OT - Apple Mac vs PC ?

[Bold Seagull]

What's the point of buying a Mac to install Windows on it. It kind of defeats the point.

AutoCAD (until this year) only ran on Windows, therefore I ran Windows on my Mac occasionally. There is some specialist software even Mac users may need that only run on a PC.

For me personally, the whole idea of mac was spoiled for me when they moved to Intel Processors. I was ready to buy a G5 Tower.

My first Mac was a PowerPC 603e processor, then I went G3, worked on a G4 at work, then finally I'm on an Intel Core 2 Duo. Running OSX 10.5.8, this is the most stable platform I've ever worked on. I for one have no sentiment for the old G chips...

 

[Colossal Squid]

What's the point of buying a Mac to install Windows on it. It kind of defeats the point.

For me personally, the whole idea of mac was spoiled for me when they moved to Intel Processors. I was ready to buy a G5 Tower. At least, correct me If I am wrong you could not install Windows on it, so you made the change for good.

When they used the G5 processors they where unique. People bashed the G5 processors for performance, but still it made the Mac different.

Since then Linux has also got so much better, so I use this now.

The only difference between Mac and Linux is of course the software. But if your not bothered and happy to use the alternatives, then Linux is great. And like Mac, once you have got used to it, you end up staying with it.

Just don't infect your lovely mac by installing Windows.

The G5 was just a model number. The fifth generation. The processors they used to use were PowerPC processors, as opposed to the Intel chips of today.

As for Linux, I agree it has come on leaps and bounds, and I use Mint Linux on my secondary (backup) laptop HOWEVER it is still not as easy as it could be. You ultimately do need a degree of technical knowledge to make the most out of it and you're well up shit creek if anything goes wrong. Then there's compatibility. I know WINE makes a fist of running Windoze apps, but there is still an awful lot it can't run and this makes it a pain, particularly if you like gaming because there are absolutely NO decent commercial titles that will run properly under Linux.

Now don't get me wrong, I do like Linux (even if I've given up on Ubuntu since that monstrosity Natty Narwhal) but it's difficult to compare it with a fresh new Mac with OSX. The Mac and its operating system have been designed with each other in mind, to exist in perfect harmony, whereas Linux is an OS that you install over whatever collection of components you're using for a PC. It isn't tailor made for your computer, whereas OSX is tailor made to your Mac.

People often make the mistake that it's simply a case of comparing operating systems, with the pretty Mac hardware acting as fluffer, but this is WRONG. When you buy a Mac you buy a high quality machine that has been built with precision and care. It's sturdy, it's tough, it's solid and it's built to last. THEN you can bring the OS into the equation and YES the Mac's OSX pisses all over the competition, but part of the reason for this is it having been spec'd with the exact hardware in mind so the computer and its components speak to and get on with the operating system it's running.

As a final point I'd like to draw your attention to how well Macs hold their value, so should you feel you need to get a newer model, you can usually offset the cost by selling your old model for a fair few bob. As I mentioned before, ebay will show you countless examples of old Mac computers fetching very decent money, because they're nowhere near as disposable as your average Chinese built plastic laptop

 

[brakespear]

If you got a like for like quote for a PC with the same guts as a Mac, you'd find the prices are not as far apart as people would have you believe.

If you're buying a PC off the shelf maybe - not if you build your own though. PC

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

You don't need.

However, it is true to say that after years of being virus and malware free, the Mac is finally in the sights of the bad guys. The reason for this is believed to be simple maths...

It is thought that about 15-20% of PC users are the technically naive (and stupid) who are likely to fall for the usual tricks the bad guys use to hook us. Over the past 5 years or so, PC sales have gradually diminished, whilst Mac sales have been absolutely soaring. As a results, although still very small compared to the PC market, Macs now represent around 15% of total machine sales.

So, the total number of Macs out there now roughly equals the number of PCs in the hands of 'stupid' users. Mac owners have been fed on a diet of care-free no-virus usage and as such, their guard is generally down and so it is believed they are highly susceptible to falling for bad stuff. Additionally, Mac users tend to be wealthier than your average PC user so, if you are able to compromise them, your haul is likely to be of greater value.

The Mac is likely to receive further focus from dodgy geezers, but I'd still rather have a Mac than a PC from the angle of security.

Beyond all that, Macs are clearly funky, cool and fab. PCs aren't. Job done.

i pesonnaly couldn't give a toss about what is and isn't cool but thanks for your imput on the subject .

 

[Bozza]

i pesonnaly couldn't give a toss about what is and isn't cool but thanks for your imput on the subject .

Can I humbly suggest you get some form of spell checking facility onto your PC?

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Can I humbly suggest you get some form of spell checking facility onto your PC?

i know i'm shocking

 

[adrian29uk]

Fair points. I don't know but the Intel thing put me off Mac. I used OS9 and absolutely loved it. As regards Wine I have managed to get Dreamweaver 9 and Photoshop 7 installed and they do work perfectly.

