Home > Technobuddy > Archives > 2007 > August > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA change of heart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I change my mind about as often as I change socks; especially when it comes to technology.
Part of the reason is that technology itself is a constantly shifting field. The other reason is that writing a column on the subject is like taking a continuing-education course.
My readers often react to what I write with their own opinions and reasons. Since many are smarter than me — as hard as that may be to believe. I learn more from them than they’ll ever learn from me.
So today, I’ll talk about some of my opinions that have shifted over the years and explain why. As always, consider this a conversation and let me know what you think.
Macintoshes
I owned one of the first Macs, a Mac Classic. And back in the early 1980s, I fell head over heels in love with the ultra-expensive Apple Lisa, a machine that came before the Mac. Lisa was a commercial failure, but a magnificent one.
I’ve never been a Mac-hater. Honest. But I’ve often made the argument that buying a PC offers more performance for less money. That still seems generally true to me, but other factors have tilted the playing field in Apple’s favor.
As viruses and other security threats have become more annoying and more real, I’ve recommended Macs more often. That advice applies especially to new users, graphic artists and people who don’t want to mess with computers but just use them.
I haven’t abandoned PCs; I’ve used them too long to do that. But for folks who have less of a history with PCs, I think the Apple machines are worth considering. There’s less to worry about from viruses, the Mac will run most PC software these days and — for my money — the learning curve in switching from a PC to a Mac isn’t very steep.
Monitors
I have long advocated CRT monitors — the ones with the big, old-fashioned picture tube. Nothing tops a CRT for accuracy of color, clarity or dependability. It is old tech and, believe me, the bugs are out.
Walk into any high-end video editing studio and you’ll see banks of CRT monitors.
But I’ve begun to switch to wide LCD screens at home. The wide screen made the difference for me. Just trust me and try one out. You won’t want to go back, and since prices have dropped these are now affordable luxuries.
Extended warranties
I am still dead-set against them in most instances. The cost of an extended warranty is just too high when weighed against the risks of failure or the need for repair after the free warranty period.
But readers have convinced me that there are good arguments for extended warranties in a few situations.
Notebook computers — especially if used by a high school or college student — get a lot of abuse. A warranty can make sense. Laptop computers are flimsy plastic creatures. The LCD screen can easily be ruined by a hard knock. Replacing the screen is so expensive most people end up junking the computer.
Big-screen televisions are also candidates. The cost of replacing the projector bulb on a rear-projection TV can almost pay for the warranty. (That’s assuming the warranty includes the bulb. … It varies and you’ll need to check.)
I’m not saying you should get extended warranties with these items. I’m suggesting that you consider the cost of repairs to HDTVs and laptop computers and then do the math to see if it makes sense for you.
That’s it for today. I’ll send this off to my editor before I change my mind again.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns
Comments
By Stephen
August 17, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
Most laptop warranties and extended warranties explicitly exclude the display and any damage from abuse, like dropping or hitting. But even without abuse, hinges and latches can break, drives quit working, electronic things fry, and that’s when the warranty is mighty comforting. I also find that at the Apple Store my AppleCare contract gets me quicker, more complete, and more pleasant service.
By scott
August 17, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Bill,
I thought it was rather telling that I came across this…
http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/08/17/costanalysis/index.php
…just before reading your column.
By Bill
August 18, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
That’s a good column Scott - I hadn’t seen it. I read it with sort of blurry eyes - I’m having a long week at work and need to be down there through the weekend. But I’ll read it with more care later.
I’m not nearly as analytical as that guy. But my gut feeling is that Macs are - like I said in the column - an increasingly attractive option.
I’m not convinced that there is cost parity in the real world. I think the average user can buy a PC that suits them (does what needs to be done) for less than they’d buy a Mac that suits them. But that’s just part of the buying decision. Here are the things that have tilted me toward recommending Macs to many of my readers:
Like I said in the column, there’s no question that Macs have less trouble with viruses and spyware.
I think customer service and tech support from Apple is good, compared to what you could expect from a Dell, Gateway, etc.
By scott
August 18, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Bill,
I think your take is right on target. Buyers may be able to get a PC that suits them for less than a Mac.
But having said that, I think one thing potential buyers should consider is whether what suits them can be handled by a Mac with less hassle, and whether that “lack of hassle” helps make up for the cost difference. I’d say if you’re mainly interested in doing web stuff and e-mail, then the answer could be yes, as Macs — at least for now — aren’t nearly as vulnerable to Internet nastiness. (The column I referenced in my earlier post gets into this quite a bit.)
