I got a MacBook for the first time when I read they have both intel CPU and onboard Nvidia graphics card. I did this mostly because I was curious about MACs. It's always a good idea to know the different OS avaialable and how they work. OS X is nice for browsing the web, but I end up booting it into Vista most of the time because I do programming for Windows and like VIsual Studio as and IDE. (BTW I don't get what is the big deal with C++ Windows API for games. I've got a pretty good idea of how it works now, but I've been able to wrap most of the functions avaiable in the WIndows API in C# .NET which is much more friendly to work with.) Anyway MAC is nice because you know you will have good support for the hardware and you know it is built well. When you buy a bunch of different PC parts you don't know how well different parts will interact together. When I installed Vista in Boot Camp all I had to do was run bootcamp from the Leopard CD and it installed all the MACBOOK drivers. Gerenally on a PC you have to find all the drivers and install them seperately. It's not huge, but can be somewhat annoying at times. (On a side note if you get a notebook I would recommend a 13 inch. I had a 15 inch and now with the 13 inch MACBOOK it's a lot easier to carry around and have on my Lap.)
I have and use both. I have a home-made gaming PC and a MacBook Pro.
Let me explain something that you kids (and ignorant adults) are missing. A cynic will say that a Mac is just a PC (same hardware) with a prettier box and a heavier price tag. To an experienced Windows user, especially one apt enough to build their own PC, that is probably true. However, you're missing the mark. Macs WORK out of the box far better than PCs. The OS is more intuitive (to people with little computer experience). The bundled applications are far better. Finally, and perhaps most important, they are far more foolproof, experience less problems, and just WORK. For a large portion of the adult community, who have more money and less computer experience, this equation is simple. Macs are better for their needs. Next argument in favor of Macs. I bought my MacBook Pro in Jan. 2007. That's 2 years ago. I paid $2300 for it. Currently, the same system on eBay is priced between $1600-1800. Amazingly, the computer works like new. The battery still lasts 2.5-3 hours. It's still powerful enough for any applications I throw at it. My PC on the other hand, I have upgraded 2x in that amount of time, and it would be basically worthless if I wanted to sell it. Finally, ANY new Mac can run Windows, either in Boot Camp (free with OSX, but requires a reboot) or in Parallels (commercial software that allows windows to be run in a Window or full screen under Mac OSX, and now supports 3d gaming). So, Macs can rather easily play Windows games, in a lot of cases better than Windows machines. Anyone remember a couple years ago when PC World proclaimed that the MacBook Pro had beat Alienware's top PC for the performance (not 3d) benchmark? I think the article was "the fastest laptop PC is ... a Mac?!" Comparing Macs and PCs are like comparing a Honda Civic with a Chevy Cavalier. You will argue that the Chevy gives you more horsepower and features for your money. I will tell you that Hondas are just ... better. In a 5 years, with 60k miles on both, my car will have experienced far less problems than yours, and be worth twice as much. So, while I empathize and understand where you kids (20-somethings included) are coming from, there are a lot of valid reasons to buy a Mac. Personally, I will stick with my choice of PC desktop and Mac Laptop for the forseeable future. Best of both worlds.
Before you begin lecturing people on the comparison between the two brands, you had darn well better know what you are talking about because after reading the above, you have less than a clue.
I will grant you that Mac's are on average, easier to use, the Mac OS is better thought out. As to that nonsense moan about having to upgrade a PC, that is one of the strengths of a PC, you CAN upgrade it. Good luck trying to do that with a Mac.
Secondly, most games work in Windows and not on a Mac. so you either have to run it in interpretive mode, which slows the game down or use something like boot camp. Oh and games don't run faster on a Mac than a PC with comparative hardware, that is just pure nonsense.
When you get down to the bottom, expect to pay $800-$1000 more for a Mac for what a tad better OS that can't run most games? Resale, there is little difference and Macs are not built any better than a PC, that is a myth.
