Mac vs. PC....I NEED to be convinced. :)

<p><em>"I personally detest the Windows user interface, which strikes me as clunky and poorly thought-out. "<br /><br /></em>Hmm. After having viewed Mac interfaces, including OS X, they look amazingly similar and work pretty much the same way. Task bar at the bottom for Windows (but you can change it to the top if you like) and at the top for Mac, pull-down menus, maximize minimize and close buttons, scroll bars, icons that popup, etc. Yep, both interfaces work pretty much the same way, they just look different. Oh, I guess because the Mac interface has that cute brushed metal effect and gel-like buttons, it's not as clunky or poorly thought-out.</p>

<p>Chris C.,</p>

<p>You are correct in that I did not differentiate between OS X and earlier Mac OSes in my last post, however, as Mac OS X has been the only supported Mac OS for years, any reference to Mac OS generally refers to Mac OS X.</p>

<p>And, sorry, but you are still wrong. There is no Mac virus. If I am wrong, provide me a link to a description of the virus at any of the AV software website. You can't.</p>

<p>Yes, someone may be concocting one right now . . . but until they finish and release it to the Mac community, it doesn't exist. Someday, that may happen, but today, as I have already said, there is no virus for Mac OS X.</p>

<p>"I personally detest the Windows user interface, which strikes me as clunky and poorly thought-out."</p>

<p>Well you've single-handedly blown the biggest Apple accusation doing the rounds for years, that Windows is a Mac interface rip-off. Well done sir. :o)</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I've installed Ubuntu onto old P2's and given them away to the needy. This is an OS. It's the hardest to hack, (OSX the easiest, then XP, then Vista)</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>What? There are -0- known viruses for OS X. There have been a few "proof of concept" sponsored attacks. And in each of these cases the person either had the admin password or the user punched in their password (I think they downloaded an infected JPEG) to allow the attack. I think there is a few more than that for Windows. As to why there is less on the Mac- I don't care; there just is.<br>

Some of the top reasons I like my Macs...<br>

1) More stable. Apple designs both the hardware and the software. This makes the machine inherently more stable. Whereas Microsoft makes an operating system and the rest of the world makes the parts. Each has their advantages/disadvantages. An MS box will essentially try to work with an almost infinite number of device/hardware/software. Great if you need all that. I don't. I need to turn it on and get my work done. The stability I enjoy with my Mac allows me to do this. You simply can't have it both ways: if the OS is designed by a one party and the hardware by another, and this design allows you to use any MOBO, graphics card, software dating back to the early 80s and more, it simply can't be more stable than an integrated system that only runs "current" software (meaning the switch to OS X left behind OS 9 and earlier users.). That's not to say you can't get a stable PC but by the numbers, a Mac will be more stable. It isn't a myth, it's a simple fact. One system supports EVERYTHING, one doesn't. Come one people, use your head- which do you think will be more stable????? For all you computer builder out there (which seems to be the only way to get a stable PC according to PC users!), isn't it true that some hardware is better supported than others???<br>

2) Contrary to popular belief in this thread, my Mac doesn't think I'm stupid. I can actually open my applications folder without an issue. As opposed to opening the Programs folder on a PC where you are warned you shouldn't be looking at this, you have no reason too. I don't get nauseating pop up ballon warnings that my AV is expired, I have unused items on my desktop (? why in the name of all that's good is that the business of my OS?), that my Firewall doesn't measure up and so on.<br>

3) My storage devices mount right to my desktop and I can name them anything I want. I don't care for the lettering system, I don't care to go to "my computer" (another window) to access a letter drive hard drive. I like to throw in 2008 Weddings 1st Quarter and another for 2nd quarter and know what they are- not needing to remember one D and the other is F. Or if I can't remember the Windows designated drive letter, I then need to explore the drive to figure it out. I don't get irritating pop ups asking me what I want to do each time I throw a new hard drive in. <br>

3) I actually like the fact there is less software on the Mac. Again, more stable. I can't go to Best Buy and rummage through the $10 bargain bin for obscure software that may actually bring my computer to it's knee's. However, Apple does have the software I NEED: Photoshop, Aperture (yes I tired Lightroom and didn't care for it), Final Cut Studio (the best software value on the planet. Color was a stand alone app for $6000 until Apple bought them), and let's not forget iLife included with any Mac purchase. That's right, a fully functioning "jukebox" with iTunes. Not a disabled copy of Music Match that insists you buy the full version. Of course now PC users can download iTunes! iLife also has iMovie, iPhoto, iWeb, and Garage Band. Say what you want, these are powerful programs included. Here is a challenge for a PC user: go find a program that does what Garage Band does for under $600 (hint: there isn't one).<br>

