I am about to switch to Mac too. I hear TREB is setting up access for Mac users in the new year. Also, I think there is a way to login now, but you need to have Windows on the Mac.

Mac's are much more stable systems in general and have a greater ability to do more creative marketing on it.


Michael

I am not a real estate agent, but I am heavily involved in real-estate.
I have always been a PC guy, however one month ago my PC crashed and I have been working on an old Mac. I hate it (but, too lazy to pick up my fixed computer).
Although this may sound like a small thing, it drives me crazy that there is no "delete" button on this computer? What the heck?? How can you survive with only a backspace?!
I also find that this computer can not keep up with me. I think I am too fast for a Mac.
Also, working on a Mac feels like working on a messy desk. In fact, ever since using the Mac my desk has become a mess. Why? Because on a Mac you can not maximize a screen, so it always looks like there are so many screen open.
Soooo... I vote PC for a computer, and iPhone for a mobile devise (currently I am Blackberry, but hate it).
Over and out.

hmm I haven't heard about TREB setting this up. Do you know exactly when they will make it available?

And yea there are 2 ways that I know of to run Treb on a Mac.
1) Install Windows & Run windows everytime you need to use TREB
2) If you download Opera it works as well (just not as good as with Internet Explorer, its glitchy)

Also, +1 for iPhone. Good Choice haha.

Eugene said:
hmm I haven't heard about TREB setting this up. Do you know exactly when they will make it available?

This forum conversation might be of interest to you "Pressuring real estate boards to open MLS Exchange to as many platforms as possible" - http://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/Forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=100

Great question and such a tough one! I've been a loyal PC user and big Mac basher since i was a kid. PC's always felt more open (customizable) and had better games.
However, Steve Jobs is on fire right now, pushing out one incredible product after another and Apple simply has no equal when it comes to PC manufacturers. So, although i prefer PC, there's no great PC company making PC's - Lenovo is pretty good but is no Apple.
Overall though i think i agree with Matt. iPhone/iPad for mobile devices and PC laptop (Lenovo Thinkpads look pretty slick) as your computer.

Cliff said:
Great question and such a tough one! I've been a loyal PC user and big Mac basher since i was a kid. PC's always felt more open (customizable) and had better games.

However, Steve Jobs is on fire right now, pushing out one incredible product after another and Apple simply has no equal when it comes to PC manufacturers. So, although i prefer PC, there's no great PC company making PC's - Lenovo is pretty good but is no Apple.

Overall though i think i agree with Matt. iPhone/iPad for mobile devices and PC laptop (Lenovo Thinkpads look pretty slick) as your computer.

I was on the verge of getting such a sick deal on a lenovo computer. I decided against it at last second and I regret it. It was $899 and free shipping for these stats: http://ow.ly/3u0hd

Michael said:
I am about to switch to Mac too. I hear TREB is setting up access for Mac users in the new year. Also, I think there is a way to login now, but you need to have Windows on the Mac.
Mac's are much more stable systems in general and have a greater ability to do more creative marketing on it.

Michael

Michael,
I have heard TREB has been setting this up for years....Id agree with ciff -- IPAD for mobility and PC for office tasks....however the lack of full TREB member MLS by my ipad is just downright dirty and disgusting

I have used PC's since the mid 90's and have never once thought about switching. I have not used Mac's extensively so my argument may not be 100% valid, but from my limited time with Mac's - here are the reason I would not buy:
a) CLUTTER - I think Matt already mentioned this by Macs to me seem SO cluttered. My PC's are incredibly organized and my desktop has just ONE icon on it at all times (Recycling Bin). Everytime I use a Mac it feels very claustrophobic and cluttered.
b) I need a WINDOWS EMULATOR to run certain software. Have you ever heard of a Windows user needing an Apple Emulator??
c) Price. Macs are expensive. If you break down the specifications of a standard Mac that will set you back around $1,500 - if you were to spend the same dollar amount on a Windows PC you will get much better hardware. My last laptop that I purchased cost me $600 taxes in, and it still handles heavy photoshopping just fine.
---Most people who are buying into the hype of the Mac have no reason why they like the Mac's other than the fact that they are the in product. The price/hardware is inferior to PC, and I personally like the Windows operating system better than OSX (or whatever it is these days).
A couple of things I really like about Mac's
a) Spotlight search - really quick at finding files. Google Desktop is my PC replacement for this.
b) Native calendar app - for some reason, Windows has no Calendar app??
c) Sync-a-bility to iPhone and iPad. However, Google Sync works just as well for Windows users.
d) That new mouse is pretty slick.
My overall view is that Mac's are good for either very heavy users who make use of the high end software available to Mac users...or very basic users that like the fact that a lot of basic software comes pre-loaded (iPhoto, iCalendar, iMovie or whatever it's called...) and you don't have to worry (to an extent) about viruses/spyware. Given the choice, a PC with the Adobe CS Suite, Google Apps (Calendar, Google Desktop etc.) are far superior IMHO.
On the phone front, I am seeing flaws with the iPhone and iOS. I am keeping one eye on the new Android operating system as they are coming on leaps and bounds. A lot of stuff that the iPhone lacks is being covered by the Android operating system but it lacks iPhone's "polish".

