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Yup, anytime someone asks a Mac or PC question, you can be guaranteed that it will go beyond a few pages.
Quote:
Originally Posted by plwhit
Why does something so simple a question as mac vs windows ALWAYS turn into a religious OS war?
Go buy one and if it doesn't do what you want it to do return it and buy the other.....
PC users feel that it is now their time, in particular since Macs have become more popular. Ironically, if you look at total computer usage, Macs are still at the very bottom of popularity. The only difference is that Macs are highly recognizable, so it gives the false appearance that "more" people are using them.
There is also the notion that Macs are pretentious. Sure, that is an aspect of some Mac users, but nothing clear-cut across the board. The typical PC user owns something middle-of-the-road or lower. The typical PC user (and Mac user, really these days) does nothing but basic computing (email, Internet, perhaps light video or photo editing). In this case, yes, a $400 PC is probably more than enough computer for basic needs and the idea of spending $1000+ on a computer seems a bit narcissistic and yuppy.
However, you very rarely-if ever- hear a PC user call someone who owns a high-end PC as being pretentious.
The only real difference between Macs and PCs these days is that Apple does not make a low-end model. It has been proven time and time again that PCs with similar specs and components costs relatively the same. Apple, throughout the 90s and into at least 2004, wanted to give users a workhorse, not a basic computer. This concept continues to this day even though the average Mac user these days does not need a workhorse computer.
Sure, you can build a better PC for less, but that is not the point (and how many people who make this claim-which is accurate, btw-actually do so? Very few.
There was a point in time-up until 2005, when Mac users felt they were using the superior platform. I was one of those people, and I will agree, and argue, that the PowerPC chip was superior. However, since Macs have gone Intel, it really is a moot point now.
So, years of abuse from Mac users have caused PC users to return the favor. In particular since there really is no difference between Macs and PCs these days (except for the low-end model thing).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sayantsi
If you look back, it always, and I do mean always, starts with Windows techies spouting off about how inferior Macs are, and then Mac zealots jump in. Quickly the conversation turns to hardware costs, ignoring the real benefits and value of the Mac system. Not sure why the anti-mac crowd always starts things off, my guess is that there are so many people that love their Macs and recommend them, and they feel compelled to respond in some manner.
And thats how things end up - people that love the Macs they use on one side, anti-Mac people that don't use Macs and never would give them a fair shake anyway, but who are willing to tell you why you shouldn't try one yourself, on the other side.
In recent times, I would agree. But, there is also that one Mac user (more than likely a new Mac user, at that), feels the need to proselytize being "born again". Pre-2006, the attacks were almost always started by the Mac side.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougstech
75% of the software I use isn't available for mac. None of my hardware will work with it either.
This is further proof of cognitive dissonance. Macs can natively run Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Not to mention pretty much any flavor of Linux. You can legitimately boot into Windows and run a legitimate Windows environment as if you WERE on a PC. Or, you can use Parallels and run Windows virtually from OSX. Although like all virtual environments, performance can lag.
So, that 75% of software that you "can't" use on a Mac is pure BS. Macs are the only platform that CAN run Windows, Apple, and Linux software (well, without hacking the program).
It has been 4 years now, and PC users STILL do not under stand this But continue on. Continue to compare PCs with the Macs of 2003. It makes you look like you know what you are talking about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougstech
Why pay redic amounts of money for something that does so little.
I agree with the beginning of this sentence, but not the ending. Macs do a heckuvalot. It's just that the average computer user has no use for what it can really do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougstech
BTW, I dont use an AV. I dont worry about viruses because I know how to avoid them
Let me guess: you don't visit porn sites (or at least download porn). Yeah, real safe cruising there. A good amount of viruses and other malware are embedded into websites that are relatively innocuous, in particular through Flash. The only way to fully avoid viruses is to not use the Internet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougstech
Mac viruses exist, just google.
Yup, they do exists. But, as I stated above, Mac users make up a small percentage of the total computing population. Out of X percent of total computer users, only N percent will become infected. So, it makes no sense to write code that will affect a relatively small portion of the population.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougstech
Also, if mac was so much easier to use, and so much better...why do all these apple stores have these "genius bars" with helpdesks for people to bring their stuff for help? I thought it "just worked"???
I find the Genius Bar annoying, particularly since I know more about Macs, and Apple, then they do. And I'm just a "casual" user.
The Genius Bar is primarily for those recent converts to Mac who are used to doing things the "PC" way for so many years. You know, the people who do not understand why their keyboard shortcuts on the old PC do not work on a Mac and do not have the brains to just google it. Or why Macs do not have a "backspace" key. That sort of thing.
Anyways, for the sake of this thread: Just get the best computer that you can afford that will suit your needs.
