excuse for buying PCs instead of Macs quite often.
It's a misconception.
I've rebuilt my last 4 Macs, both towers and beige boxes: upgrading
CPUs, HD, optical drives, adding PCI and video/graphics cards. Mac boxes
are fairly easy to upgrade, and they're definitely easier to open than
PCs since I don't need a screwdriver to do it. The CRT iMacs are easy to
upgrade, too. Most Macs over the past 10 years use generic off-the-shelf
parts. However, I don't upgrade for entertainment; I upgrade for
longevity. I retired my ca. 2000 G4/400 in January 2009 after adding 3
HDs, 2 optical drives, 2GB RAM, new CPU [1.6GHz], new video card, PCI
cards, etc. The G4 was NOT expensive, had more features than a
comparable PC, and it came with useful software, too. It also did Windows.
OTOH, the iBook has 41 screws that you have to remove to get to the
drives. You need a diagram just to tape down the screws so that they go
back in the right places. The new iMacs have to be opened using suction
cup handles like the ones for carrying large panes of glass. Since my
iMac is new, I haven't opened it except to add RAM. The suction cups and
soldering gun are somewhere in the basement for when I need them.
Betty
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