Purchasing a MAC -- Would you recommend the classes and why?

[Eskimo_Joe]

I'm purchasing a MAC next week. From talking with the sales people, I know they offer a package of instructional type classes. Has anyone taken them? If so, are they worth the $? What do you learn? Thanks!

[GAD]

Depends on the individual. For me they're not worth the money, but for many people I know they are. It depends on your comfort level and experience with computers and new things in general I'd say.

[TD_Madden]

Agree with GAD, but one of the selling-points for Macs is their supposed ease of use...

[Platypus]

I'd be surprised if anyone has trouble using OSX... just get it and then you can see if the classes are worth it or not.

[Jon C]

if you are transitioning from a PC there are definitely some learning curves to deal with ... it's easy to use a MAC but I don't find the keyboard commands, for ex., to be intuitive, and coming from a PC it's a PITA to remember them each time (months apart) I use a Mac.

...hard to say if it requires paying for the year worth of classes, but at the $1/week my parents paid it could be worth it ... can also use it to get into more sophisticated things (publishing etc.) that you may or may not figure out via tutorials etc.

[jtm622]

IMO, OS X is what makes a Mac more stable - and, therfore, superior - to Windows-based machines... Mac OS 9 was okay, but Apple wisely tossed that whole platform out and started from scratch with the totally new OS X...

I've got a server running OS X that has not been re-booted in so long that I can't even remember the last time we single-clicked on the "restart" icon... :)

[cooljuk]

Buy the mac. Live with it for a while. You may find that things just work the way you'd expect them to. If you are having trouble, take the class at that point or get a good book.

[stevel]

if you are transitioning from a PC there are definitely some learning curves to deal with ... it's easy to use a MAC but I don't find the keyboard commands, for ex., to be intuitive, and coming from a PC it's a PITA to remember them each time (months apart) I use a Mac.

...hard to say if it requires paying for the year worth of classes, but at the $1/week my parents paid it could be worth it ... can also use it to get into more sophisticated things (publishing etc.) that you may or may not figure out via tutorials etc.

Yes, that darn "Apple Q" to quit is so less intuitive than Alt+F4 to Quit.

To the OP, if you're not a computer person at all, the money might be well spent, but as others have noted, Macs are supposed to be (and they are) extremely user-friendly and easy to learn. You may have to "un-learn" some PC commands but a week later you'll be happy you did.

In fact, I'm even surprised Apple offers such a thing, given how easy they are to use - it's counter to their standard marketing (ease of use) claim.

They're really easy to use. Wait until you see how easy it is to set up the first time!

Steve

[Mr_You]

Buy the mac. Live with it for a while. You may find that things just work the way you'd expect them to. If you are having trouble, take the class at that point or get a good book.

+1 ... I agree.

[getbent]

get the card for 99.00. you get 12 1 hour, 1 on 1 lessons with a trainer on anything and any program on your mac. It is a very fast way for you to learn an app (say garageband or logic) deeply and well. Most folks 'get around' fine without the classes but they are using their machine only in a small percentage of its capability.

I buy a card for all my family members who are new to the mac or have just gotten a new mac and they all tell me it is the greatest thing....

I usually casually ask people who don't think they need the training "hey, have you ever used the zoom on a mac? summarize? do you ever use sections in garageband? are you using faces in iphoto? have you looked at automator? and so on... they usually look blankly at me.. and they are 'experts'....

just in learning 'ducking' in making a podcast can make your projects so much better and you can automate it!

If line 6 offered local classes in the m9 or m13, I'd take a 4 hour class on it.... why? because there are really cool features that a guy might not stumble on....

There is a richness to the apps and OS on macs that too many people don't even experience because they are 'up and running' so quickly... but, by being exposed they will have a much much deeper experience by learning....

it is kind of the difference between getting by and having fun and really having a rich computing experience.... for me, I'm never done learning and I've found that classes etc are a real booster to my self instruction.

[HammyD]

Agree with GAD, but one of the selling-points for Macs is their supposed ease of use...

Yes, but there are so many cool new features to Ilife and many of the apps, it might be worth the money to have someone walk you through it all. Espcially if you are new to Mac.

[jaydub69]

Dude, the classes are free unless you want the one on one. Definitely take advantage of these. They show you lots of short cuts and tips.

Enjoy it.

