Mac vs PC

[ChrisR]

My vote always goes to PC unless you are a real Apple fan - in which case you'll love Mac.

Macs do have a safer OS than the older versions of Windows but if you're running Windows7 and you don't download from dodgy sites or click every link in every email you are sent then PC/Windows can be just as virus-free as a Mac. Also, Macs are more stable because less software is available to run on them and less hardware is compatible with it ... whereas PC/Windows was designed to run just a huge range of 3rd-party hardware and software so there are more chances of it being influenced adversely.

Macs: less software & hardware available; safer & more stable; more costly to buy; looks trendy; easy to use and has a loyal fanbase; harder/costly to repair if it goes wrong

PC: the widest range of software/hardware available so more flexible; targeted by more malware/virus writers; cheaper to buy & cheap to fix; billions of users around the world.

[boxer93]

cost is definitely a consideration. I like the stability of mac. While my kids were young I had a desktop PC. My wife also has a dell laptop with vista. It will take a lot to go back to a PC. typing this from a macbook air that will give me 7+ hours on battery. Daughter has a macbook pro for college.
My .03USD
Chris

[jtoler_9]

I'm saying that the more user friendly and error free machine is going to be Mac...that's undeniable.

I'll deny that. I disagree completely. Where is everyone getting this? Mac's don't have viruses. Mac's don't have "as many" problems. Who is coming up with these numbers? Did you read Blerv's article? Again, grain of salt needed here, but that report had Apple in 4th place in reliability below 3 PC companies. I worked for a Mac reseller for 2 years and we sure had a very busy service department for a platform that is "problem and virus free". Am I as a consumer supposed to believe the Apple fan hype that the evil virus hacking community is too stupid to penetrate the Mac OS? Is the Apple logo a magical form of kryptonite that no savvy programmer can ever penetrate? I am working from a PC I bought 7 years ago. I have never had a virus or a software problem. Was I lucky? Come on. It’s all a bunch of hype BS made to sell something. We are literally comparing Apples to oranges. They are both good with some bad in the bunch. They are also different. Comparing the 2 will never help you make a decision. I would base my decision on what my budget is and what I am actually going to be doing with the machine. For me it's all about the software, but for others, who knows. To each there own. There's room in the market for both platforms. I would just suggest you stay away from hype when deciding. Good luck man. Let us know what you decide. I'm sure you are going to be happy with either platform.

[cosmo7809]

After buying an iMac, I haven't used a PC since. Love it!

[araneae]

My Toshiba has been great at almost 1/2 the price of a macbook. $600 is a lot of spydies.

[Blerv]

I think the Mac OS is more streamlined for ease of updates and such (compared to Windows frequent security updates). Its also better designed than Window especially compared to some aweful previous editions. They aren't perfect though as I've dealt with problems using iTunes and my dumb phone, lol.

Apple had a cleaner UI that's for sure; they also come with some software perks.

As for reliability and performance much of it is stigma and the fact hackers aren't targeting Macs. You can still encrypt and virus protect a PC. As mentioned with ESET we haven't had a virus problem or even miss a security update in years and Windows 7 is a decent OS.

The average computer user would be better with an iPad than a laptop, IMHO.

[jtoler_9]

The average computer user would be better with an iPad than a laptop, IMHO.

I just updated my Ipad with the update from Itunes. It wiped my device. I lost my pics and movies. Lucky for me I know how to make a backup. Just go ahead and google I lost my files on my IWhatever Lot's of frustrated Itunes customers after this most recent IOS update. I friggen HATE Itunes. Also I find myself reaching for my laptop when I am web surfing on my Ipad. So many sites seem to be incompatible or glitchy on the Ipad. Course I was an early adopter and I have the Ipad 1. So those issues might be fixed in the Ipad 2. Wait the 3 is out now? Or did they just announce the 4? So hard to keep up. :p It's all good fun. Security updates vs app updates telling me they are fixing glitches. Hmm..

Edit.
I would also ask you, what good is an IPAD without a laptop PC or MAC to tether to? I think it would be worthless. The IPAD ships with a friggen umbilical cord to tether itself to a smarter device for updates. Don't get me wrong I love the IPAD for what it is. A cool toy. Laptop replacement? Not by a long shot.

[D1omedes]

The average computer user would be better with an iPad than a laptop, IMHO.

Trust me, I've looked at the iPad. :p

Thing is, I need to be able to word process and utilize spreadsheets. That kind of kills the tablet market for me.

I've been looking at the Mac Mini, since it's the cheapest computer they sell, and it definitely strikes an aesthetic impulse. But no disc drive really kills it, IMO. What I don't understand is that Jobs was always claiming to make "affordable machines for the masses," but Apple's computers are some of the most expensive available.

BTW, I received his biography for Christmas and my interest in Mac grew as I've read the book. :D

I think the recommendation of visiting a custom computer repair shop is important. The laptop I'm typing on now is my sister's and she's had it for seven years, I think. It had some issues but they took it to a local computer repair guy (literally three minutes from the house) and he repaired it. It's been working well ever since. I'll definitely start contacting repair shops to see what they can offer me with custom built towers and such.

What I don't like about Acer and other PC companies is that they release models that are bundled. I'd like to customize it a little bit (ie. software, RAM, monitor, etc.). Dell seems like a likely option but their repair service is so BAD that I want to try something else. I looked on Newegg and I wasn't impressed with what I saw. They listed Gateway as a top-rated brand. Really? Those computers have been terrible since they first got popular - I'm shocked they are still selling.

