Markus

Valve is allegedly going to be announcing that steam is finally come to mac next week. Games will need to be porter though, my guess is thar cider will be used for the most part.

stilover

Does it matter if you buy MAC or PC? Really?

All you're really going to do with them is post on car forums, and watch P0rn.

Games? Buy an XBox 360.

Hanley

PC hardware is nothing like Mac hardware.

Mmm compare the average laptop against the Macbook Pro - yeah they're identical - NOT!!

The build quality of the Macbook Pro is fantastic, your average Windows laptop is nowhere near it, but it's cheaper that way and some people prefer that.

Each to their own, I've been using Windows for so many years I don't want to count, I make a very good living out of Mr Gates and the MS crew, but the first thing I do when I get home is get my Macbook out

*** in fact I got some funny looks walking round the Microsoft buildings in Reading last week carrying my Macbook, even managed to pull my iPhone out on a few occasions ***

baldfox

iTrader: (1)

I started on macs (classic, LC, then a quadra), but then I moved on to pcs.
The mac's are a great product, they work out the box, are very simple to use (once you get used to their quirkiness), and as was mentioned earlier, they have a lot of software pre-bundled. I went back to PC though as I like to tinker. I like the little applications that do things like hack a mobile phone, hack a car radio / sat nav.. I like the little applications and extensions that allow me to change channels on my TV and turn lights on and off in my house. These were never that available on a mac. I daresay with the Iphone (yes I use one and love it), that these applications are going to become more and more multi platform, but up until now they haven't been as available on the mac compared to PC.

I'd sooner have a wider choice of programs (and the grief that comes with it - virus updates, m'soft bending me over for patches etc) than a system that could be arguably more robust, but with less functionality. But that's just me.

Fantom

Just to add my thoughts..........................

Mac vs PC is very similar to Impreza vs Evo..............

No matter how many people say Evo's are better, they simply aren't! And its the same with Macs. All you have to do is look at the sales figures............

How many macs have been sold compared to pcs? I think they are losing the battle.
As are the evo owners for that matter. Surely if they were better then more people would have bought them?

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I don't think it was the first proper GUI; The first GUI shell was Xerox's GSX which ran on a CP/M platform, later evolving into GEM desktop (as supplied on my Amstrad PC1512 ). And was quickly followed by Amiga's Workbench, both very handy and usable. They all debuted around 1984-85, but maybe Apple pipped them at the post with the "first to be marketed" claim - Even if GSX pre dates it.

Three things I hated about the original mac; One mouse button (still an issue ), and no eject button on the floppy drive (fine in theory, until the OS for no reason decided not to eject the diskette). Plus a mono screen smaller than that supplied with the original IBM PS/2. Ok maybe a Mac II is a better comparison, but did you ever see the price of one!?

Acorn's Risc OS although it emergedlater (before the Mac II though )has always been my favourite GUI of that era. IMO for its time it was light years ahead of (ROM based too, so no need for a disk drive ). Ironic that after all these years we are now reverting back to storing the OS on a Solid state flash drive (SSD) to aid faster boot times. About time too, never liked the concept of a disk based operating system; not when a ROM/EEPROM chip can be alot faster.

I'm not so sure: Cost of ownership really depends on what you use the computer for and quality of the system (OEM vs home build etc).

At work we only replaced our Crypton gas analyser three years ago (it was actually stolen). This was based on a AST branded PC with a 486 mainboard (The current one is a Dell Optiplex P4). It was also used for data entry on client jobs at one point and ran windows 3.2, I can't remember its exact age, but we had it when catalyst testing came into play, so thats 1993? 14 years from anything used daily in a dirty workshop is damn good by any standard, let alone a computer.

In the one office we still have two Pentium IIIs 1Ghz used daily (HP vectras). They were second hand 1yr old ex-civil sector (tax money well spent ) when we bought them (£80 each IIRC), they'll be ten years old this year, the only thing spent is a pair of new LCD montors (£60 each). Keep the bloatware off them and they are ok (i.e use NOD32 instead of McAfee, and Openoffice instead of the lastest version of MS office etc).