As to your laptop argument, they are really not designed for games, why bother using them for something they are not designed for.
So sorry to burst your bubble, but unless you have an application that runs specifically on a Mac, save yourself some cash and avoid them.
Computers are all about software really. It doesnt matter how nice looking the pc is or how well the operating system is if there is not the software support to run on it. That's why PC always wins because 98% of software is for PC.
Computers are all about software really. It doesnt matter how nice looking the pc is or how well the operating system is if there is not the software support to run on it. That's why PC always wins because 98% of software is for PC.
Yes, but remember people don't usually need 98% of software. To that end people don't need the most cutting edge computers either.
If you are just doing word processing and e-mail do you really need the best video and sound cards and fastest processors?
What is the use of having thousands upon thousands of pc software products when you aren't going to use most of them.
Most people have "their thing". Mine is music and art. Others might be architecture or creating physics models, or whatever.
On top of that thing they use e-mail and perhaps a few other programs, might have something amusing on their comptuer.
So whichever computer one chooses, as long as it runs the software you need and runs it well AND that computer allows you to troubleshoot issues easily, allows the user an easy interface and is reliable then that is the computer they use.
All I know is that over the years I've noticed that the people who just want to have the benefits of a computer without the hassle tend to go to macs. Those who have the inclination to fool around with their computers, tweak things, etc tend to go the PC route.
Since we are all born different and are wired differently it makes perfect sense.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
I have and use both. I have a home-made gaming PC and a MacBook Pro.
Let me explain something that you kids (and ignorant adults) are missing. A cynic will say that a Mac is just a PC (same hardware) with a prettier box and a heavier price tag. To an experienced Windows user, especially one apt enough to build their own PC, that is probably true. However, you're missing the mark. Macs WORK out of the box far better than PCs. The OS is more intuitive (to people with little computer experience). The bundled applications are far better. Finally, and perhaps most important, they are far more foolproof, experience less problems, and just WORK. For a large portion of the adult community, who have more money and less computer experience, this equation is simple. Macs are better for their needs. Next argument in favor of Macs. I bought my MacBook Pro in Jan. 2007. That's 2 years ago. I paid $2300 for it. Currently, the same system on eBay is priced between $1600-1800. Amazingly, the computer works like new. The battery still lasts 2.5-3 hours. It's still powerful enough for any applications I throw at it. My PC on the other hand, I have upgraded 2x in that amount of time, and it would be basically worthless if I wanted to sell it. Finally, ANY new Mac can run Windows, either in Boot Camp (free with OSX, but requires a reboot) or in Parallels (commercial software that allows windows to be run in a Window or full screen under Mac OSX, and now supports 3d gaming). So, Macs can rather easily play Windows games, in a lot of cases better than Windows machines. Anyone remember a couple years ago when PC World proclaimed that the MacBook Pro had beat Alienware's top PC for the performance (not 3d) benchmark? I think the article was "the fastest laptop PC is ... a Mac?!" Comparing Macs and PCs are like comparing a Honda Civic with a Chevy Cavalier. You will argue that the Chevy gives you more horsepower and features for your money. I will tell you that Hondas are just ... better. In a 5 years, with 60k miles on both, my car will have experienced far less problems than yours, and be worth twice as much. So, while I empathize and understand where you kids (20-somethings included) are coming from, there are a lot of valid reasons to buy a Mac. Personally, I will stick with my choice of PC desktop and Mac Laptop for the forseeable future. Best of both worlds.
Hahahaha. Typical Mac user, so condecending.
Just because someone thinks your fashion statement machine isn't how great you say it is doesn't make them ignorant/childish, it just furthers the stereotype that Mac users are pretentious.
Plus you have no argument besides stating that Mac haters are kids. Give me a single thing a Mac can do that a PC can't. People claim that they're better for students, probably because the commericials brainwashed them.
