MAC--pc?? what to do????

The Dan · Joined: Dec 09, 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Mexico

Im in open possibilities. Im currently a Pc guy. tell me why I should consider changing to MAC (advantages...?) Question

mosc · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:50 pm Post subject:

The Dan, to our forums. Glad to have you here. Where abouts in Mexico are your living?

There is quite a bit of discussion on Mac vs. PC here on the forum. The discussions can get heated, so we try to avoid them where ever possible. Laughing

I have a G4 Power Book and a bunch of Windows machines. I got the Mac about a year ago and after I played with it for about a month I posted a message saying something like, "what am I missing? The Mac doesn't seem to have anything a modern Windows machine has." I can't find that topic or I'd point you to it.

In my opinion, the Mac GUI is not better than Windows, and in some cases it's not as good. There is some great software that runs only on Macs, but there some that runs only on Windows too. The selection of hardware you can get for Windows is huge and you can only buy Mac hardware from one company. You'll consistently play higher prices for Apple hardware than for Windows/Intel hardware with similar performance. The PowerBooks are built very cheaply, IMHO.

There is an expression that the Mac "just works". Well, I can tell you they crash on occasion. Java on the Mac doesn't work. I think these "easier to use" and "more reliable" arguments were probably right a few years ago, but today the Mac/Windows contest is a pretty much a draw.

The biggest argument against Apple is that they are loosing market share. They are down to 2.4% of the desktops and dropping. Apples big new products are the iPods. That should tell you something.

So, IMHO, use what you are comfortable with. I once thought there was a reason to switch from Windows to Mac, now that I made the switch, I don't think so anymore.

This is an argument that nobody will win. I should probably not have spoken up about this.

paul e. · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 10:35 pm Post subject:

you might have guessed i would chime in Very Happy

i would pretty much agree...except

1. you don't have to buy apple-only hardware ..there are many 3rd party hardware products for apple

2. java does work on mac

other than that, if you do stick with PC, don;t connect your music PC to the 'net..otherwise you may spend a lot of time with a virus-riddled machine, and if you can, keep an old PC on the go for your surfing

seraph · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 12:42 am Post subject:

play · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:21 am Post subject:

I've gotten a virus once on windows when I wasn't running a firewall. It's true that there are rather a lot more virus/trojans etc. targeting windows machines but I think if you follow common sense and run a firewall you'll be fine.

Ok, I'll be the guy that says PC's are better. Go to monarchcomputer.com and see what you can get for the same price as a dual G5. Or I'll just tell you: dual AMD opterons, 2GB DDR 400, FireXL 256 pro card, dvd-rom, dvd burner, 21" monitor, 2 X 160GB SATA drives. That blows the basic $3000 G5 out of the water and also leaves room for relatively cheap upgrades such as 1.8 Terrabytes storage, 16GB RAM, etc.

I'm not a huge microsoft fan but after using macs in a production environment I have to say, the interface leaves much to be desired. I mean come on, one mouse button? And still no tree-like file browsing WITH a separate folder window like on windows. It's like jogging on one foot. The way OSX truncates filenames is confusing annd annoying.

I can see getting a new mac if I was someone that had always used macs and was very comfortable with them but I think for a user that could go either way it's a waste of money.

Apple tries to project the image of being friendly but they are just like every other company. Trying to create a monopoly on pro software/hardware. Don't be duped by cute ads.

There, done. Now seraph can refute me point for point ::)

seraph · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:56 am Post subject:

mosc · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:15 pm Post subject:

Well, I will say that if you hook a three button Logitech mouse up to an OSX mashine, it will work like you want it to, which is a good thing.

I think we've covered this subject quite a bit. I'm impressed we haven't gotten down to insults and personal attacks. I don't want to stop discussion on any topic. No one's objective is to convert people to switch platforms, any more than it would make sense to take someone who plays a flute to switch to a trombone. Still, when someone who hasn't committed to a specific platform asks "what to do?", then I guess there is the potential for disagreement. We disagree on lots of stuff, but we do so with respect - that's the important thing.

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1751 Location: Norway

I'll give you a quote from the sadly missed technophobe, John Lennon:

WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT!

Cool

paul e. · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:10 pm Post subject:

the one button..this is a very intuitive, easy thing to use..very elegant i think

as for the windows navigation..not sure what OS version you have tried , but that style of navigation is possible...

paul e. · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject:

mosc · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:31 pm Post subject:

seraph · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 1:44 am Post subject:

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1751 Location: Norway

Iif (like me) you're useless with computers, you have to know yor options.
Do you
-Have enough money that you can pay a computer consultant every time you fuck up?
-Have friends who know their computers inside out and can give you invaluable advice and assistance?
I chose the latter, and thanks to our very own Stein Grebstad (electro80), that worked brilliantly. Luckily, he doesn't have a car, so I'm able to repay my moral debt, as it were, by carting stuff around for him and his lovely lady.
Oh, and it helps if it's someone you get along well with.
Cool