We are thinking about purchasing a new computer within the next 3-6 months. I've always had PC's, but it seems like Macs are all the rage these days. I would like to know what it is about Macs that make them so great? I really don't know anything about them, other than that they are expensive. So, could everyone please tell me everything you need to know about deciding between a Mac and a PC. Are Macs compatible with most other programs? Will it be compatible with my printer, camera, scanner, etc? Will I be able to transfer Word files and other files from my PC to a new Mac?
P.S. I HATE VISTA and if I do end up with a PC it will have Windows XP on it.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 29
I understand that somebody who committed to Windows years ago would be reluctant to throw that investment aside. Yes, there are still some minor incompatibility problems, truth be told. But everything in the consumer electronics field is going through such rapid evolution these days, and I don't think you should let yourself be held back by that consideration. And now that you can run Windows on a Mac, too, if you really HAVE TO, I don't see any possible reason for not jumping in. The extra expense you might have to lay out up front will be more than amply compensated, I believe. I'm pretty sure that once you make the switch, you will be glad you did and never look back.
-
-
Jim Swan's "None-Too-Great Hits" now on iTunes.
Un-HOT!!! un-lewd, un-mindless. Not the usual Top-40 stuff.
Then again, PCs are compatible with everything, and you can actually go to most stores and buy software for them. And they're usually cheaper, last I checked... particularly since you don't have to install PC compatibility.
And, yeah. You're going to get a few gazillion comments on this, because people have argued over this for a long time - and trust me, you won't get a conclusive answer, really. I'd suggest a PC, if only because it's easier to find and download software.
(The 'Macs can emulate PCs' thing is nice... if you're already good with a Mac. If not, you're going to have to learn an entirely new operating system interface... just for the privilege of running an emulator. I want to try it someday, but I wouldn't recommend it until I've tried it. I've had problems with Mac operating systems in the past, so I can't really recommend them yet.)
About the up-front costs of the machines themselves: Yes, the Windows machine makers are going to be getting ever more cutthroat now that they also will have Windows-compatible Macs to compete with, and there is NO WAY Apple is ever going to cross-license its Crown Jewels out to them in return. No doubt the prices will fall for Windows-only computers, but I foresee an eventual shakeout of Windows-only makers. IBM is already out of the PC market, in fact, being the first one to go when it sold its PC business to the Chinese company Lesovo (did I spell that right?)
Now to let the other million voices be heard on this topic! I'm going to watch this debate with great interest.
-
-
Jim Swan's "None-Too-Great Hits" now on iTunes.
Un-HOT!!! un-lewd, un-mindless. Not the usual Top-40 stuff.
Now, I have 3 PC's at home! I'll never go back to a Mac.
And remember that both Microsoft and Mac operating systems came from the same original program.
I'm am a Information Systems Administrator for a small firm with about twenty workstations and four servers under my watchful eye (all Windows based PCs). I have used both Macs (my first computer was a Mac) and PCs. I got into PCs back in '96 because I decided I wanted a career in the computer industry and thought that PCs were the way to go. At the time, Apple was in serious trouble and it looked like Windows based machines would be the only game in town. It was a shame too, because I had always thought Macs were far superior.
Well, a decade has made all the difference and the Mac (and Apple) have made an incredible comeback. The current OS for the Mac, OSX, is by far a more advanced, more stable and much more secure operating systems than Windows XP or Vista (despite what anyone says). You can find great alternatives for Windows software on the Mac. Most of these programs will be more user friendly, much more attractive and just work (not to mention most of these are free-ware or much cheaper than the Windows versions).
I can't tell you how many times I've installed software on Windows that promised the world, only to either crash, install a bunch of bloated services that dragged down the performance of the computer or opened up a myriad of security holes. Don't even get me started on Internet Explorer, one of the worst pieces of software forced upon the masses.
Don't get me wrong. If you take the necessary precautions (anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware) with your PC and just install the programs you really need (don't download everything you can find on share-ware sites) and beef up the RAM you can get a pretty good machine that should treat you well. I'm typing this on a PC.