4) I like not dealing with Registry issues or DLL issues- I don't have those on a Mac.<br>

5) I like that a program doesn't act like it's the sole purpose of my computer. If I do a "save as" command, I don't HAVE to complete it, I can check my mail, search my drives and so on and come back to it. My system isn't hijacked by my software.<br>

6) I like knowing that the people I have helped switch to a Mac are grateful. Of course according to this thread they are all stupid for not having bought a cheap PC and a better lens. Although I think they would put it another way.<br>

7) I happen to like the fact that I don't need to take a weekend to build my computer so I could brag about how stable my computer was, or how cheap it was to build. I get to brag about my computer anyway! I didn't build my car or my house either.<br>

The list really goes on. But I will say it again: buy a PC. If you have no reason to switch then don't. Everyone I have helped switch has had a reason: tired of viruses or protecting against them, crashing systems and so on. Come to think of it, many of them are college graduates. A few have Masters Degrees. I need to fire them off an email letting them know of their stupidity. </p>

<p>Pirates of the Silicon Valley. Windows did "steal" Apples GUI. Steve got it from Xerox I believe it was (legally) and Bill simply took it from Apple. It's just that Apple does it better. In the end, Apple lost the lawsuit simply because by the time it reached the end, MS had more money. It's actually a tragedy of law if you study it. An example of how the law can't keep up. There is no doubt that MS stole the GUI from Apple, in the end I think the claim was that they didn't steal the GUI so much as get the idea from them. And that the GUI wasn't intellectual property, but rather like a road. You can't claim intellectual property of a road, that's just one of the way's transportation works. BS really.</p>

<p><em>What? There are -0- known viruses for OS X. There have been a few "proof of concept" sponsored attacks. And in each of these cases the person either had the admin password or the user punched in their password (I think they downloaded an infected JPEG) to allow the attack. I think there is a few more than that for Windows.</em> <br /> <br /> Do not confuse viruses with the ability to hack entry into an OS, Mike.<br /> <br /> Zero known viruses for OSX? Sure about that?</p>

<p >This solves you problem:</p>

<p >-Buy a cheapest Mac lappy for ~$1000 (with college discount or something) to satisfy your like aand mobility;</p>

<p >-Buy a loaded desktop PC for ~$1000 to process photo</p>

<p >-buy one 24” (Apple or not) or two 22" monitor(s) for ~ or <$800 </p>

<p ><br>

You have more than what you need (or even want)!</p>

<p><em>Windows did "steal" Apples GUI. Steve got it from Xerox I believe it was (legally) and Bill simply took it from Apple. It's just that Apple does it better. In the end, Apple lost the lawsuit simply because by the time it reached the end, MS had more money. It's actually a tragedy of law if you study it. An example of how the law can't keep up.</em></p>

<p>I thought Bill and Steve built it together?</p>

<p>Bill still wrote Steve a huge check. Helped Apple rebound from an almost near chapter 11 situation. One can look at it like MS saved Apples ass. :) MS funded the iPod :)</p>

<p> </p>

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=2107718"><em>David Wu</em></a><em> </em><em><a href="../member-status-icons"></a>, Feb 26, 2009; 01:03 p.m.</em></p>

<p><em>This solves you problem:</em><br>

<em>-Buy a cheapest Mac lappy for ~$1000 (with college discount or something) to satisfy your like aand mobility;</em><br>

<em>-Buy a loaded desktop PC for ~$1000 to process photo</em><br>

<em>-buy one 24” (Apple or not) or two 22" monitor(s) for ~ or <$800</em></p>

<p>FWIW, the high end Dell Super/Ultra Sharp monitors are from the same OEM supplier that Apple uses. Internally the displays are essentially the same except the I/O package on the Dells is far superior for about half the cost, including a three year warranty with advance exchange.</p>

 

<p>

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=2107718"><i>David Wu</i></a><i> </i><i><a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"></a>, Feb 26, 2009; 01:03 p.m.</i></p>

 

<p > </p>

<p ><i>This solves you problem:</i></p>

<p ><i>-Buy a cheapest Mac lappy for ~$1000 (with college discount or something) to satisfy your like aand mobility;</i></p>