I've just ordered a brand new Dell Vostro for £250 including VAT and shipping, to replace the one, and going to get a refurbed PC to replace to other - £65.

Tell me where I can do that with a Mac?

The only PCs I've had durability problems with are small company builds or DIY builds. Two had IBM deathstar drives (unfortunate, but the one HP also has a deathstar - and that works fine!), and the PSU fans seized. Two more had duff RAM and a fith had a duff ethenet controller on the motherboard. All of which used known branded components, but it seems the quality differs to that found in Dells and HPs et al.

So a Mac will have the upper hand on reliability over DIY or PCs built by small companies, but not so will Dell or HP. Its just a pity that Dell and HP alike supply their computers with so much needlessly pre-installed junk that slows it down. Easily remedied, but annoying all the same.

So in my view; There is a PC and then there is a PC. Then, there is a Mac.

ScoobyWon't

Hanley

I couldn't disagree more.

The reason more PCs are sold than Macs is probably more down to cost, I've lost count of how many people have said to me 'I'd definately have a Mac if I could afford one'

That is like saying 'Bentleys are not better than Fords - just look at the sales figures, surely if they were better more people would buy them'

An extreme example I know but you get the the idea.

hodgy0_2

MAC users love spending money!!!

My work colleague uses his own personal MAC for company work – even though they would give him a HP/IBM laptop – wtf

Also I found a USB hub for him (which he needed) – perfectly usable

"No sorry, I am going to buy an MAC one for £30.00 – because your one doesn’t look nice"

Hanley

He just needs slapping into shape IMO

boxst

That was well written and funny.

"... in which Mitchell plays a repressed, neurotic underdog, and Webb plays a selfish, self-regarding poseur. So when you see the ads, you think, "PCs are a bit rubbish yet ultimately lovable, whereas Macs are just smug, preening tossers." In other words, it is a devastatingly accurate campaign."

Hanley

Yeah PCs are so lovable when you're infested with spyware, malware, web watching software, virus after virus etc etc

Geezer

No, MACs didn't catch on because people didn't want to use them for whatever reason. That's why people use PCs more. The analogy to Bentleys is not right. Both systems started around the same time, the masses chose Windows.

The reason MACs cost more now is because they cannot sell as many so have to have a higher pricing policy.

They effectively lost out to Microsoft. Also, if it wasn't for Microsoft giving a big injection of income to Apple in the 90s, they may not be around now

MACs are only secure because the real benefit to hackers is to target the largest audience, which of course, is Windows PCs!

So, you have something which is loads more expensive, you can't tinker or customise as much, and you can't get most of the decent apps for.

Unless you use Photoshop or Premiere for a living, you have paid through the nose to surf the internet and send email .

[Awaits indignant MAC users responses]

Geezer

Hanley

Macs are more secure than PCs because they're built on a UNIX foundation.

I use both so I can argue for both sides of the fence.

Diesel

I'm very impressed with my Apple mobile phone - it just works, solidly. Other than that I REALLY dont know what all the fuss is about Macs. I had to get into them heavily in the past year as I had to edit on Final Cut Pro . These Intel Macs work well - no big shakes. Edit software suite is great value too.

I run higher end editing software that is more 'open' to other media formats on my bespoke 64 bit PC - this works great too (and I built it so I can fix it)! The Mac crashes more (opinion based on using 6 different Mac suites), has milky discoloured Cinema TFT's that pop PSU's often and is all generally overpriced for hardware in my opinion. It's great to be able to check my Google mail on Macs mind - you wouldnt DARE give a mission critical PC a web connection!

I'll always prefer PC's I guess having years of experience in using them since Win 95, but I think the most important thing is finding the platform that most sucessfully runs your business critical software. Then its cost - not hype or fancy colours!