Just know that my next computer will undoubtedly be a Mac. I can hardly wait.
I was surprised to see a few comments to the effect that Macs were only for the people who knew a lot about computers while Windows was for the ordinary folks. That's just precisely the opposite of what I thought!!! Ha! Just shows to go ya . . . :-)
-
-
Jim Swan's "None-Too-Great Hits" now on iTunes.
Un-HOT!!! un-lewd, unmindless. Not the usual Top-40 stuff.
Personally there is almost nothing that would make me go to a Mac. I like the programs on my computers. Since I've had XP with service pack2, I've had almost no crashs, all the software I've gotten does what it says (at times I may wish it did more, but it didn't say it did) I like finding programs and games for $10 and less. No problems finding drives and cards and cables - (I know you can find what ever you want on the net for the Mac - but there's times when I want something I like to see what it looks like before getting and being able to get it now.) Pick up older games at Big Lots for $4 - $6 that are a lot of fun - all for the PC.
I would never say anything bad about the Mac. I know people who love them. The main reason that you don't have to deal as much with the virsues and worms and spyware is that the slime that makes them don't go after the Macs as much, yet. It can get them just as easy as a PC. But because of the fact there are so many PC's the slime that create things like that will go after them first. The more popular the Mac gets the bigger the chance of getting hit with viruses. Also if you keep good anti viruses programs they nail the viruses and worms and a good spyware program nails the spyware.
I've used both for many years. In my opinion, Mac's are FAR superior for people who know little about computers, people who do graphic design and people who record music for a living. After using a Mac for a while, it is highly unlikely that you will want to switch to a pc. I was forced to switch to a pc and hated it for years and years. I finally feel as comfortable on PC's, after many years, as I did on Macs in about 6 months.
There are some applications where pc's are preferred by engineers. These are specialized applications that are probably irrelevant to you. These days, you can get Open Office for free and it runs on Macs, PCs, Linux, etc., and contains all of the functionality of Microsoft office (but was written by much better programmers, as far as I can tell).
Mac's typically cost more than PCs for equivalent computing power, but if you aren't running Windows (or, heaven forbid, VISTA), you don't need the extra power except in special cases, and in those special cases you just have to buy an expensive Mac.
The reason why the higher initial cost of Mac's is justified is that they essentially eliminate the learning curve. As much as Windows has tried to copy Mac's (and I know, most of the Apple MAC OS ideas came from XEROX in the old days), you just have to know too much to keep PCs running. When I had a Mac as my main machine, I just used it. Now, with two Macs in the house and a ton of PCs at work and home, I have to keep reading up on Windows to find out about all the latest flaws and how to deal with them. Frequently, Windows automatic updates cause problems or fail to install. Sure, I get it fixed, and Microsoft staff are even helpful for this, but why should I be spending my time on this nonsense?
That's is my 10 cents. It's just my set of opinions. I'm writing this on a PC, having given the Mac's to my wife and kids, but I wish I were on a nice Intel-based Mac tower...
Finally, I bought my 80 year old mother an iMac last Christmas and she uses it with no trouble. She has very little computer experience (basically, none).
I'll ask these questions from MAC salesperson of course, but I'd prefer to know the answered before I walk in... Thanks for any light you can shed!
In my opinion, it comes down to three main topics: Third Party Applications, Malware, Familiarity with the OS.
There are many more thrid party applications for the PC OS. It really depends on what you like to do with your computer. If you like to make movies, both are NICE and each has "bells and whistles" that you will like. Still, I believe MAC's default programs are currently a step ahead of the PC.
When considering maleware, each has their own concerns. MACS are not maleware free. As more MACS hit the market, more third part applications are created, and more people brag about MACS virus free OS, you will likely see more maleware being developed. Top security experts suggest an Anti-virus program for MACS.
Learning the difference between OS is similar to learning the difference between new MS OS. Vista has many bells and whistles that knowbody even knows about.
I like the MAC, but I like the PC as well. Personally, I plan to use my MAC for movies and personal stuff. By the way, if you have an engineer in the family, most engineer applications will not run on a MAC unless you put a PC OS on the system.