Q: I want to replace my desktop computer with a laptop. My Mac friends keep insisting that I buy a Mac. I want to buy a PC because 1) I am used to them, and 2) I can get a Dell with more power for half the money I'd pay for a MacBook. When I use Macs owned by my friends, I find them very counterintuitive, but maybe that's associated with being a stodgy old coot who hates change. While it sounds like I am piling on reasons not to buy a Mac, I am actually still open on the subject. In fact, I think that I am leaning toward the Mac because I like the salesperson. How's that for logical reasoning?
John Edens
A: In truth, there's much to like about the Mac, the sales people and the company's technical support. It rates the highest of any computer company when it comes to technical support. So the fact that you like the salesperson may be a clue about how the company treats its customers.
As far as the uncomfortable feeling you get when using a Mac, that is natural and probably would pass in time. I've spent a lifetime using both Macs and PCs and I have to admit that I'm a diehard PC guy. But that may be for the same reasons you noted, including being a stubborn old coot.
There are many real advantages to using a Mac, not least of them being the fact that they're virtually immune to viruses. I do agree that you pay a bit more -- when comparing machines with equivalent performance -- when buying a Mac. And, in a PC's favor, I find that they are easier to customize as far as the availability of add-on hardware used to build one that suits your exact needs.
I think both Macs and PCs have made great leaps in ease-of-use and reliability over the past decade. Both have, at various times, saved my neck and broken my heart. Based on your e-mail it seems that you may be ready to move to a Mac. You have a built-in support network of friends who use and love them and, hey, you like the salesperson.
Q: I have a Dell desktop that's about 8 years old. I only have about 4.28 GB of free space on its 40 GB hard disk. Can I simply delete some unused programs to free up hard disk space?
Ed Thomas
A: The amount of disk space you'd free up probably would be trivial. I don't think that's the answer for you. The usual solution to your problem would be to buy a new, larger hard disk. You could either keep the one you have now and add a second disk, or just replace the old disk with one much larger, maybe 200 to 300 GB. But I'm thinking that, if you can swing it, you should just replace the computer. At 8 years old it can't really compete with machines that are on shelves now for $600 to $800. So rather than spend $100 or even more to replace the old disk, it makes better sense to get the performance boost from a new machine that will come with an adequately sized hard disk.
Q: Sometimes when I boot up the computer my keyboard is dead. Everything else works. Any thoughts?
Don Coonley
A: First, unplug the keyboard and plug it in again. Sometimes a faulty connection can create the symptoms you describe. Next, if you can, substitute another keyboard. If it works, you'll know that fixing things is as simple as buying a new keyboard.
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