Thread: PC vs Mac

I'm sure Ninja will be in with a firey statement very soon. Probably involving something about security and grapical interfaces. Personally, my oppinion is that if I'm gonna use a unix based OS I'll use a free one.

Use either Windows or Linux (though I would hold off on the switch for another few years). Windows, by far, is the most convenient (despite the greater security risk, which can be countered by a good antivirus (AVG, Avast, etc,) and at least three anti-malwares (CCleaner, Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, etc.)). Most programs require a more difficult setup for Mac and Linux, and many programs refuse to work at all. I would recommend sticking with Windows for another few years, until Linux becomes a big enough player to consider switching. If security is an absolute must, though, you might as well switch now. Speaking from experience, though, I have never had a major problem with Windows; the system is familiar and easy enough for me to use.

*note: @ Ninja's upcoming and inevitable retaliation: HAVE MERCY!

I've used a Mac before (Mac OS X or something, it's what our school uses) and I'm not quite fond of some of the Mac programs it has.

For starters, iMovie isn't that great, and quite confusing imo. I've tried both the newest version (or atleast my teacher said it was the newest, she also said reviewers didn't like the new iMovie upgrade) and whatever old version we have now (which is what I'm using in school).
Windows Movie Maker, to me, is a lot easier to understand imo.

Something else that bothered me (again, I'm using a Mac OS X here) is the windows when you're using a program, mainly photoshop.

I'll have to write more later, bed time for now. I'll even show some pictures.

Also, games. Good games.

I have owned a PC for my whole life.

Any "virus" problems I have had I have easily dealt with. Updating the PC is a dream. Oh yeah, the games are incredibly better (how many games on the Mac again?).

You really do not need all the anti-malware shit that people talk about for Windows as long as you know something about it. It's easy.

As I understand it, Mac's are better for music and graphic lovers, and people who are stupid. I mean that seriously.. the advertising for Mac's are always about how "easy" they are.. I mean seriously.. the one had a guy talking about how he didn't know how to turn it on.. come on.


+ The above is not a parody or spoof.. these are real Mac ads.

~

Originally Posted by Mario92

Use either Windows or Linux (though I would hold off on the switch for another few years).

I'm interested in why you say that

I mean, there's some exciting stuff going on in X, which will take a couple of years to stabilise and be picked up by the downstream distros, but it's not particularly user-facing

Just wondering what makes you say wait a couple of years

Originally Posted by Ynot

I'm interested in why you say that

I mean, there's some exciting stuff going on in X, which will take a couple of years to stabilise and be picked up by the downstream distros, but it's not particularly user-facing

Just wondering what makes you say wait a couple of years

As Linux becomes more and more popular, it will become easier to use and more programs will become available for it. As of now, though, most programs are tailored for the Windows audience, though many open-source programs are gaining in popularity (I believe).

Doesn't really matter, just use what fits your preferences best and does what you need it to. I don't really care what OS other people use.

Don't we already have a bunch of threads for this?

I only took a quick look, but I couldn't find any. Or at least none that defended Macs in any way.

Search for a thread called "What OS are you using", or something along those lines.

Macs are UNIX - very stable, secure, and advanced operating system. Better for programming, graphics, and common users. They are more expensive, but top of the line.

Windows is a dll hell, fragmented memory, and aggressive page swapping memory hog. Better for gaming, Microsoft Office.

People always say that they're overprices, but they just have a different business model. The hardware is more expensive (but not by much compared to PCs of the same hardware specs,) but the OS is $50, iWork is $79... Whereas PC hardware is slightly cheaper, but the OS is $300, Office is $400...

What O'nus is saying is very true. The thing that turns me off the most about macs is not so much the technology, as it is the douchebaggery of the company. They really do market it in a way that is WAY condescending to the users. I'm enough of an optimist to assume the majority of mac users aren't as dumb as apple would like us to think... and if they are, then god help them! Owning a Mac won't save their pathetic asses, cause they sound like they couldn't operate a doorknob if their lives depended on it. There's also a holier-than-thou, "we're better than you, and we're a community" mentality that I just can't fucking stand.

And while it's true that Office is $400, I don't think I've ever paid for it in my life... but that's another thread hehehe.

Originally Posted by Mario92

As Linux becomes more and more popular, it will become easier to use and more programs will become available for it. As of now, though, most programs are tailored for the Windows audience, though many open-source programs are gaining in popularity (I believe).

