Thread: Mac or PC?

Originally Posted by OrangePuck

in which case his pc would cost as much as a Mac but you'd be able to game!

I still dont think the it would cost as much as a Mac Pro. Those things are VERY expensive but they also out perform nearly anything out there. I wish Apple would come put with something inbetween the Mac Mini and Mac Pro. Most people want a little more then what the Mini offers and need much less then what the Mac Pro offers.

I know there is the iMac but something without a built in screen and thats just a desktop would be FANTASTIC!

NOTE TO SELF: One of these days, I'm gonna have to remember to watch all the linked videos in this thread...

Okay, I tried to stay out of this pissing contest, but I can't help myself anymore, so here's two more cents to add to the tip jar:

First of all, I am not a computer newbie. I am pretty computer savvy for someone who doesn't work in the computer industry. I have upgraded my computers on my own (both Macs and PCs, which includes drives, RAM, VIDEO CARDS ON MACS, replaced screens on laptops, added/removed cards, upgraded both MAC and PC processors, etc) and have used Macs since system 6.0 and PCs since whichever Windows OS was before 95 (3.0 I think). I've owned both Macs and PCs, and used to game on both of them at one time. I've been running dual monitor setups at home since 1996 (before it was as easy to set up as it is now). I've set up small networks at work and at home, and used to do some tech work and trouble shooting at my job as well. For the most part, I know what I am talking about when it comes to general home computer use. I cannot do the more complicated system administrator tasks that IT people do because, well, I don't need to.

Having said that, I now only own macs at home, three of them in fact. Why? Cause usually, I don't have to worry about them working at all. It sounds cliche, but they jsut do what I want them to do. I don't have to worry about viruses or the sort. SOme of the PC guys here retort with "get a good AV program, keep your definitions current, and don't go looking for free porn, and PCs will be virus-free too!" And that's true. But what is also true is that I can go look for all the free porn I want on my Mac, without worrying about my AV software, and still be relatively safe. Just like good PC users automatically keep their AV programs up to date and avoid certain "dangerous" habits on their PCs, I automatically don't worry about it. I may have to change those habits as the Mac OS gets more popular, but for now, it works for me.

Programs? There are indeed programs that only work on the PC (although that is changing a bit, now that Macs use Intel chips). Perhaps the biggest group of software that doesn't always run on a mac is the children's software. I know, I know, I know the argument..Macs are in schools, and are made for kids. Well, not exactly. Try going to your local software retailer and pick an edutainment title at random and see if it will work on a mac. Sure, it may be ****ty software, but it's ten bucks, and it keeps your kid happy. If you have kids, it really can be a big concern.

Games? Get a PC or a console. A mac will just piss you off with their expensive games that are at least a year old when they come out.

Upgrades? If you are really into upgrades that are more complicated than RAM and HD space, get a PC. Is it possible to upgrade other parts of a Mac? Absolutely. For example, my dual G-5 has two internal 500 gig HDs to help run Logic Studio, has a Radeon 9800 Pro in it (which was pretty good when I bought it, but is just "okay" by today's standards) a dual monitor system, 4 gigs of RAM, a bunch of external hardware to allow me to do music recording, and, uhm, I don't really remember what else. With the exception of the MB and sometimes the processor, macs can be upgraded, and rather easily. But chances are, if you are extremely concerned about upgrading your hardware with the newest stuff, you would be best served with a PC.

Macs can run Vista natively. I run XP on my Mini when I need to use PC software. I have never tried to run OS X on a PC, but people say it can be done.

Perhaps the biggest case I can make for a Mac is that the only help calls I get from friends are to fix their PCs. I don't get help calls from Mac owners. To be fair, the calls I do get from Mac users are usually "come help me set up my new printer," to which I reply "just plug it in and turn it on," to which they say "I can't, come help me." Not exactly the most tech savvy people out there, more reason why I am glad they own a Mac and not a PC.


Do Macs have problems? Yes, they do. I spent the last several months fighting with my G5 because things weren't working "right." Lots of kernal panics and frozen or quitting apps since I had bought Logic Studio. Took me quite a while to realize that my problems were caused by a failing HD (the original startup HD that came with the computer) and bad RAM that I bought from Crucial and had just added when I bought Logic. Macs are VERY picky with RAM, and "bad" RAM will cause lots of kernal panics. Of course, this "bad" ram will work just fine in PCs. I gave my 2 gigs of "bad" ram to my friend for his PC, and it works just fine. I bought two more gigs from a different vendor, and they work just fine now. This doesn't mean to buy RAM from Apple, because that **** is just over priced. But just be aware that Macs are more picky when it comes to RAM. It may or may not like the cheapest RAM that vendors sell.

... and for the record.. after removing the faulty HD and faulty RAM, my computer works just fine. It could happen to anyone... mac or PC.

I've owned PC's for 17 years. I use a PC at work (several, actually). The whole reason I'm employed is because of Microsoft (indirectly), without their OS being everything it is (and isn't), I wouldn't have work.

I'm buying my first Mac tomorrow. For what I do on a daily basis, a Mac is better for me. Honestly, after trying it out for a few weeks at work, I really can't believe I've gone this long before considering a switch.

- T

Congrats, Tony.

Which Mac are you buying?

Originally Posted by TonySCV

I've owned PC's for 17 years. I use a PC at work (several, actually). The whole reason I'm employed is because of Microsoft (indirectly), without their OS being everything it is (and isn't), I wouldn't have work.

I'm buying my first Mac tomorrow. For what I do on a daily basis, a Mac is better for me. Honestly, after trying it out for a few weeks at work, I really can't believe I've gone this long before considering a switch.

- T

But OP said that Macs are just for idiots that don't know how to use PC's. Surely you must be joking...

Originally Posted by TonySCV

I've owned PC's for 17 years. I use a PC at work (several, actually). The whole reason I'm employed is because of Microsoft (indirectly), without their OS being everything it is (and isn't), I wouldn't have work.

I'm buying my first Mac tomorrow. For what I do on a daily basis, a Mac is better for me. Honestly, after trying it out for a few weeks at work, I really can't believe I've gone this long before considering a switch.

- T

So you're basically saying that because Microsoft's OS is a piece of crap, you are never without steady work. Maybe that's why OP is so against them, he's scared that if he bought a MAC he would get rusty with his computer repairing abilities.

Here's another reason to get a Mac.
Service.
My four year old Power Book, w/ 1000's of hours of use was on the fritz. They replaced the Super Drive, the LCD and a few pother parts (Motherboard?) all for a whopping $310! I don't have Apple Care.

Originally Posted by TonySCV

I've owned PC's for 17 years. I use a PC at work (several, actually). The whole reason I'm employed is because of Microsoft (indirectly), without their OS being everything it is (and isn't), I wouldn't have work.

I'm buying my first Mac tomorrow. For what I do on a daily basis, a Mac is better for me. Honestly, after trying it out for a few weeks at work, I really can't believe I've gone this long before considering a switch.

- T

Welcome to the club, T.

Oh and anyone who is considering a mac, they just released their new Macbook Pros last week, so now is a good time if you want a laptop.