<p ><i>-Buy a loaded desktop PC for ~$1000 to process photo</i></p>

<p ><i>-buy one 24” (Apple or not) or two 22" monitor(s) for ~ or <$800</i></p>

<p > </p>

<p ><i>FWIW, the high end Dell Super/Ultra Sharp monitors are from the same OEM supplier that Apple uses. Internally the displays are essentially the same except the I/O package on the Dells is far superior for about half the cost, including a three year warranty with advance exchange.</i></p>

 

</p>

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=2107718"><em>David Wu</em></a><em> </em><em><a href="../member-status-icons"></a>, Feb 26, 2009; 01:03 p.m.</em></p>

<p><em>This solves you problem:</em><br>

<em>-Buy a cheapest Mac lappy for ~$1000 (with college discount or something) to satisfy your like aand mobility;</em><br>

<em>-Buy a loaded desktop PC for ~$1000 to process photo</em><br>

<em>-buy one 24” (Apple or not) or two 22" monitor(s) for ~ or <$800</em></p>

<p>FWIW, the high end Dell Super/Ultra Sharp monitors are from the same OEM supplier that Apple uses. Internally the displays are essentially the same except the I/O package on the Dells is far superior for about half the cost, including a three year warranty with advance exchange.</p>

 

<p>My apologies for the duplicate posts.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Oh, I guess because the Mac interface has that cute brushed metal effect and gel-like buttons, it's not as clunky or poorly thought-out.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>That has absolutely nothing to do with it. Read my first post (that's the second one you're responding to) in this forum for some of my gripes with the Windows UI.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Well you've single-handedly blown the biggest Apple accusation doing the rounds for years, that Windows is a Mac interface rip-off. Well done sir. :o)</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>The German loan-word "ersatz" comes to mind....</p>

<p>Actually, out of everything I posted I was hoping for that Garage Band alternative! If you want to claim OS X is easier to hack than Windows.... well ok. I take a hack to mean something not good, a third party modify my system for malicious purposes whether via a Trojan, a Worm, a virus or what have you. I don't care where you put the numbers: Windows has more problems in this area than a Mac. Could things change. Sure. But for the past 9 years, Windows has had thousands of attacks. If you can find even 10 proof of concepts for OS X I would be surprised. And again, I don't care why. I just enjoy it.</p>

<p>I can add nothing to the arguments against the Mac--i've never owned one and can count the time I've used one in minutes. I'm sure they are capable machines or they would not have persisted this long on niche appeal alone. </p>

<p>I can, however, address some of the "issues" that some are raising about pcs and Windows. Are they buggy and crash-prone? No. Crashes and slow downs are a result of poorly written code on the part of hardware and software manufacturers. I have four networked computers in my home and six in my office. With the exception of three notebooks, I built all of them myself. With the exception of the notebooks, they all run 24/7/365 and are continuously connected to the internet. I have four computers running Vista, one running XP and five running Win2000. They never crash. The oldest computer I have running in the office is a Pentium 2 that was built in 1999 and it has not been turned off for more than a week in the last ten years (ymmv). I do keep current antivirus software. I do not download "free" software from the internet, use peer-to-peer services or open unsolicited e-mail. I do not think I have to go to extremes to prevent virus infections. </p>

<p>I will not try to talk you out of buying a Mac, but I will try to talk you out of buying a PC. By that, I mean build one instead. If you can play with Tinker Toys, you can build a PC. Then it comes with no useless and resource hogging pre-installed software. You can decide exactly what hardware components and what software versions you want installed. You will also know what your future upgrade capacity will be. PC components are crazy cheap right now and you can build one that will fly for a song. </p>

<p>And don't listen to anyone who tries to tell you that Vista is terrible. I don't know where this comes from--perhaps others may have had problems, but it is just not my experience. If you don't like some particular feature of Vista, it can be turned off. Give me ten minutes with you're Vista machine and I will make it look and feel exactly like XP. Still not convinced? Then buy XP. The advantage there is that you can perform a clean install with an upgrade disc (and save more $$) if you know someone who has an old Windows disc laying around. (I've actually done this with Vista as well, but it's not as easy). </p>

<p>Bottom line, if you want the Mac, get it and be happy. But don't spend that kind of money on a Mac because other people have told you how crappy, clunky, buggy, crashy, etc. pcs are. It just ain't the case.</p>

