Apple Desktops

I'm sure this has been discussed, but couldn't find much with a search, so here goes: Are Apples really any better than PCs? if so, why? Right now i have an Alienware that was top of the line a year and a half ago, and I'm thinking about getting an Apple. I don't use my computer for work at all, mainly just the internet and photos and music, very mainstream consumer stuff. I know they are better for malware, but what else? I have an Xbox 360 for games.

Are the programs really different or do they just look different?

How is surfing the internet? do all of the pages load?

Any advise about what to check out or to avoid?

thanks!

 

We're all Macs at the office here, G4 PowerBooks and G4 iMacs. Yeah, zero spyware and zero viruses. They're much more elegant than an Windoze machine I've seen.

I've had minor issues using web-based apps, such as the BlackBerry web client, but otherwise they're great as a consumer machine--particularly since there's less admin on the virus and spyware side.

In my 5 months on OS X, the OS does not crash, but sometimes an app does, which does not result in a crash of the system. I have never lost any work and typically just put the machines to sleep when I'm not using them. I only turn them off every few weeks.

I haven't tried the new Intel-based machines yet, but will be buying one when I need a new machine.

Highly recommended.

 

Apples are awesome. Their only weakness is games, but that may change now that they are switching to Intel processors.

They are stable, secure, reliable, easy (even pleasant!) to use, and most of all powerful, capable and flexible. They are equally suited for use by someone's luddite grandmother, or a professional software developer/engineer/scientist.

Web compatibility used to be an issue, but not any more.

There is definitely a learning curve involved, but it is not too bad. Shouldn't take you more than a day to figure everything out.

I would hazard a guess that over half of the faculty and students here at MIT have Apples (mostly PowerBooks). That should tell you something.

The only disadvantage is that some specialized applications are not available for the Mac. This is becoming less and less of an issue every day, as Macs become more popular, but it still crops up. For instance, I have a Uniden BCD396T (RF scanner) that can only be programmed from a Windows PC.

 

I'm all Windows here, I wish I had a Mac just to play with and get used to.
Right now I see it as a novelty item, everything I can do on a Mac, I can do on a Windows PC. Why switch ya know?

My computer doesn't crash, it's hella fast, and it's inexpensive. If it ain't broke, why fix it... (tweak it).

 

I have an Alienware Area 51 and a G4 Powerbook.

I can't really make too fair of a comparison, since my desktop is overwhelmingly more powerful than my laptop. But in terms of general user friendlyness I actually prefer the PC. I would attribute this mainly to my familiarity with the system, i've been using PCs for more than a decade.

However I've used the new version of OS X (I think mine is 10.2 or something), and I definately think it is a lot 'cooler' than windows. I havn't had enough time to really figure out if I could really adapt to it. But visually its much better. I figure if you are going to be using pretty standard programs and don't mind leaning the new operating sytem I would reccomend the Mac.

I would hold off on buying one until the desktops come out with the Intel chips. And from what I hear you can install windows as well and have a dual-boot OS X/XP set up.

 

Macs are great as long as you don't NEED to use some sort of underground program (ie. finance)

 

cool, thanks guys. i'm leaning the Mac direction, but i was going to wait until they start using the intel chips and then make my final decision.

I guess nobody really seems to not like them, they are either somewhat neutral or they love them. my PC works pretty darn well, but I'm just ready for a change.

 

Apples do not allow you to "delete" programs. Many PC users use the "delete" function instead of seeking out "uninstall". When you delete a file on a PC it can take parts of other programs with it. Apples are more limited in some functions but they are stable and never leave you with a blue screen and you saying "oohhh, now what?".

 

Both parts of what you said are completely untrue (except the bit about stability).

You can certainly delete programs on an Apple, and Apples are not limited in any functions compared to a PC. Hell, for most things, an Apple is more capable.

 

When you remove a program from an Apple it never makes the system crash. If you use "delete" on a PC you are rolling the dice, you should "uninstall" on a PC but that is not a guarantee of a good outcome. I used PCs through out the 1980s and 1990s in business and have seen many problems, since switching to Apple my problems have disappeared. And you can not seriously believe there is the same amount of software for an Apple as a PC, so yes some business "functions" have less choices.

 

Sorry, I misunderstood your post. I thought you were saying that you can't delete programs at all from an Apple.

The truth is, on a PC you usually need to run an uninstall program to remove a program. Apples are designed so that you can simply drag the program to the trash, without fear of screwing anything up.

