Mac vs Pc

[tonedeaf]

Hello people,
Looking to purchase new Pc.
Thinking maybe Mac.
Not very tech savvy so learing curve cant be too diffuclt.
Pros and cons?
As always any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Adam]

Hey, tonedeaf.

You'll find plenty of information on the Mac vs. PC debate on the web by doing a quick search. Plenty of people have plenty of opinions.

I use both. I'm typing this on my new MacBook Air, but I normally use a PC. Depending on what you want to do with it, you might not notice much difference between the two platforms. For web-surfing, I use Firefox on both systems, and it works exactly the same.

Both Windows 7 and OS X Lion have some learning curve, but they are also both easy to use. Graphical user interfaces on operating systems have come a long way since the 90s, and I consider them to be on par with each other.

If you have specific software that you need to use, check what the OS requirements are. Not all software will work on all operating systems. If you have specific connections that you need to make (USB, firewire, whatever), make sure the hardware that you get supports it.

Mac hardware tends to be more expensive than PC hardware for comparable specifications (amount of hard drive space, RAM, processor). I tend to like the form factor of some Macs better, so sometimes it's worth the price premium to me. I also wanted to try out OS X Lion, so I got the MacBook Air.

As a final thought - you can install Windows on a Mac and run both operating systems on the same machine. The price premium is higher going that route, as you'd pay a premium for the Mac hardware and then have to buy Windows, too.

 

[bikemig]

I've seen some websites that compare the bits and pieces that make up a mac with a similar build in a pc and the cost difference is minimized once you compare apple to apples (no pun intended, . I've used both extensively and I like macs for a home set-up esp. if you are thinking of using one to stream video and music. They have a lot of built in hardware and software to make those tasks fairly straightforward.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm way too cheap for Mac, and I don't have the patience to learn something new.

Hi, I'm AcuDefTechGuy, and I am PC.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I couldn't say it better than Adam did.

Only thing I like to add is too many PC people who "switched" to Mac end up installing Parallels (virtual machine software for mac) and running windows in it ....

Just saying......

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I couldn't say it better than Adam did.

Only thing I like to add is too many PC people who "switched" to Mac end up installing Parallels (virtual machine software for mac) and running windows in it ....

Just saying......

That is too funny.

So they buy Mac, but then run "virtual" Windows on it so that it looks like a PC?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That is too funny.

So they buy Mac, but then run "virtual" Windows on it so that it looks like a PC?

No, it keeps OS-X look and feel, but allows them to use windows programs like Outlook (Outlook 2011 for mac is a joke)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No, it keeps OS-X look and feel, but allows them to use windows programs like Outlook (Outlook 2011 for mac is a joke)

Is it because they just don't want to learn how to use the Mac "equivalent" version?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Is it because they just don't want to learn how to use the Mac "equivalent" version?

The issue is this: 98-99% of companies use Windows based servers for central authentication, management and email (exchange)

While application servers could use variety of OSes, most of the time core servers as windows based and this is due the simple fact - most employees have windows based computer at home and already know how to use (or should know). Same goes for IT - most of them highly trained in Win and since there tons of Win IT experts. Hiring one is usual cheap (er) than expert in other platforms.

This leads to core system (windows based) best work in their windows based clients. To do full switch - it'll be full re-training of users, admins and severely limiting future potential hires.

So, while managers whom can afford macs, end up installing Parallels just to run Windows Outlook to check their emails (like I said native Outlook 2011 for Mac -> SUCKS)

 

[pzaur]

What is it you want to do on your future new laptop?
And...
What is your budget? Macs are pricey. Very pricey for what you receive.

-pat

 

[Adam]

Macs are pricey. Very pricey for what you receive.

You look thirsty. Here, have a cold drink.

 

[skizzerflake]

As a happy owner of both a Mac and a PC, I have to say that I while I need a PC for some Microsoft related work activities (Office files, web development in Share Point), there's nothing else in the world that I can't do on my Mac. In fact, a dirty little secret is that all of the web crew where I work keeps a PC for Share Point, but uses a Mac when it's a matter of choice. You can get a good idea by exploring apple.com and google-ing for "open source mac" to see all the software available for free. In addition, on a Mac, you can run Unix software, X-Windows (Unix-based windowed software), DOS programs, old Apple programs as well as have dual-boot ability to run Windows too (I have not tried this because I don't want to "contaminate" my Mac). You can even get emulators that run CPM software.

It's worth checking out the new Mac Mini, which is out for $599 (although you'd probably want an external DVD drive for about $40 extra). Most of what most people will ever do works great on Mini and if you have a monitor, keyboard and mouse already, you just plug them in and you're ready to go. It has the horsepower to do anything short of serious video editing. Most things you do are quite a bit quicker on a Mac. Mine boots up in 15 seconds, and wakes from sleep in about 5 seconds. The only software that seems to be missing is income tax software (why?) and anti-virus software, which most people don't use. The learning curve is easy and there's lots of support available on Apple's discussion area. I'm not any sort of zealot, but I've been gradually won over.

 

[Alex2507]

 

[Adam]

I can see the picture that I posted on my PC...but not on my Mac. I suppose it knows better than to poke fun at the Creator.

 

[skizzerflake]

I guess that says it....it takes a room full of Ph.D.s to keep a bunch of PC's running and when they are running all at once, everybody cheers.

 

[Adam]

I guess that says it....it takes a room full of Ph.D.s to keep a bunch of PC's running and when they are running all at once, everybody cheers.

Yep. I suppose that why the LHC didn't "just work."

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've built several PCs. For example, my 2 SilverStone Crown CW2, NAS, and 3 other PCs.

Has anyone built a MAC for HT or NAS or anything?

 

[Adam]

Has anyone built a MAC...?

Building a Mac would defeat the purpose - they're suppose to be easy. It would be like me making my own pizza. That's just crazy talk.

People build PCs for the same reason that they use them - they like it when things are more difficult than they need to be.

J/K! Typed on my PC...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That's just crazy talk.

People build PCs for the same reason that they use them - they like it when things are more difficult than they need to be.

Oh, no you didn't.

I like PC for one reason: they are MUCH CHEAPER!!!!!!

Because I am one cheap a$$.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

because i am one cheap a$$.:d

rolflmao