would buy a mac? THE MAC WARS

[scabz138]

I see alot of people saying they would never own a mac. i was the same way till my girlfriend got one, and now all the pc's are gone and i refuse to use anything but. I have an imac and a powerbook bot running bootcamp and xp pro for when i want to play games. but besides that im never even booted into windows. mac o/s runs so much better then anything ive ever used.

I know there not for everyone but i think alot of people might find they prefer them if they gave one a real shot.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by scabz138

I see alot of people saying they would never own a mac. i was the same way till my girlfriend got one, and now all the pc's are gone and i refuse to use anything but. I have an imac and a powerbook bot running bootcamp and xp pro for when i want to play games. but besides that im never even booted into windows. mac o/s runs so much better then anything ive ever used.

I know there not for everyone but i think alot of people might find they prefer them if they gave one a real shot.

I have an iMac that's about 1 1/2 years old. I haven't found the experience to be that much different that my many, many years with Windows. Safari crashes, iTunes crashes, Front Row is flaky (and mostly worthless besides), it occasionally grinds to a painful halt (although that's usually with Safari crashing). Worse, it just seems that there are an awful lot of times when I find myself saying, "Oh, I could do that!" and that realizing that I can't because I have a Mac. Not a lot of choice when it comes to software, even worse when it comes to games.

And at this point it just seems Apple is more about style over substance. Oooh, they shaved another millimeter off the thickness of the iMac. So what? It doesn't affect the functionality or utility of it but that seems to be a bigger concern than higher performance machines.

I'm planning on getting a Windows PC before year's end because I want to be able to game. Sure, I could just install Windows and boot into that to game (well, if I spent $129 to upgrade to 10.5 and then however much a copy of XP or Vista would cost), but I'd still have a fairly sub-par gaming machine and since it's an iMac there's no way to upgrade. And the cheapest (and only) upgradeable Mac starts at $2300 (and even then it's NOT really that upgradeable considering how few manufacturers actually make hardware for a Mac at this point).

To me the worst part about Macs is the fanboys (and girls, not to be sexist). So many seem to think Steve Jobs is the next best thing to a reincarnated Jesus and in general that Apple can do no wrong. Grrr, they annoy me.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Julohan

I would buy a mac right now if it had a bluray drive. I am holding out to buy one until it comes with one. Anyone else?

Definitely. I've been a build-your-own-PC guy for years now, but I scrapped my latest build plans a couple months ago, and decided to wait it out until I can get a Mac Pro with built-in Blu-ray drive. Windows is just too business-focused (and I say that as a longtime Microsoft beta-tester... so feel free to blame me for Vista). Leopard is just so much more pleasant to use as a consumer. Plus, except for gaming, I can do just about everything I do in Windows in OSX.

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

I wouldn't buy a mac for the same reason that I wouldn't buy a Dell: I don't do proprietary systems, and Mac is the most proprietary of them all. It's the reason why they don't blu-ray drives, because they offer no consumer choice.

That's not the reason they don't yet offer a Blu-ray drive (more on that below), but they definitely are proprietary designs. But that's also what makes them so appealing... they control the hardware and the OS, so things just work. At some point, for me, I just stopped caring about being able to configure and build and change my system constantly all to get a little more speed in games. And with the PC gaming industry crashing HARD at the moment, that may not be a concern for long. What good is being able to uber-configure your system if you're stuck running an OS that really is best-suited to the corporate world?

Originally Posted by Aygie

Rumor has it that the last update to the Macbook pro line was supposed to include one but Apple wasn't happy with the battery consumption so they told Sony to get it together and make a more battery consuming friendly drive.

That is an issue, but supposedly they were still willing to implement the drives if Sony could get them "Super Multi Blu" drives (BD burners in PC-speak) in sufficient quantities. But since Apple uses the ultra-thin profile drives in the MacBooks and 15.4" MacBook Pros, Sony wasn't able to reliably mass produce the drives when Apple was launching the last refresh. Sony reportedly offered BD-combo drives, but Apple wanted burners.

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

I use my Mac all the time, for work and fun. But I use my custom-built PC for gaming and gaming only. I will never use a windows machine for anything else.

