The Mac vs. The PC

[silvermoon383]

Macs ftw.

Far more stable, lasts far longer (I used a system 8 machine for years. Lasted until well into 10.1, and the reason why it died was because I tried to install 8.5 but it was too much. The computer was originally system 7.)

Performance-wise Mac far outdo Windows. Need I remind everyone that a major PC magazine announced that a MAC ran Windows Vista better than all the PCs they tested?

And what's the deal with the compatability issue everyone keeps quoting? Boot Camp people, Boot Camp.

 

[RevOxley_501]

you have to be advanced enough to understand what boot camp even means

dumb people will screw up any computer, mac or pc, so i think the point is moot

 

[RevOxley_501]

and vista cant count

its in the rules

its like trying to count windowsME (barf)

 

[Scarlett Wampus]

I prefer PCs because I can do so much more with them and cheaply too but the combination of Mac OS X and standardised reliable hardware make Macs far better computers than PCs for most users. Looking at a new Vista PC next to a new OS X Mac the Mac outclasses the PC so easily its embarrassing.

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

I've used Macs and PC's recently, and I like PC's way better. Like everyone else is saying, the PC is simply better for upgrading which I love to do, and compatibility is 99.9% a non-issue. Mac's are pretty, and they are good machines I grant you that, but they are stagnant. They cost too much too. If you buy a well made PC you will get more than bang for your buck. Windows Vista issue doesn't count to me because it is essentially new take on the technology of the windows OS, and is buggy. That is the case with just about all of the windows that have ever came out including XP, who had major bugs that were not fully resolved until service pack 2. That's not a new thing for windows. As far as viruses go, stop downloading crazy stuff, and downloading EVERYTHING from unknown sources. Keep a cheap virus detecting software running on your machine, and your good to go. I haven't had a virus, spyware, nor adware in years.

The customizable thing is the best because if you take care of your PC, you'll have it for years and years. Hard drive die? Buy another 180GB for around $80. Need a DVD-RW combo drive? Get a new one for less than $40. Mobo die? Get another dual core for less than $200 if you know where to look. And if you really know where to look, you can get one with a brand spanking new processor and cooling fan for much less than it would take to buy another PC, or take to a shop. The fact that most of the parts are bolt-on, screw-in, plug-n-play parts are perfect.

 

[BucephalusBB]

Macs ftw.

Far more stable, lasts far longer (I used a system 8 machine for years. Lasted until well into 10.1, and the reason why it died was because I tried to install 8.5 but it was too much. The computer was originally system 7.)

Performance-wise Mac far outdo Windows. Need I remind everyone that a major PC magazine announced that a MAC ran Windows Vista better than all the PCs they tested?

And what's the deal with the compatability issue everyone keeps quoting? Boot Camp people, Boot Camp.

Not fair.
I can use a PC for years! But I would never want to.
New programs for the mac are very OS based. If you don't upgrade, you are likelly unable to use some of the programs. So even if you want to stay updated with a mac, you need to keep changing.

Performancewise, by looking at exactly the same specs, OSx will run faster than XP or Vista. The hardware that goes in the machine however, isn't better than in PC's as most hardware fits in both machines.
Moneywise, if you and I spend exactly the same on our machines, I know I can outperform you easilly if you would go for the mac.

 

[Fluffy]

It depends what you want to do. PCs running windows win most of the time because they can adapt to more needs. Most people just need word processing and internet so it would be ridiculous to buy a Mac for $600 when you can get a PC for $300. If you want games then PCs and Macs are comparable in price but the PC will win again for obvious reasons.

If you are a graphic designer then Macs win because they are more stable when opening larger files and are better for multi tasking. Don't buy one because you think it will make your family photos look better. They are good for opening files that are 3+GB in size. PCs can handle the small stuff just as well.

 

[yossarian22]

After the Intel switch (hell, even a year or so before that), Macs ceased being different from a PC. The only appreciable difference is EFI, which Apple used just to screw with people who wanted to run OSX on non Apple hardware. Before the switch, Macs were the king of floating point (the G5 is still a powerhouse in floating point), so graphics designers lived on them. Intel made up this difference by killing IBM in clock speed.

Hardware wise, Macs suck. They are terrible money holes. They make up for this in aesthetics and build quality, but that is really not that big of an advantage. The only difference now is the operating system.

OSX does not really offer that many compelling advantages over Windows anymore. Apple still has to fix the crap that OSX users commonly refer to as the Finder, and the only advantage is the UNIX kernel OSX bases itself on. Vista is, quite frankly, miles ahead of OSX. Mindless railing against Vista is annoying, as most people just whine that "<hardware x> has crappy drivers" or "program <y> is unstable and causes the UAC to pop up". Microsoft finally started punishing software developers for writing sloppy code. Hardware drivers have always been crappy for new platforms. OSX just locks out over 95% of the hardware out on the market, so forgive me if I am not impressed by the "It just works" bit of nonsense.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

If you are a graphic designer then Macs win because they are more stable when opening larger files and are better for multi tasking. Don't buy one because you think it will make your family photos look better. They are good for opening files that are 3+GB in size. PCs can handle the small stuff just as well.

I don't deal with images that large, but I know that a PC running Windows starts to get kinda squirrelly when you ask it to do calculations on a 100+ MB Excel spreadsheet.

Of course, the solution to this might be to just avoid situations where you have to deal with 100+ MB Excel spreadsheets... but maybe I've got a masochistic streak.

 

[Zephyr]

The customizable thing is the best because if you take care of your PC, you'll have it for years and years. Hard drive die? Buy another 180GB for around $80. Need a DVD-RW combo drive? Get a new one for less than $40. Mobo die? Get another dual core for less than $200 if you know where to look. And if you really know where to look, you can get one with a brand spanking new processor and cooling fan for much less than it would take to buy another PC, or take to a shop. The fact that most of the parts are bolt-on, screw-in, plug-n-play parts are perfect.

