[Technology] P.C. or Mac?

[chickens]

Linux all the way.

If you’re afraid of config files, use Ubuntu, otherwise Manjaro. Linux is the only environment that lets the lad play all his Windows games (via Steam/Proton) and yet lets me use Mac keyboard shortcuts (thanks to Kinto)

It does everything, and it’s fast. The only issue with it (for me) is that when running on battery, it uses more power than Windows/MacOS. Shorten runtimes between charges by about 30-40%

 

[North of Robertsbridge]

To be fair, there are PCs that can rival Apple Silicon Macs for performance and design. I have been looking at the Corsair One but reckon I’ll wait until they offer it with an RTX 5090 GPU

 

[Monkey Man]

I was persuaded to switch to Macs at Currys many years ago. I was there to buy yet another Hewlett Packard PC that would die, like all the others, after about two and a half years.

I told the sales guy I wasn't a big fan of Macs as I used them at work and always found Windows to be better.

He pointed out that a Mac would last much longer and work out cheaper in the long run. He was right.

Over the years I've now probably bought 10 Macs for home and work use (I have a small team) and also have Mac laptops, iPhones and iPads. I guess you have to choose a side and I went with Apple.

The machines are pretty good but I've had to have hard drives replaced a few times. The Mac expert who does the job points out that it's now very hard to repair a Mac as Apple has designed the hardware that way. So more unnecessary landfill. I also don't like the fact that after about 10 years, even if your machine is running fine, it's basically obsolete and you can't download the latest OS.

 

[North of Robertsbridge]

I also don't like the fact that after about 10 years, even if your machine is running fine, it's basically obsolete and you can't download the latest OS.

There may be workarounds. I have a 15 year old Mac Pro 5,1 running on the latest Mac OS using Opencore Legacy Patcher

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

As an IT infrastructure person I hate Apple. Really, why can't they keep to industry standards ? My hate started 30+ years ago when you had to get a network to carry Appletalk to get them working on a network. Glad they've been forced to use USB-C for charging.

Thank the EU

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I mean, can you imagine walking into the local third wave coffee shop, opening up your man bag and getting out a Dell or something. People will laugh and point at you.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

You don't need to buy a new PC every couple of years either. It's not like it used to be, the performance increases are much smaller these days. I have an Asus laptop I bought in 2020 and I don't notice any performance issues.

I have a MacBook Pro which I bought early 2020. I use it every day for my work, and it’s still going strong with the latest operating system installed.

 

[BadFish]

Most often Macs are compared to considerably cheaper windows machines so they appear better.

I use a MacBook air for work and a comparable dell at home.

I'm not sure if it's because I am trying to use Microsoft stuff on my Mac and it doesn't like it but things just don't work right, e.g. I have to restart outlook three or four times a day at work. Add to this the lack of connection for my camera (a couple of USB C ports is apple deem necessary) and I much prefer my PC.

I like the freedom to make my own decisions and apple are too controlling.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I like the freedom to make my own decisions and apple are too controlling.

What decisions ?

 

[BadFish]

What decisions ?

Eek. I've stirred the apple enthusiasts

If I stop posting, Bozza has had be liquidated.

Using office stuff and other inputs/connectors would be a start.

Edit: On reflection, this maybe more my work that is stopping choice rather than apple. I guess if I wanted to buy one I could have a card reader and other USB inputs.

 

[albionalba]

I was a complete PC / Laptop MS Windows fan and thought Macs were for hipsters and then that MS tablet thing came out in 2013/14?? and it was useless and needed even more rebooting than my PC. I replaced it with an ipad which blew it away and now I am a total Mac user with many different Apple devices at home and work. I struggle now even if have to do a presentation and there's a Windows laptop set up...

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Eek. I've stirred the apple enthusiasts

If I stop posting, Bozza has had be liquidated.

Using office stuff and other inputs/connectors would be a start.

Edit: On reflection, this maybe more my work that is stopping choice rather than apple. I guess if I wanted to buy one I could have a card reader and other USB inputs.

I think it’s fair to say I’m an enthusiast

I use my MacBook for work and have have never felt I’m restricted in anyway, I have the Macbbook version of Microsoft Office installed for example. I’m sure they’re are some issues but as a “regular” worker not doing any truly niche stuff it’s fine.

I have a MacBook, IPad and just bought a new iPhone, the way they all work in harmony is amazing. I cannot see myself ever changing.

 

[BadFish]

I think it’s fair to say I’m an enthusiast

I use my MacBook for work and have have never felt I’m restricted in anyway, I have the Macbbook version of Microsoft Office installed for example. I’m sure they’re are some issues but as a “regular” worker not doing any truly niche stuff it’s fine.

