Is a Mac better than a PC?

[Chase.]

I've always used windows.
Grew up with it.
But I've been looking into Macs. I love how smooth it looks, and I like the features they come with.
But, I want to know which is better, so I don't make a bad decision.
Help?

[acid_soda]

When you're paying for a mac, you're paying for a PC that looks smooth, has a few cool applications, and has tons of silly little gadgets

When you're paying for a Windows PC, you're paying for a PC that works

[Goku]

Let's not turn this into a flame war...

I find that Macs are good for people who are mainly interested in browsing the internet, checking e-mail, and maybe some word processing. PC's control most of the third-party software and applications. PC's are also better for playing games.

I find that the Mac OS is a LOT more stable than Windows. Windows will come up with problems without the user doing anything. On the other hand, if a Mac has a problem, it's typically a pretty big problem.

Like I said before: Let's not turn this into a flame war.

(I'm not quite sure if this is even in the right forum, but I don't see the harm in it. I'll browse the forums to see if there's a better home for this thread.)

[PsychoMantis]

As Goku said, it just depends on what you will be using it for. But, I do disagree with the stability issue as it just depends on who is using a PC or a Mac. Granted I have only used 2 Macs and one froze twice and it was brand new. Needless to say I wasn't allowed to use it anymore.

But anyways, what will you primarily be using the computer for Chase.?

[Chase.]

Originally Posted by PsychoMantis

But anyways, what will you primarily be using the computer for Chase.?

Normal stuff, like music, email, myspace, you know...
I have a windows xp, from.....like, the middle of 2007 I think.
And it's been through a lot.
It once belonged to an elder in my family, and you know they don't know sh!t about computers.
Haha.
But, I've cleaned this one up pretty good.
I'm just wondering if it'd be a good idea to do a switchover from windows to apple.

[the master 123]

That would you choice however If you have a good deal of windows software it probably won't be useful because you find that you be use vitalization(like virtual pc or virtualbox) to run it or install windows in the mac(only the newer intel based mac can do this) to run it. I wouldn't recommend it though but I never use a mac. Only thing I would say is because mac is less common it won't be a choice of hacker and will have better security because of it.

[Tim!]

As long as you are smart about using windows (using a good antivirus, good antispywate/malware...etc) your computer will run really good. I would recommend staying with windows.

If you were looking to get a new computer I would wait until July. Windows 7 will be a free upgrade and it is a lot better than Vista.

[Crazy Jamie]

But, I do disagree with the stability issue as it just depends on who is using a PC or a Mac.

It doesn't. Windows degrades irrespective of what you install on it or how you treat. Mac OSX does not.

The bottom line is that Mac OSX is a much more stable and much better designed operating system than Windows is. And in general Macs are significantly better designed and much better built than PCs. But you pay for that extra quality in the price, because Macs are more expensive. Simply put, you get what you pay for.

The majority of the classic arguments in this debate are no defunct. Macs can run Windows from the off and as such can play any game that a PC can, the majority of them actually within OSX without restarting using VM Fusion or Parallels. The only thing that Macs cannot do that PCs can is now mainly refined to professional PC actions such as programming. On the flip side PCs do not do graphic design and the like as well as Macs.

But both of those exceptions are specialist and do not apply to the average person. In which case for me it simply comes down to two things; the leap of faith and the price. Most PC users will not move to Mac OSX because they do not know anything about it and it is different. Macs are also more expensive, making it a genuinely difficult choice to change to a Mac. But the vast majority of people who take that leap and buy a Mac stay with them, which for me speaks volumes. Personally I consider Macs to be a superior product to PCs, but they are more expensive. You get what you pay for.

[PsychoMantis]

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

It doesn't. Windows degrades irrespective of what you install on it or how you treat. Mac OSX does not.

Yes it does, you clearly aren't computer literate otherwise you wouldn't use a Mac. Maybe that is why you run into trouble? (That was just a joke, don't get mad over that one. )

But seriously, if you use a PC properly you will have no trouble. And even if you do it can be easily diagnosed. But if a Mac has a problem no one knows what to do.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

The bottom line is that Mac OSX is a much more stable and much better designed operating system than Windows is. And in general Macs are significantly better designed and much better built than PCs. But you pay for that extra quality in the price, because Macs are more expensive. Simply put, you get what you pay for.

