Mac vs. PC and no, this is not a poll, kinda

[newwiseman]

I'm an IT guy.

I support 2 schools that together have more than 600 Macs. From the IT stand point the apple is better because it is a toaster. Regardless of rev version, and even OS version to a large extent, most of the system files can be copied and pasted from one machine to another. I can create uniform experiences and all the machine from single universal images using tools included in the apple OS. My only real complaint about Mac is that identical machines, sequential serial numbers, with bit by bit cloned hard drives will behave differently. It really is the damnedest thing.

The windows machines aren't as easy, I took me ages to streamline a process of making a damn near universally bootable windows partition that was prepared for hardware differences with all possible drivers installed and pre-configured; that I have to update with every new purchase. Then the actual creation of the image files relies on third party software (not a real problem just an annoyance).

In my personal life, away from work, I'm a PC guy. Largely because at most I'm only dealing with 3 machines (Desktop, Laptop, and the Linux server their backups are stored on). I can play games and still use the vast majority of the creative software that exists on Mac (the only one I use and don't have on PC in Final Cut Pro), not to mention the $500 minimum price deference between Mac and PC for equivalent specked hardware.

I use both and enjoy both, they are too similar to hate one or the other. If macs ever drop to the same price as competing PC hardware I might even buy a personal one.

, I have a friend who suggests I build my computer from scratch, but I'll defiantly check out the link.

Building your own is really the only way to go. The i7s are the best on the block right now, but for price/performance I'd grab an AMD X6. Also ATI/AMD video cards dominate in multi-card builds on all points (performance, scaling, and energy use (http://www.tomshardware.com/ did extensive testing)). http://www.newegg.com/ very often has special combo deals on cases and PSUs that can save you a bundle make sure to check them out after you've crunched the watt requirements (always buy 20% more power than you need by the numbers). Lastly Amazon has the best deals on HDDs currently, I wouldn't use larger than 1.5TB drives for storage.

 

[zehydra]

1st off - Macs ARE PCs, I wish both Microsoft and Mac would stop that little misnomer.

The reason many people will call PCs superior is because in terms of hardware, you can the exact same thing, except $500+ dollars cheaper.

Also, there is NO advantage to using a Mac (over a recent Windows system).

 

[Woodsey]

Macs are extortionately priced (it would have cost a ridiculous amount - we're talking 100s of pounds - just to have an extra 4GB RAM put in when he bought his) and less adaptable than PCs.

 

[Rienimportant]

I have a mac, just cause I had to get it for school so I just got used to it.
But I use bootcamp to run windows so that I can play games haha.
But at some point I would like to build my own PC for games, and I'll just be using my mac for other stuff.

 

[Geeky Anomaly]

I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but they're different. One is definitely better for gaming, and I'm a gamer, so I prefer the gaming OS, which is Windows.

Also this:

 

[Coffinshaker]

anyone who thinks one is superior to the other is just a jerk. that said, they all suck, just in different ways. lol.

I used macs for the better part of the last 3-4 years and loved it. that puter died and I couldn't afford a new mac. so I built a pc. now, pcs are great for gaming. no question. but I needed it to run photoshop (cause the mac version couldnt use the 64bit and ram to the full potential or something... i dont remember).

I really liked the security with macs, but I started using Linux as a dual(sp?) boot and found it to be pretty darn close to macs.

if you had to start from scratch and choose only 1... go with windows and dual boot Linux (I use Mint) so you dont get too many withdrawals. if you had like, crazy money and didn't care... just get a mac and dual boot windows. >)

 

[TingaWinga]

Pc's have support from everyone!
Macs only have support from a few people
Therefore PC wins!

 

[mxfox408]

To each thier own I say. If you like mac's and got extra cash for hardware limitations, go for it, but I prefer PC's running windows. It all blows down to preference, reguardless of cost, but what bugs me is mac users/iphone users in some cases have this attitude that they are better than you because they are using the inferior apple products. I honestly dont understand some of these arrogant attutudes that some apple users have towards everyone else. Ofcourse I prefer PC's because they are cost effective, and easier to upgrade.

 

[theevilsanta]

Macs always have had amazing hardware. They really run well. On top of that they're so easy to use and have better (though really not by much) menus and navigation for an average user.

But I hate Macs. They work against freedom of code/file transfer/etc. If they become their strategy of cosolidating the marketplace to their products advancement in technology and software will fail. We'll be gimping ourselves and paying our money for it. The future occurs on PCs. Macs steal it and make it better.

 

[hawkeye52]

because windows comps deliver more power for money and allow you more control over your comp and don't try to install a load of crap on your comp with every random update/thread

 

[floobie]

One day, fixing something that was inevitably going wrong with my PC desktop, I realized something. Microsoft, as an entity, is responsible for more hours of frustration in my life than absolutely anything else.

It's a nitpick but as a techie I have to point out that most of the times Windows crashes aren't caused by Windows. It's normally down to faulty device drivers or badly written third party software.

I'll agree that the 'nix family are better for usability than Windows. I just don't quite think it's fair to blame MS for things that aren't actually the OS's fault.

You are very right. It is often just easier to blame the big evil company

But, I have to be fair: Microsoft has sort of worked themselves into a tough position over the years. Mac's are so stable because Apple controls the hardware. They don't need to support ancient, obscure hardware. They only need to support hardware they've used. And when they have control over that, it'll obviously work way better. The same could be said for software. Microsoft has to support insanely old applications, even in their most current operating systems. The software I use as a geologist is absolutely ancient (I'm talking decades old), yet it still works on Windows 7. It's terrible software, desperately needing a complete rewrite... but it still works. So, I do have to give Microsoft credit there. By being the leader in market share, they also have to include way more legacy support. And, they're probably doing a good job of it, considering the difficulty of such a task.

But, for me, that's all irrelevant. I just want what works the best And, I definitely prefer OS X (and Linux, for that matter) for usability.

 

[lacktheknack]

Neither one "sucks" more than the other. I just prefer Windows and Linux PCs because A. I'm a gamer, and B. I'm a low-bank balance college student.

 

[Vrud]

I have a Mac with Windows 7 installed as an alternate operating system, right-clicking is easy to enable, and I don't have to worry about a shitload of viruses. Life is good.

 

[silent_noir_67]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW32Va_tszQ

My thoughts on Pc vs Mac in general.

Macs are pretty and you don't get viruses (although thats changing)...and grossly overexpensive...

PCs are not as pretty but they can run games and are just a lot more compatible...and they get viruses and require you to try and figure out what "Error 1914892GF;OIHshdSPOGH" is supposed to mean...

 

[Zipa]

PC all the way, as a PC gamer it just makes sense, hardware on a PC is easily modified as technology changes and most games are still only optimized to run on windows, yes you can boot-camp windows but why would I want to emulate the OS and make my computer run slower.

Plus MAC are expensive for a few flashy software programs and hardware that can never be changed.
If a part inside a MAC breaks you have had it. If it breaks in a PC you can just change it.

Plus at least windows operating systems have things like maximizing programs (MAC apps are only just getting this in their new OS ) and Windows 7 is a very easy OS to use , it far out does Vista and XP.

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Not sure if anyone's pointed this out already but..

A Mac is basically a PC with a different OS and costing 30% more then is reasonable. That is all.

/thread


You want a 'PC' OS which is immune to viruses? Go download Ubuntu. It's free and awesome.