To write notes or a research paper on a Mac/PC, what do you do? Boot it up, then click MS Word. Both function exactly the same. As for hardware quality? I know tons of people with 5 year old Dell PCs that function perfectly. Known why? Hardware is hardware. The components for Dell/HP are the same as Mac, the only difference is Mac puts the parts in fancy, shiny cases and ships them wrapped in velvet. There is absolutely no argument here, Macs are nothing more than a name brand where you pay a premium for the logo on the back.
I have and use both. I have a home-made gaming PC and a MacBook Pro.
Let me explain something that you kids (and ignorant adults) are missing. A cynic will say that a Mac is just a PC (same hardware) with a prettier box and a heavier price tag. To an experienced Windows user, especially one apt enough to build their own PC, that is probably true. However, you're missing the mark. Macs WORK out of the box far better than PCs. The OS is more intuitive (to people with little computer experience). The bundled applications are far better. Finally, and perhaps most important, they are far more foolproof, experience less problems, and just WORK. For a large portion of the adult community, who have more money and less computer experience, this equation is simple. Macs are better for their needs. Next argument in favor of Macs. I bought my MacBook Pro in Jan. 2007. That's 2 years ago. I paid $2300 for it. Currently, the same system on eBay is priced between $1600-1800. Amazingly, the computer works like new. The battery still lasts 2.5-3 hours. It's still powerful enough for any applications I throw at it. My PC on the other hand, I have upgraded 2x in that amount of time, and it would be basically worthless if I wanted to sell it. Finally, ANY new Mac can run Windows, either in Boot Camp (free with OSX, but requires a reboot) or in Parallels (commercial software that allows windows to be run in a Window or full screen under Mac OSX, and now supports 3d gaming). So, Macs can rather easily play Windows games, in a lot of cases better than Windows machines. Anyone remember a couple years ago when PC World proclaimed that the MacBook Pro had beat Alienware's top PC for the performance (not 3d) benchmark? I think the article was "the fastest laptop PC is ... a Mac?!" Comparing Macs and PCs are like comparing a Honda Civic with a Chevy Cavalier. You will argue that the Chevy gives you more horsepower and features for your money. I will tell you that Hondas are just ... better. In a 5 years, with 60k miles on both, my car will have experienced far less problems than yours, and be worth twice as much. So, while I empathize and understand where you kids (20-somethings included) are coming from, there are a lot of valid reasons to buy a Mac. Personally, I will stick with my choice of PC desktop and Mac Laptop for the forseeable future. Best of both worlds.
So, you are comparing Mac's...a computer built by a company called Apple is better than a PC...well there are hundreds of PC companies, you should really be picking a specific one.
I've already stated, anyone can build their own PC with recommended parts after 20 minutes of internet browsing and reviews...and they don't even have to build it, a shop will build it for you, and it will come ready to use. This computer if in the same price-range as an OEM Mac or PC will be faster than both, and more reliable.
Also running games on a Windows emulator is simply not good enough for a gamer...I would pitty anyone who games regularly through an emulator...and due to the nature of games being built around Windows and DLL's, even if they are compatible with Linux or OSX, they will still be much slower compared to how they run on Windows.
And all you guys talking about Mac's neat features, or better for the business world. Well Linux is better at that than Mac, and its free. All of the pros that have been mentioned for OSX over Windows in this thread, Linux has over OSX...You can also start up Linux in command line prompt...not to mention if you are having any problems with your computer, whether its a Mac or PC, chances are a good shop would be using Linux tools to troubleshoot. So Mac OSX is out of the equation, any of the neat features you think Mac OSX has over Windows, are even better in Linux, and Linux is free.
Also I don't like Ubuntu, its only popular because it landed some OEM distribution deals like with Dell...Fedora Core 10 is much, much better.
Windows doesn't build computers. Microsoft doesn't build computers. I build computers, and I can build a PC twice as strong as a Mac for half the price. I know I can get a sound card and speakers to give me the same sound quality as a Mac. I know my CPU s every bit as good (lol at Macs just recently getting Intel chips), and as far as video cards and gaming goes, no contest at all. Period.