I don't want to get into this.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

The majority of the classic arguments in this debate are no defunct. Macs can run Windows from the off and as such can play any game that a PC can,

You act like Macs run games as good. Like I have said many times before, a PC that is $1000-$1500 cheaper can run games better than a Mac. Also, "like I have said many times before" why use a Mac if you are just going to end up using Windows.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

On the flip side PCs do not do graphic design and the like as well as Macs.

This argument is sh*t. I can not stand when people say this. Tell me one advantage a Mac has over a PC in the graphic design department. PCs have every thing that a Mac has and more. Photoshop runs better on a PC and that is a fact. I am talking about the $1000-$1500 cheaper PC of course. Also, how many professional 3D modelers use Macs? Very few, because they need to render and it is much much cheaper on a PC and it is faster.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

But both of those exceptions are specialist and do not apply to the average person. In which case for me it simply comes down to two things; the leap of faith and the price. Most PC users will not move to Mac OSX because they do not know anything about it and it is different.

I know them enough, to know I don't want one.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

Macs are also more expensive, making it a genuinely difficult choice to change to a Mac. But the vast majority of people who take that leap and buy a Mac stay with them, which for me speaks volumes. Personally I consider Macs to be a superior product to PCs, but they are more expensive. You get what you pay for.

You get what you pay for? Yeah right. The reason I will never buy a Mac is for what you mentioned, you don't get what you pay for. I am going to use this Mac as an example. If I was going to drop $2000+ dollars on a computer, there is no way in hell it would be for a Mac. I could build an absolutely amazing computer for that much money. And it would be better than any Mac model for many years.

Also, $1000 for an extra 4gb? What a ripoff...

[acid_soda]

Actually, windows xp does get less and less stable over time. But I've used my particular install of windows vista since 2008, and I have yet to see any problems on that partition. Of course, I do virus scans every once in a while and i have it programmed to do a defrag every tuesday at 11am when I'm not home, but even when I didn't do that it ran perfectly well.

Right now, I'm using Windows 7 RC and I can't say I've been dissapointed by it. A brand new interface and less processor-intensive features really make this version stand out.

Originally Posted by PsychoMantis

You get what you pay for? Yeah right. The reason I will never buy a Mac is for what you mentioned, you don't get what you pay for. I am going to use this Mac as an example. If I was going to drop $2000+ dollars on a computer, there is no way in hell it would be for a Mac. I could build an absolutely amazing computer for that much money. And it would be better than any Mac model for many years.

Also, $1000 for an extra 4gb? What a ripoff...

Also, this. I understand that people pay a premium price for the usability of a Mac, but 1,000 dollars for eight gigabytes of ram is just absolutely ridiculous. I am aware that it's DDR3 that's being sold, but you could get that same kit from newegg for 700 dollars. Or you could just go DDR2 like I do and get 8 gigs for 98 dollars and achieve roughly the same performance

[Crazy Jamie]

Originally Posted by PsychoMantis

Yes it does, you clearly aren't computer literate otherwise you wouldn't use a Mac. Maybe that is why you run into trouble? (That was just a joke, don't get mad over that one. )

I know this was a joke, but people do say this in seriousness. But why should anybody attract criticism for choosing to use something that is inherently easier to use than the alternative? You need to know an awful lot about PCs to get the level of use out of them that you are describing in your post, and that is a level of knowledge that the average person doesn't have. So why is that talked about as an advantage when it is quite the opposite?

But seriously, if you use a PC properly you will have no trouble. And even if you do it can be easily diagnosed. But if a Mac has a problem no one knows what to do.

This is a ridiculous statement for the same reason as above. It's not a case of using it 'properly'. It's about knowing a lot about how PCs function, and whichever way you spin it this is not basic knowledge or a matter of common sense. It requires knowledge that the average person just doesn't have.

Oh, and 'no one knows what to do' if a Mac has a problem? Where did you pull that baseless comment from? That statement isn't even remotely true.

It's like comparing a bolt action rifle that has a tendency to jam and a reliable semi automatic rifle. Your point is effectively that if you know how to use the bolt action rifle it won't jam and you can use it as effectively as the semi automatic. That's true, but to do that requires a lot of knowledge about the bolt action rifle, and whichever way you spin it the semi automatic is inherently easier to use for the average person. Yet somehow you're trying to use the fact that extra knowledge and experience is required as an advantage? It just isn't.

