PC or Mac...

I have several of both, and while I was a contented Apple snob since the beginnig (1985), the past couple of years developments in both camps have warmed me to the PC more than I ever thought possible. Macs by far (in my opinion) have the superior hardware. The software for the creative fields (design, music, film/video) had always been superior on the Apple until the past couple of years - the playing field is leveling with most titles I use now available on the PC. Apple's constant evolution of operating systems and processors has made it expensive to stay current hence, I personally have been purchasing new PC's lately. I have nicely outfitted G5's, and Powerbooks but (don't kill me Apple users) I now prefer Dell XPS machines for a variety of practical reasons. Have fun with your MiniMac, they're great machines for the money and size.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patrickindallas @ Jul 6 2007, 07:35 PM) [snapback]474377[/snapback]</div>

At work they provide PC (running XP) and at home I purchase Macs (running OSX; depending on who is at home we can have up to 6 Macs in the house for four people). So I put in more hours on the PC than the Mac but have been a Mac user since the IIci (ironically at work when they still allowed both).

So my wife and kids use Macs more than me, but I am the support person. I would say the Macs are easier to set up and software easier to use. Easier to network. So I get off easy as the support person. The kids are in HS and college and they have never run across a situation where having a Mac is an issue. The mail system at college is browser based. So all the main line programs run on the Mac, but not every program that could arise. So if you need to use a particular piece of specialized software you may be out of luck. New Macs with Intel chips can run Windows, so even that issue can be addressed (but you have to purchase a copy of Windows). The included software with the Mac OS (iTunes, iMovie, iDVD, Garageband, Mail) are all very easy to use for the average user. I don't do gaming, so this does not play into my decision. I read the games are getting to Mac OS sooner now, but it is not the leading game platform.

My work requires a uniformity of software, and IT decided to standardize. We get no choice in PC, we have to use their approved model. We use software that does not run on the Mac natively. The computer is slow (due to software for virus, spyware and constant updating of software) and crashes much more often. I have seen PC's without all this excess baggage perform quickly and not crash, but again I am at the mercy of my IT department. In the end it gets the job done. If you are very price conscience the PC world offers low end models at very low prices.

Over time I have had friends and relatives consider and choose Macs (I helped them set up at home). But I don't try to convert people happy with their PCs. I think PC users would like the Mac interface if they spent some time with OSX. Many have had their last experience with Mac before OSX. Vista is picking up some of the features similar to OSX so if they like the idea of Vista they should play with OSX.

 

My preference is a PC running ubuntu. I have to use Windows for some applications that are built on MS Foundation Class libraries, but otherwise I wouldn't use it at all. Mac hardware has been over priced, and I don't like the Mac user interface as well as Gnome Desktop. I find the Mac OS gets in my way; I'm always having to beat it into submission. It's kind of like the nannying on the Prius, where Toyota won't let you use the Nav system when the car is in motion. It's not a bad idea, but I don't appreciate them making the decision for me. I do like the new Mac commercials. :lol:

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patrickindallas @ Jul 6 2007, 06:35 PM) [snapback]474377[/snapback]</div>

What an understatement. This is the all time greatest flamebait topic on the internets. :lol:

I've used a Mac since the days of Windows 3.1. I use a Mac at home and work, but maintain a few PC's that run equipment where I work. I don't care what anyone else uses, but if for some reason Macs ceased to exist one day, I would have to learn Linux because I hate Windows.

 

I'm a real fan of the "whatever works" philosophy. At work, we run Linux since that's the best option for seamlessly sharing data disks and managing everything from a central location. In addition, there's a whole lot of software that we need that only runs (or primarily runs) under Linux. Some of this is being adapted for the Mac, but a lot of it isn't there yet and, even where there are Mac versions, it still runs well under Linux. If it runs just as well (or better) under Linux, Linux wins because the hardware is cheaper.

On my laptop, I run Windows, but I also use Cygwin for a lot of my Linux needs. The implementation isn't as nice or as sexy as the Mac implementation, but it works pretty well. One reason (the main reason, perhaps), that I run Windows on my laptop is just because everything looks a little nicer and works a little better. In particular, Powerpoint was something where there wasn't a good Linux option when I was making my decision (this was before the latest release of OpenOffice). I actually got to the point on my laptop where I wiped my drive, installed Linux, got most things working (wireless with encryption was a real pain ), then decided that I would go back to Windows. I probably would have oscillated back and forth a bit more, had I not discovered Cygwin (have I mentioned how much I love Cygwin? )

At home, I run Windows as well. Again, it just made the most sense for what I use my home computer for (web + email + iPod syncing + gaming).

While I don't currently own a Mac, I strongly suspect that my next laptop will be a Mac. The Linux-like environment mixed with the pretty GUI just makes a winner. Plus, a TON of people in my field have Mac laptops, so there is more software available for them by the day. Of course, I have a friend who's trying to get me to try Ubuntu before I drop $2500 on a Mac, so I may change my mind.