I can also upgrade and fix my own PC. Hell I still have an old p4Ht I just recently upgraded with new ram and a new video card (agp old skool style mofos) for practically nothing. Can a 6 year old Mac run Fallout 3?
I'm not a fanboy, I just think if you build your PC properly (or have it built for you) it is every bit as good for ANYTHING as a Mac. Really I can't think of a single thing I would need a Mac for that Vista or Linux couldn't do even better.
Games played:AC1-Darktide'99-2000-AC2-Darktide/dawnsong2003-2005,Lineage2-2005-2006 and now Darkfall-2009..... In between WoW few months AoC few months and some f2p also all very short few weeks.
I asked myself the same question last year before buying a new computer. With the problems known to Vista i looked into a Mac and while a bit spendy they looked ok...until i did an ebay search for pc games for sale and mac games for sale. I knew the pc had more games i just didnt realize how few are Mac compatible...so i went with XP once again.
And all you guys talking about Mac's neat features, or better for the business world. Well Linux is better at that than Mac, and its free. All of the pros that have been mentioned for OSX over Windows in this thread, Linux has over OSX...You can also start up Linux in command line prompt...not to mention if you are having any problems with your computer, whether its a Mac or PC, chances are a good shop would be using Linux tools to troubleshoot. So Mac OSX is out of the equation, any of the neat features you think Mac OSX has over Windows, are even better in Linux, and Linux is free.
Can you be a little more specific? What applications are you running under a linux that don't work well on mac?
Every linux application source that I've downloaded on my Mac I've had no trouble compiling and running smoothly.
There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe for a vast practical joke, though the wit thereof he but dimly discerns, and more than suspects that the joke is at nobody's expense but his own. -- Herman Melville
lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.
lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.
How? Name one specific example of a program that works better on Linux.
Linux users (like mac ones), live in a fantasy world where they think applications work better than on Windows.
Recently, I tried Ubuntu. I'm still trying Ubuntu. I like it, but I don't love it. Unlike OS X, I'm wondering if my discomfort with Ubuntu is due to my long familiarity with Windows. OS X I just hated from the start due to it's complete disregard for, what I feel are, the standard conventions of modern user interfaces. Ubuntu is Gnome is familiar enough that I could pick it up easily, but so much has to be done through the terminal that I almost felt like I was back to Windows 3.11. I'm giving it more time since I know that Linux is rock solid and has very few problems with viruses, adware, spyware and the like. But if you're just talking about PC vs. Mac, I'm gonna have to vote PC. BTW, Linux does do games. Warhammer Online Eve Online Steam
While I agree Linux does "do" games, it's not as though I could say "Does Linux run my entire games collection, at the same settings as Windows and at the same framerate?" and you could honestly say "yes" is it? Don't get me wrong, I love linux, I think it's the future, Open-Source software just generally will be as more and more "community" members become tech-savy, anyone will be able to fix bugs/security holes/performance leaks etc.. Just not quite yet. Give it 10 years and lets see what OS we are using, certainly wont be Vista or even Windows 7!
I've not a big mac fan either and yes they are expensive, but I've enjoyed my MacBook a lot. I believe when they say it's easy for students is because generally it works without a hitch. In OSX it's rare a program crashes. The bar at the bottom of the screen has big shinny buttons that a child could use easily. Installing and removing programs is pretty easy. There is no registry in MAC like there is in Windows. You also don't have to wry about driver issues with MAC as they have uniform hardware. Windows has to take into account many different possible hardware configurations.
Pfft. What's the difference anymore? Macs are becoming more like PCs all the time.
Remember when Apple switched to Intel CPUs? And remember when they switched to ATI/nVidia video cards? They never used either before. Currently they're offering BootCamp, allowing users to install another OS on Apple hardware if they so choose.
