Posted on 01/30/2008 8:29:57 AM PST by Scoutmaster
Please excuse the vanity, but I know many of you have very definite (and often informed) opinions about PC v. MAC.
I have an opportunity to upgrade my home desktop and laptop with designated funds from work. In other words, somebody else’s money, enough to seriously soup up a Mac Pro desktop and a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. If I choose PC, then I'll upgrade only my laptop. No need to upgrade my PC desktop - the drudgery of re-installing software far outweighs the little jump I'd make in PC desktop technology.
If knowing about my PC use is helpful, read on. If not, then just skip to the asterisks below.
Me? PC user since I bought my first desktop in 1991 but have since built about a dozen PCs for my family, the last couple with fairly high-end Core 2 Duo-type specs. I have a better working knowledge of the Windows XP Pro OS and PC hardware than most computer users, but in a room of IT people I’m a lightweight. My kids can call from college with a Windows OS or software problem and I can usually talk them through the fix or the installation of new or replacement hardware. No real Windows OS problems, perhaps because I’m finicky about regular maintenance of the OS, cleaning unnecessary files, fixing minor registry errors, defragging, optimizing the start-up processes, removing all remnants of programs I no longer use, etc. Feel as though I would be starting from knowledge point zero if I switch to a Mac.
Job involves lots of writing, so for work purposes my PC is a basically a word processor/research tool which I use for hours each day.
At play, I’m a heavy Internet user, a moderately heavy web design/video/graphics/Flash animation user, with a developing knowledge of 3d graphics/3d animation.
Often use my laptop for graphics, video, and animation play when on the road.
When I start to think Mac, my practical side reminds me that I have a metric Peruvian buttload of Windows software to support my graphics/animation addiction (software acquired at educational prices, a minor blessing) – such as most of Adobe’s current web design, graphics, photo, and video/DVD production software; and Maxon, Maya, SoftImage, and Z-Brush 3d graphics/3d animation software. I’m a sucker for 'superior' after-market (Open Source, if possible) administrative/maintenance software alternatives to the standard Windows programs - Diskeeper Pro, Firefox, Opera, GetRight downloader, etc.
Our family operates on a pass-down hierarchy of computer technology, so my switching to Mac would eventually result in Macs for three PC-savvy kids and for a please-just-do-it-and-don’t-make-me-learn-that-computer-stuff spousal unit whose computer use is frequent but involves little more than Office Word, Quicken, and the Internet.
* * * * *
I’ve read what I can find from technical pros and everyday geeks who tried and documented a test-run switch to Mac – some of whom drank the Mac Kool-Aid and some of whom stayed with a PC.
Spoke with several of our IT people. Mac would be compatible to network with work, but they warn that they are notably unsuited to assist with any Mac-related compatibility issues.
* * * *
I realize I could acquire the Mac versions of the video production, animation, and graphics software I use most often. I realize a Mac would run Final Cut Pro and other respected Mac-specific software titles. I also realize that in a pinch I can set up the Mac for dual OS and keep running the Windows version of that software.
What practical advice would you give to help me make an informed PC v. Mac decision?
Office for Mac 2004. It is the new iMac with the 20 inch monitor running Leopard. It’s gathering dust because I have two perfectly good Vista PC’s that run everything fine. My wife was looking for a computer to do photo work with and to do her bookkeeping and word processing. We got swept up in the hype and bought the Mac instead of new PC, what a mistake. We would sell the Mac in a heartbeat if we could find anyone willing to gives us the $1500 to cover the computer and the software we purchased.
I have never understood the whole Mac thing. My sister had one as does my son-in-law and they both had to buy a PC to do their business stuff. The Macs are great children computers, but for serious adults they are worthless.
Better still than "bootcamp" is Parallels. Win apps running right there on the Mac desktop next to Mac apps.
Got it. Thanks.
Can't hurt to try.
I'm not planning to use it for myself (I don't have iTunes, and I was told by a knowledgeable Mac person that I'd have to download the songs I want, burn them to a CD, and then rip them back to my computer). I'd like to give it to a friend of mine who does have all the Apple stuff, but I don't want to do that if it's expired.
The new all in one 20 inch iMac running Leopard. Purchased in late October from Best Buys with OS 10.4 and got the Leopard upgrade. It has crashed once and we had to call Mac service, which I will say did a good job of walking us through a 30 minutes fix. Our 3 y/o HP printer/scanner won’t scan to it, my 1 year old Lexmark printer/scanner won’t work with it at all and we can’t use any of our on line music services. Now we only use it to surf the web and do some photo stuff. We use our PCs for all our real computing. It was a very expensive lesson, but as I said it sure is purty.
I bought my first Mac, a MB Pro in Oct. It's different and a little frustrating at first.
Spend another $100 and get the One-to One credit card. Then make an appointment for a lesson.
I've had 2 and believe me they are worth it. Now that the holidays are over I am going to get some more.
I had to do a PowerPoint presentation at work today. Ended up using a PC at work as the program I had to access for info is there.
The whole time I was muttering to myself, " This would be sooo much easier in Keynote".
The more I use the Mac the better I like it.
Plan on changing out the desktops later this year.
Huh?
I won't argue with you, but I am curious what you might be trying to use for word processing and financials on the Mac that might be easier on the PC. I have been using MS Office Mac for several years, and have found it to be far more intuitive and usable than the equivalent Windows version.
As far as financials - I guess it really depends on what specific software you use...
You have to get iTunes to download the songs in the first place. But for use in other places, suggest to your friend downloading their non-DRM music. The burn-rip dance is then unnecessary. You can play it in anything that handles AAC files.
