My parents are looking for a new computer. They're basic users. I converted to Mac from PC (Windows XP) 18 months ago and love it. In the meantime I've used vista and hated it and found it to be not user friendly. I'm worried about my parents adapting to vista (most pcs are sold with it now). Has anyone got any experience with basic pc users changing from XP to Vista or from XP to Mac? I'd like to know before I advise them one way or another.

Obviously I can install XP on a PC if they can't adapt to Vista but I can also run XP on a mac.

I would say a Mac for ease of use, I have been wanting to get my parents onto Mac because they have so many problems on windows, constant pop ups viruses etc.... and they have no idea what to do - but they are scared to go to Mac because the people around them are PC users so they can turn to them for help, I keep trying to explain that if they had a mac they wouldn;t have any problems! anyway a Mac would be my advice (and that's not because i am biased )

I converted from WinXP to Mac 3 years ago, and last year converted my mother from WinXP to Mac too. I find I have much less support to do now, and generally it's of the form 'click on that menu item there', rather than 'open regedit, search for this string, reboot 3 times' etc. Also she's able to use video conferencing much more reliably without webcams randomly stopping working (as they did on the PC), and her Windows PC always seemed to run a lot slower because of all the anti-virus and anti-spyware software it was necessary to install.

I have no experience of Vista so can't say if it would be easier than XP. I haven't heard great things about it though, so I'd say: persuade them to get a Mac. It may cost a bit more, but it's better for your (and your parents') sanity.

Hi,

interesting question. We finally got my wife's parents onto the internet in order to send email, use skype etc. In the end we gave them an old mac mini which I had bought to play around with but was now collecting dust as I had been more frustrated than satisified with using it.

They are pretty scared of technology, being in their 70's a lot of it has just passed them by. As long as we show them exactly what to do they have no problems with the machine and so it works well for them.

A couple of problems have been none of their friends or neighbours use Macs so if they have any problems or questions we end up doing telephone support and finding accesories/peripherals can be a pain and expensive.

There a lot of things that are simple to do on the pc or there are lots of alternative programs or hardware for the pcs and the choice is much more limited in the apple world, As for user friendliness is really a matter of personal choice. I have used Windows and OSX and I prefer Windows and Vista is no where near as bad as people make out. Also it will not be that long before Windows 7 will available and I think that will deal with most of the issues that people raise.

If what you do is limited and you want a machine just for surfing, sending email, managing photos etc then the Mac can be a good choice for your parents.

Have fun

Martin

I would recommend Linux (Suse, RedHat, Ubuntu...):
- The KDE-GUI is very easy
- open office, browser, email programs look and feel like PC and work flawless
- the thing runs on a cheap PC
- never worry about viruses, exploits and so on anymore (safety is a major concern for my mother)

A valid point.

Another good point. I for one find Windows extremely annoying to use and administer (I haven't tried Vista). The Mac is much nicer (for me) to use. But the Mac also has some annoyances. Nothing is perfect.

I'd be careful about touting Windows 7 as something "that will deal with most of the issues that people raise". Microsoft have a track record of releasing OSes that take a couple of years (and paid for service packs) to get right.

As might be a netbook with Linux or XP. But choosing Linux might bring up the support problem as mentioned above.

There are a few netbook reviews here:

Hmm. I dislike KDE. Mainly because it tries so hard to look like Windows. But you are correct about viruses. Microsoft have possibly the worst security track record in the industry. Linux has no viruses, and I'm not aware of any for the Mac (I mean virus in the sense of the original definition. Worms, etc. are a different matter and not normally a part of the OS).

Thanks for that, appreciated.

This is helpful too. Thanks.

Speaking from the reverse, I have had Macs for the last 10 years. I became seduced by these new "Netbooks"-- both for the size/cost/ease of use for travel and the like. While I use a PC at work and so I am somewhat familiar with it, I was OVERWHELMED with my new little netbook and the length of time it took me to load and update and install all the basic bells and whistles. I needed a lot of help but I now am able to use it and do love it.

But I certainly cursed a few times about how I will never buy another pc and I am continually annoyed at the constantly (almost weekly) updates for the firewire and virus protections. I was really amazed that so many people used PCs with all this extra trouble that you certainly don't have with basic applications on a mac.

However, my feeling is that with the Mac is that they want you to commit to purchasing the latest and greatest model and so if you do go in this direction with your folks, I would suggest getting them the newest version that you can. They quickly offer less support for the older computers and once you are 2-3 years old, you really notice you are becoming a bit dated. It certainly can be over come but for a beginning user, it can be intimidating.