The above response was a more general PC vs. Mac - but specifically for Real Estate - here are some of the things that I would need to use day-to-day for Real Estate and which platform wins. Remember, for the most part I think dollar-for-dollar you will get better hardware for a Windows PC - it should all come down to the software.
a) TREB - the obvious one. Currently only works on Internet Explorer, you can get emulators for Firefox (which is available on Mac). Windows wins, but if you know what you're doing you're probably not using Internet Explorer on Windows PC's either. No way of working on an iPad that I'm aware of.
b) Twitter/Facebook - web based, works fine on all platforms (Windows, Mac, iPad). Toss up.
c) E-Mail - Again, complete toss up. I find Outlook to be much more powerful than the native Mac e-mail client, and now integrates with Social Media. Xobni is a great plugin for Outlook that makes it even more powerful.
d) Photo editing. Mac comes pre-loaded with iPhoto (or whatever it is called) for basic photo editing. Windows pre-loaded stuff sucks. I use Google's Picasa for basic photo editing and Photoshop and Illustrator by Adobe for advanced editing. All of these are available on Mac. Toss up.
e) Video editing - for the vloggers out there, both Windows and Mac come pre-loaded with video editing software. I've not used either, can't comment. For more advanced editing, I use Adobe Premiere which is available on both.
f) Office - I'm not sure what comes pre-loaded with Mac's, but I know there are emulators that allow you to use Microsoft Office on the Mac. Probably easier on the PC, but not mind boggingly difficult to get it running on Mac
g) Calendar - Mac has the native calendar app, for Windows I use Google Calendar and sync it to my phone over the air. Works a treat.
h) Easy Offer - software for creating offers on OREA forms. Not available on Macs as far as I'm aware...not sure how emulators hand it.
As you can see, both systems will handle most of your real estate tasks quite simply. A computer for most realtors don't need to be crazy powerful as they mainly need to handle web browsing and emails. I think the major issue would be the handling of the EASY OFFER software. If you're willing to pay for the better software (Adobe suite, Office etc.) then for me the pre-loaded stuff on Mac's become null and void...if that's the case, I would rather get the better hardware which for me is Windows PC's.
Agree? Disagree?
www.twitter.com/talkcondo
www.talkcondo.com

Eugene said:
I was on the verge of getting such a sick deal on a lenovo computer. I decided against it at last second and I regret it. It was $899 and free shipping for these stats: http://ow.ly/3u0hd

Good specs and great looking deal - hopefully another good deal will come up.
I recently purchased a thinkpad w510 (http://goo.gl/VSzP5) off a guy on Kijiji at a big discount (new and unopened). You could try emailing him george6402-notebooks@yahoo.ca - maybe he has or knows of other Lenovo deals.

Thanks to Fidza Hamdan, who said the following via Twitter:

Fidza Hamdan said:
i have both...and I prefer MAC

Source: www.Twitter.com/LadyFidza
I wish she gave some more information than that. But, she didn't!

Matthew said:
I am not a real estate agent, but I am heavily involved in real-estate.
I have always been a PC guy, however one month ago my PC crashed and I have been working on an old Mac. I hate it (but, too lazy to pick up my fixed computer).
Although this may sound like a small thing, it drives me crazy that there is no "delete" button on this computer? What the heck?? How can you survive with only a backspace?!
I also find that this computer can not keep up with me. I think I am too fast for a Mac.
Also, working on a Mac feels like working on a messy desk. In fact, ever since using the Mac my desk has become a mess. Why? Because on a Mac you can not maximize a screen, so it always looks like there are so many screen open.
Soooo... I vote PC for a computer, and iPhone for a mobile devise (currently I am Blackberry, but hate it).
Over and out.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

^^ouch. That hurt.
Any specific reason?

Went to Mac about 6 years ago, will never go back.
I run windows through parallels when I need MLXchange, and stay as far away as possible from Windows the rest of the time.

I was told the iPad app was supposed to be out already as well as the updated website that would be compatible with multiple web browsers. Like most things in this business, delays are commonplace.
As far as using a Mac goes, I really find it to be vastly overrated. For nearly double the price of a comparable PC, it damn well better be a big upgrade. I really don't see what's so great about it though. If I sold you a car and told you that you could only re-fuel at certain gas stations that would be a major drawback. Mac users seem pleased to use emulators of windows software, not have access to MLS, pay for apps, etc. I have an iPad and whenever I want to do anything cool on it, I need to buy an app. Unless somebody has any compelling arguments to the contrary, I'll stick to my PC and use the free Apps from google and the Internet (which always works on a PC)
I'd love to hear thoughts.... I really don't see why everyone loves Mac's so much.

For all the agents out there.. there is a 'sneak preview' of the new stratus and Ipad / Iphone app that is suppose to be available by the end of the first quarter. Log onto treb and in the search 'info center' there is a menu labelled 'treb news'. It looks amazing!

C'mon everyone...wake up!!...it's now Steve Job's world and Apple will rule. I became a Mac user in 1984 with a Mac Plus and have never looked back. When you purchased a Mac back then, you purchased a vision. It was the first windows based personal computer that made sense along with human connectivity...fast forward today...and nothing has changed other than Apple now is the most valuable company in the world...and well deserved. I became a Realtor 7 years ago after a 25 year career in the music and recording industry...and made my new biz as a Realto work by using Parallels on a Mac...in no way Was I about to sacrifice my creativity and productivity... for a shitty PC installed with Microsoft's windows system that was sub-par and years behind Apple's OS. I really think people are just fed up with ongoing issues regarding viruses and constant crashing...only to realize a lack of support..
Bottom line...the top companies in the world took their eye off the ball...and while they all scrutinized and laughed ...Apple quietly took over and proved....paying a premium for "great" products and putting people first...pays off!!
For those who continue to work in the PC world....I caution you as the road ahead is full of pot holes....And for those who are considering an Apple...the future is just getting started!
Just sayin'
Tony

Mac owner since 1988 , an SE II, never had a virus,ever. Never had to clear junk files, ever. Never had to reinstall an OS, ever. Never had to .... I could go on all night , but that would be as boring and uncreative as working on a PC.