So, I have a question then. If you're playing on an Intel CPU with a nVidia card through Windows Vista/XP... Are you sure you're gaming on a Mac? No, you're not. What makes Macs "Macs" (with all the loaded terms that come along with the word) is the OS and the occasional elitest attitude.
At that point, you're paying $600 more for an operating system. The benefits of the OS are fairly mild, and mostly benefit novice users. I will give the OS that much. If you're just using the thing to type, play movies, and listen to music, Mac OS makes it fairly painless. Windows has a small learning curve when it comes to that stuff, but the gap is closing as MSFT focuses on usability issues with Vista and Windows 7.
Windows Vista has been rather stable for me. I built the computer I have for about $1400 and it's twice as powerful as its equivalent Mac. It hasn't crashed in about 8-9 months since I fixed my RAM voltage issues, and the thing is about a year old.
Hardware-wise I will openly admit Apple uses better components than most of the "PC" companies. Better than Dell, Compaq, etc. for sure. I do say "most," though, because once you get into the realm of IBM, Sony, and the high-end Dells - they're equivalent, if not far better. IBM laptops can be worlds more durable than any MacBook you could pick out, and the high-end Dell computers are made surprisingly well. Equivalent, for sure.
And that's really the jist of the issue. Macs use practically the same hardware. The computer itself is hardly any different than what you can buy or build yourself. The question becomes, is the usability of the packaged OS worth the extra $400-$600 (or more) to you?
If you're a novice user or an elitest, it certainly can be. There will always be people like that, and that's okay.
If you're a power-user, build your own PCs, or have used Windows before... I think it's proof enough that over 80% of the market belongs to Windows.
Mac may be the Lexus of the computer world (which I think is a far better analogy than Honda - Hondas are cheap, Macs are not), but PCs can range from the Chevies to the Customized 2009 Nissan GTR depending on the user. It's definitely that flexibility which has garnered so much of the market, and if Apple ever starts trying to match that flexibility, you'll probably see the same issues with the MacOS that you currently see with Windows.
That all said, everybody has their opinions. Some are just more corroberated by evidence than others.
PC stands for personal computer, so technically Mac's are PC's. So everyone wins?
EDIT: Listen to Calind0r's first post. He nailed it.
I think it's safe to conclude from all these posts that you should get a PC if you know what your doing and can either build your own computer or at least pick the components. But if you are technically challenged you should pay an arm and a leg and get a Mac.
lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.
How? Name one specific example of a program that works better on Linux.
Linux users (like mac ones), live in a fantasy world where they think applications work better than on Windows.
Linux user's are Windows users. Mac users live in a false reality thinking they have the best OS. Linux users 99 times out of 100 are running a dual boot with Windows..they use Linux for everything Windows can't do.
I agree with Calind0r, Linux users ARE also Windows users. They are one and the same, most people just have dual boot so that they can have a gaming OS and an "everything else" OS. Look at the latest Fedora 10 as an example, it's GORGEOUS!
I think the thing that annoys me most about OSX is that it *could* support any PC out there, but that isn't how apple make their money, no, no, no.. Apple's money is all made from the overpriced hardware required to run their expensive software. The fact that it's identical to what is in that PC box next to it, yet double the price means nothing.
Comments
I got a MacBook for the first time when I read they have both intel CPU and onboard Nvidia graphics card. I did this mostly because I was curious about MACs. It's always a good idea to know the different OS avaialable and how they work. OS X is nice for browsing the web, but I end up booting it into Vista most of the time because I do programming for Windows and like VIsual Studio as and IDE. (BTW I don't get what is the big deal with C++ Windows API for games. I've got a pretty good idea of how it works now, but I've been able to wrap most of the functions avaiable in the WIndows API in C# .NET which is much more friendly to work with.) Anyway MAC is nice because you know you will have good support for the hardware and you know it is built well. When you buy a bunch of different PC parts you don't know how well different parts will interact together. When I installed Vista in Boot Camp all I had to do was run bootcamp from the Leopard CD and it installed all the MACBOOK drivers. Gerenally on a PC you have to find all the drivers and install them seperately. It's not huge, but can be somewhat annoying at times. (On a side note if you get a notebook I would recommend a 13 inch. I had a 15 inch and now with the 13 inch MACBOOK it's a lot easier to carry around and have on my Lap.)
