Give my Dad reasons NOT to get a Mac!

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Tomster595

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Aug 1, 2009
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I'm just gonna go ahead and assume that your dad is not really a computer person. And if that is the case, for what he's doing, the extra cost might be worth it just for the accessibility.
 

Cowabungaa

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Numbers said:
Fearzone said:
How has that happend? I'm still seeing an incredibly wide range of computer hardware to choose from in both laptops and desktops, how has the customizability faded in recent years? Apple on the other hand offers a small selection of relatively outdated hardware for ridiculous prices, how are they now on par with PC's on expandability and customizability?
I think he's more talking about laptops or integrated desktops, where a Mac is about as customisable as anything else. (Not much, admittedly; Laptops are modular but good luck buying the modules seperately)
That sorta makes it even worse. First you buy a 1200 bucks iMac with crappy hardware only to spend even more on seperate hardware you have to buy yourself to replace the overpriced stuff Apple saddles you up with.

I read a previous post of yours that a Mac is pretty much still a PC under the hood, and you're right, and that right away betrays the issue with Macs; you're paying for the freakin' brand only. Why not just assemble a Windows PC or buy a Windows laptop with better hardware that costs a lot less? And if you're so keen on getting Mac OS X, just assemble your own computer out of compatible parts, buy Mac OS X seperatly and install it yourself. Sounds to me like there's no need to buy a ready-made Mac whatever you do.

Apple ain't really that different from companies like Dell that sell pre-made Windows computers. Plenty of those companies sell those premade computers for too much money, Apple only makes it look super special and charges even more.
 

toothofymir

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May 6, 2009
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You can't upgrade Macs (add new Graphics Cards, RAM, etc.), or tinker with its OS. Heck, even cracking the case is a violation of the EULA. Also, you pay more for a Mac than a similarly rigged PC.

Software wise, a Mac does have an edge in built-in media editing programs. In terms of OSs, Mac OS X and Windows 7 both do roughly the same thing. Whichever one you pick will probably boil down to personal preference.

PCs get more viruses, but a good firewall and good anti-virus software suite (updated regularly) make this point moot (in 7 years of using PCs, I have never gotten a virus.)

PCs historically have had the advantage in gaming. Most games were made for the Windows OS first before being ported/re-made for Macs. Lately, with the advent of Steam, this isn't much of an issue.

All-in-all, it will probably boil down to personal taste. I like using PCs. My girlfriend likes using Macs. In the end, both get the job done.
 

Numbers'85

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Cracking the case does not violate the EULA. In fact they tell you how to do it. You can swap anything that doesn't have a "don't remove me" sticker without voiding your warranty (Inside a Macbook this is only the battery). This is a pretty common misconception actually.
 

Kpt._Rob

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Apr 22, 2009
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You know, a Mac might actually be really good for what your dad does. Macs are pretty reliable, and easy to use. They're also really good for graphic design stuff. I'm an art major, and the art building on our campus has a room specifically designated "The Mac Lab." It's worth noting, there is no other computer lab in that building.

Macs are less susceptible to viruses, because most viruses are written for PC. They tend to be a lot more standardized than PC's, which can make repairs easier.

Most of the hatred of Macs amongst the gaming community is because Macs aren't good for gaming, not because they're less suited for it (although maybe they are, I'm no expert, so I wouldn't know) but because most games are written for Windows. Though you can also put windows on a Mac system if you want.

I would say let your dad give the Macs a try. You might find that they're just what he's looking for.
 

Bara_no_Hime

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BlueberryMUNCH said:
In short, my Dad wants to get some Macs for work, and he is going to get one as his next laptop.
Now, I don't know much about them, but I'm completely against the idea, mainly due to the sheer cost of the things!

Gimme a hand guys><.
1 button mouse (yes, it's petty and can be fixed easily, but it bugs me).

Expensive for no real reason.

Just... annoying OS. Bugs me more than Vista, and I hate Vista. **hugs Windows 7 laptop**

Still not great software support. Any "mac" programs (like Photoshop or Quark) have been ported to Windows years ago.

