why do people think Macs are better?

Question

Apple computers are build using the same hardware as PC computers, aside from minor differences in RAM, or proprietary designs on interfaces (Firewire).

Apple computers are running OS X, which is more correctly known as BSD, a UNIX based operating system. The funny thing is though, both BSD and GNU/Linux are available for free, and can do all the same things OS X can do. Sure application names are different, but the functionality is the same, and Linux or BSD is considerably cheaper.

Windows is inferior, especially with their latest blunder, Windows Vista. The thing is though, people use Apple as an alternative because they don't know Linux exists.

Personally I run Linux, and have been for the past two years. It has been the most enjoyable computing experience of my life, and I have found things on here to work a lot better than they do on OS X. The reason is that Linux caters to everyone else, while everyone else caters to themselves.

I wish people would stop associating the software in a computer with the hardware its running on.

Dell and Lenovo even sell computers with Linux, though you could buy it with no OS and install Linux yourself.

To learn more about linux, simply use google, or go here. www.linux.org.

Answer 1

Windows has some issues but it isn't as bad as people make it out to be.. Correct: Mac OS X is from BSD.. but less secure due to modifications made to OS X to allow it to run Mac proprietary software, but of course no one knows this...



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 the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..



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 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 eitjher 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 FASTERr/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 . Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux.

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://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: 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://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



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 $849 dropped to $799

15" Screen

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks



Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224

13" Screen (SMALLER)

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)

Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)

Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)

Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~857204&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Duo&a=55103~0~857204

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB402LL/B?mco=MTkzOTI0Nw



**(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: (At The Moment) Specs Below costs $809

CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: 3GB Ram

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer

GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB



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 ($1400)

CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)

HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~861680&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Extreme&a=55103~0~861680,55103~0~861681,55103~0~857204&page=1

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB323LL/A?mco=NzMyNjMy



Equivalents to ILife

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

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



LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/



http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/

Answer 2

I use both on an at home network. While PC are infact cheaper and you can obtain opensource applications or by far more applications for the PC. I can take a Mac right out of the box and edit photos, movies and do most things. Does that make it better, not really. Just fundamentally more efficient.

But as far as cost goes. I've done the Comparisons. PCs are cheaper because they use cheaper components in almost all base to mid range models, so the are of a lower quality. The higher end PCs are really only a few dollars (less than $50 difference) than an iMac or MacBook. I have owned both PC and Mac, there are some instances where the PC is much faster, but over the long run I don't really notice the milliseconds or nanosecond differences. And please, number crunching, Yeah PCs are better, if you work at NASA or JPL, but in real life is any one running multilevel and multidementional quantum physics calculations. I just want to build a web page, not launch a probe to Pluto.

Finally, I have an 8 year old Mac never had a problem with it. In that same time I have had 3 PC's, all have had problems with hard drives, motherboards, and conflicting drivers. the student that repairs them for me, agree that cheap parts make for a cheap machine.



As for viruses, I keep my PC anti virus updated and with either computer I watch what I down load and what I open from email.

Answer 3

Macs are seen as cute and user-friendly. And they're "cool". . . seen those Mac/PC ads? The PC guy is horribly un-cool.



Hey, XP isn't *that* bad. It's certainly not perfect, but it's infinitely better than Vista, 95/98, 3.1, etc. Or anything I've seen on Apples since they had a "normal" (as we know it now) OS. . . that friendliness just annoys me.



Most people either don't know about Linux at all or just get freaked out by it because it's just not that common. Almost all of what people use for work are *not* Linux, and the same goes for what's for sale in your local store. The problem really sort of is that it's free. . . which means it doesn't spend a bunch of money on marketing like the other guys do.

Answer 4

Because the hardware is standard (every motherboard in a specific model of Mac is identical, there are no generic boxes customized with different video cards, sound cards, mobos) the platform is much more stable.



Apple has tested thier OS and apps with the exact hardware that end-users own, unlike PCs where the number of different combinations of hardware far exceed what anyone has tested.



As far as Mac OS goes... fundamentally it's no better than Linux, but chalk it up to Apple's advertising- that's one thing they do well.

Answer 5

People buy macs because "they just work"! Or, so I've been told. Also, aside from sharing the mach kernel with the BSDs, OS X and the BSDs have very little in common. OS X doesn't even share the same licensing with the other BSDs.



The Eee 901 is nice and it's only $380. I installed Ubuntu-eee on mine. It's got my favorite setup: xmonad+emacs+slime+conkeror.

Answer 6

How about running Linux ON a Mac? Is that not okay?

Answer 7

People like Mac's because the operating system is built to run on that specific set of hardware. It makes it so much easier to troubleshoot and create new programs for (compatibility wise) because every computer has a standard set of hardware.



Go apple!

Answer 8

Why do people think that GM is better than Ford ? They are both crap in reality. Same with computers.

At one time Apple had it over Microsoft in photography and Video Editing area but Microsoft has caught up a lot in those areas.

Apple wasn't as seceptible to exploits and Virus's as Windows but Apple is catching up to Windows in that area.



So whatever works for you go and get it.

Answer 9

give macs a break

at least they dont run BSOD operations :D



Edit. - obviously no one likes my jokes -_-

however why insult macs?

they are product -in my opinion- more honest than windows.

i dont have a mac / or know how to use one.

but if anyone knows the history of windows.

it started as stolen code from other coders,

and then the whole bundle of stolen code was sold.

and still is expensive as hell. [full suite office 07 is like $600]

[not saying office is stolen nowadays]

macs however are very sexy,

you could also ask why people would buy a Ferrari?

but yes linux is cheaper,

i will keep away from jokes from now on ok...

Answer 10

They believe that because microsoft is the most used and therefore the most targeted for viruses. There's not too many problems with virus with the others. You never hear much about it.

Answer 11

I hear you, but i suppose some people will still buy a mac because they look very nice.



It's funny to think that someone would buy a computer because of how it looks rather than what it can do but it does happen!

Answer 12

because mac users are retarded noobs lol and so much bull **** is said like "then NEVER get a virus" that dumb ppl belive it, so they buy a **** computer when they could by something way better for way less money



haha and yes, linux is awesome

Answer 13

I dunno



Macs are just overpriced toys that have very limited upgradeability and little available software.



Windows may be more susceptible to viruses, but if you have good virus protection, it really doesn't matter either way