Mac or PC?

[Beefbowl]

Thanks for everybody's post. I don't plan on using my computer for gaming, the last game I played on the PC was the orginal Diablo. I have game consoles for all my gaming.

My two main reasons for wanting to switch was viruses (had a roommate that was surfing certain sites) and compatability. It seemed like all the Mac software work together well where the PC does not. (let me know if this is true or false). Also, Do Mac get those annoying pop-up s from websites?

[warhawk21114]

As a Mac user I could not be happier. The applications work well together i.e. your film you made in imovie is easily exported over to idvd where you can put in a nice menu and make a decent family film of vacation or whatever event, iphoto can handle basic photo editing, Apples own office suite is good for lowscale work and can convert to its office if needed or you can buy the mac version of office. OSX is a very stable enviroment and I have no complaints and there is only one version of it no basic, ultimate, premium or what not with varying features. For a stable enviroment and good customer support go with Mac. You will not be dissapointed. In regards to the pop ups, you will get them, it just depends on what browser you are using and what settings pop ups are set on. go to apple.com and to support then discussions and search about them and you should be able to find that bit of info from mac users. happy hunting!!!

[Uxi]

I use Macs and Linux professionally (Sys Admin and programming). I prefer Windows and Linux for home. In general, I find the Mac Pros vastly overkill and overpriced (who needs dual Xeons really, if you're not in graphics, etc?).

I've used a Mini, iMac, and iBook as part of my job (work paid for the iBook and I use a mini as a workstation now). My purchased computers are a Sony VAIO and a homebuild gaming rig.

I just bought a new MacBook Pro (2.5, 2GB of RAM, 7200rpm SATA drive). Should arrive by Tuesday to replace the iBook. I'm stoked and will be dual booting XP Pro and OS X.

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

My two main reasons for wanting to switch was viruses (had a roommate that was surfing certain sites) and compatability. It seemed like all the Mac software work together well where the PC does not. (let me know if this is true or false). Also, Do Mac get those annoying pop-up s from websites?

1) In terms of compatibility and software availability windows is clearly better. You still can run most of the dos programs on xp or vista. I don't think it's necessarily good, but MS spends a lot of time and effort to ensure backwards compatibility.
2) Not sure what do you mean "all the Mac software work together well where the PC does not"? If interoperability or data exchange between various programs windows is very good on that, which is partly the reason why viruses can spread so easily, data from one prog can be infection for another, etc. Can't comment on Macs though.
3) Popups from websites depend on browser mainly, and if you get infected by spyware. In modern browsers you can disable popups and javascript/java all together. As for spyware you're more of a target if you run windows, but it depends on you too. I've never had a virus or worm infecting my comps and I've been using PCs since 89. I have 5 pcs at home, 2 of them are up 24/7 and run multiple programs including torrents, p2p, encoders, web/ftp servers and other stuff. All of them XP. the only time I have to boot those is when avast antivirus updates its code or I get next batch of windows updates and asks for reboot.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

Thanks for everybody's post. I don't plan on using my computer for gaming, the last game I played on the PC was the orginal Diablo. I have game consoles for all my gaming.

My two main reasons for wanting to switch was viruses (had a roommate that was surfing certain sites) and compatability. It seemed like all the Mac software work together well where the PC does not. (let me know if this is true or false). Also, Do Mac get those annoying pop-up s from websites?

If you plan to buy a Mac just for Browsing and burning files .. err, that'll be a lot of money for not much more than a PC frankly.
And I do admit that when Mac users, when confronted with the lesser choice in sofware library, respond "dual boot Windows", it does make me laugh.

In essence, both OS work with pretty much the same stability at this point (to tell the truth, I have had more crashes with my macs in the past 5 years than with my PCs). Applications vary somewhat, but for Internet / Media playback, it's pretty much the same.
Interoperability is identical, both systems play the same kind of files.

In the end, "Mac" is more stylish (and more pricey), and PCs are more customizable/ evolutive.
The true choice will be with how much you like the interface.

Personally, even though I use it every day at work, OS X is too "Nintendo" ish (as in it removes a lot of transparency from the user). Some people prefer it, some don't. XP and then Vista went that road, but at least you can customize it "back" to your favorite settings of transparency (user side).

Security is the same (you gotta protect your system in both cases), with the caveat that PCs being 90%+ of the world's home computers, there are far more people out there making trojans and viruses for it than for Macs. The positive side of this, is that you will have a ton more of share/freewares avail. on PC when compared to Mac. This being said, Mac OS is also Unix (kindof).

Last but not least, the "annoying pop ups" depend on your browser.
IE (or Firefox or Opera) have a ton of options to remove those. Same on the Mac side.

[Slackr89]

if ur a gamer/computer enthusiast go for a pc.

[simpspin]

Kind of old, but still very funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEAGmBRC1dc

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

Thanks for everybody's post. I don't plan on using my computer for gaming, the last game I played on the PC was the orginal Diablo. I have game consoles for all my gaming.