All that said, a lot of it comes down to what he's used to. If he's used Macs for years, then he's probably gonna like Macs better. If he's used PCs for years, then he will hate the Mac once he has it. I like Windows because I've used Windows since Windows 3.1 - I know where everything is, I know how I want to customize it, and I know how to screw with it. I hate Mac because I'd have to relearn all that crap, and I don't wanna - everything above really just amounts to "good reasons" for me to not bother. They're true, but if I liked Mac OS, then they wouldn't matter.

Edit: Macs used to be the superior graphics computers. They really aren't anymore. Anything a Mac can do, a PC can do. Not better, not worse, exactly the same. It really comes down to OS preference.
 

DustyDrB

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Jan 19, 2010
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Macs are damn durable. I've dropped my Macbook Pro so many times, spilled water and entire cup of coffee directly on my keyboard and it still works great (well, the "c" key doesn't work, but copy and pasting the letter is easy enough to do so I deal with it). This being a gaming site, lots of people hate Macs because they aren't good for gaming. This is true. Don't buy a Mac for gaming.

I enjoy the interface immensely. There's not one massive application (the the recording software mine came with is really good) that makes my laptop better than any other brand, but the simple tasks that you do constantly (navigating webpages, flipping through pictures, watching videos, running several applications simultaneously) is streamlined and just a joy to work with.
 

subfield

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Apr 6, 2010
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If he breaks it accidentally, that's a lot of money down the drain since they won't replace it.
 

Romidude

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Go to Best-Buy, as the guys at the tech support about building a custom rig. You'll get a computer 5x as good at half the price.
 

Antari

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Nov 4, 2009
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BlueberryMUNCH said:
Haaai Escapist.

In short, my Dad wants to get some Macs for work, and he is going to get one as his next laptop.
Now, I don't know much about them, but I'm completely against the idea, mainly due to the sheer cost of the things!

Gimme a hand guys><.

...And during writing this thread, I realise things might get out of hand. So keep this civil, and please give me actual reasons, not '0mg 4ppl3 r m0n3y hungry foo1z!!!!1!1!!!'.

Also, you can give me reasons why Macs are actually any good:].

Byaaa I feel like an idiot for not giving more detail about what he does.

It'll mostly be used for spreadsheets, and a lot of email sending. He'll be doing some graphic design too, as well as presentations(Y).
But it's not to a great extent- it's a Pneumatics/Hydraulics/Office Interior Design firm.

...anyone need any of that in the Heathrow area, give me a buzz;D.

Cheers guys!
Well honestly for the type of work hes doing, Mac's are ideal. In more ways than I care to bother listing as I don't have a ton of time. The simple answer, Mac's are great business computers, everything running windows is much better off with gaming and multimedia (viewing).
 

Cowabungaa

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Kpt._Rob said:
They tend to be a lot more standardized than PC's, which can make repairs easier.
2 Or so pages ago someone who actually does that told us the opposite. That combined with the fact that they still use the same hardware as Windows-operated machines make that statement rather questionable.

Same goes for your statement that Macs are better for art work. Why would that be? They're still PC's, they just have a different operating system. It's like saying a Dell is better for whatever, makes little sense.
DustyDrB said:
This being a gaming site, lots of people hate Macs because they aren't good for gaming.
People here rather dislike Macs because they're just branded PC's that offer mediocre hardware for ridiculous prices, almost the same reason why lots of people hate Alienware, they do almost the same as Apple; build PC's, make them look cool and sell them for ridiculous prices. The difference with Apple is that Alienware doesn't have it's own OS. Gamers in particular dislike Mac OS X because it sucks for gaming. It's an important difference to make.
 

Jabberwock xeno

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Thaius said:
They don't play games.

Wait, you can Bootcamp it and run games on them fine, not to mention Steam's on it natively now. Um...

There's no right-click.

Wait, Macs have had right-click functions for like the last decade...

Ooh ooh, Windows has better and more intuitive features that Mac doesn't!

Wait, anything like that in Windows 7 was just taken from Mac in the first place...

Um... no Minesweeper? Wait, there are perfectly functional clones available for free anyway. So... Sorry, I'm blank.

I could cite the amazing trackpad on Macbooks, but I don't think that will help your cause much...
This, no games, no thanks.
 

mjc0961

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Nov 30, 2009
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Remind him that a Mac's greatest selling point is that you can run Windows*. And then remind him that you can get that by buying a much cheaper computer that comes with Windows pre-installed.

