Computers & Internet Apple v PC - GD Throwdown

[grizzlym]

It's a marketing ploy used by Apple to entice and appeal to society's 'rebellious' side. Reminiscent of Adam taking a bite of the apple out of the Garden of Eden; the half bitten apple is subconsciously linked to this event, tempting those to defy the 'mainstream' and purchase an apple product.

They ran with the strapline 'think different' for years.

 

[The OBSTacle]

The one and only correct answer is Apple.

Unfortunately, I don't have one.

 

[Upgrayedd]

This debate is always funny, both are usefull, i couldnt do what i do with a PC on a Mac Computer, You wouldnt be caught dead editing film/music on a PC. However whichever computer you have to join a team, suddenly Mac is better, PC is better

Eh, Macintosh has far inferior hardware, while the OSX is a better operating system,

 

[rofltown]

The one and only correct answer is Apple.

Unfortunately, I don't have one.

have you ever used one? or are you just another mac lover who believes everything Steve Gods says...?

This debate is always funny, both are usefull, i couldnt do what i do with a PC on a Mac Computer, You wouldnt be caught dead editing film/music on a PC. However whichever computer you have to join a team, suddenly Mac is better, PC is better

Eh, Macintosh has far inferior hardware, while the OSX is a better operating system,

Windows 7 has taken great strides in bridging the gap as far as usability is concerned.

Mac's are just too controlled for my liking and seriously having to pay for a new OS (cough service pack) every 2 years is just bs.

edit: I LOVE MACINTOSH

 

[FIGJAM]

The value for money thing really depends on what it is you are buying. I'd certainly agree in some instances, but do not consider the premium (if any) to be so far out in others.

I don't like fanboidom. Whilst owning a MacBook / iPhone combo, I'd consider myself to be open to alternatives. For example today, if devoid of a smart phone, I'd be looking towards the newer Android models coming out and wouldn't be ignoring the new Win 7 options either (would probably choose an Android).

Conversely, if I accidentally put my MacBook Pro in the recycling bin, I'd be getting a new one, as there is nothing that beats it as a package, and I don't give a stuff about the price. But on price, if you're paying full coin for one, then you are naive or desperate.

Windows 7 has made inroads into being more OSX like, as OSX is struggling to significantly better itself in recent updates IMV, although it has been pretty solid from the get go.

The gap has narrowed IMV, but I still lead towards the innovators rather than the imitators.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Most of the Macheads on this thread have just perpetuated the notion that Apple products are dumbed down for the sake of style and easier tech support, pitched to a certain demographic.

Which is why I prefer Windows.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Most of the apple argument is about software.

Yes it's easy to use but most people with an IQ above the average 13yo can do anything they want on a PC.

Apple hardware is overhyped crap.

They worked for years to bring out the chip that the Ipad runs and the Intel Atom which was released at around the same time kicks it's ass in every way. Speed, heat, power consumption.

Apple = shit

Safari = shit

Ipad = shit

Iphone = shit

 

[FIGJAM]

Most of the Macheads on this thread have just perpetuated the notion that Apple products are dumbed down for the sake of style and easier tech support, pitched to a certain demographic.

Nah, they just work and I've never phoned tech support for any of their products.

On the flip side, every company I've worked for runs PCs and needs multiple IT guys to tinker with them on a daily basis.

 

[Messenger]

Most of the Macheads on this thread have just perpetuated the notion that Apple products are dumbed down for the sake of style and easier tech support, pitched to a certain demographic.

Which is why I prefer Windows.

The Apple users in this thread seem to be saying they have got what they wanted from their purchase. How dreadful for us.

 

[Saint KFC]

On the flip side, every company I've worked for runs PCs and needs multiple IT guys to tinker with them on a daily basis.

Says more about the people using the system than it does the machine.

 

[grizzlym]

It's a flawed comparison, because you're comparing generic products with a brand.

Why do you buy certain products or choose to use certain services? Because you trust them, you like using them, they fulfill some sort of need. Lining up specs is only part of the value equation that consumers weigh up.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Macs are incredibly overpriced and limited in comparison to a PC. The belief that they can perform video/image editing better than a PC is a myth perpetuated by pretentious hipster kids and there is nothing else of value a Mac can offer.

