Mac vs. PC

[Mystere]

Humans get more viruses than, say, Venus Flytraps. However, which would you rather be?

It all boils down to which apps you want to run, and how you want to run them. If the apps you want run on a Mac, and you can spend the money that Macs cost, and you like the MacOS, then buy a Mac. If the apps you want to run run on a PC, then buy a PC.

Viruses should have little to do with your choice, they're just the price of being a PC just like getting a cold is the price of being a Human.

 

[tw33k]

Not this again!! We have a vast array of threads on this already...:sarc:

 

[pparks1]

It comes down to personal preference. That's about all that I can say. You have your diehards in both camps which will feel strongly one way or the other.

In general terms
Mac's:
1). Are more expensive...but the hardware is well designed
2). Cannot be customized much, it's apple's way or apple's way
3). There aren't many options...only a few choices per platform...hence this drives up reliability and stability
4). More geared towards the person who wants things to just be simple..they don't want to really tinker, they don't want to change things, they just want to turn it on and use it

Windows machines are usually
1). Far more customizable, with tons of hardware, tons of software and almost limitless combinations
2). Typically can be had cheaper...although sometimes cheaper components are worth it in the end....again...this decision is up to the end user
3). More installed desktops and a bigger target...so more interest to target for viruses, trojans, etc
4). The standard for most home computers.

I've been a PC Windows user for a long time. Been an avid Linux guy and server admin for 8-10 years. Recently built a hackintosh for getting used to OSX and now have a MacBook in my posession from work...and while I find it functionally fine, I find it rather plain, boring and just not very interesting. I have friends though who absolutely swear by theirs, love them to death, adore the styling and don't want anything to do with Windows. So, there isn't a right way or a wrong way. Hopefully you can find a way, like me, to try both and make up your mind.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

I'm actually newer to performance and operating systems. I've heard hundreds of opinions about Macs and PCs. Some say that Mac utilizes its hardware and processors better. I've heard that PC is much more easily customized, but that it also doesn't have adequate pc virus protection. From what you know about both of these computers, could you tell me what makes either better than the other?

Thanks!

The users preference is what makes one better then the other.

Macs are essentially PC's with an EFI Firmware to prevent people from installing OS X on any PC (never really prevented it, just delayed it). OS X is designed for the hardware Mac's currently used, since they don't support every hardware in existence, its easy for them to optimize OS X for the hardware they use. OS X is Unix-based. So theres less need for anti-virus for that reason alone.

PC's are great for customization. Plain and simple. Though Windows is not optimized for any specific hardware, like OS X is, its still pretty decent.

-

In comparison, a $2000 MacBook Pro has the same default-specs as a $1,000-$1,500 Laptop-PC.

 

[Grimmjow]

I'm actually newer to performance and operating systems. I've heard hundreds of opinions about Macs and PCs. Some say that Mac utilizes its hardware and processors better. I've heard that PC is much more easily customized, but that it also doesn't have adequate pc virus protection. From what you know about both of these computers, could you tell me what makes either better than the other?

Thanks!

This picture was posted on some thread around here, now I can't remember was it Dwarf or someone else, but you now that phrase, one picture thousand words? Peace, there shall be not

Different opinions will always exist, taste, needs, design, just to show of...

cheers

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

I'm actually newer to performance and operating systems. I've heard hundreds of opinions about Macs and PCs. Some say that Mac utilizes its hardware and processors better. I've heard that PC is much more easily customized, but that it also doesn't have adequate pc virus protection. From what you know about both of these computers, could you tell me what makes either better than the other?

Thanks!

This picture was posted on some thread around here, now I can't remember was it Dwarf or someone else, but you now that phrase, one picture thousand words? Peace, there shall be not
View attachment 51917
Different opinions will always exist, taste, needs, design, just to show of...

cheers

LOL love the Linux Fanboy's view of Microsoft.

 

[pparks1]

In comparison, a $2000 MacBook Pro has the same default-specs as a $1,000-$1,500 Laptop-PC.