Before you begin lecturing people on the comparison between the two brands, you had darn well better know what you are talking about because after reading the above, you have less than a clue.
I will grant you that Mac's are on average, easier to use, the Mac OS is better thought out. As to that nonsense moan about having to upgrade a PC, that is one of the strengths of a PC, you CAN upgrade it. Good luck trying to do that with a Mac.
Secondly, most games work in Windows and not on a Mac. so you either have to run it in interpretive mode, which slows the game down or use something like boot camp. Oh and games don't run faster on a Mac than a PC with comparative hardware, that is just pure nonsense.
When you get down to the bottom, expect to pay $800-$1000 more for a Mac for what a tad better OS that can't run most games? Resale, there is little difference and Macs are not built any better than a PC, that is a myth.
As to your laptop argument, they are really not designed for games, why bother using them for something they are not designed for.
So sorry to burst your bubble, but unless you have an application that runs specifically on a Mac, save yourself some cash and avoid them.
My PC does what I want it to, end of story.
I'll most likely dual boot Linux in the future, with whatever version of Windows I happen to like. Currently on WinXp.
Windows 7 (comming out this year or next) + Ubuntu (dual boot that is)
End of story
Computers are all about software really. It doesnt matter how nice looking the pc is or how well the operating system is if there is not the software support to run on it. That's why PC always wins because 98% of software is for PC.
I've used both macs and pc's and own one of each.
I use the pc at work and at home for games but the mac for music (playing, composing, editing), art and a comic software that I have.
I have never enjoyed my pc experience and have had better luck with my macs as far as reliability and just being able to solve any small issues.
I prefer the mac interface.
I used to wait for games to come to the mac but after a while just gave in and purchased a pc.
Don't like windows and it's issues. The only thing I like about pc's is the ability to constantly upgrade them. But then agian I only need to do that.
In the end it just comes down to a personal preference as this debate has been going on for YEARS.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
windows vista can have my e babies.
macs are just eww. everything about them is un1337 and just wtfbbq in general.
KERPLAH!
Yes, but remember people don't usually need 98% of software. To that end people don't need the most cutting edge computers either.
If you are just doing word processing and e-mail do you really need the best video and sound cards and fastest processors?
What is the use of having thousands upon thousands of pc software products when you aren't going to use most of them.
Most people have "their thing". Mine is music and art. Others might be architecture or creating physics models, or whatever.
On top of that thing they use e-mail and perhaps a few other programs, might have something amusing on their comptuer.
So whichever computer one chooses, as long as it runs the software you need and runs it well AND that computer allows you to troubleshoot issues easily, allows the user an easy interface and is reliable then that is the computer they use.
All I know is that over the years I've noticed that the people who just want to have the benefits of a computer without the hassle tend to go to macs. Those who have the inclination to fool around with their computers, tweak things, etc tend to go the PC route.
Since we are all born different and are wired differently it makes perfect sense.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Hahahaha. Typical Mac user, so condecending.
Just because someone thinks your fashion statement machine isn't how great you say it is doesn't make them ignorant/childish, it just furthers the stereotype that Mac users are pretentious.
Plus you have no argument besides stating that Mac haters are kids. Give me a single thing a Mac can do that a PC can't. People claim that they're better for students, probably because the commericials brainwashed them.
To write notes or a research paper on a Mac/PC, what do you do? Boot it up, then click MS Word. Both function exactly the same. As for hardware quality? I know tons of people with 5 year old Dell PCs that function perfectly. Known why? Hardware is hardware. The components for Dell/HP are the same as Mac, the only difference is Mac puts the parts in fancy, shiny cases and ships them wrapped in velvet. There is absolutely no argument here, Macs are nothing more than a name brand where you pay a premium for the logo on the back.