[zunedog31]

Don't mess around with Mac. They are very overpriced and have such good marketing that you think it is so great when in reality is is just a status symbol. Windows 7 is outstanding and in my opinion is MILES ahead of Vista and is better then Mac.

[Blerv]

The nice thing about custom is you only get what you want. No clutter programs and spyware. Computers like all technology are expenses not investments, there are no vintage desktops out there that people use like classic cars. Even the best Apple is fighting to stay current 6 months from when you buy it. So what people don't consider is that $1500 laptop has a realistic lifespan of 2-5 years depending on usage and your needs. It won't get passed down to the grand kids. So really a computer (especially a laptop) is a depreciated good per year aka "cost to own".

Oh and Asus and Acer are different brands. Asus has made a name for themselves for years building beefy hardware and in the recent years started building laptops/desktops, etc. Acer is know for their mini laptops that sell for like $300.

Sorry, I'm posting way too much. Just interesting topic :) . Great discussion all! For the record I do love Apple product and the company, just don't believe in it being the only path.

[tpro68]

Getting stuck on the price of a mac is not unlike getting stuck on the price of a Spyderco. There are some things that would make a pc necessary, when people talk about buying two or three pcs for the price of a mac I remind folks of how long most mac owners hold onto and use their macs. I passed my six year old mac on to my son fully functional. I have never owned a pc that worked for that long. Add good local customer support at the apple store and for me it is not a hard decision at all.

[jtoler_9]

you seem to have more knowledge on Macs seeing how you worked around them so often so I'll take your word for it.

Please don't take my word for it. :) I am not an all knowing PC Mac guy. Yes I have used and worked in both industries for over 10 years. I just hate all the hype that goes along with these types of discussions. Like any product, there are good and bad ones. But like you said. Everyone's experience is going to be different. It really does boil down to personal preference. One platform is NEVER going to be the ultimate winner, IMO. It totally depends on what you like. One bad experience can certainly ruin someone's opinion of one platform over the other. I have no dog in this fight. I like both PC and Mac. My house has a few of each.
So to the OP, I think ignoring the hype and making an unbiased decision will lead to a happy purchase vs a buyer's remorse situation.

[jwingfie]

I own at least one computer running OSX, Windows, and Linux. My everyday computer is a Macbook pro. I can bring it anywhere with me and when I am home I have it docked and hooked up to a 24" IPS Display. My main desktop computer is a Shuttle running Windows 7. If I had to guess, I turn in on maybe once a month. I just prefer OSX.

Macs can be/are pricy, but if you shop around you can get really good deals. If you are looking for a desktop, a Mac Mini can be had for $599. You are then able to use your own peripherals. All in ones like the iMac are great, but if the monitor breaks, you have to replace an entire computer.

If you are looking for a Laptop, check out apples refurb store. They have white MacBooks starting at $750, Macbook airs starting at $850, and Macbook Pros starting at $929. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking you need to spend $1200+. Apple refurbs are great quality for the money.

[Evil D]

I'm a Windows/PC guy. That's all i've ever known. I try not to bash Apple, since i don't have a lot of experience with them. I taught myself how to put a computer together, i've never bought a complete PC before, everything is from scratch. If a knuckle dragger like me can fiddle his way around a PC, anyone can.

[Blerv]

Please don't take my word for it. :) I am not an all knowing PC Mac guy. Yes I have used and worked in both industries for over 10 years. I just hate all the hype that goes along with these types of discussions.

Exactly and that hype has been promoted by Apple's marketing dept.

These days if you admit to owning a PC (and not loathing the fact) its easy to catch grief. In fact, I used to get a few chuckles at my second job...it's friggin high school all over.

"Wow, 2gigs of ram. The Apple icon glows too? Ok, you win. I'm a stupid PC."

I really like Apple. The sanctimonious club house mentality (for some) gets old.

[Evil D]

If a pic is worth 1000 words...

[dcmartin2001]

Wow, nice to see love for the Apple here. I was strictly a PC guy around 4 yrs ago, got my first iPhone and never looked back. If I did a 3 yr side by side comparison of my HP laptop vs my MacBook pro.... Let's just say my Apple producs have all functioned slicker than a sardine's whoozit... I swear if I had to look at another blue screen of death or witness another "kernel memory dump" I was going to loose it.

The **** MacBook is a tank! Let me put this out there... I sometimes go for months without rebooting my Mac! The graphics card drives my 52" Samsung flawlessly.... I can use my big screen like a monitor with no discernable degradation. No special graphics card no special memory... Right out of the box, ready to go!

I love my Mac, and what I havn't seen mentioned here is that you can run both PC & Mac operating systems simultaneously Via the program parallels. You definitely get what you pay for. Best of luck whichever route you decide to go

[jtoler_9]

I swear if I had to look at another blue screen of death or witness another "kernel memory dump" I was going to loose it.

What on earth are you doing with your computer to get so many blue screens and kernel memory dumps? :eek: I've run my tower for over 7 years and I have yet to see a single blue screen or memory dump? I have even upgraded the OS twice, and upgraded the Ram. My ram doesn't even match. I guess I am just really really lucky. :p

[D1omedes]

Well, I appreciate all of the input. This thread has become much more informative than I thought it would be.

I have been looking at the Mac Mini and am sorely tempted. Problem is that I don't have a monitor and keyboard ready. If I add that cost, the price is around a iMac. How reliable are the Mini's? They seem like a laptop. How is Apple's service after the three year service ends? Do they just expect to upgrade to a new model? How are the prices for repair work?