*At least, that's how every Mac fanboy I've ever spoken to tries to get me to buy one, which is quite frankly the dumbest thing ever.
Mac Fanboy: Buy a Mac! They're awesome!
Me: No thanks, there's nothing wrong with my current computer, and I rather like Windows anyway.
MF: You can run Windows on a Mac so get one!
Me: ...I'm running Windows now. I don't need to get a Mac.
MF: But Macs are so much better!
Me: But if I'm just going to run Windows on it, what difference does it make if "Macs are better"?
MF: Macs are awesome, get one!
Me: This conversation is over.
So yeah. Nobody has ever been able to tell me why I should get a super expensive Mac beyond "It can run Windows!" which hey, I'm already doing so Macs can go stay in the Apple Store.

Plus, take whatever money he was going to spend on a Mac, and get a non-Mac with the same specs for a lot less. Save some money which is always good for his business.

Thaius said:
They don't play games.

Wait, you can Bootcamp it and run games on them fine, not to mention Steam's on it natively now. Um...
See, like that. If you have to tell me "You can install another OS to do something the default OS can't", you're doing something wrong. Telling me I can "Bootcamp it" isn't a selling point in the Mac's favor, it's a point in favor of keeping the Windows computer I already have and a point in favor of getting Windows on my next computer instead of a Mac. You should be telling me things Macs can do that Windows can't, not "here's everything Macs can't do, but it's cool because you can put Windows on it."
 

Thaius

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Jabberwock xeno said:
Thaius said:
They don't play games.

Wait, you can Bootcamp it and run games on them fine, not to mention Steam's on it natively now. Um...

There's no right-click.

Wait, Macs have had right-click functions for like the last decade...

Ooh ooh, Windows has better and more intuitive features that Mac doesn't!

Wait, anything like that in Windows 7 was just taken from Mac in the first place...

Um... no Minesweeper? Wait, there are perfectly functional clones available for free anyway. So... Sorry, I'm blank.

I could cite the amazing trackpad on Macbooks, but I don't think that will help your cause much...
This, no games, no thanks.
Did you actually read past the first sentence? Nice one. :p
 

RhombusHatesYou

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TheSniperFan said:
@Mac-Fanboy's: Don't start to say that they have a high(er) quality case and higher quality hardware. For the first, it's true. Yes, it is, beacuse MAC's are fabricated very nice.
That's true for most of the brand-name Windows machines but for a build-to-spec rig or a self build, you can get pretty much any case that takes your fancy. Even this little number:



The Thermaltake/BMW 'Level 10' case... (of course, you can buy a PC for the same as this case costs)
 

Thaius

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mjc0961 said:
Thaius said:
They don't play games.

Wait, you can Bootcamp it and run games on them fine, not to mention Steam's on it natively now. Um...
See, like that. If you have to tell me "You can install another OS to do something the default OS can't", you're doing something wrong. Telling me I can "Bootcamp it" isn't a selling point in the Mac's favor, it's a point in favor of keeping the Windows computer I already have and a point in favor of getting Windows on my next computer instead of a Mac. You should be telling me things Macs can do that Windows can't, not "here's everything Macs can't do, but it's cool because you can put Windows on it."
Thing being, "they don't play games" is the only valid argument for their inferiority. And even then, that's not exactly a design flaw on the part of the OS, it's just developers playing to the majority market. OSX is a fantastic operating system, much better than Windows has ever aspired to be in my opinion, and the creative design programs available on a Mac (and that come with it out of the box, for that matter) are incredible. The only problem is that most games aren't released for Mac, which Bootcamp solves. I have Windows installed on my Macbook, and the only thing I use it for is playing games. OSX is vastly superior for everything else. It's a solution to the one weakness, and more than worth dealing with. Thus, the only valid complaint against Macs is the price.
 

nofear220

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Apr 29, 2010
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BlueberryMUNCH said:
Haaai Escapist.

In short, my Dad wants to get some Macs for work, and he is going to get one as his next laptop.
Now, I don't know much about them, but I'm completely against the idea, mainly due to the sheer cost of the things!


Here is a very good reason no to get a mac, Im not saying go out and buy a dell, Id recommend a sony vaio that fits his needs interms of performance.