To be fair though, the MAC hardware is very nice and well designed. It feels pretty darn sturdy. It's not typically built cheaply.

For comparison sake, a 15" MacBook Pro running a 2.53Ghz core 2 duo cpu, with 4GB's of DDR3 ram, a 250gb Hard Drive, webcam, illuminated keyboard, DVD burner, running a GeForce 9400M graphics card, supporting 1440x900 resolution, with a 7 hour battery is $1699.

A Dell Latitude E6500 laptop, with the WXGA+ screen which does 1440 x 900, plus an Nvidia NVS 160M video card, with 4GB of DDR2 RAM, with a built-in webcam, a 250GB hard drive, a DVD burner, with BlueTooth, illuminated keyboard and a 9 cell battery is $1450.

So, only about $250 difference.

Granted, you can buy cheaper made laptops and lower quality parts and drive your price down....but when you do such a thing you aren't really comparing evenly. Sure, a Ford Focus can get you 100 miles down the road on a full tank of gas...but then so can a Corvette or a Cadillac....doesn't make them the same thing.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

In comparison, a $2000 MacBook Pro has the same default-specs as a $1,000-$1,500 Laptop-PC.

To be fair though, the MAC hardware is very nice and well designed. It feels pretty darn sturdy. It's not typically built cheaply.

For comparison sake, a 15" MacBook Pro running a 2.53Ghz core 2 duo cpu, with 4GB's of DDR3 ram, a 250gb Hard Drive, webcam, illuminated keyboard, DVD burner, running a GeForce 9400M graphics card, supporting 1440x900 resolution, with a 7 hour battery is $1699.

A Dell Latitude E6500 laptop, with the WXGA+ screen which does 1440 x 900, plus an Nvidia NVS 160M video card, with 4GB of DDR2 RAM, with a built-in webcam, a 250GB hard drive, a DVD burner, with BlueTooth, illuminated keyboard and a 9 cell battery is $1450.

So, only about $250 difference.

Granted, you can buy cheaper made laptops and lower quality parts and drive your price down....but when you do such a thing you aren't really comparing evenly. Sure, a Ford Focus can get you 100 miles down the road on a full tank of gas...but then so can a Corvette or a Cadillac....doesn't make them the same thing.

Depends on the Brand and Model you compare actually. Sure Apple makes sturdy Laptops. I'm not denying that, I just don't think its worth the hefty price tag. My personal opinion though.

 

[Uber Philf]

I'm actually newer to performance and operating systems. I've heard hundreds of opinions about Macs and PCs. Some say that Mac utilizes its hardware and processors better. I've heard that PC is much more easily customized, but that it also doesn't have adequate pc virus protection. From what you know about both of these computers, could you tell me what makes either better than the other?

Thanks!

This picture was posted on some thread around here, now I can't remember was it Dwarf or someone else, but you now that phrase, one picture thousand words? Peace, there shall be not
View attachment 51917
Different opinions will always exist, taste, needs, design, just to show of...

cheers

Hahaha, best post so far, but in reality, it's all down to personal preference.

 

[Dinesh]

I use both. I find Windows much easy as I am not used to Mac. But as I m learning to use Mac, I m liking it. As said previously, it depends on your needs, interest and liking.

 

[TheTeZ]

i prefer linux. but push that aside, i would much rather get a PC. in my opinion... and the specs.... macs are over priced underpowered machines. im not saying they are underpowered. but im saying for the price you pay, your not getting your moneys worth.
lets take the mac book pro for example... its sorta old technology. and way too expensive. if you buy a pc laptop your paying under 1000 for something that runs the same specs. if you really want you could spend more than that 1000, but thats up to you. Another problem i have with mac is the fact that they dont allow third party companies to make hardware. While this prevents the blue screen (which you rarely see anymore) it keeps the price way up there.
Ill go back about 7 years. Macs had an advantage... if you were into high processing editing. The system and the hardware were better for rendering videos (being built on a unix system, and linux being hollywoods major o.s. for rendering [in a nutshell]) and editing music. Mac had an advatnage. But now mac is basically using pc technology, and pc has come far enough to where pc can do the same things mac can do. hardware wise. Even the o.s. is comparable at handling most processes. Mac no longer holds the advantage over PC in these catagories... or any i am aware of, except macs are hip, they are styling, apple is more than a product, its an image, its a status symbol. much like starbucks. By the way, macs are in no way virus proof, they have plenty of viruses, i know plenty of people who have macs that have had viruses. PLEASE dont use the virus thing in your decision making process, Which ever way you go, please keep your anti virus up to date and you'll be good to go.