You act like Macs run games as good. Like I have said many times before, a PC that is $1000-$1500 cheaper can run games better than a Mac. Also, "like I have said many times before" why use a Mac if you are just going to end up using Windows.

They do run them well. I know that first hand. I don't understand your argument here. And I'm not talking about using Windows all the time. I'm talking about using Windows if you need it. The option is there. No equivalent option exists for PC users.

This argument is sh*t. I can not stand when people say this. Tell me one advantage a Mac has over a PC in the graphic design department. PCs have every thing that a Mac has and more. Photoshop runs better on a PC and that is a fact. I am talking about the $1000-$1500 cheaper PC of course. Also, how many professional 3D modelers use Macs? Very few, because they need to render and it is much much cheaper on a PC and it is faster.

Eh, not my area of expertise so I can't comment. This is virtually the only part of my argument that isn't from personal experience, so I'll leave it.

I know them enough, to know I don't want one.

Not a compelling objective argument, that.

You get what you pay for? Yeah right. The reason I will never buy a Mac is for what you mentioned, you don't get what you pay for. I am going to use this Mac as an example. If I was going to drop $2000+ dollars on a computer, there is no way in hell it would be for a Mac. I could build an absolutely amazing computer for that much money. And it would be better than any Mac model for many years.

And herein lies the problem. Again, in supposedly defending PCs you have exposed one of their weaknesses. You say that you could build an amazing PC for the money. How many people have the capacity, knowledge, or ability to build their own PC, or for that matter to get someone else to build it? A vast, vast minority. And that's the problem. Your arguments are all from the perspective of someone who knows a lot about PCs. You are not the average consumer, and you are making no attempt to represent the average consumer. Hence why your argument simply falls flat.

Also, $1000 for an extra 4gb? What a ripoff...

But just in case that wasn't enough, you're bringing in double standards. I could bring up a Dell that costs more than a Mac that isn't as good. You would counter that building one is cheaper. You can get that extra memory at a fraction of the price for Macs. Obviously buying it from Apple is overpriced. So why are you using this in your argument when a good part of your PC argument is based around being smart with your money?

[PsychoMantis]

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

I know this was a joke, but people do say this in seriousness. But why should anybody attract criticism for choosing to use something that is inherently easier to use than the alternative? You need to know an awful lot about PCs to get the level of use out of them that you are describing in your post, and that is a level of knowledge that the average person doesn't have. So why is that talked about as an advantage when it is quite the opposite?

Well, it is a good thing I know an awful lot about them.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

This is a ridiculous statement for the same reason as above. It's not a case of using it 'properly'. It's about knowing a lot about how PCs function, and whichever way you spin it this is not basic knowledge or a matter of common sense. It requires knowledge that the average person just doesn't have.

I have *never* had a problem with a PC unless it was me who caused the problem. That is were that statement stems from, maybe I am just more cautious with my computer than the normal person, but I doubt it.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

Oh, and 'no one knows what to do' if a Mac has a problem? Where did you pull that baseless comment from? That statement isn't even remotely true.

I meant that the average user wouldn't know what to do to fix their Mac, unlike a PC user who could just look it up on the internet. (Which, in retrospect means there are a lot of problems. )

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

They do run them well. I know that first hand. I don't understand your argument here.

My argument was that, I person with a PC can run the games better because they have better specs...

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

And I'm not talking about using Windows all the time. I'm talking about using Windows if you need it. The option is there. No equivalent option exists for PC users.

Technically there is an option. But the main point is no one with a PC wants to have that option, so it doesn't matter at all.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

Not a compelling objective argument, that.

...yeah huh

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

And herein lies the problem. Again, in supposedly defending PCs you have exposed one of their weaknesses. You say that you could build an amazing PC for the money. How many people have the capacity, knowledge, or ability to build their own PC, or for that matter to get someone else to build it? A vast, vast minority. And that's the problem.

I put the building example in to show how much you could do with $2000. But as for the average consumer...

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

But just in case that wasn't enough, you're bringing in double standards. I could bring up a Dell that costs more than a Mac that isn't as good. You would counter that building one is cheaper.

They can buy a cheaper Dell that is better than the Mac I mentioned.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

Your arguments are all from the perspective of someone who knows a lot about PCs. You are not the average consumer

I take that as a compliment.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

Obviously buying it from Apple is overpriced. So why are you using this in your argument when a good part of your PC argument is based around being smart with your money?

Do you not know how fanboys work!?

