Poll: PC or Mac

[loc978]

A Mac is a PC. I type this running Linux Mint 12 on a PoS HP laptop. Poll invalid.

Im tempted to swap over to Linux or at least run it in tandem to Windows7. How hard is it to get into going from Windows?

If you're willing to completely reformat in order to swap, it's just as easy as reinstalling windows. If you're wanting to dual-boot, it requires a few extra steps... but this guide [http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_with_linux_vista_installed_first.htm] is still accurate. Since for booting the functionality of Windows 7 remains the same as Vista, and booting any distro of Linux is much the same as any other (at least, the GUI-based, user-friendly ones. Don't go with a tiny distribution right out of the gate), just swap version/distribution terms in the guide.

Personally, I recommend experimenting on a computer you don't necessarily use every day before making the switch... and you'll still want to keep an installation of Windows for gaming.
Also, a note about desktop environments... there are a lot of them available for most Linux distributions. wikipedia explains it better than I can [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment]. KDE is very similar to Windows, but it seems to have the most little nagging bugs with it. If you go KDE (like I did), you'll find yourself rebooting to fix stuff quite a lot.
Gnome is very similar to Mac OS, I've had bad luck with it... but apparently it runs smooth and light compared to KDE if one knows what one is doing. I barely know anything at this point, but I know I can break an installation of ubuntu-gnome in about 3 hours flat (last time it was just trying to get flash to run properly. I was almost certainly just doing it wrong, though).
There are a ton of others, but those are the only ones I have any real experience with.

 

[Xixikal]

I only own macs, which is a pain for gaming, you can only play mainstream. If i could spend my money again, I would definitely invest in a Windows OS rather than mac.

 

[loc978]

I only own macs, which is a pain for gaming, you can only play mainstream. If i could spend my money again, I would definitely invest in a Windows OS rather than mac.

Assuming you can get your hands on a copy of windows and your mac is relatively new, you can game like any other PC owner with a little work.
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

The problem with gaming on a mac is entirely surmountable. Mac OS may not run many games, but Mac hardware can easily run Windows.

 

[Aprilgold]

You missed the third option, "don't care."

Most everything I use today has a Mac version--including the games I play--so it wouldn't really make that much of a difference as far as what I actually do with it.

What I paid for it is another matter.

So glad he didn't because the "Don't Care" option doesn't do anything but waste stats on the vote. So if he was to say write a paper about this putting a "Don't Care" option would come out on top and as such giving bad stats for his paper.

Essentially.
Don't Care option = False, Bad or Incorrect info.
No Don't Care option = Truthful info.

Why is it false, bad, or incorrect?

I honestly don't particularly care. I'm currently using Windows, but I could just as well be using a Mac. I did have a Mac for a while actually, but it no longer works.

From a standpoint if they were going to use the results of the poll for something. Or in case someone else did. Sorry, I just wanted to rant a bit and I don't make much sense when I do.

 

[Waaghpowa]

Seriously though, Linux, you corporate shill.

 

[loc978]

The problem with gaming on a mac is entirely surmountable. Mac OS may not run many games, but Mac hardware can easily run Windows.

That's because Apple finally declared defeat and now runs basically on the same hardware as PCs.

Yes. Seven years ago. Took 'em awhile, but they've been on the same standard as everyone else for three processor generations now. In other words, they've been real PCs longer than the PS3 has been out.

 

[DazZ.]

Windows, whilst playing everything possible on Linux.

Love me Humble Bundles.

 

[loc978]

I only own macs, which is a pain for gaming, you can only play mainstream. If i could spend my money again, I would definitely invest in a Windows OS rather than mac.

Assuming you can get your hands on a copy of windows and your mac is relatively new, you can game like any other PC owner with a little work.
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

The problem with gaming on a mac is entirely surmountable. Mac OS may not run many games, but Mac hardware can easily run Windows.

then why not do the opposite and save yourself about a grand?

And no i don't care about apples anti-consumer eula bs about only installing on their devices.

Just sayin'. The guy's already got a mac, no sense in investing in an entirely new piece of hardware just to change OSes.

Personally, I feel much the same about apple's price point, though I only wish I could buy their equal in case design without fabricating it myself (which I plan to do with my next build. I'm completely fed up with Antec, Coolermaster and their ilk).

 

[Chairman Miaow]

Errm... am I the only one going to point out that VS. threads aren't allowed?

Vs. threads aren't allowed.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

Windows, whilst playing everything possible on Linux.

Love me Humble Bundles.

This. I prefer doing most of the stuff I do on computers through Linux, and I just love the amount of customization I can have. Although I have swap out to windows to play games unless I have a linux version (thanks humble guys) or can get a game working through wine (hit and miss). Plus Linux's logo is a penguin and penguins are awesome.

Never had any extended use with a Mac, so I cannot comment on them.

 

[BushMonstar]

As it goes, I prefer Windows OS over Mac OS, but I use both on a near daily basis, and will be perfectly fine using either.

 

[jkvoller]

Both? Is that allowed? :/

I have my MacBook I use for little things, art, and mobility, and I've got my Windows I use for gaming or anything strenuous (my little 'Book is 5 years old now, but still runs quite well).