I have an iMac, Macbook, Gateway PC laptop and an HP PC laptop. Since I made the switch to Mac 4 years ago I dread anytime I have to touch a PC. Yes, Macs are expensive but what I found is when I used PC on a regular basis I was replacing them every 2 years. My older Mac computers still run faster than the newer PC's in the house. So in my opinion I am saving money in the long run.
My husband and son use the PC's. Gateway used to be a decent product years ago but now they are garbage. My husband rarely uses his laptop and it has a host of problems. The latest issue is half the keyboard won't work for some reason. My son's HP is a headache with freezing and other issues. I have not had one bad experience with Apple customer service.
The only issue I had with my Macbook was the case started to get a hairline crack. I called them and they sent me out a box to ship it to them. I it mailed back and figured I wouldn't see it for a few weeks. Within 48 hours it was back at my door. Not only did they replace the case but replaced all the keys too. It felt like a brand new computer. I heard they changed the material of the case (I have the budget white macbook).
Since someone dug up this thread I might as well use it for my own purposes. I pretty much ask myself the same question. I'm a college student and need a new laptop. Usually I use it for the internet, preparing presentations, writing papers, my thesis, music, and watching movies.
There are always people who tell me how awesome a mac is and how awful PCs are. The same vice versa. Seems like no one really has a neutral opinion?
What I like about Macbooks is their design, the size (it is very hard to find a nice looking PC laptop of that size) and their long battery life. Also, I have heard, but don't know if it is true, that macs are very reliable, don't crash often and are easy to use once you get used to the OS. Since I am not a big computer nerd and just want that machine work and to do what I want. It needs to be reliable and I don't want to bring it to a store or my geek computer friends all the time because of problems.
Since someone dug up this thread I might as well use it for my own purposes. I pretty much ask myself the same question. I'm a college student and need a new laptop. Usually I use it for the internet, preparing presentations, writing papers, my thesis, music, and watching movies.
There are always people who tell me how awesome a mac is and how awful PCs are. The same vice versa. Seems like no one really has a neutral opinion?
What I like about Macbooks is their design, the size (it is very hard to find a nice looking PC laptop of that size) and their long battery life. Also, I have heard, but don't know if it is true, that macs are very reliable, don't crash often and are easy to use once you get used to the OS. Since I am not a big computer nerd and just want that machine work and to do what I want. It needs to be reliable and I don't want to bring it to a store or my geek computer friends all the time because of problems.
What do you guys think in my case? Mac or PC?
You should get a Mac, probably a 15" MacBook Pro with AppleCare.
Macs generally run straight out of the box without any crashes or maintenance work. They are practically set and forget, and you can get that with a PC as well, but its not nearly as likely as a Mac. At college, you will want something that can handle all your music, digital photos, college work easily and in one integrated place. Plus, MacBooks have superior battery life to many PC laptops. OS X is just a well designed operating system that makes your life easier in simple ways you might not think about too.
If you look through all these threads and posts on here (anywhere really), you can usually separate the posts into a few categories, from positive to negative:
- People that love their Macs
- People that switched from Windows to Macs and love their Macs
- People that use both Windows and Macs and love their Macs
- People that only look at retail price and put no value on actually being able to use a computer or its utility value
- PC tech gods that can't understand why everyone can't build their own hardware from the ground up and keep their PCs from getting infected with viruses, etc.
- People that hate Apple in general
People with more "neutral" positions quickly get shouldered to one side or another by the extremists, which is why its hard to see neutral opinions.
You should get a Mac, probably a 15" MacBook Pro with AppleCare.
Macs generally run straight out of the box without any crashes or maintenance work. They are practically set and forget, and you can get that with a PC as well, but its not nearly as likely as a Mac. At college, you will want something that can handle all your music, digital photos, college work easily and in one integrated place. Plus, MacBooks have superior battery life to many PC laptops. OS X is just a well designed operating system that makes your life easier in simple ways you might not think about too.
If you look through all these threads and posts on here (anywhere really), you can usually separate the posts into a few categories, from positive to negative:
- People that love their Macs
- People that switched from Windows to Macs and love their Macs
- People that use both Windows and Macs and love their Macs
- People that only look at retail price and put no value on actually being able to use a computer or its utility value
- PC tech gods that can't understand why everyone can't build their own hardware from the ground up and keep their PCs from getting infected with viruses, etc.
- People that hate Apple in general
People with more "neutral" positions quickly get shouldered to one side or another by the extremists, which is why its hard to see neutral opinions.
