Poll: Mac versus PC: Let's be nice about it

[Boemmel]

I think the "be nice" part of the OP regrettably is already vanished into thin air and since those kind of discussion (especially with this topic) routinely go nowhere (this one included), I will just say my personal universal advice in regards to all OS discussions:

Keep an open mind and try to experience as many different operating systems as you can. Learn from all of them, appreciate their different strenghts. Realize that in the end, they will all find ways to drive you completely mad.

Most people are being reasonable, but some people seem to have a vendetta against Apple. I asked for no bias and to give a good thing (just one even if you list a million bad) but eh... this is as close as it will get.

And you're right, every OS will drive you insane.

Yeah, this will most certainly about as close as it will get and to be honest, that makes me a little sad. I have extensive use knowledge of both Windows and Mac for quite a few generations (dating back to the times when Windows was a shell atop DOS and when Mac OS had a different numbering scheme than 10.X and was not codenamed after cats), dabbled in several different Linux distributions and a whole lot of other operating systems and I now see good and bad points in all of them, which makes all the vendetta statements a bit baffling to me.

Sure, you will have preferences and in the end, most certainly an operating system of choice, which make you feel most comfortable using (hint: I have those too), but the strong convictions some people seem to have about their computers and operating systems kinda irritate me, especially since those do not tend to be very nuanced.

But maybe most of them just do not yet realize that every single operating system will do something incredibly stupid sometime, driving you absolutely crazy. And yes, with experience you can spot those early and know some tricks to work around those issues, but still, every single OS will drive you insane with some irritating idiocy, which will make you curse the day the first transistor was ever created and make you realize that sometimes your computer just messes with you, probably because he hates you, at least it fells that way right now!

*pant, pant*

Uhm, where was I? Oh yeah, raving like a madman about stupid computers

Anyway, let´s see where this thread is going (I remain skeptical), but at least, thanks for agreeing with my "universal computer insanity" observation, I am always perplexed how few seem to realize this, so it is nice to see a kindred spirit in that regard

 

[pezwitch]

PC with Windows because I'm a PC Gamer. Gaming on Mac or Linux is a pain, a major pain, and when I get home from work I want to press the on button and have everything work. Only way I game without having to sit down and fiddle with each game to make it function correctly is if I use a PC running Windows.

In all reality Mac hardware is the same as PC hardware - they use Intel chips, AMD (formerly ATI) or NVidia video cards and use ASUS as one of their manufacturers, so the "Mac has better hardware" arguement is mostly moot.

I do not understand the difference between PC and Self-built in the choices. My self built computer is a PC, and while I like it more than a name brand PC there is really not much difference and which is superior is a personal judgement. I have met people who love their Alienware just as much as I love my white box.

 

[joshthor]

While both have thier place, for what i do pcs are better.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

A joke.

Bill Gates is on his honey moon and his wife walks up and says "Now I know why you called it Micro Soft"

Incidentally, I only use PC's with Windows.

 

[Weaver]

A self built computer is still a PC, as is a Macintosh.

Regardless, i chose self built with windows because the largest segment of games on personal computers are designed for the windows operating system.

 

[Dasrufken]

Uh, I chose PC with Windows without realising self-built was an option.

ninja'd


you missed a con for the mac side: Alot more rabid fanboys...

 

[Anarchemitis]

Let's face it: regardless of how capable Macs are or not, Jonathan Ive is an extremely capable dude. A true modern testament to the ideals of Industrial Design. He's definitely set the look for decades to come in the same way Raymond Loewry did for the 50s and 60s.

Simplicity is elegance.

 

[easternflame]

I prefer windows for a couple of reasons. First, mac gets outdated faster, How? Well you see there are still apps for windows xp even some windows 98 and mac, well, my tiger can't run the new iTunes or Skype or safari. Of course I can download whatever the fuck I want because I don't have to worry about viruses.
Also windows is more customizable.
But al this comes to one conclusion. There is no such thing as MAC gaming. I like gaming.
Just an opinion you trolls out there

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

for the price of some macs I could get a decent laptop and desktop pc.

 

[Faladorian]

Well, there are less viruses. And it's not only because they're less popular, it's also not an open-source operating system, so making viruses is more difficult and not really worth it.

Wow... No, Apple is about as closed as it gets, and it is because Apple is not popular. Virus creators want distribution across a wide area and that is best with Windows not OSX. The only reason it is not worth it to create viruses and spyware for Apple is because of that. See this is why I have a problem with Apple fans, they don't really know anything and when they don't know something they make it up.

First of all, this is just a chicken-and-egg argument, so we're going to get nowhere.

Second, you're stereotyping me, which I don't like, and in the wrong group, too. I said I use Windows in my original post.

Apple is about as closed as it gets

That's what I said.

Mac has always been closed-source, meaning its internal files cant easily be edited by applications without special privileges, making it harder to create viruses. It also makes it harder to make custom themes and applications, thus making Mac the less popular option.

