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SimonHarwood:

--- Quote from: carbore on January 26, 2009, 21:41:37 ---Also re Macs and Govt. IF they send you forms that dont work, complain the Govt are supposed to be vendor neutral so should really use RTF not DOC

--- End quote ---
RTF is another MicroS**t format.

An increasing number of the world's governments are now requiring all documents to be in Open Document Format (ODF) since that is not vendor specific (and especially since it is not a secret specification that has been patented by MicroS**t). Though it is not yet supported as a "native format" by MicroS**t (AFAIK), they have produced a patch that will allow ODF to be used as an alternative format (Save As). Most of the other Office Suite vendors have adopted ODF as a native format, even though it may not be their default format - but can easily be selected as such in the configuration. (Open Office and Star Office support ODF as their default Native Format already.)

Some people send you PDF forms that you can fill in the blanks and then print out the completed versions (but cannot save them). They are only any good if you send them back by post... otherwise you need to fill them in, print them out, scan them in again (probably in True Colour, or with them being automatically OCR's by the scanning software) and attach the scans to an e-mail.

ian_s:
i'd go for a dell over a mac. in fact i did
now macs run the same hardware architecture as normal computers, there isnt much to choose between them, only software.
and you can if you want run microsoft windows on a mac.

to get a mac of the same hardware spec as the Dell XPS laptop i bought i would have had to pay about 1400 quid, not 700.
just a slight difference there

Bob696:

--- Quote from: thermidorthelobster on January 26, 2009, 17:41:36 ---
--- Quote from: Bob696 on January 26, 2009, 16:24:59 ---2) Software availability. All of the Mac owners I know end up running a PC emulator for somethings if not most things.

--- End quote ---

Really?  Such as?  I've found I can do pretty much anything I want with open source software or cheap payable software.  The only thing I run in Windows is an obscure photo stitching program and Memory Map.  I use it about every three months or so.

--- End quote ---

Well you have answered your own question really. You know something? I have NEVER run a Mac emulator (even if one exists).

zulublue:
Hi  Neil, I have worked for a couple of large PC vendors, Acer and Fujitsu Siemens I also know Ebuyer, Laptops Direct and so on, a few things to consider are as follows. for a branded unit you can use www.pricerunner.co.uk


Do you need a desktop PC, will a laptop do the job - the prices have come down greatly over the last 12 months
Piece of mind, as mentioned go for someone you know
After sales support - I have never owned a Mac, but I do hear their support is very good
Dell, I have 4 PC's at home one is a Dell, and I must admit the build quality is really good, it is a business PC but the cables are all tied away very neatly
May you want to upgrade in the future, this may answer point one as Desktop units are more flexible to upgrade
Are you green and interested in the environment outlook of the company you are buying from, if so buy the good shopping guide, it will give you all the companies outlook on the green and ethical message.
Vista or XP if your peripheral products, I.E. printer is not too old then I would go with Vista, I am still on XP myself, but will migrate when needed.
Price, you tend to get what you pay for, look out for the deals, I know some of the on line sellers make about £10 per unit sold, so not much room to haggle.
Finally, if you are not to Tech savvy, go and support you highstreet shop they will look after you when you need them.

Hope this helps

Mark
 

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