-john

I did this with it:
http://web.me.com/jaydub69/Site_3/Welcome.html

[Jon C]

Yes, that darn "Apple Q" to quit is so less intuitive than Alt+F4 to Quit.



your snarkiness aside ... whether or not it seems simple & easy to YOU isn't the issue, it's how it works for someone coming from years on a PC ... I'm a pretty savvy guy but still have to adjust to the Mac a bit. And so do others I know who know their way around a computer pretty well (inside & out)


That's just a fact... I'm thrilled you're apparently a Mac genius, but there's no need for you to get a short hair up your a$$ about it... I like Macs but not the attitude of some Mac zombies. Remember TGP Rule No. 1: don't be a dick. :wave

and btw, I have no idea what the hell you're talking about with F4, etc., I think I moved past that in about 1993 ... :aok

[greggorypeccary]

My dad took the classes and loved them. But he was moving over from PC, does photo stuff and started running the website for his car club, so he needed to learn more than the basics.

[turtlesoup]

i started out on windows and moved to mac with no hassle. never took any classes, so i would defer to those who say they are worth it, but here's a handy key combo for ya

control+option+apple+8

[gobseulmuhri]

I recently moved to a Mac for the first time. As of now, I've been using it only for daily computing (web browsing, light garage band, etc) and have had no problem adjusting. But I only go to the surface level, and I know that I'm definitely not utitlizing the mac to its full potential. I'm pretty sure that if I wanted, I can teach myself the deeper functions, but taking classes would be way more convenient.

[hot lava mike]

When I first got my iMac I couldn't figure out how to shut it down. There's a learning curve for sure switching over from PC- but I'm betting you can figure most stuff out on internet forums and asking friends.

[Jon C]

When I first got my iMac I couldn't figure out how to shut it down. There's a learning curve for sure switching over from PC- but I'm betting you can figure most stuff out on internet forums and asking friends.


LOL ... my father still doesn't always remember but it's better than when he called me up after a few months on his PC and observed/asked why you press "Start" to turn off a Windows machine.... I laughed and said welcome to the bizarro world of Microsoft apps ... :D

[eBay]

I'm purchasing a MAC next week. From talking with the sales people, I know they offer a package of instructional type classes. Has anyone taken them? If so, are they worth the $? What do you learn? Thanks!

I thought they were way too slow but I'm a programmer. I hung out for about 10 minutes and then just found a forum to post questions on.

[stevel]

your snarkiness aside ... whether or not it seems simple & easy to YOU isn't the issue, it's how it works for someone coming from years on a PC ... I'm a pretty savvy guy but still have to adjust to the Mac a bit. And so do others I know who know their way around a computer pretty well (inside & out)


That's just a fact... I'm thrilled you're apparently a Mac genius, but there's no need for you to get a short hair up your a$$ about it... I like Macs but not the attitude of some Mac zombies. Remember TGP Rule No. 1: don't be a dick. :wave

and btw, I have no idea what the hell you're talking about with F4, etc., I think I moved past that in about 1993 ...

I was only being, apparently, snarky. Pot seems to be calling the kettle black with the other term.

I use both macs and pcs regularly. Mac wins for ease of use.

Steve

[stevel]

i started out on windows and moved to mac with no hassle. never took any classes, so i would defer to those who say they are worth it, but here's a handy key combo for ya

control+option+apple+8

The best key combo to know is apple+option+esc

:aok

just in case your mac does have a hiccup

Steve

[thewhit]

The $99 fee for the one hour classes really seems like a great idea. There is a store 20 minutes from my house and if I ever get the time I'm interested in learning Logic.

AppleCare is something to consider as well.

[JamminJoe]

Go to apple.com. There are a lot of on-line tutorials there such as PC owners making the switch, how to use Garageband, troubleshooting, etc.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://www.apple.com/support/find/

If you go through these, then you won't need the classes at all.

[Brian D]

Go to apple.com. There are a lot of on-line tutorials there such as PC owners making the switch, how to use Garageband, troubleshooting, etc.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://www.apple.com/support/find/

If you go through these, then you won't need the classes at all.What he said. And check this out (http://pixelcorps.cachefly.net/mbkv_235_540p_h264.mov) too.

[Bluedawg]

Just bought my wife an iMAC. She loves it ... , but she still calls me in for the admin issues ..

My day job has gotten me into some of the deeper issues of working with Windows so I can handle most windows issues myself ... not that I make any serious claims of expertise. In other words I know enough to be dangerous with Windows.

If your used to Windows the Apple will piss you off at first ... but you'll get used to it. :bkw :stir

I suspect the transition is harder for people who "know" how to operate a computer or at least think they "know" :roll


The glorious iMAC monitor is almost worth the change alone ... but I'm still running Windows myself.

Good Luck

:wave