Mac or PC for h/sing programs?

[Bridie's Mama]

Hi all,
We need to get a new laptop and I'm asking those of you who are much more in the trenches than I (my oldest is 4), which computer would be better to get...a mac or a pc? I've heard there isn't as much software with macs & i'm not sure if this would be a detriment with homeschooling? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!

[Dune Lover]

I don't homeschool, but my opinion on computers would be Mac. It has no viruses and lots of online support. If you have an Apple store near by they can be a ton of help. Hope that helps!

[Lillian J]

There isn't as much software of some types for Mac, but there are some things that are better for Mac. And by the time your children are old enough to be needing anything that might not be available for Mac (although I can't imagine what that could be), you'll be into a new computer. But you can now get fairly inexpensive software that will allow you to use PC programs on your Mac - so that's no longer an issue. I've had both, and I love Macs - they're incredibly easy to use and very dependable. In fact, my son, who used to always have fun teasing me about Macs, just advised his dad, who was sick of some of his PC problems, to get one! Lillian

[LVale]

Well, as far as user friendly, the Mac hands down. I have a Mac , thanks to my brother, and as far as software for home schooling? My goodness, the internet is full of stuff all for free! You would not have to invest a dime! If the internet was around when my kids were in school, we would not have had to spent all that time in the library, where most of the info, was already out of date!

[AAK]

Another vote for Mac. We got a PC many years ago because of price. We got a Mac just this last year and can't say enough about it. I was raised with a mac, and am so happy to be using one again. We haven't run into any limitations yet.

Amy

[skueppers]

I also recommend a mac. You will spend so much less time dealing with problems!

There will be some software you can't run on the mac without buying additional software that lets you run pc applications. Whether you actually need it depends on what you're doing- most people don't.

Remember that most stuff today is done on-line with a web browser, and for that, it doesn't matter if you have a pc or a mac.

[LauraLoo]

Another mac family here.'

I've used both, and primarily used PC while WOTH, but really, really love Mac.

[Lillian J]

Yesterday, I wrote:
"In fact, my son, who used to always have fun teasing me about Macs, just advised his dad, who was sick of some of his PC problems, to get one! "

Today, he's happily using his new Mac - he set it up last night - and he's happy as a clam. Lillian

[Forsanda]

another Mac family here.

[DaughterOfKali]

Mac.

[RiverSky]

I have a pc laptop and though I would have loved to get a Mac laptop, well, it would have been twice the cost. I figure even though my PC might get more viruses, for me, the extra money was prohibitive and well, I guess I could buy another laptop in a few years with the saved money, if I really need it.

If money is no object, go for a Mac.

Then again, I really don't know if some of the online or purchased homeschool softwares all work on Mac. I assume they do, but don't know for sure.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by RiverSky

If money is no object, go for a Mac.

For whatever it's worth, there's a slight discount available for homechoolers - scroll down this page in the Apple website and look for "Apple Online Store for Homeschoolers."

Lillian