windows or mac ?

[Orange]

I'm soon to get a mac although i havnt used them much. I need one to use a recording program called logic studio that you cant get on windows. I love the look of macs and i have an ipod and that to me is just the perfect msuic player.. but yeah i actuly dont know much else about macs... What are the advantages it has to windows? Will i find myself still useing my P.C for everything but recording?
thanks.

[Trezker]

I think you'll be using your mac for most things. The only thing forcing you to use windows will probably be your gaming addiction, if you have one.

[Angela]

I switched to Mac last December, despite tremendous resistance, because I've been using Windows forever -- in fact, when I first started using computers I learned by going through a DOS manual -- before Windows! Yes, that's how old I am.

But now I wouldn't go back. I love my Mac!!!

[tobyhede]

I switched, and I am not going back.

But I do use an Apple product called Boot Camp to boot into a Windows partition for games. Not thaqt I have played any games in the last year.

And for my work I use Parallels to run Windows from inside the Mac OS itself. I need to test on the Windows platform and occasionally write windows-only software, but I can actually do this without leaving the mac at all.

[Niki]

Hey,

Since I use full time Vista for music production(I user Sonar 7 Producer Edition) and everything else I can't look back anymore. Many say Vista isn't really a change, but it really is.

I was making the same choice like you a couple of months ago. Mac or Windows pc. Eventually I got a Q6700 2.66GHz Quadcore with 6Gb's of ram and 500GB hard disk for the same price as the cheapest iMac. I have vista ultimate and it is fast as hell. Really love my Windows pc.

[Indy107]

I'm a Linux guy myself

[themaster]

The only thing I'll say.. is expect to pay "more" for everything.. from printers to software.. 99% of the computer market is pc's.. that means that everything made today is made for that 99% market.. if you’re using the 1% market of apple you’re just going to pay more and have less options that's all.. it's not just games.. but obviously if you can emulate a windows box that's a step in the right direction.. depending on what you’re doing.. you might find yourself emulating windows all the time and wonder why you bothered with mac..

Also don't even try to compare prices.. today's average computer is $550 with screen I believe your mac is about $1500 without.. (apparently it's my understanding that you’re paying $1000 for OSX more than hardware)

All you should really do is be thinking what will I use the mac for and try and think 10 years down the line if you can and say not 1-2, another thing to bare in mind is if you're work "involves" computers are you going to be trying to make them change to mac or are you okay with using two different os's cause most corporations will buy pc's everytime..

[uberinquisitive]

Windows are like economy class on a plane.

Macs are first-class.

They both get you to Shanghai. It's your choice how you like to roll.

-- uberinquisitive, die-hard member of the Cult of Mac since 2003.

[Niki]

Originally Posted by uberinquisitive

Windows are like economy class on a plane.

Macs are first-class.

They both get you to Shanghai. It's your choice how you like to roll.

-- uberinquisitive, die-hard member of the Cult of Mac since 2003.

I think that is not true. I think Windows is Business Class, and Mac is Child class, where you can't even choose where you are flying to...

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by themaster

The only thing I'll say.. is expect to pay "more" for everything.. from printers to software..

Oh, please, not those drab old cliches again!

First of all, you don't pay more for your printers, because you use the exact same printers everybody else is using. Mac software, on the whole, is actually cheaper than the equivalent PC software. You need to look no further than the price of the OS itself for that...

Yes, Apple computers are more expensive up front. If all you care about is getting the cheapest box with the biggest feature list, by all means buy one of those no-brand PCs! Just don't balk at me when the next OS X release makes my old computer run faster, without needing new hardware.

If you care about hassle free computing that never stands in the way of what you really want to do... consider a Mac!

Btw. Orange... if you do decide to go with a Mac... Logic Studio is awesome!

(says a self-confessed Apple fanboi)

[InterfaceLeader]

You do pay more for the mac up-front, but it doesn't become obsolete in seconds either. I've had my iBook for 5 years, and it's still as fast and powerful as it ever was.

[Trezker]

Well if you want to go for cheap Linux is the way. There is still some issues if you want to use certain software that hasn't been made for linux and doesn't run in wine.

But if you're just a regular joe wanting to browse internets, match movies, listen to music, write documents... Well all the everyday stuff exists. I see absolutely no reason to pay for an expensive OS, linux is usable enough for ordinary people now.

