Trying to find the link but the salary average Mac User vs PC User shows the opposite if you wish to base income average as a gauge with Mac User making on the average 5000 dollars more a year.mmouse said:
iMac or PC?
- Thread starter WoodPeckr
- Start date
This question should be at the heart of your decision... What are you going to be doing with this thing?Meister said:
In my business we use both Macs and PCs. Both have advantages. Our office runs on PCs on a Windows server, simply because our MIS system only runs in a Windows environment
Our design division works in the Mac world for the same reason.
If you want a nice little computer for your home, either will do. The Macs are cool looking, ready to go out of the box, stable as hell, and all common apps are readily available for them. If you already own ton of PC software, then a Mac wouldn't make much sense.
The comments about Apple Care are correct. We run 6 Macs, and employees have perhaps that many at home as well. I am not aware of any serious breakdowns, (A dvd drive died, easily replaced) but as I recall, the extended warranty isn't especially costly and might give you some piece of mind.
As for the OS, you'll find the Mac very easy to pick-up. Windows OS is gradually getting closer to Mac, and from what I have seen of Vista (which isn't a lot), the interface will be pretty damn similar!
The real question is: what do you want to do with your computer?
If you want games, then buy an Xbox or some such thing. Or you can spend over 2K to set up a "gaming" PC. There are some great games for the Mac, but you will find that there are a zillion times more games for the PC.
Office productivity? Either platform works. The Mac has the advantage in stability, resistance to hackers and virus attacks. The Mac is simpler and easier to use for people that have no computer experience. If you have years of PC experience you will be frustrated by the change in the interface. I know a switcher that every time I chat with her, she tells me why she hates her new Mac because it cannot do x, y or z. And each time I tell her how to do x, y or z and she is shocked and surprised that the Mac will do it. What has happened is that she tries to run the Mac OS like Windows, and does not take the time to look in the "help" menu.
Special software. A buddy has a programme designed to help small business owners that run auto shop repair. It comes in only a Windows flavour. It would be silly for him to switch to a Mac. While there are some programmes that run only on a Mac, the vast majority of "non consumer" programmes are for Windows/Unix.
How much software do you want to replace? Switching platforms means buying all new software. Office files are transportable, I send excel files to PC users all the time. There are some macro's that are created in the Windows environment that will not run in the Mac version, but by and large a Office file works on either platform.
If you approach the question with the attitude that all Mac users are idiots and that Macs are only for artists, clearly you have already decided to buy a PC.
If you want games, then buy an Xbox or some such thing. Or you can spend over 2K to set up a "gaming" PC. There are some great games for the Mac, but you will find that there are a zillion times more games for the PC.
Office productivity? Either platform works. The Mac has the advantage in stability, resistance to hackers and virus attacks. The Mac is simpler and easier to use for people that have no computer experience. If you have years of PC experience you will be frustrated by the change in the interface. I know a switcher that every time I chat with her, she tells me why she hates her new Mac because it cannot do x, y or z. And each time I tell her how to do x, y or z and she is shocked and surprised that the Mac will do it. What has happened is that she tries to run the Mac OS like Windows, and does not take the time to look in the "help" menu.
Special software. A buddy has a programme designed to help small business owners that run auto shop repair. It comes in only a Windows flavour. It would be silly for him to switch to a Mac. While there are some programmes that run only on a Mac, the vast majority of "non consumer" programmes are for Windows/Unix.
How much software do you want to replace? Switching platforms means buying all new software. Office files are transportable, I send excel files to PC users all the time. There are some macro's that are created in the Windows environment that will not run in the Mac version, but by and large a Office file works on either platform.
If you approach the question with the attitude that all Mac users are idiots and that Macs are only for artists, clearly you have already decided to buy a PC.
Yes, that's true, but I am not talking about putting an advertisement or magazine layout together. The industry standards for product/machinery and tool design are programmes like Catia, Pro/E, Solidworks, Autodesk...shakenbake said:
Most likely your car, toaster, big screen tv... was designed on PC.
This is a huge part of the development and manufacturing industry with no Apple in sight. This will probably not change for a long time because these industries are global and the last thing you need is compatibility issues between the design house in California and the manufacturing house in China.
I'm not saying Apple is bad, just establish your applications first.
simonwagstaff said:
I totally agree. I have been a been a mac user ever since the first iMac. About 5 years ago, a girlfriend and I got new computers. She bought a Pentium3 and I got an imac g4/800mhz.