<p>Please see #1 of my long winded post. There is no argument against it. It's common sense. Please understand that I am not saying you can't have a stable PC, but the fundamental difference between the Mac and PC makes the Mac more stable. You don't get to claim that you have 1000s or more hardware and software choices for the PC and then claim they are more stable. </p>

<p>If you go for the iMac wait a bit, they are due for a refresh (same with the pros). I'm a Mac guy, mostly because that is what I've always used. I've had to use PCs at work for the last few years and they are fine, but many of my friends and family who use PCs have had many virus/malware problems, while I've had none (not to say it isn't possible).</p>

<p>So what is the Registry...<br>

http://ask-leo.com/why_does_windows_have_a_registry.html</p>

<p>I only used Mac's a few times. Once, in the late 1990's I had to do graphics works on Macs in college. People kept telling me how they were the most awesome machines for graphics. Except they weren't because they randomly crashed literally every 5 to 10 minutes, even just sitting there. It was beyond frustrating, it was stupid. I've been told that this problem has been fixed, but man, what a waste of time and energy that was!</p>

<p>Fast forward about 6 years. It's about 2003. My friend has a Mac and she wants some of the MP3's that I have stored on CD. Now, being that I'm a sensible person who understands how computers work and how to make computers work efficiently, I figured I could just pop in the CD, slide the files in their folders directly onto the machine, avoid all of the automated bullshit and be done. Boy was I wrong. For one, the files didn't actually go to the folders I pointed them to, but to random points all over the harddrive. Secondly, apparently iTunes doesn't use the tag system build into MP3's but uses it's own special little system. Which means that when I drag and dropped the folders, none of the files got tagged and when I directed iTunes to open them, all of these files which open WITH tags on dozens of different PC machines, opened without tags. About 30 CD's worth of data. 4 or 5 hours after getting the mess straightened out, I decided I was done with Macs. Supposedly these issues are also fixed. I don't like automation and I don't like it on Macs or PCs. Im a Windows 2000 man, and unfortunately it's swiftly approaching the days when I can't use my favorite operating system. An operating system that works and is compact and not a memory hog and makes sense to a person who doesn't like idiot warnings on every button and who refuses to try to decode the meaningless and annoying stop light in the top corner of every window. Bugger.</p>

<p>I think the OP should get the iMac, and not really have to think about all the little tweaks running a home pc entails. When I did it they became so second nature I didn't even think of them as a problem. It wasn't until I switched that I realized all the time spent on it. But even if OP decides to go PC for a supposidly price/performance edge which at the end of the day is not what some here would have you think. Time is worth money too. But no doubt both systems will work. </p>

<p>Mike Bisom - Please do not say something without being able to back it up.<br>

Apple doesn't make any of it's computer hardware (the electronics). They are all supplied to them by various manufacturers (Intel, Broadcom, Atheros, Nvidia, ATI, etc.). The only part they make is the shell of the computer (and they don't make it either, it's done by a different company, Apple just designes it).</p>

<p>Next is the OSX, which is in fact 2 different OS's one on top of another.<br>

The kernel is Mach5 with a BSD layer sitting on top of it.</p>

<p>And even after working with only limited number of hardware they specificaly request from manufactures, they still have problems with a lot of the drivers working properly.</p>

<p>Just get your facts straight befor posting.</p>

<p>I think it is crazy to spent more than $700 + $500 (for the screen) on a computer.<br>

$450 just got me a 3.0GHz Intel Core2 (quad-core clocked at 2.4GHz was same price), 4GB of memory, 500GB hard drive.<br>

The performance/$ depreciates way too quickly. You are better off buying a nice screen, a $700 computer this year, and then a $700 computer in another 2-3 years.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I had the same delima 3 months ago. I got the 24 inch imac and have been somewhat pleased. The screen is amazing. Nothing else compares in PC, IMO. I will say I am still confused by the Apple people who almost talk about their computers in hushed tones as if they were Holy. I haven't really found that. Yeah, It's a good computer. But imacs are expensive and I am really not sure they are worth the difference. If I were you I would go to an Apple store and play with the machines. Don't order it online without playing with it a lot. That is one positive thing about Apple. They are very proud of their products and will gladly talk to you for hours. The in store training is helpful. Good luck. </p>

<p>This is like a Nikon v. Canon post.</p>

<p>Both work well. Each has supporters & detractors. Play with both, compare prices for hardware & software, pick one that you like. Whichever it is, it will be fine.</p>

<p>Its my birthday today, turn 35 ..woooohoooo.</p>

<p>just want to be the 170 post for this long non sense thread!</p>