But if over the years eventually every piece is replaced, one by one, is it still the same computer? What if you took all the old parts and put them together?

I'm a fan of PCs because they're cheap and can be upgraded easily as hell. Also, I've never been on a Mac that I didn't hate.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

I've used both and thought Mac was it. Now I owned a Dell 5150, 2.8 mHz dual processor and 1.5 gigs of ram. I work with music software and am very happy with my computer.

 

[YmirGF]

One thing that I dont believe anyone has addressed is the simple fact that Apple stipulates design of the computer that run their OS and Microsoft does not. In light of that, if Apple can't build a slightly better mouse-trap then there is seriosly something wrong with them. If Microsofty built computers that were designed for the OS, in every way, they would be as solid, if not more so, than the Mac.

To their credit, with Micro$oft, you can trot about to 15 differnt stores, and purchase one thing from each store. You go home, hammer it altogether, put in the CD and it will Install AS WELL as figure out MOST of the hardware you have put in the box. That is nothing short of miraculous when you stop to think about it.

Besides, the commericals that Apple is running these days are so far out of wack with reality, they are embarrassing. If they had released these gems prior to 2000, they would have been brilliant -- now they are just pathetic. Apparently no one at Apple has used a PC for a very long time.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

One thing that I dont believe anyone has addressed is the simple fact that Apple stipulates design of the computer that run their OS and Microsoft does not. In light of that, if Apple can't build a slightly better mouse-trap then there is seriosly something wrong with them. If Microsofty built computers that were designed for the OS, in every way, they would be as solid, if not more so, than the Mac.

To their credit, with Micro$oft, you can trot about to 15 differnt stores, and purchase one thing from each store. You go home, hammer it altogether, put in the CD and it will Install AS WELL as figure out MOST of the hardware you have put in the box. That is nothing short of miraculous when you stop to think about it.

Besides, the commericals that Apple is running these days are so far out of wack with reality, they are embarrassing. If they had released these gems prior to 2000, they would have been brilliant -- now they are just pathetic. Apparently no one at Apple has used a PC for a very long time.

So true, frubals!

 

[PureX]

The difference between a Mac and everything else is that using a Mac is like driving a Porsch, while using a PC is like driving a pick-up truck. The PC lovers are all bragging about how they can cobble together all these bits of junk and make them work with each other. And that's true. But you're still driving a cobbled together pick-up truck. While the Mac user is still driving a Porsch. So the PC user says, "yeah, but my cobbled-together pick-up truck can carry more junk than your Porsch!" But Mac users don't typically carry around a lot of junk, anyway. So they don't really care. Finally, the PC user says, "Hey! my pick-up truck can beat your Mac in a race!" And that might be true, but only after they've changed out the motor, transmission, the drive train, the wheels, the tires, and added a nitrus fuel system.

 

[BucephalusBB]

"Hey! my pick-up truck can beat your Mac in a race!" And that might be true, but only after they've changed out the motor, transmission, the drive train, the wheels, the tires, and added a nitrus fuel system.

And even then all those modification are not so expensive as your porsche

In fact, the pickuptruck owner has a faster car now wich can hold more and win in most situations and all mac is saying.. well... well.. mine is a porsche!!!!

 

[PureX]

And even then all those modification are not so expensive as your porsche

In fact, the pickuptruck owner has a faster car now wich can hold more and win in most situations and all mac is saying.. well... well.. mine is a porsche!!!!

Right, so if you're a hillbilly grease-monkey kinda guy who enjoys spending hours and hours tinkering with old junk pick-up trucks and turning them into race cars, the PCs are definitely for you. But if you want a machine that works fast and smooth right from the show room, spend a little extra money and buy the Porsch.

 

[Draka]

What's the use of a Porsche except to look pretty and show off the purring prettiness? That's like the 65 year old guy who owns a farm who goes out and buys a new Mustang he can't do jack crap with but drive around and pretend he's hot stuff, when what he really needs is a farm ready truck that he can put to many uses and maybe even install a towing package on it for hauling a trailer around. Can he put a towing package on the Mustang?...I think not. And I'm betting he paid 3 to 4 times as much for the Mustang that doesn't do much but purr and look nice. Great buying decision there!

for some of us the winner in the functionality vs aesthetics contest is functionality.

 

[YmirGF]

Right, so if you're a hillbilly grease-monkey kinda guy who enjoys spending hours and hours tinkering with old junk pick-up trucks and turning them into race cars, the PCs are definitely for you. But if you want a machine that works fast and smooth right from the show room, spend a little extra money and buy the Porsch.

That is hardly an accurate comparrison, PureX, and you know it. I suppose I should have said you can by the 15 top of the line parts, that when put together leaving a mere Mac sitting in the dust where it has belonged for a very long time, rubbing the grime out of its i and STILL come in under the price of said Mac.

I fondly recall the days when I was doing tech support for projection systems and digital serveillance systems for the Metro Vancouver Schools. The Mac users who called in were by far the dumbest, rudest and difficult ones to deal with. The norm was that they didn't know how to follow simple instructions that a five year old could follow. You know, I just recalled, one lady who was going through melt-down simply handed the phone to her 8 year old student. After a few minutes, the very young lady and I had the device working with their silly Mac and thereby saved the teacher from going into full apoplectic shock.

 

[PureX]

You can take the girl out of the trailer park, but I guess you can't take the trailer park out of the girl. *smile*

 

[Father Heathen]

What pretentious analogies.