Mac OS

[netmaestro]

Turning over the idea of maybe getting an iMac. I like Windows XP and 7 but I hate Windows 8. Way too "tablet-ey". Having never used MacOS, I don't know if I'd be buying something I'd hate or not. Can you tell me anything about how its user interface is to work with?

[wilbert]

It's a matter of taste

I used Windows for years and switched to Mac a few years ago. At first it took a little time to get used to.
Currently I have a dual boot configuration (OS X and Windows 7) and I only boot into Windows if I have to.
I absolutely prefer OS X over Windows.

[Shardik]

For me it's absolutely the same as wilbert said. I bought my first Mac ever (iMac) in summer 2010 because I wanted to start programming my first cross-platform application with PureBasic. I have a triple-boot installation on my iMac with MacOS X (Snow Leopard), Ubuntu 12.04 x64 LTS (with KDE, Unity and Enlightenment 17) and Windows 7 x64. On an external harddisk I have also bootable partitions with MacOS X Lion and Mountain Lion (Mavericks will follow on this weekend). Most of the time I am working on MacOS. I mostly don't use proprietory Apple software but open source software like Firefox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice, which works and looks the same on all 3 platforms.

[netmaestro]

What would a high-end imaging program be for Mac? I don't want to lay out for Photoshop again, maybe Gimp?

[wilbert]

What would a high-end imaging program be for Mac? I don't want to lay out for Photoshop again, maybe Gimp?

It depends on what features you need.
Some applications you could consider.
- Gimp
- Photoshop Elements
- Pixelmator ( http://www.pixelmator.com )
- Acorn ( http://www.flyingmeat.com/acorn/ )

[c4s]

I like Windows XP and 7 but I hate Windows 8. Way too "tablet-ey".

Especially Windows 8.1 is really not that bad as everyone(?) is saying. If you configure it just a little bit, it really feels like an even better Windows 7.

[blueb]

Especially Windows 8.1 is really not that bad as everyone(?) is saying. If you configure it just a little bit, it really feels like an even better Windows 7.

I agree c4s.

Windows 8.1 is very solid and enjoyable to use.. mind you I have a 3rd party Start button to bypass any 'tablet' issues.

[Olby]

Turning over the idea of maybe getting an iMac. I like Windows XP and 7 but I hate Windows 8. Way too "tablet-ey". Having never used MacOS, I don't know if I'd be buying something I'd hate or not. Can you tell me anything about how its user interface is to work with?

From what I've heard Apple is merging iOS and OSX. I assume they will also make it more tablet-ey in the near future. Lets see where it goes.

[PB]

> how its user interface is to work with?

Is there an Apple Store nearby where you can play with one?
Until you really have a go, I wouldn't recommend that you buy.
They're just too damn expensive if you haven't test-driven first.

[luis]

I would buy a book about its user interface (for the general user) and a book about programming it (cocoa, objective-c).
After reading them you will have a good idea.

You could also download a virtual machine image from Internet and try it (there are many floating around).

Personally, I think the interface it's very good and easy to use from a final user point of view. It's more stratified than the one on Windows. The casual user interact with the higher level and it's happy, more than with Windows I would suspect. With Windows all it's more "horizontal". Almost everything it's right there, not always a good thing. Windows it's faster to use IMHO. A big plus of mac is the "unix" shell if you like that sort of control and programmability (windows recently it's trying to mitigate this with its powershell).

From a programmer point of view, it's too early for me to say. I can tell you I loathe objective-c though and its long-winded, verbose expressiveness and the fact Apple tend to throw api out of the window much quickly than windows telling you "just rewrite it".

PB is a lot less polished under OSX currently compared to the Window version.

I think Win 8.1 is the wrong answer to the right question MS has asked to itself, but the dominant MS position will make it stick.

[J. Baker]

What would a high-end imaging program be for Mac? I don't want to lay out for Photoshop again, maybe Gimp?

Gimp is now native for OS X...
http://gimp.lisanet.de/Website/News/News.html

As for OS X vs Windows...
Absolutely love OS X, just don't like Apples prices. It's not made of gold but is the best OS, I think anyway.

[Danilo]

Having never used MacOS, I don't know if I'd be buying something I'd hate or not.

I've never ever met a person who hates Mac OS X or regrets buying a Mac computer.
Usually it's the other way around. Most guys love it, because it just works. It is nice,
polished, and a pleasure to use.

I got my first Mac some month ago and didn't have a problem using it from the first minute on.
Some things are different, and after 3 or 4 days you get used to it. IMO no problem at all.
Wilbert and J. Baker said it all. I join them in what they said, those happy Mac users.

For you, as a developer, there is another thing to consider: It is a new platform for you, a new marketplace.
If you are open-minded and like life-long learning, it is another platform you can rule and add to your knowledge base.
Wouldn't it be an advantage to have MacOSX on your list of expertise, as a developer?

What you pay is an investment for you. It is not only some piece of hardware, it is also a new platform for you,
as a developer. You also get additional software with it, including Apple's developer tools, for free.

Maybe it is a little bit like cars. Premium cars cost a bit more for a reason, and when you buy a Mac, you
get a premium OS and hardware for the money.
For the guys who want to save some bucks, Apple Certified Refurbished Mac's could be an option.
They are usually 20% to 30% off, and come with a 1-year warranty.

I don't think you will be the first person who does not like Mac's and MacOSX, so just go for it... like some of the guys here, including myself...