Join the most popular community of UK swingers now
Login

What PC?

last reply
23 replies
1.4k views
0 watchers
0 likes
Hi all
I am after a bit of advice, I am up dating the computers at work and I am not sure what would be the best options. I need two computers for myself and my assistant. We do data analysis, word processing, internet usage and I also do a lot of design work for leaflets etc. We need to be compatible with each others computer as we both analyse the same data etc.
Has anyone got any advice at what i need to look at? I realise that Apple is probably best for the design aspect but would we have compatibility issues with PC's?
you can buy microsoft office for macs so there is no real compatibility issues
would there be issues regarding other pc based software?
such as?
Data base pro
Database Pro is also on the Mac. So you have a choice.
biggrin
*lover*
What are you using now? if using a mac now then stick with macs.
If your going the PC route a quad core / i7 with 4gb ram and a good graphics card is recommended.
When I was an It drone an old crusty techie gave me some advice that stood me in good stead. Visit a few small charities that have similar sized offices and find out what they are using. They are typically budget/performance conscious and need systems that require the facilities most businesses require.
We have just got funding from the awards for all to help up date our system so have a nice little sum to spend but obviously want to make the most of it
Quote by The_third_man
We have just got funding from the awards for all to help up date our system so have a nice little sum to spend but obviously want to make the most of it

In that case have a look at both Macs and PCs to see what you get 'out of he box', but bear in mind that in general most Macs need little or no IT support, and can last you a good 10 years or more.
*lover*
An ideal solution would be an Intel 'Big' Mac as a server/mail server/data storage/file share hub and Intel Imacs as workstations, unless you need to add expansion cards of some sort. Networking wise Mac's pretty much plug together, a quick setup of permissions and off you go. I'm very much converted to the dark side now :twisted:
Quote by meat2pleaseu
An ideal solution would be an Intel 'Big' Mac as a server/mail server/data storage/file share hub and Intel Imacs as workstations, unless you need to add expansion cards of some sort. Networking wise Mac's pretty much plug together, a quick setup of permissions and off you go. I'm very much converted to the dark side now :twisted:

Geek................... rolleyes
Quote by markz
Geek................... rolleyes

You want me don't you? :roll:
Do you have a back up system in place?. more important than anything else. BACKUPS.
Quote by benrums0n
When I was an It drone an old crusty techie gave me some advice that stood me in good stead. Visit a few small charities that have similar sized offices and find out what they are using. They are typically budget/performance conscious and need systems that require the facilities most businesses require.

This is good advice :thumbup:
Bear In mind also that although you design your own leaflets I'm guessing you're not into heavy professional graphic design which case don't just get top of the range pro machines (even though you've got the money), but think about what you need and then try to anticipate how long you'd like the machines to last, and what sort of work you'll be doing in 5-10 years time. Most of your usage doesn't require all the 'bells and whistles' of the computers currently available.
Don't get me wrong all I'm saying is "don't buy a ferrari just to go round the shops", get what's appropriate for your needs.
That way you'll get the best use out of the machines you buy.
Quote by meat2pleaseu
An ideal solution would be an Intel 'Big' Mac as a server/mail server/data storage/file share hub and Intel Imacs as workstations, unless you need to add expansion cards of some sort. Networking wise Mac's pretty much plug together, a quick setup of permissions and off you go. I'm very much converted to the dark side now :twisted:

WTF did you say? :shock:
Can I have the English version please
Dave_Notts
Quote by Dave__Notts
An ideal solution would be an Intel 'Big' Mac as a server/mail server/data storage/file share hub and Intel Imacs as workstations, unless you need to add expansion cards of some sort. Networking wise Mac's pretty much plug together, a quick setup of permissions and off you go. I'm very much converted to the dark side now :twisted:

WTF did you say? :shock:
Can I have the English version please
Dave_Notts
OK Dve, just for you :mrgreen:
This is a Mac Pro (aka 'Big Mac')

also lovely and shiney and also clever, just not as clever as a Mac Pro, and cos they squashed all the clever bits into a little box you can't plug in much in the way of new things to make it more clever (it does make it much cheaper than a Mac Pro though)
So, you buy one 'Big Mac' (expensive) and several IMacs (less expensive) The IMacs are used by staff on their desks leaving the Mac Pro to do many other clever things.
PC's don't like to chat to each other very much, they frequently just spout bolox and try to talk over each other (again, a bit like ladies on the phone chatting about shoes wink )
Macs love to chat to each other, you just plug them all together, give each one a name, tell each one who it can talk to (setting permissions) and off they go.
Is that a bit more simple for you Dave? Do you want me to explain the workings of a Satnav too? :haha:
Quote by evildave
Do you have a back up system in place?. more important than anything else. BACKUPS.

Macs come up trumps again. Just stick a big old external firewire or USB drive onto your Mac or Mac server, setup Time Machine to back everything up when you need to and off you go. If you run out of space you can just piggy back another drive onto it, it even looks flashy too, a bit like the opening for Star Wars lol
I miss my Mac
lp
Quote by __random_orbit__
I miss my Mac
lp

I might send you a picture of all mine, just to taunt you :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Quote by meat2pleaseu
An ideal solution would be an Intel 'Big' Mac as a server/mail server/data storage/file share hub and Intel Imacs as workstations, unless you need to add expansion cards of some sort. Networking wise Mac's pretty much plug together, a quick setup of permissions and off you go. I'm very much converted to the dark side now :twisted:

WTF did you say? :shock:
Can I have the English version please
Dave_Notts
OK Dave, just for you :mrgreen:
This is a Mac Pro (aka 'Big Mac')

also lovely and shiney and also clever, just not as clever as a Mac Pro, and cos they squashed all the clever bits into a little box you can't plug in much in the way of new things to make it more clever (it does make it much cheaper than a Mac Pro though)
So, you buy one 'Big Mac' (expensive) and several IMacs (less expensive) The IMacs are used by staff on their desks leaving the Mac Pro to do many other clever things.
PC's don't like to chat to each other very much, they frequently just spout bolox and try to talk over each other (again, a bit like ladies on the phone chatting about shoes wink )
Macs love to chat to each other, you just plug them all together, give each one a name, tell each one who it can talk to (setting permissions) and off they go.
Is that a bit more simple for you Dave? Do you want me to explain the workings of a Satnav too? :haha:

Now that I understand. You really need to write a diy computer book in this type of language. Even I understood the second explaination.
The first one though.........not a fecking clue.
Cheers meaty
Dave_Notts
Bugger me even i understood the explanation and those shiny boxes sure look pretty.
Mind you at a grand a pop for the imac Its gonna have to be very very pretty.
Quote by benrums0n
Bugger me even i understood the explanation and those shiny boxes sure look pretty.
Mind you at a grand a pop for the imac Its gonna have to be very very pretty.

Sounds like a lot of money but unlike a PC you'll not need to upgrade it for a very long time. Apart from extra memory, and a larger hard disk maybe, everything is there for networking and communications. The free software that comes with the Mac OS has a good reputation and allows you to produce everything from, word processing to presentations, web design, music authoring, photo editing etc.
Plus there are no silly animations telling you to buy loads of crap you don't need, or trying to guess what you're trying to do AND getting it wrong. Also no constant virus warnings, or dialogue boxes that read like War and Peace when doing something as simple as printing etc.
And 17 different ways to do the one thing. None of which you can ever remember where to find in the appropriate menu. Or having to download more software or drivers for everyday things which the Mac OS has very sensibly included from day one in the operating system …
Sorry rant over. redface
*lover*
Quote by benrums0n
Mind you at a grand a pop for the imac Its gonna have to be very very pretty.

Apple auctions, about £700 but shhhhhhh, don't tell everyone wink