As regards when things go wrong with Linux sometimes it goes straight over your head, agreed. But I have managed to find myself out of trouble using Google, and like Mac's I have not had one single crash. Secondly the machine boots and shuts down in seconds.

Both Linux and Mac are secure. I do the like the idea of giving programs root access when installing software. But most definately the thing I love about Linux the most is being able to install a simple LAMP server. I should imagine it is exactly the same process on Macs via the terminal. In 10 minutes I can have a basic webserver up and running. Microsoft requires you to buy their server operating system, not unless you for a WAMP server on windows which is Free

 

[Badger]

Ask yourself how many people suggest PCs are better.

That's mainly because most people who have Macs like to shout about how AMAZING their shiny new toys are.

I use PCs because I do a fair bit of coding and don't really have an issue with Windows (except the evil Vista). I haven't had much experience with Macs and I'm sure they are great but for christ sake STOP banging on about how brilliant they are.

 

[Dizzle.]

Bought my iMac a few weeks back, fairly safe to say it's the best purchase i've ever made.

 

[Triggaaar]

PC for me every time, much faster for the money. Macs are nice, but expensive for what you get. If you can afford it (or don't need it to be really speedy) they can be a nice solution. I need a fast machine though, and don't want to spend the extra on making it a mac.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

but for christ sake STOP banging on about how brilliant they are.

When they stop being brilliant I'm sure I will

 

[MrShaun15]

...via the Amazon link on NSC? I noticed a Macbook Pro go through on our affiliate report.

no sorry haha

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I like playing vidyya games, and you get a lot more bang for your buck with PC's. I do own a macbook though but never use it these days.

 

[Dex10]

Cheers for all the advice.... Mac it is then!

 

[bhaexpress]

you need anti virus for these now .

You do actually, there's a virus called Mac Defender that has conned quite a few people out of some cash. As Macs become more popular there will be Mac Specific Spyware. The only problem with moving from a PC to a Mac is using your PC Software on it. Granted you can run Windows 7 on a Mac but frankly, why bother ?

 

[adrian29uk]

You do actually, there's a virus called Mac Defender that has conned quite a few people out of some cash. As Macs become more popular there will be Mac Specific Spyware. The only problem with moving from a PC to a Mac is using your PC Software on it. Granted you can run Windows 7 on a Mac but frankly, why bother ?

When you think about it, Macs are really no safer than Windows. If people are silly enough to allow these programmes root access to install without first checking on the internet to make sure the programme is legit, then it will keep happening and then Macs will start getting a bad reputation.

The only difference I can see is that it might be easier to get rid of the rubbish and these viruses won't screw your whole operating system up like it does with Windows.

 

[Fef]

Cheers for all the advice.... Mac it is then!

Good man! Welcome to the dark side - you'll not regret it.

 

[Southstandfaithful]

Another vote for Mac. I got a Macbook Pro last year and would never go back.

 

[gazingdown]

You do actually, there's a virus called Mac Defender that has conned quite a few people out of some cash. As Macs become more popular there will be Mac Specific Spyware. The only problem with moving from a PC to a Mac is using your PC Software on it. Granted you can run Windows 7 on a Mac but frankly, why bother ?

Mac Defender is NOT a virus. It's a trojan, it requires the user to download and install the app and run it, giving it permission to do so (although the Safari option may mean you don't get prompted to open the installer). Apple have put in an update anyway.

The irony is, only those that "believe" or think Macs are currently vulnerable to viruses would be the very ones that put their system at risk. Most people would think "why would I want an AV, I've got a mac" and not installed it and thus been safe.

There's plenty of documentation (and mis-information from the anti-mac-boys) about Mac security (which have Unix underpinnings much like Linux etc.), user permissions, sandboxing apps etc.

However, with anything, if in doubt do not install something. Same goes for Windows.

It doesn't matter how secure you make your house if you just give some stranger the keys

 

[bhaexpress]

I like Macs but I also like PCs. I'm getting an Ipad as it is still a long way ahead of the Android efforts and in fact not any more expensive. I use a PC as I work with them. Whilst Macs are growing in volume for home users few organisations use them apart from legacy graphics users. I do know of one small publicity firm based in the West End who use Macs for the simple reason that they look better. However they use a Windows based server as in fact do Apple themselves in the UK because it's a lot cheaper. I'd really like a Mac Book Air but only if I got one given to me. Just too expensive. I used a Windows Laptop with a solid state hard drive, Windows was up in about thirty seconds.

Worth noting that it's all very well to say it's cheaper to build your own PC, that's only true if you have components to hand. However to build one from scratch buying all the hardware not to mention the software it most certainly is not cheaper. The only reason I'd build my own now is for an upgrade using a lot of the kit I have already. If I was buying a computer for somebody else I'd buy one off the shelf along with a decent warranty.

It's also fair to say you can do a hell of a lot more performance with an obsolete PC using Linux rather than Windows, especially Vista and 7.