Good luck!

Hi just to add some balance, there is a cost implication to getting Mac's I think they are a bit more expensive and the software you wish to purchase will be less widespread, though this would not affect your parents if it is simple day to day usage.

I would not say that Mac's a immune to computer vulnerabilities. It may be a Mac but it still runs browsers and applications which will have vulnerabilities so this will affect you in the same way you need to keep Windows up to date. As Mac's become more mainstream attacks will start to appear for them as well.

Mike

Sure, I'd agree with all that, although I think the Mac's security model (based on Unix) is generally more robust that XP's (which seems to be basically one band-aid on top of another). Maybe Vista or Windows 7 are better? At least the Mac doesn't keep nagging you to reboot every few minutes after you've told it you'll do it later.

I'd also mention that the supplied apps on the Mac (iLife) are better integrated than those on the XP, although I think the PC world is improving a lot in this regard (mostly thanks to Google). From the point of view of a new user, this makes them much easier to learn. My mother is in her 70s and copes quite well. With the PC applications she used to use, each of them seemed to have a different idea of what constituted a user interface.

Correct about the cost of hardware + software. Hence the netbook if all you want to do is use a web browser and e-mail, etc.

I agree that Macs are not immune to security vulnerabilities. Flaws in non-OS components as provided by Apple, such as Safari, do occur. Also flaws occur in third party software such as Firefox and Open Office. But these flaws usually affect Windows, Linux and Mac OS X versions equally (because the flaws are not viruses and operate at the application level).

The one about "as Macs become more mainstream ..." is certainly not a given fact, it is merely an opinion. Mac OS X is estimated to be installed on as many as 9% of personal computers. And I'm still not aware of any viruses. The overwhelmig majority of malware is directed at PCs running Windows because this combination is such an easy target.

The only protection I have on my iMac is the WEP key on my wireless router, and the default filter rules on that router. I automatically get free, regular updates, both security and non-security rated. The only inconvenience is the occasional reboot. But I power off after use anyway. I have never paid for a Mac OS X "service pack".

No anti-virus or anti-spyware stacks for me, with their associated financial and performance costs. I don't know how much it costs to protect a PC against malware for a year, but this cost should be factored in when considering the cost of a system.

Mac's, Windows and Linux are all the same. All have there positives and negatives.

For your situation OP I would say stick with what you know. If you are comfortable with supporting a Mac then use that for your parents. If the expense is not an issue and the learning curve is not too high for them. It's certainly less to go wrong.

As for Vista, don't get me started. Slow clunky and two many clicks to do anything. Windows 7 not quite so bad in my tests. Still we can only see on that one.

One from 2006: http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/ne...acosxleap.html

Apple advises users to get AV software: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12...mac_av_advice/

Same as Windows then, security updates are free.


Its free: http://free.avg.com/

Hi,

my view of Windows 7 is based on running the beta on 3 machines ranging through a laptop, netbook and desktop and assuming there are no major regressions come the final release, I feel sure that for most people it will address the perceived reaction to Vista...it certainly will not please everybody.

With the Apple I am amazed how large their regular security patches are. They are also fairly slow in patching security holes. A lot of it has been luck and the small size of their market that has meant they are not such a juicy target for hackers.

Have fun

Martin

Thanks for the correction. But service packs? Are they free also?

Keep it simple, talk them into using the same system you're using. The main benefit obviously being your enthusiasm towards Mac will go a long way in your helping them through the learning curve associated with an operating system.

Yes, they are.

I've been happily using Vista for a good 6 months now (and on a 3 year old PC). Personally I don't see what all the fuss is - UAC, alone, is enough reason for me to prefer Vista, and performance is comparable to the alternatives (primarily: MacOS X).


With that said, assuming they (or you ) are happy to wear the higher costs (ca. 1.5-2x as much), get them a Mac (ideally an iMac). Its relative obscurity - and the apparent disinterest of Apple in any aggressive marketshare expansion - should keep it well below the radar of most internet nasties for a few more years yet, and the software base - outside of games - is both extensive and accessible.


As for Linux.... Maybe. I've been a UNIX sysadmin for about a decade now, and the usability of Linux has come a phoenomenal distance in that time. The latest versions of Ubuntu are quite polished. However, there are still niggling problems with wifi networks, and a few general usability "nearly theres" all-round. If you don't already have experience with it yourself, to help them out when required, I couldn't recommend it.

Say what ? When have Microsoft ever charged for a service pack ?