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Category: Computer Help
PC or MAC?

From what I have heard, MACs are good (perhaps better) for some things, but I have never been able to do anything on a MAC that I couldn't do on a PC. I think that they are just less intuitive to use, but my brother (the real "computer guy" in the family) swears by MACs. He just never has any real proof that they are better. I like the old saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Why do you think you should change? Just for something different?

I've heard that Macs are more reliable (don't crash as much), but they are quite a bit more expensive. I also think that the macs just look neat. I know, it's a stupid reason, but if you look in movies they almost always put macs in the background for props and stuff cause they just seem to look so sleek, shiny and cool.

I think dell is good, but I think they have sold too many $500 home computers that have clogged up their tech support (it's getting worse and worse as time goes on).

I have always used a PC, not because I have anything against macs, just because they were cheaper but I'm starting to see a trend of getting what you pay for and was curious if it was the same in the computer industry, is the Mac really all that much better than the PC to warrant the hefty price tag that comes with it and all it's periphials and software etc...

Just wanted to get some opinions from people that may have some experience with both and could tell me whether macs are really better. All feedback and help is appreciated.

I grew up on a mac, learned to program basic and hypercard on it so I've got a soft spot for the mac. Eventually I left for wintel because of the lack of games for the Mac. Now that I do grown up things, especially web programming and the like I find the new Mac OSX very nice. Most of the work I do is from a ssh session or ftp anyway and the fact that you can open a freebsd terminal right in OSX is very nice. Plus you have all the power of unix at your fingertips. Let's face it, GREP rules FINDSTR anyday.

I disagree that Macs will "go the way of the dinosaurs". The fact is they are constantly coming up with new and innovative ideas. I think they are snagging more and more home users (but I've never seen a Mac in a business office). I think generally you will find that Macs tend to be better equiped for things like graphics, video, etc. They seem to be great for the arts and tend to be faster for dv editing and graphic design (Final Cut and Photoshop).

I used to be a PC finatic and thought all Macs would be better used as drink coasters, but after using a G4 for about a year, completely changed my mind. I still own a PC, but I plan on buying a Mac at some point strictly for video editing.

It is true that there are fewer game titles for Mac (and actually less software period). If you do go out and buy one I think it will be worth your money. As you said, you certainly do get what you pay for. Also you can expect a transition period while you learn all the subtle differences in the operating system from what you're used to.

As with anything there are pros and cons either way. It's really a matter of personal preference, as both machines can accomplish the same goals, and compatibility seems to be less and less of an issue.

And yes they do look cool... a nice little marketing ploy from Apple.

I'm really worried about trying to learn the new enviroment. I use shortcuts and right click all the time and I think I would have a hard time breaking those habits. How long did it take you to adjust (was it the whole year, or after a few weeks you were right up to speed with a Mac)?

They always try to sell how easy to use macs are, but if you already know one system I imagine it would be hard to really switch over mid stream as it were...

I would say I was comfortably using the system after about a month or so. Everything is basically the same, just in a different place, and it's those differences that'll take you time to learn. Apple key instead of control, option-click instead of right-click, etc. etc. etc.
Also, whether you want to switch or not really depends on what you do with your computer. If you're doing web design with graphics and video or something similar it would be a good idea. If you're a gamer stick with the PC. Otherwise I would check to see if they make the software you use for Mac.

My best advice would be to go down to a store where they have a Mac up and running, try it out, ask a few questions and so on.

I kind of agree with the idea of
If it ain't broke don't fix it.
If the only reason you have to purchase a Mac is because of the way it looks I am not sure that is a goood reason. If you want more power to do graphics and video stuff then maybe a Mac is for you. I do all my work on a PC and have thought of getting a Mac also for the advantages it has in graphics and video. I would still do alot of my work on a PC though and reserve the Mac for the other stuff.

I kinda think that maybe a mac would be good if I didn't already know the PC. I would guess that it's easier to start up on a mac (not as confusing), but since I already know PC I'll probably just stick with that for now.

My first programming experience was in high school. It was on Macintosh Classics and it was all done in Hypercard. I thought I was doing "object-oriented" programming because it had buttons, fields, etc. It was simple to learn and powerful.

Anyways, enough of the nostalgia. If I had the money I would choose both. I love the simplicity and visual appeal of macs and would love to boot up a game of bolo again, but I'd still need to do my programming and anything practical for my work on a PC.

Sheesh, why don't you just ask, "Democrat or Republican" or "Atheism or Fundamental Christian" instead? You're likely to get far less biased answers.


I think the Mac is going to go the way of the dinosaurs.

bettyjoe, who fed you all this part-line balogna?

We have a fully multiethnic home. I've got a dual-boot Win2K/Linux laptop, an old Win95 machine for old video games, a Win98 box pretending to be a file/print server, an old first generation PowerMac, and a brand spanking new iBook for the wife.

I'm the geek (and resident IT department) in the family. Stability? Win2k has been pretty good for me, but I'm compulsive about keeping my OS pristine and as free as possible of stuff that might change that (hence the still fairly reliable Win95 video game machine -- no Microsoft Office there to muck up my gaming needs!).