I have a MacBook, IPad and just bought a new iPhone, the way they all work in harmony is amazing. I cannot see myself ever changing.

After this discussion this morning I was hyper aware of how often I have to restart outlook during the day. Basically everytime I use it.

However this is probably to do with the ridiculous and low end security we have as part of the joys of working in a school.

 

[Professor Plum]

I was a complete PC / Laptop MS Windows fan and thought Macs were for hipsters and then that MS tablet thing came out in 2013/14?? and it was useless and needed even more rebooting than my PC. I replaced it with an ipad which blew it away and now I am a total Mac user with many different Apple devices at home and work. I struggle now even if have to do a presentation and there's a Windows laptop set up...

Very similar story to me. For years I mocked 'Apple fanboys' without really knowing anything about the products. Then in 2013 I bought an iPad on special offer at a local shop, and I was instantly hooked. A MacBook and iMac followed next time i needed replacements. I held out for years against getting an iPhone purely on the grounds of expense but eventually caved and quickly realised I could never do without one again. Last year I finally bought an Apple Watch which I’m actually a bit meh about. In short, I’ve become the Apple fanboy I used to take the piss out of. I don’t care!

 

[beorhthelm]

Linux all the way.

If you’re afraid of config files, use Ubuntu, otherwise Manjaro. Linux is the only environment that lets the lad play all his Windows games (via Steam/Proton) and yet lets me use Mac keyboard shortcuts (thanks to Kinto)

It does everything, and it’s fast. The only issue with it (for me) is that when running on battery, it uses more power than Windows/MacOS. Shorten runtimes between charges by about 30-40%

is Steam running all their catalogue on Linux now? logical with the Steam deck they should, but saw mixed info and not revisited. have games is about the only reason i use Windows over Linux.

 

[chickens]

is Steam running all their catalogue on Linux now? logical with the Steam deck they should, but saw mixed info and not revisited. have games is about the only reason i use Windows over Linux.

Success rate is about 90% with Windows games. If there are specific games that are non-negotiable for you, check ProtonDB.com and look up the game. It’ll tell you if it runs and is playable.

There’s a bit of setup on the Linux side to get the environment working. You need to install Wine (Windows emulation) plus protontricks and the Linux Steam package.

By default, all Windows games will be greyed out and not installable in Steam, you have to right click on the game and select Compatibility->Use a specific compatibility layer, then select the version of Proton you want to run with (latest unless specified otherwise)

The games will then be installable and playable. I was expecting a 50/50 success rate, so have been delighted that pretty much everything I or my son would want to play works perfectly.

 

[Blues Guitarist]

The Apple Watch is wasted on me though. One came with the phone and maybe I'm missing something major but I don't see the benefit in having one at all if I've already got my phone with me, so that'll probably be given to Mini Exile soon.

The watch is all about the apps you use. It tells me my speed and heart rate when I’m out running, gives me directions without looking at your phone while walking through a new city, calls the emergency services if you have a bad fall and don’t click to say you’re ok, and - most importantly, tells me how far I am from the green and the distance to the bunkers. And you can make phone calls from the watch if you forget your phone.

 

[Bold Seagull]

To be fair, there are PCs that can rival Apple Silicon Macs for performance and design. I have been looking at the Corsair One but reckon I’ll wait until they offer it with an RTX 5090 GPU

Absolutely. After 15 years on MacbookPros (30 years on Macs!) I'm back on a HP ZBook G9 and it does everything admirably, although under warranty it did need something major as it got sent back to HP, tracked to Poland, then returned working again. We think motherboard replacement but they never told us!

Anyway, I digress, the things that I miss is mainly the OS rather than performance. I miss using Mac email where attaching photos and resizing them is just a simple click and a choice of small, medium, large, original - you've been able to do this on a Mac for over 20 years. Outlook and Windows appear unable to make attachments as simple as they are on a Mac.

For the most part I can switch pretty seemlessly from my MBP at home to my PC. The acid test will come when I have to replace my now approaching 10 year old MBP!

 

[RandyWanger]

It was a screen issue that was fixed for free under applecare. A single part was damaged (I strongly suspect in transit by me or over zealous airport security) which they already had in.

We are an international company and work remotely in distributed teams. It was take it to the Apple Store and get it fixed free under warranty or buy a new one for £££££££. There's no local IT hardware team that make that decision.

ah okay so instead of using an in between like helloretriever you go direct to apple.

 

[Guinness Boy]

ah okay so instead of using an in between like helloretriever you go direct to apple.

I live 20 mins from the Apple Store so yes!