should i buy a mac or pc, help please?

Question

well i have heard that pcs can do a lot more than mac could. but then again i heard that mac are much easier to do and something or other about the code its written in is virus proof...idk im no expert. and i would really like a computer thats virus proof but i also want a computer that can do and handle a lot. but i also want a computer that can handle some extreme multimeadia which i heard that mac does well. but i dont want you to my criteria. i just want to know which one is better to have ultimetly...in the long run. which one will benefit me more in life

Answer 1

I have had the same PC for five years and believe it or not I have never had a problem with it. If you keep up with regular maintenance, there is no reason that a PC won't last many years as long as it does not get to out dated.

Answer 2

I've owned computers since 1979, starting with an Apple II, then a C-64, then a couple of Amigas, and finally moved on to PCs (which I hate.)



The best computer ever built was the Commodore Amiga. It was a decade ahead of everything else out, but unfortunately, Commodore marketed it into bankruptcy. If did, however, cause the competition to finally developing multitasking operating systems.



Right now, a good quality PC is just as reliable as a Mac. They use many of the same parts, and while Mac has better build-quality, and their engineering is superior, performance-wise and price-wise they still lose to the best PCs out there. As the internet grows, and more and more devices incorporate computing power (like PDAs, Cars, cell phones, televisions, etc) computer technology is slowly merging into a single platform which is based on the internet. Probably within the next 10-15 years, you are going to see the end of desktop "towers" and all computing will take place in the "cloud" - the virtual world of the internet. All you will have at home is a keyboard, monitor, and either a mouse or touch-screen technology.



For now, here are the advantages of each machine...



MAC

Their operating system is very stable and well supported. It is more secure than Windows, and because Macs make up such a small portion of the user base, there are only a fraction of the number of viruses, malware, spyware, etc out there. For the casual user, the Mac OS is much easier to understand, repair or reinstall if something goes wrong. (Mac's "Time Machine" is better than Window's "System Restore.") Of the two platforms, the Mac is easier for a newbie, but will seem very different if all you have is PC experience. Macs are more expensive, and it's debatable as to whether the extra cost is justified because when something breaks on a PC, it's usually very inexpensive to fix it. Mac's networking seems to work a lot better than the PCs.



PC

The newest version of Windows (Windows 7) is probably the best yet, which isn't saying much considering how crappy past versions of Window have been. The Windows OS is very bloated, and less intuitive than the Mac, but it's also more customizable. It's plagued with security vulnerabilities and because most of the world uses Windows, it's the number one target of viruses, spyware, malware, etc. When Windows "breaks", it usually goes down badly, and is difficult (if not impossible) for the average user to fix. Windows supports more 3rd party hardware (printers, scanners, etc) than the Mac. There is a lot more help available online for Windows based PC problems than Mac problems.



The Mac has an edge in professional video editing because of a piece of software called Final Cut Pro. There are also some music editing programs that are Mac specific. The PC is the leader when it comes to state-of-the art gaming. Believe it or not, most innovations that makes computers more powerful are because of the gaming industry demanding more and more realistic experiences. A high end desktop PC is probably more powerful than the computers on the Space Shuttle.



Just about everything else is available on both platforms. Ten years ago, transferring files and data between the two platforms was a pain in the rump. Not, it's almost seamless. All the big programs (Adobe, Quickbooks, Office) are available for both machines and produce cross platform compatible files. Since the Mac and PC now use the same processors, either operating system can be installed on both machines, so IMO, it really boils down to cost, and you can simply get more computing power for the dollar with a PC, than you can with a MAC.



As a guru, I have no problem using either machine, but I do have a slight preference for Windows because it allows a power user to do more. This, unfortunately, can also allow the novice user to get into trouble. I am aware of the huge problem with viruses and spyware on the PC, but the truth is, this is more a problem with unknowledgeable users, than bad software. I have NEVER run any sort of virus protection on any of my machines (and I own quite a few) and the reason is simple... I know how to stay away from the things than cause your machine to become infected. This is not hard to do, but it requires more discipline and foresight than the average user has, so if you want to surf the web without concern, a Mac could be the better choice, but it doesn't take much to learn what not to do on a PC to protect yourself.



(Oh, and while it's no concern of mine, there is a lot more "sharing" of software for the PCs than the Mac)

Answer 3

Get a windows machine, twice the preformance, half the price of mac

than install the mac osx (if you must) on it next to the windows in "dual boot", you'll have BOTH

PS.

1.macs do get viruses!

why is the mac store selling anti virus programs?

2. macs are very inferior to windows in Multimedia.



We build high end macs, quad cores, overclocked, water cooled, etc.

All my builds have "dual boots", ie; windows and OSX side by side!

Answer 4

PC for the following



PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support

Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..



Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..



Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.



A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,



If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.



Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?



I say: NO... for the following reasons...



ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :

Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.

1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows.

2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).

3) More business software/games

4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.

5) Used by businesses.



ADVANTAGES LINUX :

1) FREE (most versions are)

2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)

2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)

3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE

4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet

5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)



Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



SECURITY

Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.

Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.

Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html

http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml



VIRUSES

Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".

http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/



QUALITY/PROBLEMS

Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.



Sample of problems: Deleting your Data (Snow Leopard), Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=5006

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

http://www.appledefects.com/

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html

http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg



Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.

With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.

IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.



PRICE

A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)



**(LAPTOP)

Dell Inspiron Laptop Price Starting: $550 Ending Opt A: $854 Ending Opt B: $954

15" Screen (SAME)

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: OPT A: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (WORSE) Benchmark: 1243 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-4500MHD-GMA-X4500MHD.9883.0.html

OPT B: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 (BETTER) Benchmark: 4969 http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4330.13973.0.html

Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)

CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW

Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)

Battery Life: (upgrade to) up to 8 hours (BETTER)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWZA3&s=dhs&fb=1



Macbook Pro Price Starting: $1700 Ending Opt A: $1850

15" Screen (SAME)

CPU: 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics Benchmark: 3263 http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html

Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)

CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW

Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)

Battery Life: up to 7 hours (WORSE)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC118LL/A?mco=MTM3NDcyODk





**(DESKTOP)



PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.



PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.



Dell XPS8000: ($1018)

CPU: I-7 2.8GHZ (SUPERIOR ) RANK 12= http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7+860+%40+2.80GHz

SCREEN: (Upgrade to) 21.5inch Screen

MEMORY: 6GB Ram DDR3 Dual Channel 1033GHZ (MORE)

HARD DRIVE: 640 GB (LARGER, FASTER)

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer (FASTER)

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon 4350HD 512MB (SUPERIOR)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxdzkv1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&m_2=SXI7860&mo=2~SXI7860&kc=studio-xps-8000



The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.



IMac ($1200)

CPU: 3.06 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (MUCH SLOWER) http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8435+%40+3.06GHz

SCREEN: 21.5inch Screen

MEMORY: 4GB Ram (LESS)

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive (SMALLER, SLOWER)

OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer

GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (WORSE)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB950LL/A?mco=MTM3NDc2NDc



ILife Equivalents

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html

http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518



FREE Windows Stuff

http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html

http://www.iobit.com/

http://www.ccleaner.com/

ANTI-VIRUS

Avira Antivir (FREE) rated best detection/2009 (Free version=no realtime protection) and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/

http://www.free-av.com/



Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/



ANTI-MALWARE

Malware Bytes-(Free version=no realtime protection).

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol

Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)

http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol



LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.ubuntu.com/