After 5 years I am still using my imac as my main computer and hers is in the trash. If you want a computer that lasts then get a mac. They also have a higher resale value. I could easily sell my imac today for around $500.
There are also alot of highend programs that work better on a mac or are even mac only. Mac can also run windows and I am pretty sure linux.
I am sure if you did a poll with the question " If you run WinXP,would you ever consider trying the MacOs?" and vice versa.. You will find that alot of windows users would consider using MacOs, but I believe that you won't find too many Mac users willing to switch to WinXP.
I think you should spend some time on apple's website, their OS has way more features then I seen on windows. Check out Dashboard and Automator.. two great features that are not available for windows.
Thanks
Nicole
When buying a PC, all you have to ask is. What is the purpose of the PC.
What software will you be running?
Once you've answered this questions, you can then decide on the type of PC you want to purchase.
What software will you be running?
Once you've answered this questions, you can then decide on the type of PC you want to purchase.
Mac Addicts
Ok, as a Mac User and my preferred everyday platform (besides linux) I will have to reply to this...
Frankly I get annoyed at this also, but to balance things out, there are a large number of PC users (with absolutely no experience with macs) who brutally hate the platform and spew obscenities and misinformation that is, in some cases, more than 10 years old.
I like quality, and while Apple has produced some lemons, the machines have a much longer usuable life than their PC counter parts. Now, before I get flamed.. this opinion is purely based on a a representive sample of 6000 systems, nearly equally split over a 5 year span. We have to replace PC hardware nearly twice as fast, except for the more expensive PC boxes. Guess you get what you pay for. Also, the number of tech support calls are far fewer and less severe in nature for OSX
I've been in Best Buy and I've overheard sales people telling people that Macs aren't very good, they crash a lot and there aren't any programs for them... some of them have even gone as far as saying that the company is nearly bankrupt. Even in this day and age!!!
Microsoft is a master of "FUD" fear, uncertainty and doubt, three primal driving forces in making decisions.
Apple is no angel, but they are scrutinized so closely by their installed base, that they are very picky about quality. I've coded for NT and XP and
I can tell you that its not walk in the park, compared to UNIX or OSX (or any UNIX variant).
Pesonally, I don't really care which platform you choose. I prefer to have choices and I enjoy using my mac. Its on 24/7 gets booted only for updates. My next best choices are Ubuntu and Fedora.
Ponder this:
If apple was so bad, then why the heck has Microsoft put so much money and effort into copying them?
Another point with Microsoft that bothers me
http://www.fuckmicrosoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml
take a look... the files are there, I've been instructed by managment in a company I worked for to retrieve these files on an employee's computer to
see what he was doing with his computer. I had a woman come to me with the entire computer, monitor and all, to see if her husband was cheating on her. Keep in mind that article was written with win98 in mind, but XP has it also. Vista is absolutely scary.
Thank goodness for Firefox and Thunderbird.
Ok, as a Mac User and my preferred everyday platform (besides linux) I will have to reply to this...
mmm_go said:
Frankly I get annoyed at this also, but to balance things out, there are a large number of PC users (with absolutely no experience with macs) who brutally hate the platform and spew obscenities and misinformation that is, in some cases, more than 10 years old.
I like quality, and while Apple has produced some lemons, the machines have a much longer usuable life than their PC counter parts. Now, before I get flamed.. this opinion is purely based on a a representive sample of 6000 systems, nearly equally split over a 5 year span. We have to replace PC hardware nearly twice as fast, except for the more expensive PC boxes. Guess you get what you pay for. Also, the number of tech support calls are far fewer and less severe in nature for OSX
I don't like the right and wrong attitude. I certainly don't believe that 90% of the people out there are wrong. Besides Microsoft has varying % marketshare depending on the audience you measure. I agree with one thing here... I want a set of tools that work day in and day out with out having to tweak, struggle and mess with. I don't need tech support to do what I want or need, since I'm everyone else's tech support. Besides, if it wasn't for microsoft's OS, I wouldn't have a job. My support records show that in a 60/40 split XP/OSX I spend 88% of my time replacing hardware on XP boxes, and fixing XP OS issues.mmm_go said:Isn't technology just that. It's like putting a tool belt on and just loading it with a hammer forgetting about the pliers, screw drivers and cutting tools.