[Indy107]

Ubuntu for the last 5 yrs now. No issues, none, zilch, nada.
No viruses. No spyware. No defragging. Just works - every time.

But I'm not a gamer, don't need Quickbooks any more, and Open Office does everything Office does, including pdf's.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Trezker

There is still some issues if you want to use certain software that hasn't been made for linux and doesn't run in wine.

The only problem being, of course, that none of the major audio suites run on Linux (at least not out of the box). Same goes for all commercial plugins and virtual instruments. And you have to be careful that your audio interface works on Linux (mine don't).

But! If you can live without all that, it's great, apparently: Linux And Music

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Niki

I think that is not true. I think Windows is Business Class, and Mac is Child class, where you can't even choose where you are flying to...

So you'd rather fly something that's always crashing?

[Niki]

You must be speaking for yourself, because I'm still waiting for Vista to crash.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Niki

You must be speaking for yourself, because I'm still waiting for Vista to crash.

I have been running Vista Home Premium on a system for almost a year with no crashes compared to XP or Linux both of which are excellent operating systems.

[Dannyboy1]

I've got the Pinnacle 12 Ultimate and I love it. What, if anything, is better about the Mac?

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Niki

Mac is Child class, where you can't even choose where you are flying to...

Originally Posted by Niki

You must be speaking for yourself, because I'm still waiting for Vista to crash.

Well in that case, I can upgrade to an iMac and load Vista so I can have both operating systems on one computer. Not bad for "child class."

[Niki]

You still need Vista? Is that because the expensive iMac can't run everything you want ?

But all the fun aside, we should stop here because I smell some kind of a flame war coming up.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I've got the Pinnacle 12 Ultimate and I love it. What, if anything, is better about the Mac?

Final Cut (Pro)!

But, in the end, what matters is not what you have but what you do with what you have!

I enjoy working with Macs more than I enjoy working with PCs, plain and simple. For me buying a Mac makes sense, because I'll be more productive. If you are more of the Windows type or the Linux geek, by all means use that!

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Niki

You still need Vista? Is that because the expensive iMac can't run everything you want ?

But all the fun aside, we should stop here because I smell some kind of a flame war coming up.

You have me there. The one thing I'd need Vista for is IE for testing websites (if I were a professional web designer). Microsoft stopped updating IE for Mac at 5.5 or so and IE is still the dominant browser (I hear IE8 is looking pretty good). I'm not a gamer and everything else I need can get on a Mac (sometimes for free) and there is some good Mac-only software. It really comes down to the needs of the user.

[Love]

Okay; I'll add a voice for Windows.

I had a mac for work, and after using it, decided to get a PC for my personal use. The mac completely crashed--as in nothing but an annoying blinking question mark--in half a year.

I had to drag myself down to the "Genius" bar in the Mac store (because I couldn't get any help over the phone). You have to schedule your appointment the day before because you would have to wait--literally--hours after all the other people visiting the Genius bar with their problems.

I asked the genius technician why the system crashed, and he told me "All hard drives fail sometime." Yeah, uh huh. A little commercial of PC on the operating table flashed in my mind.

So, it had to be fixed. I had to go back to store to pick it up, because they said it would take long time to send it to me.

Also with the same computer, the spot where you rest your hand was getting messed up (this was like the 8th month) and so I had to bring it back again.

A lot of people like Mac and find it easier/more exciting to use. I'm just weighing in with my experience with Mac. I'd never get one of those again.

[Andrew Brunelle]

Not a big fan of Macs. Sure, they look nice and look sleeker. They have all these gadgets going around them. But so what? They're not worth the price. Sure, they may be slightly "better" in some ways, but I like Windows XP. I like my HP laptop. The only problem I'll have is when it crashes and I'll have to get a Vista computer. I'm not expecting that to happen anytime soon. I've had this laptop for over 4 years and haven't had a problem with it in over 3 years. And who wants to spend all that time adjusting to a new OS?

