I bought an iMac in 2010 and installed Windows using Bootcamp (after not being able to adapt to Mac OS), which I've been using for 14 years now. The computer still runs well, but it is starting to show its age and I expect to have to replace it within the next couple of years. Because this thing has been so reliable and long-lasting, I would prefer to just buy another iMac and continue using Windows, but Bootcamp is not available on iMac for models after 2020.

My options:

1) Buy a new iMac and just force myself to use Mac OS (which I dislike)
2) Buy a PC (any PC that I previously owned in the 90s/00s was garbage that had to be replaced within a couple of years, but maybe I just had very cheap models)
3) Buy a used 2020 iMac and use Bootcamp (buying a model that is already four years old seems stupid)
4) Buy a new iMac and run Windows using Parallels or some other virtual setup (I don't really know anything about this and if it is a pain to deal with).

Are quality PCs comparable to Apple in reliability, screen quality, etc.?

I'm leaning toward just forcing myself to use the Mac OS since I'm only using this for general internet use 99% of the time.

A PC of the same price will almost always be better than a mac.

You can still buy a new-in-box Mac Mini i7 (2018) on ebay that will not only allow bootcamp, but that you can directly boot Windows 10 from.

I've got a 2018 Mac Mini at work. We primarily run MacOS, but I've brought in an external bootable copy of my Windows 10 hard drive from home, hooked it up to the USB port, started the Mac with the Option key held down, selected the Windows drive and booted directly from that drive.

IIRC, I did install a few drivers from the Boot Camp installer, but didn't use Boot Camp otherwise.

Caveat, I don't believe you can do that with Windows 11, but I could be wrong.

Sample size of 1 forewarning:

I was a hardcore PC/Windows guy for a very long time. ThinkPads were my go-to machines as they were near bulletproof and I have no time/no tolerance for working ON my equipment instead of USING it.

I had a colleague suggest I convert to Mac (back when you could try/buy on a 60 day clock) and after much harassment I acquiesced. After about a week, my wife supplied me with an ultimatum - "figure out how to use that or return it" because she got tired of hearing my vocalized frustration. Years of muscle memory on keyboard shortcuts aren't easy to reprogram, but I heeded her advice and just learned MacOs. I haven't turned back since.

I too only replace equipment when I absolutely must - it's not uncommon for me to use computing gear for 6+ years. I'm typing this now on a 2019 Mac and don't have a desire to update for another year or so at least. I can't say that for PC - even when I was using them back in the day. However I admit my use case is a specific one for my career so take all of this for what you will (I work as a C suite/V level IT strategist/business architect).

It's frustrating, but if you can make it through the learning curve it'll be second nature just like a PC. If you're only using the internet for browsing, I'm not sure how many keystrokes you'll even need. You can install the browser of your choice (even Microsoft Edge).

However, if PC/Windows is the requirement, I would never recommend (even using VMWare or Parallels) a Mac. Just get a cheap PC and replace it every couple of years as needed.

I have to know/use both in my line of work and don't have a lot of bias either way other than assessing the economics whenever it comes time to buy the next machine. Your mileage will vary.

Ribeye-Rare said:

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You can still buy a new-in-box Mac Mini i7 (2018) on ebay that will not only allow bootcamp, but that you can directly boot Windows 10 from.

I've got a 2018 Mac Mini at work. We primarily run MacOS, but I've brought in an external bootable copy of my Windows 10 hard drive from home, hooked it up to the USB port, started the Mac with the Option key held down, selected the Windows drive and booted directly from that drive.

IIRC, I did install a few drivers from the Boot Camp installer, but didn't use Boot Camp otherwise.

Caveat, I don't believe you can do that with Windows 11, but I could be wrong.

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You CAN install Windows 11 on bootcamp but it takes some know-how and tinkering that's above most people's knowledge/comfort level. I have a workable Windows 11 installation on a bootcamp partition on my 2019 MacBook although I hardly ever use it.

I switched to Mac about a year ago and generally like it. I have commented many times that Excel is more stable on Mac than on Windows which is generally true. I do still find myself in situations where apps that would never fail in Windows will just stop working in Mac. For example I use ShareFile to manage documents and its virtual drive will just stop logging in and it seems to take a restart to get it going again. I've also encountered situations where Excel seems incapable of saving files to any location on the Mac and again that seems to require a restart. Neither of those happen very often, certainly less than the frequency I lost work because I didn't close Excel down the night before a windows update forced a restart.

It took about two months before the keyboard shortcuts started feeling second nature and there are still ones in Excel I miss dearly. Overall though it's been good. I love being about to just close it and move to the next stop then put it back on the dock when I get home and it figures it out without problems recalibrating display sizes like I had with windows. Using a dock was wonky initially but once I found to right one it's been good.

lobwedgephil said:

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Sponge said:

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A PC of the same price will almost always be better than a mac.

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He is needing to replace a Mac that is 14 years old and still runs well, not many pc's do that. But really all about preference.

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Yeah, we have a mac desktop that is still going strong and is also about 14 years old.

I appreciate the input from everyone. I'll probably just go with the Mac when the time comes.

I'm a Mac guy. Have been since the mid to late 2000s. But if you don't like MacOS, then don't get a Mac. No defense needed for your actions or desires.

My 2011 iMac, which I originally was going to put on my office desktop, never left my house and was my main computer until 2020 when something went wrong with it -- I don't recall exactly what. I took out the hard drive (by then upgraded to SSD) and still sold it for like $100 because it was workable with replacement parts, but not worth it for me as I needed something newer and faster.

IF you're going to stay with Apple, whatever you do, get something with an ARM chip. We're at least 2-3 years past getting a older Intel Mac and dealing with all that. There is one exception: if you're an audio guy, like Logic Pro, etc., and have plug-ins. A lot of those creators haven't updated their software to the Mx chips. It can be frustrating and is why I'm keeping some Intel Macs laying around for my studio. But for most people, that $300 15" MBP is so not worth it. Get a recent vintage MacBook Air M2. Sure, it is 3x the cost but will last 10 years.

100% agree it's all a matter of personal preference! For home use, I switched from Windows to Mac. in 2018 but being in the cybersecurity industry I've used Windows, Mac, and Linux. Each has its pros/cons.

What's the best way to learn how to use MacOS?

Long time PC user because of job. I purchased a Mac after I retired for my photography hobby. I stumble through it but there has to be a better way.

Honestly what I did until I was comfortable was googling the question I had for the Mac solve and then finding a YouTube videos for it. Also look for a table with all the Mac hot keys.

Sponge said:

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A PC of the same price will almost always be better than a mac.

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Wow. is this real ? For the record I'm a Linux guy. But Apple makes fantastic hardware. I run Linux on old Mac and they just go and go and go.

We run into this every 5-7 years for my wife. If you absolutely desire a Mac, just bite the bullet and buy new.

If you need a PC use about the same budget and get the best processor/HDD + most RAM you can for the same price point.

I've been working on the same pc and laptop since 2019 and I'm not looking at any obsolescence issues for at least another 5 years on either machine. Each has 32 gb ram, 1-2 tb ssd, i7 on one and thread ripper on the other.