 

I am forced to use a PC at work because our library software runs off a network. They're using Active Directory now and my tech and I both hate it.

For productivity I have a Mac at work and at home. I do our library webpages, powerpoints, flyers, database, spreadsheets, the works. All in OSX. Some of it is just familiarity. I've been working on Mac since the 80s. But some things I do on both are still better on the Mac.

I will say my PC works slightly better right after I threaten to take it out to the parking lot and run over it with my Prius. Suddenly it works just fine. For a while.

Oh. And the PC is running Windows XP.

 

I just got my son's hand me down XPS M1710. He had it for his first year at UVA. It's a great gaming machine but in lecture halls, it was on his lap and the person's next to him. He is going into media studies so he got a new ProMac two weeks ago with a separate 23" Apple monitor. Great definition, but it lacks in gaming ability. He had move the settings down low on World of Warcraft. It can't compete with the 512 mg video card in the XPS. I am going to replace my almost 7 year old Dell Dimension 4100 with the XPS.

I put about 450 pics on the XPS last night from my 8mg digital slr and it was fast and efficient compared to my desktop. To me, the wxga 17" truelife monitor looked great. Much better than the old 19" Trinitron on the Dimension.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msirach @ Jul 7 2007, 12:46 AM) [snapback]474500[/snapback]</div>

If you wanna play games, you get a PC.

You really want to create and produce? You get a Mac.

 

I have an iMac, a MacBook, and two Mini Macs all running Tiger. I have one newer PC Laptop, the Sony Vaio, running Vista. And it runs that well.

But I just prefer the Mac OS. I have far less problems with Tiger then I ever had with XP.

 

I've always been a Windows fan myself ( like them all except ME and Vista ) just because of the games, applications and because you can build one with what ever hardware that will work. I am however trying my best to move to a Linux distro but there are still a few things holding me back.

Like Godiva said Windows for gaming and Mac for well everything else. Linux if you want to be cool.

Old gif from the mid 90s
[attachmentid=9497]

 

Over the years I've used both MacOS (since system 6) and Windows (pre Windows 3.1!). I've programmed on both platforms and on that level they're about the same. However, I've found that for me, it's much easier to do what I need to do with a Mac. I guess my brain "thinks" more similarly to the MacOS than Windows. I find it much more difficult to complete tasks using Windows.

Cost isn't the issue it once was, so it all boils down to what's more comfortable for you.

Don't forget that whole virus/spyware thing too.

Craig

 

I currently have both, and love them (for their respective uses). The mac is a great everyday machine, and iLife really does a great job of keeping track of my personal things. As they say, everything just works with the mac.

The apC is a bit more of a challenge to keep running efficiently, but it' great for development and business work (I do software engineering stuff).

My Linux boxes are by far my favorite, though, mostly because they're almost entirely customized to work great. It is a bit of a pain keeping up with all the new open source software for them, though.

 

I went to a macmini after my hand built 4 year old PC bit the dust and just needed a machine to take over without breaking my bank as I was out of work at the time. After using the mac I am very impressed, so much so that I am now waiting for my order on my new macbook pro to be filled. Running Windows is no problem with the new macs and Parallels software. Like previous posters said it just works.

My only advise on getting a mac mini is to upgrade that ram to 2GB ASAP. That makes all of the difference in the world.

I like a computer that can be up and running in 30 seconds and shut down in 15 seconds. My wife's Vista HP 9000t Laptop takes a good 4 minutes just to boot and then another 2 minutes to shut down. I also don't like the fact that Vista always askes permission to do anything. Kind of like having a 2 year old. Once I say yes one time, don't ask me again. I already said it was okay, what a pain in the A$$.

 

Games consoles for games
Linux for office/web/email, or for hackers
Macs for everything else.

My home: One Wii, one Linux box, 3 macs

 

I use whatever tool gets the job done. PC, Mac, Linux. My next big purchase will have to be a mac because my G4 iMac is painfully slow.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trevor @ Jul 8 2007, 07:01 PM) [snapback]475239[/snapback]</div>

I have the original iMac (computer on a stick as we say in Minnesota) with the gorgeous wide screen. Used less and less due to slowness and the arrival of laptops that let me move around. But I can't bring myself to eliminate this due to the great screen. Some things need that much space.

 

You buy the machine that runs the software best that you need to run. If there's no difference, then you pick the one which you prefer to work with.

Only people with limited intellectual capacity have to make a choice based on their ability (or inability) to utilize the system's basic functions, or perform basic administrative tasks.

I have two Macs (MacTel iMac and G4 Tower), two Windows PCs (Dell Precision Workstation and Lenovo Thinkpad laptop) and a Linux box (Dell Precision Workstation) in my office. I prefer the Windows machines, but if forced to, I could utilize any of them as my main system. I might not enjoy it, but I could manage.