pc/mac

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Commercials....well....ARE PROPAGANDA.

Yes they are, but do they have to be so blatantly wrong? Really, these commercials put out right now just make Apple look ignorant. If anything, they deter me from purchasing one of their machines.

[yongkimleng]

now most macs are using intel CPUs and its possible to get the new OSX running on a "PC". To suit your gaming needs the base OS can be win2k or XP which has only bare essentials for gaming, and using VMware (which is now FREE) we run OSX and/or Linux for other work purposes.
Result is a 3 in 1 "PC" that suits all your tasks! Everyone wins

[KelliV]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

Worst marketing campaign ever Apple.

I beg to differ, it is probably the best campaign in a long time. It gets people to talk about macs? Isnt that what they want? And lets face it, Macs are a bit easier to understand than PCs at times.

I go to school with a twp of girls that were looking to buy laptops, lets face it, the guy in the Mac add is kinda cute. It makes Mac look easy, hip, and useful. So they bought thier macbooks based on the commercial.

I am on a mac, born and raised mac girl. I have a G4 that is shared with my family, as well as my MacBook Pro, and an iMac. I had the Apple II and a Power Mac back in the day. I also am running some sort of PC in my room (Intel with Windows 2000) and that thing has crashed more than I can count. I have only crashed the mac twice, and that was my MacBook pro for reasons that I still have no clue on.

I also love macs because of what they do. I am a Television Major at Columbia College (Chicago, not New York or South Carolina) and use my mac for it's fabulous editing powers. I have used Avid on both Windows and Mac, Mac works better.

I have also done some programming on Macs and Windows and I will give in to you programming folk... Windows kicks some major butt in that department.

Overall I have come to the thought of mac > pc

[Matt Krass]

Originally Posted by jpyro

And that will be the reason for hackers to start hacking macs, correct me hackers if im wrong. But windows is far more popular out in the world of computers

Actually it's not just popularity, Windows practically trips over itself inviting unwanted users to attack it.

Mac (and Linux) are built on a sturdy core, thats solid and reliable with many years of many programmers workings just to make it stable. On top of that is a rigid user/permission system that means even if you're compromised, the attacker is still very limited in what he/she can do without further effort. I'm not saying they're unbreakable, but comparatively speaking, Windows machines tend to be much easier to compromise and overthrow when they are not properly set up, and they don't come properly set up by default like Macs do As well as most users running as administrator making it even easier....

To be honest, a properly secured windows machine is pretty rock solid as well, just higher maintenance in my opinion, and Macs/Linux come with a pretty secure default setup in comparison.

[GRaduns340]

I also am running some sort of PC in my room (Intel with Windows 2000) and that thing has crashed more than I can count. I have only crashed the mac twice, and that was my MacBook pro for reasons that I still have no clue on.

I don't think this is a fair comparison. You're comparing windows 2000 to a MacBook Pro. That's a difference of almost five years, which is huge in the computer world. I would be willing to guess that you haven't updated the hardware on the PC either, meaning that the power supply (ideally replaced every year although that is rarely observed) is probably five/six years old, the RAM and processor (average optimal life-span of 3-4 years on machines from that time) is just as old. I've had this computer with Windows XP for four years and it hasn't crashed once. Whether it's the hardware or the OS, when comparing up-to-date components doesn't show me any reason to favor Mac in that department.

Like one of the ads I've seen said, it's really easy to upgrade a Mac. You just throw it out the window and buy a new one. I don't have that kind of $$, and it's much cheaper to just gradually replace aging hardware in a PC if you know what you're doing. Granted, if you're clueless, then you might as well but a new one anyway, but PCs are still cheaper than Mac for that.

I am a programmer, and I thrive on Linux and Windows. Linux because it is ideal for an easy setup of a webserver (some packages even come with one built in), which is beneficial since I am a webmaster, and Windows because there are many easy-to-use programming environments for Windows. It's nearly impossible for someone working on Windows NOT to find a program that meets their programming desires. For a lot of projects, especially web-related ones, I'll do a lot of the code on Windows and just use Linux as a testing environment, but Macs don't seem as good at either, especially the webserver end, which I've never seen done on a Mac.

I must hand editing power over to the Macs, but then I don't care much because I don't do a lot of video editing. I create some Flash on a rare occasion, but even for that I'd just use the Windows version, which works like a champ.

The one time I prefer a Mac for my own personal use is when I record concerts. Although in general I don't like Mac interfaces as much, recording and audio work well on Macs, and they happen to be what's readily available for that purpose most of the time when I want to record.

On the security basis, again, this can come down to whether you cheap out on it or not. If you get XP Pro for example, it is much easier to have users set up with permissions systems. Anti-virus and firewalls aren't that expensive. Some are even free, and they work really well unless the user's stupid enough to let something through. I agree that it is majorly a matter of how much effort is put into setting it up properly.

Short version for those who didn't read my really long post (sorry):
New versions of Mac and PC are very similar in stability. Upgrading PCs is generally easier. Programming is easier on Windows and Linux. Macs are better at editing.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by GRaduns340

Like one of the ads I've seen said, it's really easy to upgrade a Mac. You just throw it out the window and buy a new one. I don't have that kind of $$, and it's much cheaper to just gradually replace aging hardware in a PC if you know what you're doing. Granted, if you're clueless, then you might as well but a new one anyway, but PCs are still cheaper than Mac for that.