[Crazy Jamie]

I have *never* had a problem with a PC unless it was me who caused the problem. That is were that statement stems from, maybe I am just more cautious with my computer than the normal person, but I doubt it.

I think you probably are. My father is ridiculously cautious with his PCs, but doesn't know more about them than the average person, and he has issues purchase after purchase. The latest issues are probably mostly to do with Vista, but that is neither here nor there.

On the other hand, I could go down the route of saying that a lot of the things you are used to with PCs and accept as normal are thoroughly improved on in Mac OSX, therefore whilst you don't think you have problems you do compared to a Mac user. But that is a mouthful, and doesn't cover anything that we haven't already mentioned

I meant that the average user wouldn't know what to do to fix their Mac, unlike a PC user who could just look it up on the internet. (Which, in retrospect means there are a lot of problems.)

I don't think I need to respond to this

My argument was that, I person with a PC can run the games better because they have better specs...

To be honest I haven't directly compared. But the specs of the higher priced Macs are pretty high, and personally my 2 year old MacBook Pro ran Spore entirely smoothly at high spec. Doubt it would run Crysis at high spec, but there we go.

I have heard something along the lines of Macs and Mac OSX using specifications more efficiently than Windows (so, for example, you'd get more out of 2GB of RAM on a Mac than you would on a PC), but have neither the technical knowledge nor experience to know whether that is either possible or true.

Technically there is an option. But the main point is no one with a PC wants to have that option, so it doesn't matter at all.

I don't think that PC owners don't want the option. The issue with Macs is that they are an unknown for a lot of people. So as such they don't know about the option. I bought my MacBook Pro in June 2007 after a lot of deliberation. Before about May 2007 I had never used a Mac, and one of my friends suggested I look into it. The only thing I regret now is not buying a Mac sooner. And the reason why I didn't is lack of awareness more than anything else.

I put the building example in to show how much you could do with $2000. But as for the average consumer...

They can buy a cheaper Dell that is better than the Mac I mentioned.

But isn't that just the base unit? So you're looking at more for a screen, peripherals etc? Though irrespective, I am no expert on the matter but last I checked Dell wasn't held in the highest regard within the PC community. So are you suggesting that that Dell would offer the same quality to the average consumer than an iMac? Because I do find that every hard to believe.

I take that as a compliment.

I suppose it was in the great scheme of things, so you are right to

Do you not know how fanboys work!?

Sorry, my mistake

[PsychoMantis]

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

I have heard something along the lines of Macs and Mac OSX using specifications more efficiently than Windows (so, for example, you'd get more out of 2GB of RAM on a Mac than you would on a PC), but have neither the technical knowledge nor experience to know whether that is either possible or true.

I have never heard that before.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

I don't think that PC owners don't want the option. The issue with Macs is that they are an unknown for a lot of people. So as such they don't know about the option. I bought my MacBook Pro in June 2007 after a lot of deliberation. Before about May 2007 I had never used a Mac, and one of my friends suggested I look into it. The only thing I regret now is not buying a Mac sooner. And the reason why I didn't is lack of awareness more than anything else.

...I don't want the option.

Originally Posted by Crazy Jamie

But isn't that just the base unit? So you're looking at more for a screen, peripherals etc? Though irrespective, I am no expert on the matter but last I checked Dell wasn't held in the highest regard within the PC community. So are you suggesting that that Dell would offer the same quality to the average consumer than an iMac? Because I do find that every hard to believe.

Damn it Jamie! I am talking specs not peripherals!


So, I am guessing this debate is over.

[Goku]

Like I said before, Mac OS X is a lot more stable than Windows. On the other hand, a power user could easily maintain Windows. That being said, the average user would be better off with a Mac.

BEFORE ANYBODY SAYS ANYTHING:

I have never owned a Mac. The only Apple product I have ever owned is my iPod. My laptop is a Dell XPS M1530 with Windows Vista. However, i do believe that Apple developed a more stable operating system. On the other hand, I have heard reports that Windows 7 is supposed to blow every other OS away.

I don't think this was brought up, but some people use the argument that Macs can't get viruses. That's not entirely true. The reason Macs rarely get viruses is because few viruses affect Macs. If a hacker of some sort were to write a virus, they would want that virus to affect as many different systems as it could. Consequently, they write viruses for PC's (also applies to trojans, rootkits, and other types of malware). That being said, I have seen a trojan affect a Mac in the IT department at my college.