Also, folks who buy a Mac might discover that they can do more with a computer than they’d thought, and “what suits them” becomes a higher standard. That is, because Macs come with software that makes it relatively easy to make movies, photo slideshows etc., the higher price of the machine seems more reasonable.
So a Mac could be the ideal — gets you on the Web without worries, plus enables you to do fun stuff that you may not have realized you could do. Throw in virtualization software such as Parallels to run Windows, and you truly have the best of both worlds.
But I suspect I don’t need to tell you this, as you’re already finding the Mac more attractive.
One final thing — don’t work too hard this weekend!
Take care, Scott
By George E
August 18, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Bill regarding Mac vs PC’s: My friend has one, has trouble using it and always looking for help. I tell him having a Mac is being in a club where everyone has a Harley and he has a Honda. The guys with the Harley can usually help each other with some problems, everything is similar, but they probably can’t help with his, because it is so different!
By Bill
August 18, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
You’re right George, it is sort of like being in a club. And since there are more PCs around, more of the people around you - typically, obviously there are exceptions - are likely to have one.
One positive, I switch back and forth between a Mac and a PC that sit on my desk. Most of the menu options are the same and, even when I am switching constantly (because of various chores I do at work) between the two I seldom have a problem. That sure wasn’t true in the old days - there was a bigger transistion curve.
I think both systems are good to very good - compared to how things used to be. And - just to be clear - Macs do have glitches and hiccups at times.
One area where a PC shines - even when comparing them to Macs capable of running programs intended for Windows - is games. One area where Macs really shine is photo editing.
OK. I’m off to work in a while - working 4 to midnight - no fun at all … the same for Sunday. But I’m banking some days off and plan to have a couple of long weekends in a row before long. That means, of course, that my wife is making a list of stuff I need to do around the house.
By D
August 19, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
I have been a mac guy for the beginning and have used pc(s) and mac(s) both. However, looking at price and performance, I’m switching the other way to PC(s).
I’m buying a laptop right now. I can get a nice Dell Vostro laptop (2.0ghz c2d, 17” screen with 1920x1200 resolution, , “3gig” ram, 160gig hard drive, nvidia 8600m gt video card, “4 year” next day on-site warranty) for $1852.
A similar laptop at Apple: Macbook Pro — (2.4ghz c2d, same display as above, 2gig ram (less than above), same hard drive, same video card, “3 yr” warranty (less than above) for $3248.
The difference is $1,396. Macbook Pro’s faster processor isn’t as helpful as an extra “1 gig” of ram. The extra warranty coverage for the 4th year with Dell Vostro can also save you a LOT of money. I have a Mac Powerbook G4 right now and know how important warranties are for laptops.
Macintoshes are more trouble free. (They have been my most reliable computers.) But is that worth paying 50%-100% more for a mac (including the money saved by an year of warranty coverage).
Note: On a PC, you can also use VM software like Parallels Desktop to user other operating systems, and software like VMware Workstation is more mature in my opinion.
By Ralph Garner
August 20, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Bill, I think your “Bill Husted’s Computer Tips” is every bit as important as your regular “Technobuddy” column. Is it possible to access it from your blog site? Ralph Garner
By Bill
August 20, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Hi Ralph, you should be able to get the Q&A column here too. But seems like the Web folk keep forgetting. I’ll send an e-mail once I get to work today. You are supposed to be able to find it at this link, but - I just tried - and there’s nothing there. Thanks for mentioning it. I don’t check things here as often as I should.
By Dan Riley
August 20, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
These links have resulted in blanks for months - someone should be checking !!
By Bill
August 20, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
OK Dan and Ralph, I e-mailed the Web folks here at the newspaper and let them know that the Q&A columns aren’t appearing at the linked page off the Biz page. Maybe they’ll get it fixed.
By Vicky
August 20, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
I agree with your list of gadgets must have. I would add one more, TIVO. It saves me so much time. Thanks
By Prootwadl
August 22, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
I tend to get extended warranties on any electronic devices that have a lot of mvoing parts, and it’s paid off over the past 20 years. I’ve gotten a tape deck, a DVD changer, and a Sony walkman replaced, each of them after multiple repairs under warranty (all at Best Buy). Maybe I just have bad luck, but at least I’ve found a way to cover my … losses. :-)
By susan
August 23, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Prootwadl, I’m gradually moving toward your point of view. I now gauge things based on the (1) cost of the extended warranty weighed against the cost of the item and the cost of likely repairs and (2) just the track record of that particular gizmo … as far as how likely it is to breakdown or need service.
By John Tyler
August 27, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
Bill: This is a tech question. I have just gotten a 250 gig external hard drive and i’m not sure how to properly back up everything to it. I have windows XP. Could you give me the steps to backup my internal hard drive? Thanks, JCT