 

[Lee]

It all depends on the individual. Myself I have a iMac 27" that has been Boot Camped with Win 7 Pro running on it, thus I have the best of both worlds. My laptop is a HP dv2037 (five years old) running at the present XP with the idea of upgrading to Win 7 HP.

I find that a great deal of my time is spent running Win 7 on the iMac; this is because of some large projects that I am involved in at the present time.

If you have the technical know how you can setup a Windows/Linux PC to run run OS X, albeit it takes some work, and a little head banging, but some say it is worth the time.

 

[valtonray]

how you use your pc should be a big deciding factor. mac's are very user friendly and just work, they have great tech support from what i hear something that is very much hit and miss with pc manufacturers. the pc platform offers imo the best balance with what you can do with your system and what hardware you can run. also it's a safe bet that a windows pc can be used to accomplish any task you may need a computer for. linux i think has more possibilities for the experienced user but even the user friendly distros have their kinks and limitations for the average user who and i find it hard to recommend for someone that just wants a computer that works with no hassles.

 

[Fantail]

A blast from the past

 

[madtownidiot]

There are features in like about both platforms, but if I had to choose one laptop or the other, I'd rather dual boot OSX and Windows 7 on a Lenovo than on a MacBook.

 

[pparks1]

There are features in like about both platforms, but if I had to choose one laptop or the other, I'd rather dual boot OSX and Windows 7 on a Lenovo than on a MacBook.

Of course, setting up a dual boot with OSX on non-Apple hardware is neither trivial, nor in accordance with the Apple EULA. I think perhaps quite a number of people would like to try the above if it were possible without hacked copies of the OS, bootloader tricks, etc. I've always been irritated at Apple for not opening up their system a bit more for better adoption.

 

[valtonray]

I've always been irritated at Apple for not opening up their system a bit more for better adoption.

agreed and that is why i don't own any apple products. although my "boss" has informed me that we are buying her an ipad.

 

[TheTeZ]

It all depends on the individual. Myself I have a iMac 27" that has been Boot Camped with Win 7 Pro running on it, thus I have the best of both worlds. My laptop is a HP dv2037 (five years old) running at the present XP with the idea of upgrading to Win 7 HP.

I find that a great deal of my time is spent running Win 7 on the iMac; this is because of some large projects that I am involved in at the present time.

If you have the technical know how you can setup a Windows/Linux PC to run run OS X, albeit it takes some work, and a little head banging, but some say it is worth the time.

vice sersa is also possible, mac on a pc. neither are HARD, just you gotta know a little about what your doing... or follow instructions and be determined (when it comes to your hardware working)

the fact that this works, is why i say that mac's dont really offer much of an advantage over pc, now that macs are using pc hardware...

 

[macgyver2]

I started out with the Mac 512 back in 84/85 owned a few mac laptops and went into PC repair/networking in 97, I have used PC ever since, I like the OS X and now like windows 7 just as much. If I could afford it I would own the new Alienware M11X and a Macbook. Alienware would be for gaming and the Macbook would be my video and art machine.

 

[Lee]

Macgyver2, got you beat on the Apple's; Started out with the Apple II then on to the IIe then into the Commodore 64 and then the Mac Plus (1987) from there two many to mention. Got into the MS camp in 1993-94 with NT 3.5. At present I gave my Gateway FX-7026 to one of my brothers (only one of ten kids with kids at home). Will be thinking about a new PC, albeit at present the iMac 27" will have do of course there is the HP laptop.