Also speaking as a PS3 owner who wasn't aware there even were games that came out on PC disks anymore , given that PC's STILL use "You can't play games!" as an excuse not to buy a Mac--after 13 years--I'm just waiting for the Apple ads to finally take the low road just once and bury this one once and for all, in Apple-owner style:

---
<Apple music>
Mac: "Hi, I'm a Mac."
PC: <with game controller> "And I'm a PC...Hah, take that, got 'em!"
Mac: "What're you doing there?"
PC: "Oh, just the latest game on CD-Rom...Y'know, all the kids say, you want those hit, hot games, you get a PC--Bet you wish you could be playing this one right now, huh?"
Mac: "Yeah, I've seen that on the console machines, but I don't really spend too much of my spare time on that."
PC: "...W-what d'you mean, 'Spare time'?"
Mac: "Well, the insides, how's your working computer?--Music, video, editing, software, processing speed, Internet, connectability...You know, all the grownup stuff you spend the money on to buy the computer for in the first place."
PC: "Wait: First it's 'Spare time', and now it's 'Grown-up stuff'...You're saying something about ME, aren't you?"
Mac: "No, I wasn't saying anything. Games are fine."
PC: "Look, I was at my high school reunion last week, and--"
Mac: "You're really reading too much into this."
<logo>
Mac: "I mean, I've got a copy of Tomb Raider you could--"
PC: "Oh, shut up."

[Lord_Phan]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Also speaking as a PS3 owner who wasn't aware there even were games that came out on PC disks anymore , given that PC's STILL use "You can't play games!" as an excuse not to buy a Mac--after 13 years--I'm just waiting for the Apple ads to finally take the low road just once and bury this one once and for all, in Apple-owner style:

---
<Apple music>
Mac: "Hi, I'm a Mac."
PC: <with game controller> "And I'm a PC...Hah, take that, got 'em!"
Mac: "What're you doing there?"
PC: "Oh, just the latest game on CD-Rom...Y'know, all the kids say, you want those hit, hot games, you get a PC--Bet you wish you could be playing this one right now, huh?"
Mac: "Yeah, I've seen that on the console machines, but I don't really spend too much of my spare time on that."
PC: "...W-what d'you mean, 'Spare time'?"
Mac: "Well, the insides, how's your working computer?--Music, video, editing, software, processing speed, Internet, connectability...You know, all the grownup stuff you spend the money on to buy the computer for in the first place."
PC: "Wait: First it's 'Spare time', and now it's 'Grown-up stuff'...You're saying something about ME, aren't you?"
Mac: "No, I wasn't saying anything. Games are fine."
PC: "Look, I was at my high school reunion last week, and--"
Mac: "You're really reading too much into this."
<logo>
Mac: "I mean, I've got a copy of Tomb Raider you could--"
PC: "Oh, shut up."

You're an idiot, Gaming on PC is far better than your Console. The PS3 was technologically outdated before it was released. As are all consoles. You've obviously never seen a gaming pc before.

[Spankey]

And I do admit that when Mac users, when confronted with the lesser choice in sofware library, respond "dual boot Windows", it does make me laugh.

Mac users are not confronted with a lesser choice in software. Like PC users there is a DIFFERENT choice of software. What do PC users do when there is Mac software that is not available to them? Nothing. If there is ONE application a person must have that is only available to Windows users they have an option.

A Mac still offers those who want to use the computer for more than JUST games, longevity, security, a better OS and far more enjoyable computing experience.

I've used all the arguments in the past as reasons not to get a Mac. Those arguments no longer have any merit. They are just talking points from another decade.

FROM PC MAGAZINE

Leopard again raises the question of whether to switch from Windows to a Mac. I've found Vista to be a major disappointment that tends to look worse the more I use it. I still use Windows XP for getting serious work done in long, complicated documents. But OS X is easier to manage and maintain and I vastly prefer OS X to Windows for Web-browsing, mail, and especially for any task that involves graphics, music, or video. Leopard performs all such tasks even better than previous versions did—and Leopard is the only OS on the planet that works effortlessly and intuitively in today's world of networked computers and peripherals. Leopard is far from perfect, but it's better than any alternative, and it's getting harder and harder to find good reasons to use anything else.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Spankey

Mac users are not confronted with a lesser choice in software. Like PC users there is a DIFFERENT choice of software. What do PC users do when there is Mac software that is not available to them? Nothing. If there is ONE application a person must have that is only available to Windows users they have an option.

A Mac still offers those who want to use the computer for more than JUST games, longevity, security, a better OS and far more enjoyable computing experience.

I've used all the arguments in the past as reasons not to get a Mac. Those arguments no longer have any merit. They are just talking points from another decade.

Options?
Windows doesn't need options to run a Windows program that is not available for a Mac - it's Windows!

Games? Sure! No problem!
Longevity? No problem!
Security? Also a non-issue. Run as a limited user and kill off a couple things. No problem!
Better OS? Says who? 98%(more?) of all software is created for - Windows!
Windows can do anything one needs to do. There is no need to emulate a Mac OS to do something - cannot say the same for Mac, can we?

Mac arguments are still weak.
What is it, at this very moment, that Mac users(some at least) are wanting that this Windows machine has been able to do for nearly 2 years?

