MAC or PC?

Question

This should get a lot of answers.

Answer 1

What Mac users tend to forget is that there is no such thing as a "Mac" anymore.



Since the very first Mac, Apple has slowly brought their computers more towards the standard technology of PCs. PCI instead of NuBus, USB instead of Firewire, IDE instead of the proprietary form of SCSI that they used. The one thing that set Macs apart from PCs was their processors.



In 2006, Apple switched their processors from PowerPCs to Intel processors, removing the last ounce of difference between Mac hardware and PC hardware. I have heard some Mac users proclaim that this is not the case; that Macs use EFI and PCs use a legacy BIOS. While this is true in general, one can purchase motherboards that use EFI if they so desire. And when Vista's Service Pack 1 comes out, it will fully support EFI as well. Once Vista does, more PC manufacturers will ship their computers with EFI.



Now for the software, and the things that I have heard about it. Most of what I hear is as follows:



1. Macs never crash.

2. Macs are easy to use

3. Mac OS X is optimized for the processor they run on.



1. All operating systems and all programs have the ability to crash. Even the slightest flaw in a piece of software or hardware can bring a system down. Windows crashes, Linux crashes, Mac OS X crashes. Even QNX, a real-time operating system used in embedded devices and designed for the absolute highest reliability crashes.



There are two crashes: application crashes and system crashes. Applications will crash if they are poorly written, and OS X is not a magic wand that can change that. Any computer programmer that has written a piece of software for OS X has seen a program crash, and if the programmer has not tested the program, the program will doubtless continue to crash. System crashes, when the entire operating system stop functioning, also happen on Macs. This is a kernel panic on OS X:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boV9QC7dWg4



I'm not saying that this is the norm for OS X, but it is not the norm for Windows or Linux, either. Windows doesn't normally blue-screen unless you are using faulty drivers, and I have yet to see a Linux kernel-panic myself, though I have no doubt that it could happen. So anyone who says that Macs don't crash is lying.



2. Macs are easy to use. That is highly subjective. I have never found Windows difficult to use. Ubuntu, which many have described as "easy to use" was one of the most difficult things I have ever learned how to use (but also the most rewarding). Saying something is easy to use does not make it so; I could probably find lots of people who can use Windows just fine but could never use a Mac.



3. Macs are optimized for the processors they run on. So, if I look at an OS X DVD, I will find kernels for every single processor that it ran on? OS X ran on some G3s, G4s, G5s, Core Duos, Core 2 Duos, Xeons, and even Pentium 4s. So the DVD should have a kernel for each and every one of those, right? I haven't looked yet, but I'll wager a guess that it contains, at most, three kernels: a PowerPC kernel; an x86 kernel, and an x64 kernel. Compiling a kernel for each and every processor would 1.) not likely show any noticeable performance gains, and 2.) take up a lot of space on the DVD that could be used for other features.



Oh, you forget Big Macs.

Answer 2

More advertising, a stronger marketing team, simple design, homogeneity. PC is basically any computer not a mac, and of course they will run the gamut in quality/price/design. Therefore the only thing that Macs really have over every PC is that they can run Apple proprietary software. There's also an image thing that I'm noticing with Macs. Due to their branding and advertising Macs are identified as "cooler" than their PC counterpart in certain subcultures. I'm seeing that a lot of you put down 'virus free' as one of the major pros of a mac. That however has to do with the Unix based operating system run on the Mac rather than the Mac itself. If PC users are so inclined, they can also get a virus free operating system in one of the many Linux flavors.

Answer 3

First off.... Mac.



If you want a computer that will not crash, and will never give you any problems... go Mac.



People say "They're not business computers, they're not this, they're not that... they're only for graphic designers and people using PhotoShop..." Yes, that is the majority of Mac users, and they are still the best computers for that sort of work. But now pretty much any bit of software you would need to run for "business" is also available, and better, on a Mac. The latest version of MS Office runs so much better on my 7 year old PowerMac than it does on my wife's 1 year old laptop.



My 7 year old PowerMac has never crashed, had a virus, and it's been powered on ever since the day I took it out of the box.



That's the other thing. With a PC you will have to pretty much rebuild your current system or just throw it out and buy a whole new system if you ever want to upgrade to the latest operating system and have it run smoothly. Not so on a Mac. The latest version of OSX runs like a champ on my computer because the programmers at Apple actually know how to optimize system resources.



Some may say they're overpriced, but after purchasing my first I'm a firm believer in "You get what you pay for." I used to build and rebuild my PC's every 6 months due to the OS crashing, new hardware available.... Ever since I bought my first Mac, the time I've spent working on the INSIDE of my computer has seriously been cut-back and has been replaced with actually working ON my computer.



You COULD build your own PC... but what happens when you've got it all put together and it doesn't work. Where's your support? Apple has hands down the best support of any of the computer manufacturers. The only times I've had any issues with my 7 year old PowerMac was well after the 3 year Apple Care warranty had expired, yet they still fixed it free of charge in my local Apple Store, saving me the hundreds of dollars I was already ready to spend to get the problem fixed.... which come to find out what I had thought the problem was wasn't the problem at all.



And sure... you could run to Fry's and buy some parts there... What they don't have you can run over to Best Buy.... and over to another shop... Then spend all the hours of putting it together and installing an OS and whatnot... But how much is your time worth? Cause again, if you have a problem... where's your support? You are your own support.