Let me just say, the most trouble I've had with the new iBook as been Apple's new free browser (Safari). It's not quite prime-time software, and when it got corrupted, something about it hosed a couple of other applications. Reinstalling Safari fixed the problem. The iBook (on which I'm currently posting this message -- using Safari no less) doesn't ever need to get rebooted. We just put it to sleep. The only time we have to sit through reboots is when we update software.

It's a matter of what you want out of your computing experience. I have to say, I envy my wife because I really like the UNIXy new Mac OS X. The Mac OS X GUI has a lot of glamour and polish that just feels more slick than the bubbly WinXP look feel. Stability? Yeah, I think Mac has an edge on that, but only because of it's UNIX/BSD back-end. Mac OS 9 is about flakey as Win2k. When an app crashes in OS X, the OS keeps trucking along, no problems. All bets off with OS 9.

If you can afford to make a Mac switch to check it out, I would recommend trying a Mac to anyone. It assumes you got the time/energy for it. If you need "business as usual" stick with a PC, because with any major migration :wink: there's bound to be a few bumps in the road.

A number of excellent points have been raised here, but no strong compelling reason has emerged here for a switch in either direction. Stay where you are.

Mac has become a haven for unix folks with OS-X. It has always been a safe harbor for GUI purists. PC is probably better for gamers; I don't know. The software investment to make the switch is the biggest hit for most of us, and the more you need proprietary commercial software, the more it costs.

The software hit would normally be bigger than the hardware hit. The learning curve to switch is trivial compared to when I switched from Mac to PC in 1997.

So I see the question not as, should I switch from PC to Mac, but as, should I change platforms and why? If there is no overwhelming goal to satisfy with such a switch, stay where you are.

I own several PC's, one ancient Mac clone, and one iMac. I'm quite happy with the poor old iMac but never bought a lot of software for it because I already do all my development, graphics etc. on the PC. The iMac gets turned on a few times a year to test web pages cross-platform, and sadly, that's it.

My first computer was a Commodore Vic 20 (with 3/16 kb RAM expansion), then I had an Atari 1040 ST, a Mega 4, a Mac LC III, a Mac LC 475, a Pentium II box with Win 98, now several others PC and Macs around. So, being a multi-platform user since ever, I'd like to share some thoughts in the hope they will be of help to you.

In october I will buy my new laptop. It will be an iBook --for a strong, compelling reason: the Windows platform is infested by viruses, the Mac one is not.

Of course there might three or four viruses for the Mac, but compare them with the thousands on the PC. As others have noted, the new (OS X) Unix architecture has more inherent security than its Windows counterpart. And if you were a virus creator, wouldn't you target the mass market :twisted: ??

IMHO, making the browser a part of Windows system was a great marketing idea from Microsoft, but questionable from a security point of view. It opened many doors to attackers. If you get into the browser, you get into the system. On the Mac, the browser is just an application that can't harm the system.

I also would say that Macs have a lower total cost of ownership compared to PCs. That's because they generally require little maintenance.

Consider, for example, the cost of a virus forcing you to re-format the hard disk. Oh, surely an anti-virus will protect your PC. Just don't forget to pay its license and update fees. If you are interested in this comparison, I suggest you to check out a site called http://www.macvspc.info which will show some numbers about total cost of ownership.

Ciao,
Corrado

ummmmmmmmm no brainer MAC

<rant>
PC, Hands down, that way you have the freedom (not to mention a HUGE price break) to install what you want. If you want Linux, or Windows you got it.

Mac does have its place, that place is for those who think they are too good for PC, or those who think that Mac is easier than Linux or windows, which it is not.

There will always be Mac Fans, I will always push them down to the ground because they are so ignorant of how much free stuff you can get for windows / linux and how much Mac/Apple likes to put you in a box and drop little dukies in with ya. Example: OSX: they hide functionality from you until they think it is the right time to release it, people find it and cause a big fuss. iPods/iPhone: They crash often, You void your warranty by changing your battery.

I am not a big fan of Windows, it crashes lots, updates suck, etc. However Linux is the wave of the future and all those poor Mac users who think that their Operating system does not copy anybody, THINK AGAIN. Mac has been copying Linux distro's functionalities since they moved to their Unix based Operating system.

The reason Mac had to start going with Intel is because they could not compete, so they joined the club and tainted the goodness that is a PC. Macs are essentially broken PCs, you HAVE to use their software to do anything on it, you are not free like you are on linux.
To each their own, however 90% of the problems that people come to me are from fellow college students who have Mac computers, they get a virus (YES THERE ARE VIRUSES FOR MAC), their iChat crashes anytime they receive a file, Their iDvd keeps burning dvds that do not play in most dvd players, etc, etc.

Linux is for those who have guts to do things and be able to customize just about everything about their operating system. Yet linux is also becoming the easiest operating system to work with not only programming wise but also from a regular person's point of view, such as my parents or my non-techy friends.
</rant>

I'm saying PC because for the same price you pay for a mac you can get a better PC and I think it's a fact that there is more software available for PCs (If you're into anything specialized). I couldn't imagine using a mac for anything more than checking my email.










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