5 mac products running right now.

But still afraid of the iCloud.

Plus it needs Lion and I am **still** waffling on even a test upgrade.

i turned it on for the first time on my iphone, and it screwed up all of my contacts!

You have to be reeeeeaaaaaallllllly careful when you do the upgrade. The worst thing is, the upgrade is irreversible.

didn't have them back-up either. They just disappeared.

but I miss the 911 conspiracy forum!

I'm the contented manager of two iMacs and a laptop. I was initiated into the cult of Mac back in 2001 after using Windows and going online in outrage as the coup of 2000 unfolded. I've never regretted the conversion.

My knowledge and experiences in computing since the early eighties were on systems that I'm sure no one either knows or cares about hearing from me.

I just talk about computers all...friggin...day...long.

Doing it here will make my head explode.

Mac Addict for almost 30 years!!!

Long live PowerPC!!

Still running a nearly 3 year old MacBook (unibody/nonpro).

It's pretty much the same configuration as when purchased, but I've upgraded the RAM to 8GB, and recently installed OSX Lion.

I have no plans to replace the thing until it dies on me.

I went from using Windows most of the time and Mac for video/graphics and testing, to just Mac for everything and Windows if I MUST test something. Never looked back

Now finally have an IPad2 - and have a new reason to keep this group alive.

This group has been so helpful Im the past and I hope it continues on the new, but not
improved IMO, DU.

Contemplating a 27" iMac with my tax return.

Love my Macs, iphone, iPad...never a single regret in leaving PC world...but I work in it every day..which reinforces my devotion to Mac.

My first was a IIci back in '89 I think. I remember the cost being over $8,000. That price included upgrading the RAM to 8MB. I still have it tucked away somewhere.

Back then I was a graphic designer/illustrator. Mac was the obvious choice for anyone in design or advertising.

Still is. Been at it for almost 30 years (ack) and have never used anything else. I've only known one printer/graphics co. in the two states I've worked in that were PC based and they finally had to switch over. Every company I've worked for (printer, advertiser and service bureau/graphic arts co.) always had that one lonely PC in the back room "just in case".

My first home computer was a Power Mac 6200. I still remember the day I brought it home.

It is 6 years old; the software I'm looking at requires Leopard or Lion; I'm afraid to upgrade because of horror stories I've heard about losing data, etc.. Maybe I just need a new computer???? Advice??? Also, if anyone is an architect or designer, which program do you recommend?? I need something better than the free or cheap program, but could do with the $500 range. I don't think I need a full professional program for my purposes.

A six year old Mac is still serviceable, but kinda long in the tooth. The minimum for Lion is an Intel Core2 and 4 GB RAM. Does your MBP have that?

Software: We Use Vectorworks. Excellent product. Maybe more than your $500, but not much more. It has full 3D capability right out of the box. You might find a used package that will run fine on your machine. I am almost certain VW 12.5, 2008, and 2009 will all run okay. 2010, and 2011 might. 2012, maybe not.

Other professional grade software available for the OS X are AutoCAD (probably no older than Snow Leopard) and ArchiCAD (older versions may be available used)

Semi Pro CAD is available from TurboCAD and VisiCAD. At least one of them (not sure which) is in the $100 to $150 range.

Good luck.

....just what I need for this machine. I was looking at Chief Architect's demo last night, and was amazed at it's capabilities; but even it's smaller versions needed more than my OS X. I do need 3D, but seems most do that now, even the inexpensive versions. I'll keep researching.