You can replace and upgrade macs as well...

[Kaizer007]

I have read every post (and every word) in this thread and want to sum it for the rest of everybody just joining the conversation.

Based on many people's views, the opinions are:
Windows:
Pros:
Has easy to use software (it's your familiarity with this OS)
Cheaper, replacing parts and computers in whole
Cheaper to upgrade
Great for programming and for games

Cons:
Prone to hackers because it is more widely used and for other reasons
Software has "holes" in it (allowing more hackers to get through)
Isn't as great with video and audio, but some disagree with this

MACs:
Pros:
Good for video and sound
Also easy to use sofware (it's your familiarity with this OS)
Looks prettier
More Hacker Proof

Cons:
More expensive
Not easy to upgrade


*Sorry if I missed anything, I don't have too much time.*
-------------------------------------------------

My personal view would be buy a computer with high speed and tons of RAM, and lots of storage space.

Then create partitions on the drives, or use a different drive for every Operating System you own. Also, keep all your software updated and protected with programs like (Zone Alarm for XP)

I personally Have a PC with Windows XP Professional and Slackware Linux and another PC with Windows 2000. I am a gamer and a programmer so I use PCs more often.


So if you didn't read this entire post: Both systems have their ups and downs, so buy them both and take advantage of it all. And don't forget about linux.

[GRaduns340]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

You can replace and upgrade macs as well...

The hardware can be upgraded in most cases, but there are several firmware issues with a lot of hardware when used on Mac, since it is usually developed for PC and adapted the other way.

[Joohoo]

Originally Posted by GRaduns340

The hardware can be upgraded in most cases, but there are several firmware issues with a lot of hardware when used on Mac, since it is usually developed for PC and adapted the other way.

In my experiences that isn't the case they seemed to be more plug and play.

I think that this discussion is like the controls of a car. Every thing is there, it just takes a week or so to figure out where everything is and how it works.

[efoote868]

everyone knows that PC is clearly better

now, in all seriousness, if mac would let me make my own computer, customize it, etc., then I probably would be on a mac. but, i couldn't (easily), so, i'm not.

lets face it, if i mentioned mac before the ipod was released, the average windows person would be like, "huh?!?"

[tangent]
I wish google would make an OS, GOS. GOS would be sooo awesome, easy to use, easy to upgrade, etc. It would be free too, except you'd prolly have tons of ads on it.
[/tangent]

[Mike Starke]

Originally Posted by Joohoo

I think that this discussion is like the controls of a car. Every thing is there, it just takes a week or so to figure out where everything is and how it works.

This is true, when we got our Mac, it was pretty much take it out of the box and use it. When my brother got his laptop, he had to go through alot of different steps to get it set up. Both, do take set up steps, but to my memory, the Mac was easier.
Everything is different on a Mac, the close, minimize, and maximize is on the left, compared to the right on Windows, shortcuts, etc. It does take a little while, but once you get used to it, your set.
I think its best if you know both OS. It's pretty much nothing for me to use the Mac at home, and then go right to school and use Windows. However, if theres a case when you have to use the other OS your not used to, your not totally stuck, it just takes you a little longer. This should then be a challenge for all of us...
Take the OS your not used to, and spend some quality time with it. Get used to it, give it a chance...

[Starke]

Originally Posted by mannaman

This is true, when we got our Mac, it was pretty much take it out of the box and use it. When my brother got his laptop, he had to go through alot of different steps to get it set up. Both, do take set up steps, but to my memory, the Mac was easier.
Everything is different on a Mac, the close, minimize, and maximize is on the left, compared to the right on Windows, shortcuts, etc. It does take a little while, but once you get used to it, your set.
I think its best if you know both OS. It's pretty much nothing for me to use the Mac at home, and then go right to school and use Windows. However, if theres a case when you have to use the other OS your not used to, your not totally stuck, it just takes you a little longer. This should then be a challenge for all of us...
Take the OS your not used to, and spend some quality time with it. Get used to it, give it a chance...

My dear brother, I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. I got my Dell, I turned it on, made an account, and started it up. That was not any harder than the parents Mac.

I honestly like PC better for the simple reason of the programs I need. I use engineering programs (Solid Works, Inventor, Auto Cad) which to my knowledge can not run on a Mac. Just my honest opinion.

[RoboJedi75]

I think one of the major things is that Apple doesn't put a bunch of trial software on the computer. Most PC companies (especially Dell) put trial software on, which also helps offset the cost of a new computer.

If you don't want the trial software, it takes time to uninstall all of it.

Edit: And yea, Inventor and CAD aren't made for OS X.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by RoboJedi75

Edit: And yea, Inventor and CAD aren't made for OS X.

Drexel had some form of AutoCAD running on Macs. I was very intrigued by that. I knew they were making one for Mac, but I don't know how Drexel already had it.

[nextvex]

i just thought of something and why i would think a pc is better you cant use easyc with a mac although macs look awsome