As for "functions", I thought you were talking about innate capabilities of the OS. Looking simply at OS functionality alone, Mac OS X is much more capable than Windows. But I admit there are not as many applications available (though, as I said, that is rapidly changing).

 

Mac > PC every day of the week and twice on Sundays. FAR better platform than Windoze....

 

I have a Powermac G5 that I use daily, and I love it. No virus', spyware, not even a pop-up. It honestly is great. My friend came over and got hooked on minimizing and opening a window just because the motion "looked" cool, but then again he is a little slow.

Anyway if you are going to use it for just internet, photos, and music a Mac is perfect. If you decide to purchase an Apple display you surely will not be dissappointed with the resolution it is stunning. The music part is great as iTunes is perfect for the Mac and runs flawlessly. Browsing the internet is fine as well. One website that froze up was myspace, but I just force quited my internet browser and everything was fine.

You definitely do not need a high end machine like the powermac that I have, for editing use, as your uses are basic. So save yourself a bunch of money.

To be fair, one thing I dislike about Macs are the price. As a college student wanting to get into video editing this computer was a bit pricey for myself. Had to save up a bit .

 

Apple's are great however: Pc's are cheaper you will get more bang for your buck and also will get more performance period. As for security apple isn't really any better off than windows they just have the "benefit" of fewer users and thus fewer attacks.

PC's are also far more upgradeable than apple's. ANd of course gaming isn't to great on apple's. Best thing about an apple imo is the OS and software for it and the style factor. I don't have one at the moment but wouldn't mind one.

You can't build a mac either.

 

I've had apple ever since I was a kid and never once have I had a problem. Neither has my dad with his 20+ years experience with Apple.

If you want speed, elegance, simplicity, funtionality, and basically everything, get a Mac. (especially the new Intel ones, they can do even MORE). Once you're used to the different (easier to use) OS, you'll be stylin in no time.

Apple all the way.

 

The intel macs have been out for some time now. They are twice as fast as their predecessors since they use Dual Core technology. (Kinda like 2 cpu's in one)

 

One thing not mentioned is tech support. Apple consistently ranks #1 in the PC industry. My personal experience supports this as well. I am an all Apple guy, but...

1) Many smaller/limited market programs don't run, unless you have a windows emmulation program.

2) Even more mainstream things (Garmin GPS systems) are not MAC compatible.

FWIW, I have never had a web issue with MAC, other than trying to use it with AOL.

 

i got frustrated with my pc last monday and went and bought an intel chip imac. I'm actually liking it a lot. I bought it with the intention to use it just for video editing, but now i find myself playing around on it and surfing the web. Its hassle free and very fun to play with. It only took me about a day or two to get fully comfortable with it. There are limitations in comparison to PCs (for me at least), but not everyone has the same uses for their computer. I like it a lot.

 

2CPU's doesn't inherently mean everything is twice as fast.
Most of your stuff will be the same speed unless the application is multi-threaded (I think that's the right term.)

Most of the performance increase that you'll feel is the rest of the overall computer being upgraded as well.

Oh how I'd love to have a dual dualcore Apple. Wasn't there a dual core G5? Dual dual-core G5.. mm

 

Guess I was unlucky and had a bad experience with a Mac that I bought thinking it would be more stable then a PC.

Spent big bucks on an Apple Cube. Anyone else remember that? A really great LOOKING computer.

Turned out to be a total piece of crap. My first and only Mac. Expensive as hell to buy and repair. The screen was excellent quality though- showed that freaking unhappy Mac face extremely well.

 

This is a common internet fallacy. The core of OS X is a flavor of BSD, a Unix variant which has been widely used since the '70s.

 

I never used anything else then a Mac (both at home and at work) and never had any real problems with it... It's great! Windows is completely unknown to me...

However, at home I still use a iMac G3 with OS9... and I would like to replace it with something newer... I was in doubt between a iMac G5, a Mini Mac or... making a switch to a Windows PC... What would your choice be?
I'm leaning to and probably purchasing the iMac G5 next week...

A few questions for the people already using OS X... wich internet browser are you using? And can you acces www.FerrariWorld.com fe? I've noticed that I can't get in anymore with my iMac at home Don't know what the problem is? My (Explorer 5.1) browser ? The older OS? Something else? Didn't have enough time to check it at work yet...
Thanks for any tips/help... really appreciated if you could get me an answer...

Regards, Alexander