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Loyalty4Life · Sep 6, 2006, 10:33 PM

As I read various posts here, I do notice there are users here who actually buy a Mac computer to make a profit. I would love to be able to do something similar like this, but I am stuck regarding ideas and would not know where to start.

Generally, I do well with communication, including including over the internet. I would love to invest some time and money into a project. But I am stuck. I don't know internet languages (html, java, php, etc).

Does anyone have any ideas? This might be a weird topic to discuss, but I definitely open to ideas!

goMac · Sep 6, 2006, 10:35 PM

I hate to be a killjoy, but this thread is kind of like "How do I make money with my hammer?"

Try giving web design a spin though.

Loyalty4Life · Sep 6, 2006, 10:36 PM

I'm just open to ideas.

starman · Sep 6, 2006, 10:36 PM

It's a COMPUTER, dude. What CAN'T you do with it?

Lateralus · Sep 6, 2006, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by starman

What CAN'T you do with it?

Attract women.

Eug · Sep 6, 2006, 10:44 PM

You can use it for eBay and Craigslist scamming.

ort888 · Sep 6, 2006, 10:53 PM

Webcam.

Wiskedjak · Sep 6, 2006, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Attract women.

What?!?!?

... damn ...

climber · Sep 7, 2006, 01:39 AM

Simple!

Write a word processing program that easily opens and saves "word" files. All the functionality without the fluff, never crashes and runs fast on new intel and old G4's. Sell it for about 50 bucks a pop until someone in Redmond WA gets nervous. Sell company and assets for 100 mil. Then buy an island someplace warm with pretty girls.

Oh, I forgot to say that I patented the above idea! So whoever gets it done first can send the money to me and my scum-bag patent attorneys!

himself · Sep 7, 2006, 01:41 AM

Start a blog.

- - e r i k - - · Sep 7, 2006, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Attract women.

Wrong.

Chuckit · Sep 7, 2006, 02:03 AM

All the women love my 15-inch PowerBook.

himself · Sep 7, 2006, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

All the women love my 15-inch PowerBook.

The ladies love my 17-incher even more.

Loyalty4Life · Sep 7, 2006, 02:46 AM

What about web hosting? Could that be successful?

BasketofPuppies · Sep 7, 2006, 02:55 AM

Phase 1: Use Mac
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit

Chuckit · Sep 7, 2006, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by Loyalty4Life

What about web hosting? Could that be successful?

Possibly. You'd need more than just a Mac.

Loyalty4Life · Sep 7, 2006, 03:08 AM

What what I need to get started, and do I need any sort of extensive background with webhosting, or running programs on the server, etc?

Mastrap · Sep 7, 2006, 06:24 AM

You don't seem to have any idea what's involved in webhosting. You don't know, by your own admission, much about what makes computers do the things you want them to do. Forget about web hosting and learn the basics first.

I make money with my Macs in several ways. I design stuff, that's my job as a Creative Director for an ad agency. And I run this company in my spare time.

Cody Dawg · Sep 7, 2006, 06:45 AM

I make money on my Macs by writing downloadable manuals (usually .pdfs) and instructions for large companies. It took a while to get the contacts, but now they write me and ask me if I want the job because I'm cheaper for them than them having to keep someone on the payroll full-time. Pays well considering that I can work the jobs I want, when I want (right now I don't want to), and where I want to (my home office).

Don't try to rationalize making money on a Mac to buy one...just buy one.

Zeeb · Sep 7, 2006, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Loyalty4Life

As I read various posts here, I do notice there are users here who actually buy a Mac computer to make a profit. I would love to be able to do something similar like this, but I am stuck regarding ideas and would not know where to start.

Generally, I do well with communication, including including over the internet. I would love to invest some time and money into a project. But I am stuck. I don't know internet languages (html, java, php, etc).

Does anyone have any ideas? This might be a weird topic to discuss, but I definitely open to ideas!

I think a lot of people use macs to help them make money. In other words, the mac is a tool that they use for a greater passion in their life such as being a filmmaker or photographer. Mine just serves as my home computer and is just a hobby--its unconnected at this time with my career.