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So, you are comparing Mac's...a computer built by a company called Apple is better than a PC...well there are hundreds of PC companies, you should really be picking a specific one.
I've already stated, anyone can build their own PC with recommended parts after 20 minutes of internet browsing and reviews...and they don't even have to build it, a shop will build it for you, and it will come ready to use. This computer if in the same price-range as an OEM Mac or PC will be faster than both, and more reliable.
Also running games on a Windows emulator is simply not good enough for a gamer...I would pitty anyone who games regularly through an emulator...and due to the nature of games being built around Windows and DLL's, even if they are compatible with Linux or OSX, they will still be much slower compared to how they run on Windows.
And all you guys talking about Mac's neat features, or better for the business world. Well Linux is better at that than Mac, and its free. All of the pros that have been mentioned for OSX over Windows in this thread, Linux has over OSX...You can also start up Linux in command line prompt...not to mention if you are having any problems with your computer, whether its a Mac or PC, chances are a good shop would be using Linux tools to troubleshoot. So Mac OSX is out of the equation, any of the neat features you think Mac OSX has over Windows, are even better in Linux, and Linux is free.
Also I don't like Ubuntu, its only popular because it landed some OEM distribution deals like with Dell...Fedora Core 10 is much, much better.
Windows doesn't build computers. Microsoft doesn't build computers. I build computers, and I can build a PC twice as strong as a Mac for half the price. I know I can get a sound card and speakers to give me the same sound quality as a Mac. I know my CPU s every bit as good (lol at Macs just recently getting Intel chips), and as far as video cards and gaming goes, no contest at all. Period.
I can also upgrade and fix my own PC. Hell I still have an old p4Ht I just recently upgraded with new ram and a new video card (agp old skool style mofos) for practically nothing. Can a 6 year old Mac run Fallout 3?
I'm not a fanboy, I just think if you build your PC properly (or have it built for you) it is every bit as good for ANYTHING as a Mac. Really I can't think of a single thing I would need a Mac for that Vista or Linux couldn't do even better.
Also Windows 7 is in free beta and beautiful.
Mac is to PC as Toyota is to car.
This!
Games played:AC1-Darktide'99-2000-AC2-Darktide/dawnsong2003-2005,Lineage2-2005-2006 and now Darkfall-2009.....
In between WoW few months AoC few months and some f2p also all very short few weeks.
I asked myself the same question last year before buying a new computer. With the problems known to Vista i looked into a Mac and while a bit spendy they looked ok...until i did an ebay search for pc games for sale and mac games for sale. I knew the pc had more games i just didnt realize how few are Mac compatible...so i went with XP once again.
Can you be a little more specific? What applications are you running under a linux that don't work well on mac?
Every linux application source that I've downloaded on my Mac I've had no trouble compiling and running smoothly.
There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe for a vast practical joke, though the wit thereof he but dimly discerns, and more than suspects that the joke is at nobody's expense but his own.
-- Herman Melville
lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.
How? Name one specific example of a program that works better on Linux.
Linux users (like mac ones), live in a fantasy world where they think applications work better than on Windows.
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While I agree Linux does "do" games, it's not as though I could say "Does Linux run my entire games collection, at the same settings as Windows and at the same framerate?" and you could honestly say "yes" is it? Don't get me wrong, I love linux, I think it's the future, Open-Source software just generally will be as more and more "community" members become tech-savy, anyone will be able to fix bugs/security holes/performance leaks etc.. Just not quite yet. Give it 10 years and lets see what OS we are using, certainly wont be Vista or even Windows 7!