I honestly want to understand why Apple gets so much hate. I just don't get it. Someone care to explain?

1.overpriced for the ablility of the computer:
for $2k if you buy the parts yourself you can build a godly PC(including buying the OS)
for the same price you can buy a very good PC from a company
for a mac it will get you a meh computer
27in Imac($1,999.00)
(3.1GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
2560 x 1440 resolution
4GB (two 2GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 1G)

for some perspective that's worse then a high end from 5 years ago except for the screen size

2. Lack of comparability with games(Yes this is still an issue)

3. Lack of an ability to upgrade/switch parts

Its best not to use the iMac line in your comparison, they haven't been updated in a very long time.

Also, for people complaining about the price, I have a top of the line Macbook Pro from a year ago which I use for work, web surfing, media and emails that cost me £1500 and a top of the line gaming PC from a little over a year ago now which I exclusively use for gaming and a little bit of web surfing for when I need to update stuff or download an interesting mod that cost me £3000, so really, it's all about how you speck your machine. Plus if we're going against companies that overprice consumers, what about alienware.

 

[direkiller]

Both? Is that allowed? :/

I have my MacBook I use for little things, art, and mobility, and I've got my Windows I use for gaming or anything strenuous (my little 'Book is 5 years old now, but still runs quite well).

I honestly want to understand why Apple gets so much hate. I just don't get it. Someone care to explain?

1.overpriced for the ablility of the computer:
for $2k if you buy the parts yourself you can build a godly PC(including buying the OS)
for the same price you can buy a very good PC from a company
for a mac it will get you a meh computer
27in Imac($1,999.00)
(3.1GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
2560 x 1440 resolution
4GB (two 2GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 1G)

for some perspective that's worse then a high end from 5 years ago except for the screen size

2. Lack of comparability with games(Yes this is still an issue)

3. Lack of an ability to upgrade/switch parts

Its best not to use the iMac line in your comparison, they haven't been updated in a very long time.

Also, for people complaining about the price, I have a top of the line Macbook Pro from a year ago which I use for work, web surfing, media and emails that cost me £1500 and a top of the line gaming PC from a little over a year ago now which I exclusively use for gaming and a little bit of web surfing for when I need to update stuff or download an interesting mod that cost me £3000, so really, it's all about how you speck your machine. Plus if we're going against companies that overprice consumers, what about alienware.

alien ware gets the same bile as mac when mentioned. Its over priced under-powerd junk. but it aleast lets you mod the hardware so there is that.


as for the Imac if they cant be bothered to make it cheaper or update the hardware then it deserves to be used for the comparison. They expect people to pay 2grand for what you can get for half that(if that we don't know the disk drive speed or the ram quality)


However, if you have another desktop in mind i can change the specs but the result will be the same.


I mean im not trying to spit bile at apple. I gave 3 legitimate problems with the computers.

 

[jkvoller]

Both? Is that allowed? :/

I have my MacBook I use for little things, art, and mobility, and I've got my Windows I use for gaming or anything strenuous (my little 'Book is 5 years old now, but still runs quite well).

I honestly want to understand why Apple gets so much hate. I just don't get it. Someone care to explain?

1.overpriced for the ablility of the computer:
for $2k if you buy the parts yourself you can build a godly PC(including buying the OS)
for the same price you can buy a very good PC from a company
for a mac it will get you a meh computer
27in Imac($1,999.00)
(3.1GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
2560 x 1440 resolution
4GB (two 2GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 1G)

for some perspective that's worse then a high end from 5 years ago except for the screen size

2. Lack of comparability with games(Yes this is still an issue)

3. Lack of an ability to upgrade/switch parts

Its best not to use the iMac line in your comparison, they haven't been updated in a very long time.

Also, for people complaining about the price, I have a top of the line Macbook Pro from a year ago which I use for work, web surfing, media and emails that cost me £1500 and a top of the line gaming PC from a little over a year ago now which I exclusively use for gaming and a little bit of web surfing for when I need to update stuff or download an interesting mod that cost me £3000, so really, it's all about how you speck your machine. Plus if we're going against companies that overprice consumers, what about alienware.

alien ware gets the same bile as mac when mentioned. Its over priced under-powerd junk. but it aleast lets you mod the hardware so there is that.


as for the Imac if they cant be bothered to make it cheaper or update the hardware then it deserves to be used for the comparison. They expect people to pay 2grand for what you can get for half that(if that we don't know the disk drive speed or the ram quality)


However, if you have another desktop in mind i can change the specs but the result will be the same.


I mean im not trying to spit bile at apple. I gave 3 legitimate problems with the computers.

I hear what your saying, but I think the reason why they haven't updated the iMac lien for about 4 years now is because they want to focus on the iPhone, iPad and Macbook lines.

Comparing a 4 year old computer to a brand new one is like comparing a PS3 to whatever the next gen Xbox is called

 

[MrTub]

I like my Windows pcs, I like my Ipad and I also like my laptop which runs ubuntu&Windows

But if I had to choose one OS I would use windows simply cause pretty much all games is supports windows