Hey Seniors, Yesterday I got a little warning notice that Window 7 is on the way to becoming that big Inactive O.S. in the sky. Well, I've tried Windows 10 three times and returned the computer 3 times, vowing with more loyalty than ever to stay with Windows 7. So what is left for me? APPLE? Will I have a hard time converting to a Mac desktop? I'm sure there are some of you on this Forum who are Mac users...right? I'll now start looking in the Apple aisle at my local Best Buy store. Hal
I can't keep up with all that stuff. The day I just went with a simple Chromebook from Wal-Mart was the day my headaches were over. It does all the updating and virus checks automatically. My original plan was to buy a new one every year, but I've had this one for 3 years and never had a bit of trouble with it.
IMO, because I couldn't give anyone else's opinion, there is a learning curve in moving from Windows to a Mac OS, but I expect it would be less of a one than moving in the other direction. In other words, if you are used to the Windows way of doing things, you would have to get used to the Mac way of doing things. However, the Mac way of doing things is generally easier than the Windows way. For example, rather than running uninstall programs, to remove a program (app) from a Mac computer, you simply drag its icon from the Applications folder to the Trash folder, and it's gone. If you should panic about that and change your mind, you can simply drag it back as long as you haven't deleted your Trash folder, and it will reinstall itself. If I remember correctly, you don't, but someone who has an iPhone should have an especially easy time figuring out a Mac because it's almost the same thing. Macs cost more but they are less troublesome, and they usually last longer. While they do make antivirus programs for a Mac, a lot of people don't use them. For one thing, there aren't nearly as many viruses in circulation for a Mac as there are for Windows. For another, you have to give permission before something will install on your Mac. So someone circulating a Mac virus would have to trick you into installing it. If you stick to apps that are available through the Apple App Store, the likelihood of getting something nasty is reduced. Since 2008, I have had three Macs: A MacBook, an iMac, and a MacBook Pro. My wife has a MiniMac, which is much cheaper, and she likes it. After about eight years, the newest version of the Mac OS would not install on my first MacBook. Although it still ran fine on the earlier version, and Apple continued to publish security upgrades for it, I sold my first one and bought a MacBook Pro. I had already bought an iMac. My iMac is a 2011 model, and it does not support the newest version of the Mac OS but that is still the one that I use the most often, not because I prefer the previous version but because I prefer the larger screen on my iMac. Unlike you, I like to be able to upgrade to every new version as they come out, so I will eventually be buying a newer iMac, probably. Oh, by the way, I have never had to pay for an upgrade to the OS. So far, at least, Mac OS upgrades have been free.
I have only used an ipad for about the last 6-7 years, and I would never want to use anything else. It is just SO much simpler than my Windows computer was. I think that I probably had Windows 7 on my computer (and it might have even been the newest thing back then). It was a learning curve to get used to a touch screen; but like Ken said, there is a learning curve to anything, just like when you were trying to change from Win 7 to Win 10. I know that you want a computer, or I would definitely be waving my iPad and telling you that it was the best and the simplest thing that you could possibly use; so I am not doing that. However, my daughter brought me her MacBook, laptop, and when I need an actual computer, I can use that. Like Ken said, it is very similar to my ipad in the way that it is set up , and I think that you would find it much simpler than using Windows 10. We had a Dell XPS18, with Windows 10 on it, and I would not touch it. Even Bobby (who is usually the mellowest guy ever) was always grumbling to it and about it, because it was SO uncooperative. (We GAVE it away ! ) We both love our iPads, but I think that you would also enjoy an Apple computer. Definitely worth going to the Apple Store and letting them show you the options, and how the screen looks on one.
There was a time when I wouldn’t even consider leaving a Window’s OS and even carried that thought process over to when I got my first IPad. The Dell had Window’s 7 loaded onto it which I had to nuke a couple of times due to a Window’s antivirus program that couldn’t keep up. I upgraded to Window’s 10, gave myself some time to learn it and when the cursing under my breath continued, I went all out against Windows. And I wasn’t alone! Our doctor’s entire office was recently upgraded to 10 and all the desk staff were busy with that deer in the headlights look trying to figure out where this file and that file went. Even the vampire (blood test lady) down the hall had to go back to the old school method of using pen and paper because the program was so screwed up. All that said, back to the original question. I have a IPad mini, IPad Air, an IPad Pro and an IMac Pro not discounting the Apple Watch and an IPhone. Apple is soooooo much easier to navigate with virtually no threat of viruses. There are so many more apps than with Windows. The Windows office suite is probably the best app in the computer industry but it’s also expensive. With Apple, there are individual office apps that are free and do just about as well as Excel, Word etc. To me, the transition is like being held under water for an extended period of time and then suddenly allowed to breath air. It’s a relief! I no longer want to dump a computer out of a 2nd story window or practice the more dependable 22 ounce framing hammer technique of giving it a love tap in order to get the attention of the computer. (No, neither method would actually work but I have indeed thought about them) In short, go for it @Hal Pollner! I do not believe for an instant that you will regret it!
There is also OpenOffice, which is free, and NeoOffice, and perhaps some other office suites. I paid for NeoOffice because, although it is based on OpenOffice, they issue upgrades more often. I no longer have much use for office suites but these have the same things as the Window suite, although probably not with as many features.
I didn't like Windows 10, when I downloaded it for free on our laptop (when it was offered free online) and deleted it. But, when we bought our new desktop, it had Windows 10 installed and I had to get use to using it. Fortunately, I know enough about computers, "getting use to it" wasn't a problem and now I like it more than I did Windows 7.