Just looked it up, expires in two years from date of issue or two years from date of last activity on iTunes, whichever is later.
I am happy for you, but every time we try to do something on the Mac we mutter “geez this is so much easier on the PC.” On numerous occasions my wife has just given up and left the room. I have built 4 computers over the last 6 years for myself and friends, and I would never recommend a Mac to anyone. Style over substance. There is a reason why 85% of the world runs on MS.
Please name a specific task that is harder on the Mac than it is on the PC.
I just do not like how MACs operate word processing. I find word to be very easy to use and operate through but not on the MAC.
I have several financial programs and for whatever reason when they are on the MAC there are small changes that confuse me to no end.
My husband is going to install a couple of word processing programs on my MAC to see if I can wean my self off PCs.
Parallels, VMWare, whatever it's called. I'm only enjoying this vicariously right now.
With over 160 replies, there are 3 from people who didn’t like switching to Mac and over 100 from people who love their new Mac experience. It is worth noting that those who didn’t like their experience had said experience many years ago.
Mac can run Windows software. I like Fusion, but Parallels is good too. Can you run high end, graphic intensive games on them? Not really. Can you run just about any other Windows program. Yep.
Price is really much less of an issue than in the past. The vast majority of computer hardware works on either platform. Macs sometimes appear to cost more because they really don’t have any low end computers. Their low-end is more comparable to PC’s mid-range. Compare processors, memory, and drive space. Much closer than it used to be, and Apple is often cheaper.
I have been an IT guy since 1984. I used to hate Apple. They have changed and they now produce a superior product.
Go for the Mac. Do what you have to in Windows under Fusion or Parallels and I guarantee you that:
1. You will use the Windows stuff less and less as time goes by and...
2. You will start talking your friends into switching to Mac.
eBay it. Macs generally have higher resale value than PCs, especially if they're within the current generation as yours is.
The Macs are great children computers, but for serious adults they are worthless.
The only adult thing I can't do on mine with OS X is Windows application development (duh), but I do that through VMWare Fusion. The only other thing I can't do on it with OS X is kid's stuff, all the little kiddie video games the kids play on the PC, especially the ones they got at Christmas that have little controllers with links to appropriate online games (no Mac version for any of them).
So my current experience as a consistent user of both platforms is that the PC is more the kid's machine. Except they prefer the Mac to play chess and use Photo Booth to take pictures of themselves with the built-in camera.
Yes, my pre-adolescent kids like chess. Damn I'm lucky.
Word processing, spreadsheets, loading new software, attaching docs to email, opening some graphics in emails, the aforementioned music services that are unusable on the Mac. Give me some time and I’m sure I could come up with more. All it does better is play with photos, but that is more based on the embedded software(iPhoto) vs Adobe than the computer itself.
I know people who think Steve Job walks on water and would never use anything he doesn’t build, and I never try to dissuade them from their beliefs. They are like members of a cult you would have to deprogram them. I just try to save others from being taken in by the hype.
“It is worth noting that those who didn’t like their experience had said experience many years ago.”
I don’t consider last October to be many years ago.
The whole cutesy names thing with Mac is very childish. Call a process what it is. The Photo Booth app is a perfect example of what I am say. Who needs a program that takes a picture, allows you to play around with it like being in a fun house and then email to your adolescence friends, I’ll pass.
“This security estimation by counting advisories was well debunked a while ago”
Uh, excuse me READ the advisories.... don’t just count them.
Sword claimed that the only vulnerabilties that exist for OSX were a few trojans that required significant user interaction in order to achieve....
“There are a few trojans... but that require quite a bit of user participation to download, install and run... giving administrator permission at every step.”
That is simply NOT ACCURATE. A simple search on SANS or CERT or any other security site will reveal many OSX vulnerabilties of all different types.... including many buffer overflow style attacks and even some zero day exploits.
Heck... check Apples site at this URL (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305391) for a list of just one release of patches addressing 25 different vulnerabilties. Go ahead and read the description and tell me how well that matches Swords characterization.
There is no question that OS-X...or heck any MAC OS has less active exploits then Windows (version whatever)... the debate is whether that is due to better inherent security in design....or simply being a small target.
I tend to side with the smaller target camp.... and it’s not like I’m a voice in the Wilderness there.
“Mac systems might be “safer because less people are throwing bombs at them, that doesn’t mean they are more secure”.” - Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos
“The only thing which has kept Mac OS X relatively safe up until now is the fact that the market share is significantly lower than that of Microsoft Windows or the more common UNIX platforms” - Neil Archibald
Or maybe we can hear from the guy that beat the Feb 22nd, 2006 “rm-my-mac” challange by getting Root of OSX in 30 minutes.
“”Mac OS X is easy pickings for bug finders. That said, it doesn’t have the market share to really interest most serious bug finders”
Regardles, the point I was making is for an end user.... particulary one that has some tech saavy and has plenty of familiarity with the Windows OS already (like ScoutMaster has described himself).... it’s really a moot point.... it’s not THAT difficult to keep a Windows machine relatively secure and running well.
Mac gets hit less....but it does get hit...and if some-one is really concerned about security... the answer isn’t to buy a Mac and think your magicaly ok..... the answer is to spend a little bit of time and effort educating yourself about safe computing behavior and how to configure whatever flavor of O.S. you happen to prefer properly. No O.S. in existance is a substitute for that....or will save a user from thier own reckless behavior.
There are several reasons, including luck that Gary Kildall's wife didn't want to sign an NDA, riding on IBM's coattails, Lotus 123, backwards compatibility, illegal monopoly and market inertia.
Notice none of the reasons has anything to do with technical superiority or usability.
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