Anyways, just wondered why a technology that has only 10% of the market share is deemed as so great. I guess 90% of us are wrong?
I've been in Best Buy and I've overheard sales people telling people that Macs aren't very good, they crash a lot and there aren't any programs for them... some of them have even gone as far as saying that the company is nearly bankrupt. Even in this day and age!!!
Microsoft is a master of "FUD" fear, uncertainty and doubt, three primal driving forces in making decisions.
Apple is no angel, but they are scrutinized so closely by their installed base, that they are very picky about quality. I've coded for NT and XP and
I can tell you that its not walk in the park, compared to UNIX or OSX (or any UNIX variant).
Pesonally, I don't really care which platform you choose. I prefer to have choices and I enjoy using my mac. Its on 24/7 gets booted only for updates. My next best choices are Ubuntu and Fedora.
Ponder this:
If apple was so bad, then why the heck has Microsoft put so much money and effort into copying them?
Another point with Microsoft that bothers me
http://www.fuckmicrosoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml
take a look... the files are there, I've been instructed by managment in a company I worked for to retrieve these files on an employee's computer to
see what he was doing with his computer. I had a woman come to me with the entire computer, monitor and all, to see if her husband was cheating on her. Keep in mind that article was written with win98 in mind, but XP has it also. Vista is absolutely scary.
Thank goodness for Firefox and Thunderbird.
Your asking the wrong question.
What will you use your computer for? What software do you want to use? Which platform does your software work best on? You have to think of the end result. Either platform has it pros and cons. You just have to add the up and read up on them. If you use to go the non-apple route, then you'll have to decide is your want bleeding edge or..... It then comes down to money
What will you use your computer for? What software do you want to use? Which platform does your software work best on? You have to think of the end result. Either platform has it pros and cons. You just have to add the up and read up on them. If you use to go the non-apple route, then you'll have to decide is your want bleeding edge or..... It then comes down to money
The issue that Macs are resistant to viruses and spyware is bollocks....
No one WRITES viruses or spyware for them. And I guarantee you if they did, it would be a disaster beyond anyones imagination. The hardware of a MAC is far superior and efficient to a PC. Program a good virus to affect them.... and PC users will be laughing till the fat lady sings.
No one WRITES viruses or spyware for them. And I guarantee you if they did, it would be a disaster beyond anyones imagination. The hardware of a MAC is far superior and efficient to a PC. Program a good virus to affect them.... and PC users will be laughing till the fat lady sings.
Not really. While it's true that processor changes are probably the main reason that computers get outdated, the reality is that old Macs tend to fare quite well on their own. New software actually tends to run on old Macs, albeit somewhat slowly depending on the system. On the other hand, new Windows applications tend not to run on equivalent (old) hardware. You could probably install OSX on an old G3 Mac. I doubt you could install Windows XP on an original Pentium I.asn said:
Anyhow, to get back to the original post, learning the OS is not difficult if you approach it with an open mind. It's not Windows and you shouldn't expect everything to be the same. As for replacing the flat panel, I suppose it's possible for it to die but I would think it's very rare. As others have pointed out, AppleCare will take care of replacement of anything. My current 23" flat panel at home was purchased used about 3 - 4 years ago and it's still going fine. At work we've had to replace a few screens on laptops but that's more because the laptops are being slightly abused - moved when they're still warm, crushed in bags, exposed to temperature extremes etc. A home machine basically sits on your desk and doesn't move so I think it should last you a long time.
Not at all. The reality is that the Mac can do the vast majority of what most general consumers need a computer to do - surf, write letters and maybe use Excel once in a while. But sometimes, access to Windows is nice to have. Through Boot Camp or Parallels, Mac users have a choice.mmm_go said:
Even before the switch to Intel processors, Mac users could if they wished, purchase emulation software that would allow them to run the occasional Windows program if they needed to.
For the record, Apple actually resisted Boot Camp for the longest time. But once the hackers out there figured out how to make Windows booting on Intel Macs work, Apple released their "approved" solution of Boot Camp.
I went to that link and tried to see my "really hidden" files and was unable to because I use XP. The article requires you reboot in DOS which is impossible in XP.bitplate said:
Still, it's an extremely interesting and creepy link. I did some google searching on the article to try and find an answer to completing this task in XP. I found one forum where a user wrote something along the lines of, "Learning this information is like finding out your ex was slipping you a date rape drug."