I went into an apple store the other day and don't like the setup of the "dashboard." It's too jumbled and hard to figure out. I've always liked Windows XP. There is no reason for me to ever switch. I've got this computer running to nearly peak efficiency. So there is no reason to even consider a Mac. Although I do like the look of the new MacBook Air, but it has too many shortcomings. No optical drive, one USB port, and low battery life. The only thing I need is a slight memory upgrade and I'm good.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by uberinquisitive

Windows are like economy class on a plane.

Macs are first-class.

They both get you to Shanghai. It's your choice how you like to roll.

And with Linux u are a pilot.

[Niki]

I take back all my words. I'm back to using Linux. I don't know why, but sometimes Linux calls me It's like "niki Niki NIKI USE MEEEE." And so 10 minutes I did a quick Ubuntu install, some graphics card configuration, some Vim configuration and off I go. Amazing how I can change so quick. Now I will be learning PHP too lol. Still need to run a VM for Visual Studio but my machine is fast enough.

[themaster]

Originally Posted by InterfaceLeader

You do pay more for the mac up-front, but it doesn't become obsolete in seconds either. I've had my iBook for 5 years, and it's still as fast and powerful as it ever was.

That's a load of crap.. you just make up on the fly.. your mac is obsolete the only difference is cause you paid a fortune for it like a *BMW* you can throw it on ebay and recoup bigger value for it.. the difference is the price you pay for one mac.. let's say the average is $1500 (without screen) I can buy 3 windows desktops/laptops over the course a year or 5 for every time it may break in hardware/software.. (which is a rare) at a average price of $400-550 a piece

Not to mention the fact that mac is the exact same hardware as pc's.. the exact same hard drives, the exact same processor.. everything you pay $1000 for mac OSX as JimOfferman says the only thing you can get is free upgrades..

Ohh damn we get those on the windows side too.. there called service packs.. service pack 3 for xp released may 2008, service pack 1 vista released march 2008 or so

You are way off JimOfferman you might want to be honest and just admit you pay more.. you can't play the numbers game.. PC's our cheaper cause they sell more.. apple can never compete with that..

One thing that's missing from this list.. is besides for the fact OSX is made out of unix and or linux another derivative of *nix.. is that you can run Mac OSX on x86 hardware (not legally) but you can do it.. meaning you can buy one those POS hp's or dells or clones is what I prefer and run it for $1000 less.. (not to mention running it in vmware)
OSx86 Project | InsanelyMac

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by themaster

You are way off JimOfferman you might want to be honest and just admit you pay more..

Excuse me, but I was being honest. I spent less on computers and software since I switched to using Macs.

(and I did say that the computers were more expensive...)

PCs are cheaper cause they sell more

No, PCs sell more because they are cheaper. Big difference.

[Niki]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

No, PCs sell more because they are cheaper. Big difference.

That is not really true. PC's used to cost a lot more then they now cost, and it was so good that they sold more and more. Once the sales where big enough, they started to compete on price, that's why PC's are potentially cheap now. Mac's don't have direct competition because nothing else is allowed to run mac OSX, so they can make up their prices themselves at apple. I live in Belgium, and if I go to the Online apple store, and choose the cheapest iMac I need to pay 80euro for 1GB of ram extra. When I go to pc webshop I pay 26euro for the same 1GB of ram, with the same specifications. There is only one explanation for that, and it ain't a matter of quality...

[themaster]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

Excuse me, but I was being honest. I spent less on computers and software since I switched to using Macs.

(and I did say that the computers were more expensive...)



No, PCs sell more because they are cheaper. Big difference.

Okay, that's your opinion or your experience.. check.. but in general in the reality I'm in.. people mostly pay less when using PC.. and of course Niki is right hardware prices continue to drop do to competition among pc manufacturers for years.. the prices dropped so much that mac gave up on its own processor or just switched to Intel’s x86

Macintosh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I can tell you that the average price of a pc was about $1,000 going back to 1995-1996 and even going back to 1980's when they came out.. but substantially over that last decade we've seen consistent price drops for both older hardware and now hardware.. we've also seen laptops go from a base of $1,000 to today’s base prices of $400-500 possible..

You can have a long term debate about who is the market leader and whose product dominates.. forever.. but mac will always be a underdog platform and it's not likely to ever shift from that.. as long as it's a underdog it will always be without acceptation "harder to use, more costly" if there is to be a new platform (other than windows) it will come from *nix development on x86 and since mac doesn't want to target this market it makes them out..