That's quickly the way I am becoming. I used to hate Macs, but when I tried really using OSX for awhile, I loved it. It looks good, its fast, and its incredibly intuitive (so long as you buy a two-button mouse). As soon the Mac Pros are updated with Blu-ray I'll be buying one... and then probably two weeks later I'll end up with a new MacBook Pro because I'll never want to use my current notebook ever again. And about a day after that, my girlfriend will break up with me for blowing $5k or $6k on new computers.

[rubberghost]

Originally Posted by Julohan

I would buy a mac right now if it had a bluray drive. I am holding out to buy one until it comes with one. Anyone else?

yes, buy a mac.

[krazeyeyez]

i also used to say things about "i'll never own a mac" " i play games" or no programs work on that, or i already know windows why learn something different
now that i have tried both.

i will never own a pc again. its actually amazing to me how bad they are, even when they are custom built overclocked etc..... havnt run into any real problems since buying my mac a little over a year ago now i think, its far easier to use then windows now that im used to it which didn't take long. love my mac and won't ever go back. i'ld rather have a proprietary companies computer then one that obviously employ's bad techs and a great marketing team.

BOSE=MONSTER=WINDOWS ....... they can all do some things well but they all do marketing great.

[nycomet]

I bought a Big mac once. It gave me a belly ache. I like the Angus Burger better.

[jorg]

maybe if mac still used the power architecture(power 7 know out 4.7 ghz )

[BIRD status]

i own 2 macs and i'll never go back to pc

and an iphone too!

[tqmilymi]

I've been using a Mac for 20 years!

I hate my PC at work...

[Cyorg]

I'll stick with Linux.

[Kormaniac]

Already own one......add a blu ray and it's an excuse for a second.....not that I really need an excuse.

[ccplant]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

I wouldn't buy a mac for the same reason that I wouldn't buy a Dell: I don't do proprietary systems, and Mac is the most proprietary of them all. It's the reason why they don't blu-ray drives, because they offer no consumer choice. A mac is what it is right out of the box, and if you try to tinker with it (and void the warranty), you wreck it.

It's only proprietary when it comes to internal hardware. But you can buy anything that's external and uses USB or FireWire! Remember, it's simply the best computer when it comes to Audio/Video and Security. I'll admit that the gaming selection sucks, but you can install Windows onto a Mac without installing anything else and run a dual system. I did a system test on Vista using my Mac and it got graded 5.9 out of 5. No that is not a typo. PC magazine also published that Vista runs the best on a Mac. But I rarely use Windows now. Everything I need is on Leopard. Photoshop, Final Cut, the works. And don't forget Apple devolped the MPEG-4 codec that you all love.

Plus you can't void the warrenty by opening it. There isn't even any screws, it's a simple latch, and there is no sticker that says "void warranty if broken." I open mine and "tinker" with it all the time.

I don't work for Apple, I just speak on thier behalf. That last part was a joke.

[EvolutionCherry]

Originally Posted by pseudomaniac

XP > Mac > Vista

Pretty much says it all.

[dadkins]

Nope.
I have had a BD laptop(Sony VAIO) for 17 months and just bought a second BD laptop(also a Sony VAIO).

Model year for model year, Mac cannot compare.

Apple is dragging their feet, guess they are more interested in Digital Downloads instead of a BD drive or Blu-ray playback support in the OS.

[mystiksuicide]

MAC's are they way to go PC's are just well....worthless. If you want a blu-ray drive id say wait but buying a PC is buying a nightmare.

[xDisciplex]

I love my Macs (Mac Pro Quad and 15" Powerbook). I used to be the same, not wanting to go to Macs, but after being in film school and using it for our video editing and visual effects and such - they have easily overtaken my PCs. My PCs are lucky if I start them up once every 2 months. Any gaming I have now is on my PS3 mainly (even though 1st person shooters are WAY better on a PC than then PS3), so the only other time I run my PC is when I'm using some apps for gaming modding.

People waiting on a Mac or any computer cause of a Bluray drive, that is just not a big deal for me and probably most consumers right now. Especially when you look @ what they are running. If you have a player for it now at your home, stick with that till they drop in price for computers - but if you must have one w/ your comp - then get a PC for now - mine, I'll wait till it comes out for the Mac and then just install it on my Quad system and be okay.

But in my opinion - I used to be all pro PCs only, but now use my Macs more, but still have use for my PCs, just not as much - unfortunately.

[ccplant]

Originally Posted by pseudomaniac

XP > Mac > Vista

Leopard will run fine on any Core 2 Duo box you want to configure. If you insist on spending 2x what the hardware is worth on the Mac, at least dual boot it to XP so you can use it for something practical - like a computer.