You are way off base. Your description postulates that no sane person would prefer a PC over a Mac. Well, I do. I didn't post anything in this thread because I got tired if PC/Mac pissing contests 15 or 20 years ago and generally choose not to participate. In actuality, a Mac isn't better that a PC, but it is definitely different. If it was as much better as you claim, there would be no need for Apple Care or a Genius Bar. The correct answer to the question is to examine the software he needs and use that to make an intelligent decision for his hardware purchase, including such factors as convenience, quality, reputation, serviceability and cost.
I didn't post anything in this thread because I got tired if PC/Mac pissing contests 15 or 20 years ago and generally choose not to participate.
Well, I listed the characteristics of people that post in these threads. You yourself just stated that you don't post in these threads, but I will gladly add you to the list now that you have!
- People that love their Macs
- People that switched from Windows to Macs and love their Macs
- People that use both Windows and Macs and love their Macs
- People that only look at retail price and put no value on actually being able to use a computer or its utility value
- PC tech gods that can't understand why everyone can't build their own hardware from the ground up and keep their PCs from getting infected with viruses, etc.
- People that hate Apple in general
- People that prefer Windows (like mensaguy)
Also, if you opted out of the Windows/Mac thing 15-20 years ago, I don't think I'd consider you an authority on any discussion regarding the relative merits of either system anymore. The discussion today is completely unrecognizable from what it was in the 90s, or even early 00s. Off base indeed...
..... Also, if you opted out of the Windows/Mac thing 15-20 years ago, I don't think I'd consider you an authority on any discussion regarding the relative merits of either system anymore. The discussion today is completely unrecognizable from what it was in the 90s, or even early 00s. Off base indeed...
You obviously misunderstood what I said. I have used many different kinds of computers. I simply said I quit engaging in arguments over which one was better. I never said I had not seen or used anything. You put word in my mouth incorrectly. You can continue your senseless comparisons all you want, but at least try to be accurate.
Since someone dug up this thread I might as well use it for my own purposes. I pretty much ask myself the same question. I'm a college student and need a new laptop. Usually I use it for the internet, preparing presentations, writing papers, my thesis, music, and watching movies.
There are always people who tell me how awesome a mac is and how awful PCs are. The same vice versa. Seems like no one really has a neutral opinion?
What I like about Macbooks is their design, the size (it is very hard to find a nice looking PC laptop of that size) and their long battery life. Also, I have heard, but don't know if it is true, that macs are very reliable, don't crash often and are easy to use once you get used to the OS. Since I am not a big computer nerd and just want that machine work and to do what I want. It needs to be reliable and I don't want to bring it to a store or my geek computer friends all the time because of problems.
What do you guys think in my case? Mac or PC?
What's your budget? What are the most important features for you?
Considering that the recommended Macbook Pro 15" starts at $1,799 and the 13" model starts at $1,199, you really need to think long and hard as to whether or not you plan on doing anything that a Mac is better at. Also, you are in college and chances are your school uses a PC/Windows world. Is there any software you need to run for school? If there is, will that software run on the Mac (chances are it will, but important question none the less).
I won't personally bash either one. I've used both and I happen to prefer Windows (a Mac really is just a PC). However, there is a lot to be said for the simplicity of the Mac and it's resistance to some issues Windows folks deal with. Of course, with that said, Windows 7 has really narrowed the field a lot in those terms.
So, given that you could get a decent laptop with a 15" or better screen that would do everything you seem to need it for, for about $500-$600, is the extra cost of the Mac something you can justify to yourself even if it has better hardware?
Well, I listed the characteristics of people that post in these threads. You yourself just stated that you don't post in these threads, but I will gladly add you to the list now that you have!
- People that love their Macs
- People that switched from Windows to Macs and love their Macs
- People that use both Windows and Macs and love their Macs
- People that only look at retail price and put no value on actually being able to use a computer or its utility value
- PC tech gods that can't understand why everyone can't build their own hardware from the ground up and keep their PCs from getting infected with viruses, etc.
- People that hate Apple in general
- People that prefer Windows (like mensaguy)
Also, if you opted out of the Windows/Mac thing 15-20 years ago, I don't think I'd consider you an authority on any discussion regarding the relative merits of either system anymore. The discussion today is completely unrecognizable from what it was in the 90s, or even early 00s. Off base indeed...
I find it hard to believe you don't realize how biased you come off sounding. I mean, it's obvious you're an Applebot, but you really can't get on people for dogging Apples when you go to such great lengths to ignorantly dog PC's.
To answer the guy's question: It depends on what you prefer. Do you want something that has some style and has a neat little backlit logo that has limitations a PC doesn't have, and also don't care about paying 3 times as much for the "Apple tax"? Then get an Apple. If all you need is a computer that will get you through school and do the things you need done, then get a 600 dollar PC.
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But continue on. Continue to compare PCs with the Macs of 2003. It makes you look like you know what you are talking about.