D

mamoon2

The Macs crash more?..... You're doing something wrong then fella

I've used Macs for 8 years for design work and now run my office with them, we have 3 iMacs and a Macbook and never has one crashed.

Maybe you don't have enough ram for the jobs your doing, but even when i've been using olders macs in the past they have never crashed, just ran slowly on bigger projects.

Someone hit the nail on the head by comparing Mac v PC to Bentley v Ford.

Just look at Windows Vista... What a joke that was

Xx-IAN-xX

Q: What is the difference between a Mac User and a Terrorist?
A: You can negotiate with a terrorist.
.
Q: What do Mac Users use for birth control?
A: Their personalities!
.
Q: What's the difference between a Mac and an Etch-A-Sketch?

A: You don't have to shake the Mac to clear the screen.
.

Geezer

The reason MACs crash less is because no one writes software for them! If I had a PC with only Windows and Office on it, I doubt it would crash either. Most people have a very large array of software running on their PC, and this usually causes the problems.

If as much software was available for the MAC, then no doubt it would all go tit's up too.

As for this myth about MACs being secure, try looking at the vunerabilities that Apple have recently closed. They were pretty serious. Also, if you look at what people actually have to do for some of the MS exploits, it's clear that if they wanted (i.e. enough people used them) that getting round the MAC wouldn't be much of a problem.

You really should try comparing apples with apples (no pun intended )

Geezer

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Don't knock 'til you've tried this on another OS:

Remove the OS hard drive with a vista install, then put it into another computer of totally different spec; differnt RAM, different CPU, different graphics card, different main board. Then switch it on.

Vista is the only OS I have used that you can do the above with and it work straight off the mark without any further user intevention and without throwing any hissy fits. Then try doing that with XP, or OS-X for that.

Win 7 probably has the same flexibility, but I've not played with that yet.

Xx-IAN-xX

Windows7 is the same I've just tried it on a new build

JackClark

I like this image. If you're prepared to have a monstrosity in your house then you can frag people online... **** yeah!!!



The iMac in that picture has too many cables by the way, Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse is now standard.

Diesel

I'm being careful not to blame the hardware for software issues I hope, but yes, in my experience, editing (only), they crash a little more. Remember these are state of the art Intel very high spec 8 core Pro Macs with minimal garbage/extras on them as they are transmission critical edit machines. They generally bombed out on FCP two or three times a week. Not bad really - esp speaking speaking as a PC man that WAS used to far more crashes on PC's but thankfully not so much now.

D

ScoobyWon't

In terms of software, what do Macs do that PCs can't do?

Diesel

They run Final Cut Pro suite which is excellent value and accepts competitively priced 3d party in/out hardware. Although I prefer other 'higher end' edit software this is a VERY good reason indeed to get a Mac! Cant think of any others - colour & hype maybe?

D

Hanley

What does a Scooby do that a Ford Fiesta can't do?

Why should I pay £20k for a Scooby when I can pay £12k for a Fiesta and do all the same things, i.e. drive to the shops, pick the kids up, go to work etc etc

Of course the answer is - personal preference and choice!!

Dingdongler

After years of running PC's I recently changed over to MAC. I was quite anti apple because I had a few problematic ipods.

With discounts the MAC didn't work out much more expensive than an equivalent PC laptop.

I'm very very happy, this thing is far superior to a windows based operating system. So much faster and slick.

Thanks to all who gave me advice on the computer forum a couple of months ago

JackClark

Read the above PC users and bring me a member who moved from Mac to PC and is just as happy.

Diesel

Does Bluetooth and Flash work on Macs - or are they disabled/neutered/un-included as it doesnt compute on selfish corporate levels (like on Aye phones)? Wouldnt happen on a far more 'open' PC. They are FAR more 'Big Brother' than even Bill Gates - yeuch!!! D

The Dogs B******s

I've gone from Mac to PC,and love it,i'll never go back

Hanley

Of course Flash works on a Mac, and so does Bluetooth although I've never used it.