More like... Tiger > Leopard > XP > Vista

Plus statements about Mac hardware being more costly are simply wrong. EXPECIALLY when it comes to price/performance. Mac Mini's which are Intel Core 2 Duo have a price tag of $599.99. iMacs, which are also Intel Core 2 Duo, are $1199.99 and comes with a 20" LCD MONITOR!

Check them out...
http://www.internet-nexus.com/2006/0...sion-price.htm
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.ph...showentry=1802
http://kurafire.net/log/archive/2006...-apple-vs-dell

Even the MacPro's Quad Towers are a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than Dell's.

In my strong opinion, if you're seeking change and would consider a Mac, go for it!

[Squozen]

We already have 4 Macs in the household.

[pseudomaniac]

A valid point. In some cases, an overpriced Mac is cheaper than an overpriced Dell - and both are as much as double what you can build in a superior and tweakable system yourself.

At the end of the day, I can still stick a newegg Video card in the Dell and play games, a newegged Blu-Ray drive and play movies, and probably get by with bargain RAM as well. When the power supply goes, it's going to be $30 or $40 to replace, and probably will pop out without turning a screw. I can probably get the replacement from a local computer store - same day.

Don't get me started on the build quality / and serviceability of MacBooks..... what a nightmare.....

I've oft suggested Macs for the "Get me on the net and let me send pictures to my grandkids" type users. Aside from that and some specialized educational / healthcare uses (and that's only because the people using them are too cool to use PCs)....they still have some distance to cover to be a true "mainstream PC" IMO.

Originally Posted by ccplant

More like... Tiger > Leopard > XP > Vista

Plus statements about Mac hardware being more costly are simply wrong. EXPECIALLY when it comes to price/performance. Mac Mini's which are Intel Core 2 Duo have a price tag of $599.99. iMacs, which are also Intel Core 2 Duo, are $1199.99 and comes with a 20" LCD MONITOR!

Check them out...
http://www.internet-nexus.com/2006/0...sion-price.htm
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.ph...showentry=1802
http://kurafire.net/log/archive/2006...-apple-vs-dell

Even the MacPro's Quad Towers are a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than Dell's.

In my strong opinion, if you're seeking change and would consider a Mac, go for it!

[ccplant]

Originally Posted by pseudomaniac

A valid point. In some cases, an overpriced Mac is cheaper than an overpriced Dell - and both are as much as double what you can build in a superior and tweakable system yourself.

At the end of the day, I can still stick a newegg Video card in the Dell and play games, a newegged Blu-Ray drive and play movies, and probably get by with bargain RAM as well. When the power supply goes, it's going to be $30 or $40 to replace, and probably will pop out without turning a screw. I can probably get the replacement from a local computer store - same day.

Don't get me started on the build quality / and serviceability of MacBooks..... what a nightmare.....

I've oft suggested Macs for the "Get me on the net and let me send pictures to my grandkids" type users. Aside from that and some specialized educational / healthcare uses (and that's only because the people using them are too cool to use PCs)....they still have some distance to cover to be a true "mainstream PC" IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I do love my PC. I had one in my house for all my life. I went to the "Dark Side", as my friends call it, 2 years ago. After years of problems, software and hardware I decided on a Mac and will NEVER go back. But it you're concerned about hardware prices take a look at the iMacs, a $1000 computer that comes with a Intel Cora 2 Duo Processor, a kick ass Nvidia or ATI video card, 20" Monitor, built in iSight Camera, Keyboard, Mouse and is fully able to run Windows or OSX! And though people might say that there are not many options for cheap hardware they obviously have never been in a small Mac Dealership before. Plus you can buy a harddrive anywhere and just plug it in. I'm sure I might seem bias, which is understandable when your profession is Digital Media, but there is one more thing that no-one is talking about in this thread. Software... Software is much cheaper on Macs than PCs. Just look at operating systems alone. For just Vista basic is $199, and that comes with nothing! You don't even get any of the the the Arrow features. Premium is $219.99 and Ultimate is $279.99 which was original $599.99 back when released.Leopard on the other hand is only $129.99 for everything!

And for those you who've had problems with Vista, let me assure you that it runs flawlessly on Macs. I do everything including 3D gaming. Call of Duty 4 and Half-Life 2 Orange Box are my favorites.