 

[roguetrooper96]

I am a little bit biased towards macs, mainly because I have little to no luck with viruses, every time I get a virus on a computer I no longer trust that computer and do not enter any passwords at all onto it. Macs aren't virus free but I am still on the original mac that i've had for 2 years. Most of my windows pc's only last a month

Oh and about captcha, they are meant to be hard to read but you're right about the fact that you shouldn't need a screenshot zoom to make out how many l's and i's are next to eachother.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Let's face it: regardless of how capable Macs are or not, Jonathan Ive is an extremely capable dude. A true modern testament to the ideals of Industrial Design. He's definitely set the look for decades to come in the same way Raymond Loewry did for the 50s and 60s.

Simplicity is elegance.

Maybe, but I never liked my tech in white, so the majority of Apple's design look rather meh to me. I like the look of the iPhone though. Just the look, mind you, I'd rather get a Samsung Galaxy S or something. Never did fancy that wheely thing on the iPod either.

It comes down to taste a lot, but I do get your point; their designs work well and are, well, pretty pretty. But in a way that makes it all the more sad, that people let themselves get ripped off so easily in favour of shinyness.

Mac has always been closed-source, meaning its internal files cant easily be edited by applications without special privileges, making it harder to create viruses. It also makes it harder to make custom themes and applications, thus making Mac the less popular option.

*ahem* [http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/regulation/23804-mac-os-x-easy-to-crack-says-researcher] You were saying?

I am a little bit biased towards macs, mainly because I have little to no luck with viruses, every time I get a virus on a computer I no longer trust that computer and do not enter any passwords at all onto it. Macs aren't virus free but I am still on the original mac that i've had for 2 years. Most of my windows pc's only last a month

A month?! What are you doing with them, going on off-road programming trips or something? Buying uber-cheap prebuilt nonsense? No firewalls, virus scanner or any security whatsoever? In the 5-ish years that I've had my own computers I never had a virus infection on both my Windows PC. A bit of security is all it takes.

 

[Conza]

I think they'll never be a perfect operating system, but seeing them compete (finally) is good, because it forces them both to improve in the areas they are lacking in. Also I know Mac have been competitive for several years now, its a much better OS market because of it too.

I voted 'Self-built computer (with windows)' - I suppose you're looking at the entire computer system?

PC:
---Cons---
*Obnoxious security system (Windows 7)
*Comparatively fragile hardware
*Tendency to overheat

The security system can be altered with some hunting around, not a big issue. I'd say laptop-laptop and desktop-desktop (neither is fair, there are way more PC models), that there would have to be a stronger set of PCs vs. Macs, they don't generally look that strong either, more 'stylish'. Overheating is subjective as well, I'm sure Macs overheat less often because they aren't custom built/ fiddled with.

In the past (say OS9), I'd never consider them, and yes I did use this OS. It was alien, it was limited, and it was all over just no match for Windows 2000 /XP /whatever we were up to. Currently though, there is a fair argument to suggest that Mac has an easier user interface, especially for the computer 'un-associated' shall we say. But the bottom line for me is, until big business starts using Mac instead of Windows, and I mean it becomes 'the' option (like Windows is now), I'll never change. Oh and gaming, huge issue, I wonder if it's possible to cut a deal with MS and fix this?

Linux? Well, you know, you're basically hardcore if you use that in my opinion, but who knows, they might have a chance in the business sector too - which is almost my entire angle on this subject.

Mac:
---Pros---
*One foot ahead
(technologically)
*Master of nanotechnology

I'm actually curious to know how they are ahead in both these areas, someone untechnical tried to explain it once but got stuck. Could someone explain this possibly please? Techno talk if possible, I can tell a FSB from a Northbridge, from a L2 Cache, so...

 

[Danny Ocean]

Some of the technology Apple puts into their products is pretty amazing. The evolution of the iPod is a proper example. PCs tend to lack that sort of fancy new-technology feel, and are much cheaper as a result, but simply less flashy or impressive. It's all a matter of opinion.

Normally I'd agree but in this case I can say this. I remember when I was looking into buying a mac, so I looked at the mac pro. The most expensive graphics card option was almost 3 years behind the current-gen PC stuff.

It really is true that PCs are cheaper than macs. It's a logical deduction, therefore, that if you pay the same price for a PC as you do a mac, you'll get better hardware.

Macs do come with some sweet software and a swish OS, but I'd rather stick with my custom PC.

 

[KrazyShrink]

The extremely biased and blunt way that I view it is that when you buy a mac you're paying several hundred dollars extra for a slightly more user friendly interface that could easily be made up for by learning how to Google stuff that you're confused about. And apparently they're better for artsy stuff.

 

[mikecoulter]

I love technology as a whole. I have a few Macs and a Windows laptop, I'm also looking at getting a Macbook and eventually a stand alone Windows based gaming rig. I did have one years ago but it's rather out dated now. I don't mind what I use, as long as it works smoothly and efficiently at what I need it to do.

 

[lacktheknack]

Things relevant to me:

PCs have way more games, I understand the OS, and I'm charmed with excellent stability and no viruses.

Macs have better software, but are reeeeeeally expensive and like to crash the instant I look at them.

Therefore, I use PCs. I'm considering a swap to Linux, though...

 

[V8 Ninja]

Personally, I find Macs to be the better option if the user just wants to get something simple done. However, if the user really wants to dip into more advanced things than Microsoft Word, PC is the way to go.

As for the poll, I voted custom-built computer with Windows.