What are the pros and benefits of a Mac?

[Saulkar]

Ok so after the torrent of comments I have a general idea but I am getting the impression that some people think that I want to buy one when in fact I do not.

Because I have no idea. As far as I can tell it is simply a different OS mounted onto standard hardware. Additionally I have been told that there are no real benefits to the OS as it is generally preference and what software is supported and that the hardware is generally overpriced. So instead of taking Apple's word for it, are there any real benefits to a Mac that I cannot get when building my own or buying a pre-built Windows computer?

Just a quick FYI, I already have a self built Windows 7 workstation that I am very happy with and have no intentions of buying a Mac.

EDIT: The reason I am asking here instead of simply Googling is I want a general consensus from a userbase I have a general familiarity of and has a good number of techies.

EDIT02: Entertainment Value for reasons I do not know why.

 

[Hoplon]

Build quality mainly, the slaves at Foxconn are top notch!

It's way more locked down but with apple software anyway more stable.

expensive for not a lot of performance.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I use a Mac because the GUI is easier to use and there is less chance to get viruses. even with porn

Build quality mainly, the slaves at Foxconn are top notch!

It's way more locked down but with apple software anyway more stable.

this, all of it.

All you need to know is that Steve Jobs is a Prophet and his products are Godlike and you should buy his products.

I hate fanboyism like this.

 

[Giftfromme]

All you need to know is that Steve Jobs is a Prophet and his products are Godlike and you should buy his products.

 

[Womplord]

The apple operating system is more polished than windows, and also is far less likely to be affected by viruses. Other than that, social status. Yes, if you look at the hardware only you are obviously better off going pc, but please think outside the box people. This is coming from a pc user.

 

[Keoul]

From what I've seen if it's just for casual used such as facebook, youtube, general stuff go right on ahead. The GUI is simple enough and the software is locked down therefore dependable since they're all made by apple.

If you're actually going to use your computer for work or something then go PC, it has a lot more choice and variety in regards to software and utility.

 

[Petromir]

From what I've seen if it's just for casual used such as facebook, youtube, general stuff go right on ahead. The GUI is simple enough and the software is locked down therefore dependable since they're all made by apple.

Hardwares all chosen by apple and the OS is apples, but farm more Mac software is 3rd party than made by apple, hell unless it's available on the app store apple don't even have to have seen it.

If you're actually going to use your computer for work or something then go PC, it has a lot more choice and variety in regards to software and utility.

Thats less the case now, and in some areas not really true. Video editing the three most common platforms used professionally, Media Composer, final cut and Premier Pro all are available on Mac and only 2 on PC. Video and movie work is a field mostly dominated by macs and linux.

For work software, especially those work areas with specific software its often best to check to see whats available on what. If like many peoples interaction with PCs for work after e-mails all you want is Word, Powerpoint and Excel, then a Macs great as MS sells office for the Mac.

I have a Mac for work and a PC for games, and the Macs slowly working its way up as a potential gaming machine since blizzard have been joined by valve in releasing single versions that work on both.

 

[Snowbell]

My friend bought a MacBook Pro for £2000 - to watch Youtube on and surf the internet with. I facepalmed so hard.

They are less susceptible to viruses and can be lighter while keeping top-notch performance, but there's not a lot of compatible games and they're really more about being an indication of having money than anything else.

 

[Starik20X6]

Great performance and a heck of a lot more stable than other OS's.

The OS is also a lot friendlier and more intuitive than Windows; having been a Windows user prior to switching, I can say that Mac OS is a lot more natural in the way you'd expect it to work.

The available software is geared more towards creativity, as opposed to Windows which is productivity-based. This obviously isn't a plus for everyone, but for me it absolutely is.

Beautiful design. From an aesthetic point of view, they're technical masterpieces. When it's turned off and sitting on my desk, it doesn't look like a 'computer' per se; it's like a work of art that I can use to create more art.

 

[not_you]

I don't see the point of buying a mac...

One of the main things people come up with in the "pro's" column for getting one is that it is harder to get a virus...

ever heard of anti-virus people?
Ever heard of not opening that e-mail from the nigerian prince who offered you 10 million dollars?

If you have the right programs, it can be downright impossible to get a virus on a pc...

Granted this comment comes from an avid PC gamer and one who wants to see apple burn in hell, but... I don't see the point of the "no viruses" argument... it doesn't exist if you're intelligent...