If your passion is the computer itself then maybe you can become adept at repairing, troubleshooting or selling them? Maybe you could take some classes and work in IT specifically as it relates to macs? I think the technical field for this platform is going to grow quite a bit in the coming years.

rickey939 · Sep 7, 2006, 07:24 AM

eBay....but make sure you only sell to Nigeria and Africa buyers, as those are "hot spots" right now.

SeSawaya · Sep 7, 2006, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by rickey939

eBay....but make sure you only sell to Nigeria and Africa buyers, as those are "hot spots" right now.

classic

Dork. · Sep 7, 2006, 08:09 AM

Making money on your Mac is easy:

1) Buy a scanner with your Mac
2) Scan in a crisp new $20 bill
3) Print a newer crisp $20 bill on your Mac.

Poof! You've made Money on your Mac!

Now, you probably don't want to actually use any of this money you made to buy stuff, unless you really like the suits those Secret Service guys wear and want to see one up close....

turtle777 · Sep 7, 2006, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

Webcam.

PRON cam, to be precise.

Plus, you can attract women with it

-t

iREZ · Sep 7, 2006, 03:44 PM

women used to call my 12" cute.

:hangs head in shame, quite literally might i add

:

Peter · Sep 7, 2006, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I make money on my Macs by writing downloadable manuals (usually .pdfs) and instructions for large companies. It took a while to get the contacts, but now they write me and ask me if I want the job because I'm cheaper for them than them having to keep someone on the payroll full-time. Pays well considering that I can work the jobs I want, when I want (right now I don't want to), and where I want to (my home office).

Don't try to rationalize making money on a Mac to buy one...just buy one.

thats exactly what im hoping to do after university, no idea why but i find it really quite interesting.
People say im nuts.

rozwado1 · Sep 7, 2006, 04:12 PM

You could easily mug someone by cracking their head open with a Mac Mini. That is, if web design doesn't work out.

Cody Dawg · Sep 7, 2006, 04:16 PM

Peter:

Once you get contacts and get going you can do really well at it. I was surprised. The one thing I've really enjoyed is the variety of topics and what I've learned from medical info to tech info and even NASA space info!

turtle777 · Sep 7, 2006, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by rozwado1

You could easily mug someone by cracking their head open with a Mac Mini. That is, if web design doesn't work out.

-t

The Godfather · Sep 7, 2006, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Peter

thats exactly what im hoping to do after university, no idea why but i find it really quite interesting.
People say im nuts.

The big asterisk in Cody's story is that it took a really long time (years) to build up those contacts. You probably want to pursue the full time jobs ('cause you'll need the full time pay) before living your dream part-time career.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Sep 7, 2006, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by himself

The ladies love my 17-incher even more.

MacBook are better!

C.A.T.S. CEO · Sep 7, 2006, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

Making money on your Mac is easy:

1) Buy a scanner with your Mac
2) Scan in a crisp new $20 bill
3) Print a newer crisp $20 bill on your Mac.

Poof! You've made Money on your Mac!

Now, you probably don't want to actually use any of this money you made to buy stuff, unless you really like the suits those Secret Service guys wear and want to see one up close....

Mithras · Sep 7, 2006, 09:57 PM

I'd suggest that the best way to make money with a Mac is to inherit it. Failing that, use the Mac at your local coffee shop and marry into wealth.

Briareus · Sep 7, 2006, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Zeeb

I think a lot of people use macs to help them make money. In other words, the mac is a tool that they use for a greater passion in their life such as being a filmmaker or photographer

Agreed. internet/communication, written correspondence, websites, recording, notation printing, graphic design (bizcards, letterhead, etc.), finances, calendar/contact organization, and more: can't think of working my scene without the Mac.

Insert your own specific relevant-to-your-gig applications above & it's pretty typical computer usage, I'd hope

Mithras · Sep 7, 2006, 10:50 PM

Another good idea is to use your Mac to place large, leveraged, correct positions on major swings in the foreign currency markets.

himself · Sep 7, 2006, 11:46 PM

I guess you could use iPhoto to make photo albums for folks... or you could use iMovie and iDVD to make DVDs of other peoples footage.

Gossamer · Sep 8, 2006, 01:26 AM

I make a living (kind of) fixing Macs. Since they don't break, I sit around and surf the web. That's the truth.