Oh yeah! Blu-ray!



Now, don't get me wrong here!
Macs are great machines!
They do work quite well!

But, they are not better than Windows machines!
Sure, when you try to compare a $4000 MBP against a $399 Dell, I certainly hope the MBP will blow it away!
Match the biggest, baddest MBP up against... the AR790.
MBP will lose!

Match that same MBP up against a Eurocom F-Bomb or a Phantom. No contest!
Not even in the same ballpark!

*IF* you have a Mac, that's great! I'm happy for you - any of you!

Please get off the Mac KoolAid because Macs are not better than PCs. Period!

BTW... http://lifehacker.com/348653/install...cking-required

OS X can be done - but why?

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by Spankey

Mac users are not confronted with a lesser choice in software. Like PC users there is a DIFFERENT choice of software.

What do you mean? There's same amount of software for mac as for pcs or that Mac users simply don't care about lesser choice? former is simply not true, later well, when you have no choice what can you do, just say U don't care.

Originally Posted by Spankey

What do PC users do when there is Mac software that is not available to them? Nothing. If there is ONE application a person must have that is only available to Windows users they have an option.

Yeah, although functionality wise I haven't heard of something that is available for macs and not on windows. And the situation you described will happen for mac users often.

Originally Posted by Spankey

A Mac still offers those who want to use the computer for more than JUST games, longevity, security, a better OS and far more enjoyable computing experience.

So, PC is just a gaming platform huh? Even those mac commercials portray PC as more of a workstation and Mac for fun things such as sharing photos and so on.
Anyway, 95% of corporate world wouldn't be on PCs if it was a gaming console you know.
And user experience is quite personal. I do like Mac designs better, they look slick no argument on that, but as for functionality and price, PC is a clear winner. And as an example of user interface I can refer to Apple itunes application which I absolutely hate. Horrible interface, not very intuitive and really inconvenient.

Originally Posted by Spankey

I've used all the arguments in the past as reasons not to get a Mac. Those arguments no longer have any merit. They are just talking points from another decade.

Why not? Just some of your arguments are invalid. Saying PC is only good for gaming or macs have longer lasting value even if they use same CPUs as PCs isn't exactly fair.

[I DO BLU]

Then why does WSJ say mac's run vista faster then PC's? Mac are better i

have had many pc's from almost all companies and now have switched to mac

and will never go back. You want something that works and not have to

worry about being capatable with the os mac is it. It also is funny how ms is

being sued left and right latley one for vista because some pc's that said

they were compatable were not.

[Squozen]

My girlfriend and I switched to Macs a few years ago and won't be switching back. I work in the IT department at work and the Mac folk send me a lot less support emails than the PC ones.

Vista is horrific. If you do get a PC, make sure you can run XP on it.

[Sean4000]

This video should make a few people laugh.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jkrn6ecxthM

[krazeyeyez]

i am not a techy or a computer geek, and i wouldn't know where to begin as far as building a machine goes, but i have had my macbook for a while now and all i can say is smooth sailing. im not gonna list out my many reasons for my choice but i can say without a doubt i will never by a pc again. i love this mac and i honestly feel like this is what a computer "should be".

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Lord_Phan

You're an idiot, Gaming on PC is far better than your Console. The PS3 was technologically outdated before it was released. As are all consoles. You've obviously never seen a gaming pc before.

Now now, no need for name calling

It'd be -far- too easier to counter this ad by saying that the -real- grown up stuff is on PC only (Database, Commercial Sales software, Accountant Sf, etc.).
Macs do have "some", but with far far less options.
It is also to be noted that the "real" grown up stuff even for sound or video editing moved to PC (or originated there) a long time aggo.
e.g. Avid, ProTools, Maya/Lightwave/3D Max (Maya and LW only now on Macs, some of the few 3D Gfx solutions that were sorely needed), CAD software, Softimage XSI, etc.

In fact, the -only- software that can justify buying a Mac (and that is a shame imho) are -2-. Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro. And even then, you have godo replacement solutions (Avix Xpress and for the more professional out there Scenarist).

I've used all the arguments in the past as reasons not to get a Mac. Those arguments no longer have any merit. They are just talking points from another decade.

Man, I use OS X -every- day, and it still baffles me when people find it better than XP, let alone Vista frankly. To each their own, the style is definitely different.
But better? nope.

[actionhank]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

Thanks for everybody's post. I don't plan on using my computer for gaming, the last game I played on the PC was the orginal Diablo. I have game consoles for all my gaming.

My two main reasons for wanting to switch was viruses (had a roommate that was surfing certain sites) and compatability. It seemed like all the Mac software work together well where the PC does not. (let me know if this is true or false). Also, Do Mac get those annoying pop-up s from websites?

Whoa... if you're asking about blocking pop-ups then maybe you should probably just get a Mac, forget about my post about running Ubuntu.

[Downhere]

Personally, after using Macs I honestly can't stand them. When I had to work with them I always seemed to have issues with them and considering I have had less issues with PC's, I prefer a PC.

[J_UNTITLED]

This should have been a poll.