 

[Henriot]

If you use a Mac for anything to do with design, photos, images, video or visuals, Apple is a step up because you don't have a seperate monitor to your machine; it's all integrated. Mac OSs have always been alot more easier to calibrate monitors.

And as was said before, less viruses. Less viruses means you don't have to have security software running, slowing yoru system down.

 

[Hagi]

There's a lot of truth to this.

Seeing as most things are done through a browser or other software, which generally have both MAC and Windows versions, there isn't really that much difference.

 

[Palademon]

The advantages are the benefits of feeling superior by having spent more for less.

Also, you may prefer supposedly more creative design, or have a burning desire to just be like everyone else.

And as was said before, less viruses. Less viruses means you don't have to have security software running, slowing yoru system down.

Ignoring my opinionated...opinion that I just posted, isn't that basically like using a cleaner brothel as an excuse to not use a condom?

 

[Calibanbutcher]

There is no benefit. If you spent the same amount of money of a PC you'd get a lot more for it. The only reasonable reason why anyone would get a mac is that their old and not comfortable with computers, but need one to send e-mails and what not.

I still think an android tablet would be better for them.

LOL

OT: No, there's no benefit to a Mac unless you've got an urgent desire to throw money away.

Now I'm not saying that Macs are never good, just that they're overpriced fashion accessories. For the same price you could build yourself a PC that would make the mac look like a calculator.

But is simple processing power everything?
The Mac UI is supremely polished and easy to use, yet fast enough for daily use.
Do I want a giant throbbing elite-pc that looms over me like a black monolith in my sleep?
Do I want the hassle of building my own PC?
Or do I maybe even want a laptop? With specs that are slightly above average at best but which alse features great looks and easy to use interface?

I for one chose a mac.
I like that it's so easy to use.
I like that it runs smoothly and I admit, I like the fact that it looks great.

Also on the "more expensive" part:

I have had my Macbook (13.3") for 6 years now and I admit, that it was not exactly cheap, but in these 6 years, my Mac has not once crashed on me, it has not once failed me and it still runs like a charm, although it has become somewhat slow as of late.
In the same time, my brother burned through 3 different windows laptops (Asus, Dell, Acer) and now has bought himself a new gaming rig.
I on the other hand have a PS3 and my Macbook and, in the end, I came out ahead financially, seeing as he spent more on Laptops (before getting the gaming rig mind you), than I spent on my Macbook, my PS3 and my guitar amplifier.

My opinion:
Go with whatever you feel more comfortable with.

 

[AD-Stu]

As people have noted above, they're generally less prone to viruses and malware and such... which isn't to say that Macs can't get infected.

If you're not really computer-literate then a Mac is probably much, much easier to set up. You pretty much take it out of the box, plug it in and it works. Anyone who's built a PC will know it's not quite that simple (though pre-installed Windows laptops or name-brand Windows desktops are just as easy).

They do have pretty good build quality...

...and that's about the longest I've ever gone saying positive things about a Mac. Aside from the above they're horrendously over-priced and if you're a gamer your options are very limited. Anyone who says Macs either don't crash or only crash rarely is a damn liar (yes, I have spent enough time using both for work and school to say that with authority) and when they do crash they're a damn sight harder to recover than a PC is. And I'm gonna stop there before I start ranting properly

 

[Calibanbutcher]

As people have noted above, they're generally less prone to viruses and malware and such... which isn't to say that Macs can't get infected.

If you're not really computer-literate then a Mac is probably much, much easier to set up. You pretty much take it out of the box, plug it in and it works. Anyone who's built a PC will know it's not quite that simple (though pre-installed Windows laptops or name-brand Windows desktops are just as easy).

They do have pretty good build quality...

...and that's about the longest I've ever gone saying positive things about a Mac. Aside from the above they're horrendously over-priced and if you're a gamer your options are very limited. Anyone who says Macs either don't crash or only crash rarely is a damn liar (yes, I have spent enough time using both for work and school to say that with authority) and when they do crash they're a damn sight harder to recover than a PC is. And I'm gonna stop there before I start ranting properly

Well sir, I oppose to you calling me a liar. In my personal experience, my Mac never, and I mean never, crashed on me.

 

[saintdane05]

FOr all of those saying that gamers have "Limited options"" I would like you to meet a friend of mine named Boot Camp.