To hasten the process, you should download Linux so that the popularity increases (and consequently the motivation for coders to code increases).

Ubuntu 9.10 here.

Lol people pay for software?

I mean.. Yeah. Good on you.

~

Originally Posted by O'nus

Lol people pay for software?

I mean.. Yeah. Good on you.

~

The new Microsoft Office sucks. Plus, you gotta pay (or use bitripper, etc). I just use Open Office. Similar, easy to use, free.

Well, I'll say just this: If Apple can't even create an iPod that can last for more than a couple years before crapping out completely, what makes anyone think their computers are worthy of my attention? Yeah, I'm well aware that none of the same principles apply between the operation of a computer and that of an MP3 player, but...well, some proverb about "apples" and "not falling far from trees" comes to mind.

Personally, I've never had any true problems with my PCs. I wasn't aware that so many Mac-users used "security flaws" as an argument against PCs. Probably because anyone with half a brain can download a reliable anti-malware program, thereby making such flaws virtually nonexistent (I, for one, have only experienced one security threat that could be considered "severe", and even then, it wasn't anything a simple reformat couldn't fix).

...And better gaming experience equates to a better computer, IMHO.

Originally Posted by Lëzen

(I, for one, have only experienced one security threat that could be considered "severe", and even then, it wasn't anything a simple reformat couldn't fix).

I'd love to know how you know

http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...2&postcount=60

For me it's not the security (yeah, that's part of it,) but the speed. Windows slows down after time, even with good maintenance, because of the registry and disk fragmentation. *nix system don't slow down over time, because it doesn't suffer from either of those problems.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

For me it's not the security (yeah, that's part of it,) but the speed. Windows slows down after time, even with good maintenance, because of the registry and disk fragmentation. *nix system don't slow down over time, because it doesn't suffer from either of those problems.

With good maintenance, those aren't really problems. You can easily defragment your disk, or use a program like CCleaner to clean the registry.

Originally Posted by Demon Parasite

With good maintenance, those aren't really problems. You can easily defragment your disk, or use a program like CCleaner to clean the registry.

This is astounding

Computers are tools to get work done
You should not have to spend a disproportionate amount of time maintaining a tool so it continues to function properly

If you had a hammer, whose head fell off randomly while bashing in nails, you'd get a better hammer

"Oh no, with the right maintenance it's a good hammer, really - you just have to glue the head back on occasionally"

I want to use my machine for useful stuff,
not fight with it to keep it from constantly falling over

Yeah, an end user should NEVER have to do maintenance, or install security systems, the computer should do it for you.

The only issues I've ever had with any of my PCs have been hardware malfunctions. In one case, my video card died and in the other case it was my RAM. Both of which happened no earlier than having the computer for 2 years. I've never had any other significant problems.

So when I hear "Macs don't break down as often." I think "Wow! They must last a lifetime then... wait that's impossible..." Meanwhile the hardware for Macs is more expensive, regardless of whether or not it lasts longer.

As for Macs being better for graphics and/or music, is there a particular reason why? Don't you use photoshop on both? How is it any different?

Macs have long lifespans because their operating system doesn't slow down like Windows. The average PC lifespan is 2 years because Windows slows down beyond use, not because of it's hardware. Mac's average livespan is 6 years and they're just as fast when they're gotten rid of as when they started.

Hardware breaking is going to happen with any computer, regardless of Apple or not, Apple doesn't make RAM or CPUs or graphics cards, they use the same manufacturers as every other company.

Macs are better for graphics for multiple reasons, their DVI output means that they can support much high resolution monitors than most PCs and their system preferences have built in settings for resolutions that Windows doesn't. 1080p has been standard resolution for years now, yet Windows doesn't have an option for it natively They also have some Apple-built hardware specific to graphics, which makes them much faster. OpenCL and integrated OpenGL makes Macs much faster in most cases, although you can get equivalent software for PCs if you're willing to spend the money.

They also have better out-of-the-box software like iMovie and iTunes, but it's mostly hardware why graphics designers all use Macs.

Re: defrag: I thought NTFS didn't require defragging.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Macs have long lifespans because their operating system doesn't slow down like Windows. The average PC lifespan is 2 years because Windows slows down beyond use, not because of it's hardware. Mac's average livespan is 6 years and they're just as fast when they're gotten rid of as when they started.

I've had this PC for 6 years now and I've only had to take it to get repaired once.

It runs great still, for how old it is.