StrongBad · 03:06 AM

Seriously tho, the Mac isn't going to make you money unless you have a talent or skill that can be enhanced.

In general, the best way to "make money" is to do something that can generate cash without interaction from you (or very little continual interaction). A more general question of "how do I make money online?" is easier to answer.

When people here say, "sell your stuff on ebay", that could make you some cash. The real money on ebay is either 1) selling stuff for people and charging a fee or 2) reselling goods at a profit. The first is easy if you have neighbors that want to get rid of junk but don't understand ebay. Make a flyer and distribute to 75-100 houses. See what the response is like. The second is harder, as you have to find a source of products. You could strike up a deal with a local "mom and pop store" that might get wholesales prices on something, or even better if they make a widget and want to grow their business.

The second method I'd advise is talking about what you know. Start a blog or a newsletter that talks about stuff you know. Offer it free to customers, but charge for advertising. A large number of communities have newspapers that come to your house at no charge, but are actually profitable businesses. You can go one step further with the concept of talking about what you know, and the website Cork'd - Welcome is a great example of that. Two guys, a love of wine, a lack of organization for their wine collections. Blamo, they solved their own problem and the problem of others. Judging from the ads and sponsors of the site, I'd suspect they are profitable as well.

The worst thing you can do is assume your computer can generate money just because it's an impressive machine. Heck, scientists are doing all sorts of stuff with the human genome on G5s, but my G5 certainly doesn't know the first thing about that.

You know the old phrase, "Garbage in, garbage out", just think of it the other way around.

Best Regards,

houstonmacbro · Sep 8, 2006, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by iREZ

women used to call my 12" cute.

:hangs head in shame, quite literally might i add

:

12 inches is NOTHING to sneeze at. damn, i have screen envy now.

11011001 · Sep 8, 2006, 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Attract women.

I met my gf because of my computer.

Some possible roads OP could take:
- web-design (quickest learning curve, things like PHP are not hard to jump into)
- programming (if you are a genius, you could master Cocoa in a year, but it will probably take you years and years)
- system administration (get a copy of OS X server, setup all the different services, and master each.. you could then get hired as a sys admin assistant or something)
- design icons for people
- video editing (do peoples wedding movies, for instance)
- create a website about something cool and interesting to you, create a community, and put some advertising or some other revenue stream on it

Lots of things. But really, the key to making money on the Mac is simply mastering one thing in particular, such that your services are in demand. That mastery takes a lot of time, but will probably be worth it in the end... in the mean time you probably won't be making much money.

kick52 · Sep 8, 2006, 02:05 PM

uh.... sell it?

Rumor · Sep 8, 2006, 02:27 PM

Farm gold and items on WoW.

kick52 · Sep 8, 2006, 02:32 PM

you can video edit small homemade movies in imovie for friends and host on the internet for them.

Dale Sorel · Sep 8, 2006, 03:45 PM

Pr0n

hadocon · Sep 8, 2006, 04:27 PM

OP is a dolt. Reminds me of a stupid wench that I encountered in 1st year computer science. She was taking a intro Java course so that she could "learn computers" so she could get a job using Word as a secretary. Needless to say, she failed miserably in the class - asking clearly inept questions. I felt bed for her. I feel bad for OP.

Sorry. I'm a jerk.

Rumor2 · Sep 8, 2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by hadocon

I felt bed for her.

JonoG4 · Sep 8, 2006, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor2

Maybe he wanted to **** her but couldn't, so now he's pissed at this girl and insults her.

Loyalty4Life · Sep 8, 2006, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by hadocon

OP is a dolt. Reminds me of a stupid wench that I encountered in 1st year computer science. She was taking a intro Java course so that she could "learn computers" so she could get a job using Word as a secretary. Needless to say, she failed miserably in the class - asking clearly inept questions. I felt bed for her. I feel bad for OP.

Sorry. I'm a jerk.

Sticks and stones, my friend. I could care less with what you think of me.

turtle777 · Sep 9, 2006, 07:45 AM

Hey OP, do you got ANY skillz ?
I mean, what are you good at ? Even if you were the 1337357 Intarweb haxxor, you still needed business savy and creativity to make money off it.

Just sayin'.

-t