Further to the previous discussion in the Angry thread after my anger and frustration with trying to use a Windows7 laptop I am now typing this on an iMac.

The Mac is very intuitive to use,within ten minutes of switching on the router was connected and the email set up,being a totally new operating system I had to phone the free support a couple of times,the staff are very courteous and friendly.

The screen is excellent and very clear and automatically adjusts to different light conditions.

Everything seems to ooze quality and is a pleasure to use.It takes about 30 seconds to boot up and about 5 seconds to turn off.

Because the Boot Camp app will only accept Windows 7 to dual boot I tried some trial software similar to Parallels,but I didn't really like it and it wouldn't run Anyrail.
Considering the software is about the same price as a copy of Windows 7 it looks like I'll be putting that in for occasional use to run some windows software.

I'm playing Starcraft 11 at the moment but find that easier with a normal mouse rather than the trackpad.

I found a new toy this morning,text can be highlighted and then set to speech,strange hearing posts spoken. 
All in all I'm very pleased to now have a Mac and wish I'd changed last time I bought a new PC.

Allan

I got my first Apple Macintosh in 1991.  It was a Classic II.  Even back then it never crashed, and was very quick.  It only had 8mb's of disk space though!    We threw it away 4 years ago as it was just sitting in the loft, but a friend told me they're worth a good sum of money now.  D'oh!

Glad you enjoy your Mac. I switched 6 years ago. I use the free VirtualBox to run XP. I needed it to draw a plan in AnyRail for a friend and sometimes to play "simsig".

For layout planning, have you tried RailModeller: http://www.railmodeller.com/Index_de.html ? There is a trial version available that let you use all function but you probablay cannot save or export your plan. I don't know exactly what the limitation is, as I  bought a license years ago. There is also a RailsetEditor included, that allows you to create you own track and symbol libraries. It has some quirks, but it does what I want. The best thing is, it is a native OS X program, no X-Windows, bridges or virtual machines are required. (I have no connection with the creator of this program, other than as customer.)

I got a Macbook Pro earlier this year and it is brilliant, if pricey to buy in the first place. I thought the ally case was better than the white plastic Macbook, especially as the demo machine in Comet had filthy white keys against the ally one's black keys. Only problem I had was scratching the case with the plug, when putting away in the protective slip case I bought to protect it from scratches - doh. However, after a few weeks the scratch has gone - it obviously responded to my frequent stroking!!!

I switched to a Mac two years ago and have absolutely loved it.  No more crashing, no lost data.  Things like iPhoto are very good.

I did install Parallels to use the CTI software but it wouldn't load and Windows kept giving me errors.  I uninstalled Parallels.

I used Railmodeller too.  Excellent support too when I had trouble printing to a 300 page life-size PDF.  I think the trial version doesn't't save if I remember right.  Worth the money though for the full version.

Really pleased you are happy with your Mac, Bikeracer. If you like retro games, then I can recommend Oolite, which is a super version of the classic Elite. Probably best with a joystick though - I think the PC joysticks are compatible.

I just love my Macs - they just work.

It's also handy that you can fit an N Gauge bridge over the iMac's base without compromising cooling (as long as you don't overdo the light scatter )

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54.0

I'm even more happy now,I've installed windows 7 in Boot Camp and I have installed,updated and run Anyrail and an old windows version of Photoshop that I use.

I've also now realised that the Windows 7 that was installed on the laptop looked and acted differently to the Windows 7 that I've installed on the Mac.
Anyway,I've now got a spare Windows computer that I can probably use for working something on my layout.

Allan

Quote from: Zwilnik on December 05, 2011, 04:23:27 PM
It's also handy that you can fit an N Gauge bridge over the iMac's base without compromising cooling (as long as you don't overdo the light scatter )

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54.0

That is amazing!

Imac? Isn't that a type of hair removal cream? 

Quote from: Zwilnik on December 05, 2011, 04:23:27 PM
It's also handy that you can fit an N Gauge bridge over the iMac's base without compromising cooling (as long as you don't overdo the light scatter )

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54.0

That's just great.

Allan

Just don't become a 'fanboi', please! my brother-in-law is enough for me!

They are nice (typing this on my iPad2) but they are fairly expensive for what they are!

I think it is the closed architecture that makes them so robust. PCs are open and require 3rd party drivers which I find usually cause the problems...

Having said that my iPad has crashed a couple of times since I got it... Whereas my PC hasn't crashed in that same time...

Mac's have always been very well designed...

Yes, VERY expensive!  Agreed.

It probably is the closed arhcitecture, but in computer form it works far better than Windows and is generally bug free.

Can't say the same for iPads and iPhones so much... I found mine have crashed a time or two since iOS5 got installed.

I'm still a fan of my Apple gadgets though.  But hope to God I don't ever get accused of being a fanboi for anything.  I'd surely have to overcome far too much apathy and cynicism to achieve that.

I wasn't suggesting any one was a fanboy, hope it didn't come across that way. If it did, apologies...

I am also a fan of gadgets... As my whole family, friends and neighbours would tell you!

No, sorry fM, I didn't mean to give the impression I was offended. 

I have to admit to a tendency to be almost enthusiastic about Apple stuff (Gadgets generally - I love the Gadget show, Suzy Perry in particular ).

Didn't think you meant anyone was a fanboi, and thought it was kind of you to try to keep Bikeracer from going that way! 

I just would hate to be classified as one myself, inspite of my relative enthusiasm for my gorgeous shiny quad core Mac Pro.