Oh please, talk about hyperbole. Besides I thought this was common knowledge. Windows has always been this way.ThirtySeven said:
In any case, it really depends on what you are doing with the PC. I've always preferred the PC to the Mac as PCs are more upgradable and you have a wider selection of components to choose from. Not to mention a wider selection of software.
One thing to keep in mind about the the whole spyware and virus issue with Macs is that they have been relatively immune thanks to their low marketshare. It hasn't been worth while to design spyware for less then 10% of computers out there. That may all change with their increasing popularity. As well, Macs aren't without their weaknesses. There have been several "security gaps" identififed but Apple is pretty quick to silence discussion about them.
In general Macs tend to be a bit more stable simply becuase the hardware and software are designed by the same company and they know all the possible hardware cinfigurations out there. Windows on Macs would enjoy the same benefit.
I'm pretty much self taught on PCs use it mainly for the internet, email, music (got all the music I've ever wanted) some photos and of course some porn and don't care much about movies or games. Word is about the only office app used. It's basically a fascinating toy for me. Always had a natural curiousity about them the last 10 yrs and now I'm curious about that iMac. It looks great!xarir said:
Believe you can run XP on an original Pentium I.
XP Min. specs call for a PI 233 MHZ with 128 RAM. It would no doubt run slow. Still have a couple friends that still use their old PI 233 MHZ PCs with Win98, mainly for their kids or as 2nd or 3rd PC.
Heck my almost 10 year old Pent II 400 MHZ with 384 SDRAM runs XP PRO pretty well. At first XP did run slow and took 5-6 minutes to boot up with the OEM 8.5 GB, 5400 RPM HD, untill I put in a new 120GB, 7200 RPM HD. The results were remarkable. Most of that slow 'lag' is gone and it boots up now in 75 seconds! Runs great and does all I want it to.
Sure you can run DOS with XP.ThirtySeven said:
My cable modem died a couple months ago and when the Adelphia techie came in to replace it he went right into DOS while putting the new modem in.
He got in through a MS-DOS Prompt on XP.
I know almost nothing about DOS but he had no problems using it.
It was my understanding that the DOS prompt in XP is an emulator, and not actual DOS.
I admit that I know only a bit more than the average computer user so I could very well be wrong. And if anyone can tell me if there is a way to reboot into DOS with XP please share.
I admit that I know only a bit more than the average computer user so I could very well be wrong. And if anyone can tell me if there is a way to reboot into DOS with XP please share.
Actually that is not true...... at The BlackHat Security Conference the hack a server contest you only get 2 points for a NT or 2000 server, 5 for 2003 server, 20 for a Linux Box 25 for a OSX box and 50 for a BSD box.Artifacial said:
So professionals try. People are always trying ot create viruses for OSX as hackers really only want bragging rights...... my Kung Foo is stronger then yours...... if one came up with an actual virus for OSX his stock would hit the roof. Problem is a virus in OSX so far (no true virus has ever been made for OSX) must self propagate and spread with out a users inter action. Without root access on a system it is fairly difficult. There have been many hacks out there for OSX and security updates as well.
Like a PC if you don't read all your pop ups and read before you enter your password or trust sources of data that are unknown you will have problems.
Use a strong password and don;t do anything stupid on any system and you will be almost safe.
SilentLeviathan said:
Missleading... Apple has not silenced discussion about security issues.. They have been quick to release patches to fix issues. Unlike Microsoft which has still not addressed several serious flaws that have been known for over the last 24+ months.
Stability, while tight integration of the OS and hardware has a significant effect, Darwin is rock solid from the start, whether you install it on x386, or powerPC hardware. I ran darwin 7+ on standard PC hardware for several years running xwindows without any issues. It is, by far a more stable system than XP will ever be.
I'm not denying that the wealth of crap components out there makes it difficult for XP to cope, but as the old saying goes... "shit in == shit out"
What the frack do you think we run fedora or Ubuntu on? standard pc hardware. Now in a previous post.. I did say that with quality PC hardware, we had better results with regards to equipment failures etc.
I have a linux box here in my house running fedora core 4 as a production server. Its never had to be rebooted. I've only rebooted it for software upgrades such as critical patches to the kernal. Its running on $600 of PC hardware ( minus the ultra wide 16 bit SCSI drives ). Its reliable, simple as that.
Some of the IT guys I have worked with in the past hated macs because it allowed previously difficult things to be done by less technically skilled people. Really threatened their turf.