Mac is where it's at.



I'm living proof, once you go Mac you never go back.





***To the comment below about new processors..... See my comment abover stating that my 7 year old PowerPC based G4 PowerMac runs all the latest versions of the OS, MS Office, Adobe CS3.... runs them all like a champ. Only on a PC would I be worried about needing to have the latest and fastest processors because windows is such a resource hog as it is. Every application that I have runs faster on my 7 year old PowerMac than they do on my wife's 1 year old PC laptop.







*****also take note to how this section is plauged with questions from people needing to fix their PCs. Not so with a Mac, because they just simply work. End of story.

Answer 4

For certain work-related environments, a Mac makes sense. Many ad agencies and marketing firms have a long history of using Macs for creating applications such as Adobe Creative Suite, or Final Cut Studio. Final Cut Studio, in particular, is a major attraction for the Mac, as it has garnered substantial notice for its power and ease of use, resulting in it now being used to edit many major motion picture releases.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Cut_Pro



If you're not going into one of these areas, or are primarily interested in using a computer for browsing and playing games, I'd recommend getting a PC. While you can get a Mac and install Windows on it, you're still paying a premium for the computer, then paying (hopefully) to install Windows alongside the Mac OS (or in one of the the emulators available to run Windows in a program window on the Mac), and you'll have to upgrade your Mac's RAM (either when you order it, or on your own) to run both OSes. Since PCs are available at a much wider variety of price points than Macs, it's more likely you can find a PC to meet a specific budget than to fit your budget to a specific Mac.

Answer 5

you sound like a smart Guy. lol. MAC's are lesser than a computer in my opinion. Alot like Itunes MAC is restrictive and only for children. 2 years from now a new processor is out you say? you wanna upgrade huh? well too bad you bought a MAC! but me? heck...i got a PC. ill just go out buy the processor and spend $400-$600. Buy you macanese are stuck with a brand new $3000 investment.



macs are not the way to go if you want an honest investment. Apple is slizzy and more money pinching than ol' Bill will ever be.



PS. dont go and get a mac and load up windows. your just dressing a Dog up like a cat. dont insult the Dog. In the end the cat is just a cat...you cant play with it the way you could a Dog...and hey, it's alot easier to teach a Dog trick right?

Answer 6

I'm curious ... Can any of you PC fanboys give us just one piece of viable information - not your childish prejudices! - to substantiate your negative claims about Macs?



Just ONE? Please ...!



Never mind the techno-babble. I'm asking for real information that real people - not geeks who like to build their own toys - can use to make an informed decision.



A computer is only a tool; something we must learn to use in today's world in order to do business, communicate with others, enjoy our hobbies ... whatever!



For my money, and my time, I can be a lot more productive using a Mac.



I don't want or need to know anything about HOW it does it; I just want to to WORK, first time, every time.



That's what I get using a Mac.



And all those people who've been forced to run, kicking and screaming, away from Vista and viruses and MS's tight hold on their private parts - and who've made the switch to a computer that "Just Works" - obviously agree with me.



If you're shade tree mechanic who likes to tinker with your old broken down Chevy, then go ahead: stick with MS based PCs.



But if you would rather cruise down the road in a trouble-free vehicle that's built to go fast, corner beautifully, and last, and last, and last .... well, welcome!



We Mac people are actually a pretty nice - and tolerant - bunch!

Answer 7

Mac Mac Mac, they can run windows now. I aslo Mac nver crash i have been with mac for 4 years and have only had 1 crash on my Mac.

Mac osx is far superior than any mircosoft operating system.

Answer 8

MAC..it has a more friendly user interface and is just way better than a pc..all the programs and games and etc are just better than pc..get ready to spend more though. you get what you pay for.

Answer 9

WELL... it depnds... MAC ARE GOOD FOR SURFING THE WEB, DOING BANNERS AND STUFF, YOU KNOW WORKING WITH ART AND DESIGNS AND STUFF..... MUSIK AND ORGANIZING FOTOS...... well on the other side they are not as organized as pcs.....

PCs ARE BETTER FOR BUISNESS THATS PRACTICALLY IT,,, THEY ARE EASIER TO LEARN HOW TO USE THEM HOWEVER WHEN YOU GET TO KNOW MAC.. IT IS QUITE SIMPLE.. I PERSONALY PREFER MACS, HOWERVER,,,, LOTS OF TIMES I AM DOING A SKOOL PROJECT OR A SKOOL ASIIGNMENT AND THE SYSTEMS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE











IF THE PURPOSE IS FOR BUSNESS GET A PC

IF IT IS FOR JUST HAVING IT ON A HOUSE OR SOMETHING GET A MAC

IT YOR LIKE 30 OR 40 YEARS OLD, AND YOU JUST WANT A COMPT.... GET A PC.

IT ALL DEPENDS

Answer 10

it depends on what you are going to do with it. MAC is not a bisness computer, it is great for school work and web surfing.

PC dose well with web surfing and school work great for your bisness

But on a MAC it can be hard to find softwere and hardwere

BEST ANSWER?

Answer 11

Mac.

Answer 12

Mac duh dude! Macs are so danm cool!!!!!!!! PC are loosers! I am getting a MACBOOK this CHRISTMASS!!!!! OH yea MAC are the true freaken computer rulers!