I've not a big mac fan either and yes they are expensive, but I've enjoyed my MacBook a lot. I believe when they say it's easy for students is because generally it works without a hitch. In OSX it's rare a program crashes. The bar at the bottom of the screen has big shinny buttons that a child could use easily. Installing and removing programs is pretty easy. There is no registry in MAC like there is in Windows. You also don't have to wry about driver issues with MAC as they have uniform hardware. Windows has to take into account many different possible hardware configurations.
Pfft. What's the difference anymore? Macs are becoming more like PCs all the time.
Remember when Apple switched to Intel CPUs? And remember when they switched to ATI/nVidia video cards? They never used either before. Currently they're offering BootCamp, allowing users to install another OS on Apple hardware if they so choose.
So, I have a question then. If you're playing on an Intel CPU with a nVidia card through Windows Vista/XP... Are you sure you're gaming on a Mac? No, you're not. What makes Macs "Macs" (with all the loaded terms that come along with the word) is the OS and the occasional elitest attitude.
At that point, you're paying $600 more for an operating system. The benefits of the OS are fairly mild, and mostly benefit novice users. I will give the OS that much. If you're just using the thing to type, play movies, and listen to music, Mac OS makes it fairly painless. Windows has a small learning curve when it comes to that stuff, but the gap is closing as MSFT focuses on usability issues with Vista and Windows 7.
Windows Vista has been rather stable for me. I built the computer I have for about $1400 and it's twice as powerful as its equivalent Mac. It hasn't crashed in about 8-9 months since I fixed my RAM voltage issues, and the thing is about a year old.
Hardware-wise I will openly admit Apple uses better components than most of the "PC" companies. Better than Dell, Compaq, etc. for sure. I do say "most," though, because once you get into the realm of IBM, Sony, and the high-end Dells - they're equivalent, if not far better. IBM laptops can be worlds more durable than any MacBook you could pick out, and the high-end Dell computers are made surprisingly well. Equivalent, for sure.
And that's really the jist of the issue. Macs use practically the same hardware. The computer itself is hardly any different than what you can buy or build yourself. The question becomes, is the usability of the packaged OS worth the extra $400-$600 (or more) to you?
If you're a novice user or an elitest, it certainly can be. There will always be people like that, and that's okay.
If you're a power-user, build your own PCs, or have used Windows before... I think it's proof enough that over 80% of the market belongs to Windows.
Mac may be the Lexus of the computer world (which I think is a far better analogy than Honda - Hondas are cheap, Macs are not), but PCs can range from the Chevies to the Customized 2009 Nissan GTR depending on the user. It's definitely that flexibility which has garnered so much of the market, and if Apple ever starts trying to match that flexibility, you'll probably see the same issues with the MacOS that you currently see with Windows.
That all said, everybody has their opinions. Some are just more corroberated by evidence than others.
Yes, I am an English Major.
PC stands for personal computer, so technically Mac's are PC's. So everyone wins?
EDIT: Listen to Calind0r's first post. He nailed it.
I think it's safe to conclude from all these posts that you should get a PC if you know what your doing and can either build your own computer or at least pick the components. But if you are technically challenged you should pay an arm and a leg and get a Mac.
How? Name one specific example of a program that works better on Linux.
Linux users (like mac ones), live in a fantasy world where they think applications work better than on Windows.
Linux user's are Windows users. Mac users live in a false reality thinking they have the best OS. Linux users 99 times out of 100 are running a dual boot with Windows..they use Linux for everything Windows can't do.
I agree with Calind0r, Linux users ARE also Windows users. They are one and the same, most people just have dual boot so that they can have a gaming OS and an "everything else" OS. Look at the latest Fedora 10 as an example, it's GORGEOUS!
I think the thing that annoys me most about OSX is that it *could* support any PC out there, but that isn't how apple make their money, no, no, no.. Apple's money is all made from the overpriced hardware required to run their expensive software. The fact that it's identical to what is in that PC box next to it, yet double the price means nothing.
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=macs_cant
Can always get both, Leopard works on PC's now with InfiniteMac. Haven't tried it yet,
I like both systems to be honest, prefer the PC for gaming of course.