If you own one, I would merely be thankful that it is capable of running Bootcamp so you don't have to tangle with OSX. Sadly, that will not change the fact you are using a machine that you paid more than twice what the components are worth and have no scope to upgrade that system.

 

[Rod Stroker]

The Apple users in this thread seem to be saying they have got what they wanted from their purchase. How dreadful for us.

While some of us who actually understand the technology and the value of it are saying that you didn't get enough for your purchase.
Have to hand it to the Apple Marketing department for convincing buyers to spend more but get less.

 

[BarneyBent]

While some of us who actually understand the technology and the value of it are saying that you didn't get enough for your purchase.
Have to hand it to the Apple Marketing department for convincing buyers to spend more but get less.

But the argument that comes from PC users is that "you can get the same if you know how". Well, plenty of people don't know how, and don't have the time or inclination to learn. They're happy to spend a bit and let Apple do it for them. Now is that such a bad thing?

 

[Messenger]

While some of us who actually understand the technology and the value of it are saying that you didn't get enough for your purchase.
Have to hand it to the Apple Marketing department for convincing buyers to spend more but get less.

Or you could hand it to Microsoft for driving many of us into the arms of Apple.

The best thing that ever happened to Apple was Windows Vista. The number of people with an IT background who warned me off that turkey was staggering. I tried Apple and from my point of view it was a superior experience.

Now I'm told Windows 7 is a better experience than either of its predecessors. Too late. How will Microsoft now get me to switch back when their previous offerings have been so dreadful? And this is the point with Apple. They have delivered what Microsoft couldn't; a decent user experience.

I want my computer to work; I couldn't care less how it does it. It is a utility item I have no need to pull apart and tinker with.

 

[Saint KFC]

The best thing that ever happened to Apple was Windows Vista. The number of people with an IT background who warned me off that turkey was staggering.

You think that's bad? I spent 5-6 years using Milennium Edition. And I still have no inclination to buy a Mac.

 

[Papa Juggs]

I'm still using windows xp.

When I upgrade because of compatability issues it will be straight to Win7.

Saying Vista is shit is telling us something that every PC user already knows.

The noob style interface was really an attempt to make it act more like a Mac OS.

Apple hardware while styled very well is infact extremely inferior and not upgradable.

Can a stock Ipad run flash yet? Special apps don't count.

 

[grizzlym]

I'm still using windows xp.

When I upgrade because of compatability issues it will be straight to Win7.

Saying Vista is shit is telling us something that every PC user already knows.

The noob style interface was really an attempt to make it act more like a Mac OS.

Apple hardware while styled very well is infact extremely inferior and not upgradable.

Can a stock Ipad run flash yet? Special apps don't count.

What do you use your computer for?

 

[azreal]

Some anti-mac posters seem so passionate...jealousy is a bitch...

 

[Papa Juggs]

What do you use your computer for?

What do you hope to prove by me answering this?

That I could do everything on an apple?

I don't think so. I'm heavy into gaming. I know some titles are ported to Mac but not all of them. Don't even try to tell me I could run them on an emulator, that's just not easy and would be slow as hell.

The fact that apple now uses Intel processors proves they lost the hardware war.

 

[grizzlym]

What do you hope to prove by me answering this?

That I could do everything on an apple?

I don't think so. I'm heavy into gaming. I know some titles are ported to Mac but not all of them. Don't even try to tell me I could run them on an emulator, that's just not easy and would be slow as hell.

The fact that apple now uses Intel processors proves they lost the hardware war.

Nothing sinister. I'm just curious what you use your computer for. You see, having used Windows computers for years, I switched to Mac for my job (about 7 years ago) and I wouldn't look back now.

I'm not trying to convert you. I'm just trying to work out why people are presuming to know my needs in a computer.

Price isn't an issue for me in a computer. I use it for work, running some pretty specific and intensive software. I need it to work 12 hours a day. I travel with it constantly, hooking up to a multitude of networks etc. I work with designers, video editors, sound people and the like. I don't want to fiddle around with my computer, and troubleshoot it. In 7 years, my Macs haven't failed me once. They have worked flawlessly, perfectly. And I enjoy using a Mac - the design, the OS, everything about it.

Those are my reasons for choosing a Mac.

God, I wouldn't go near a Mac for gaming. Just silly.

 

[sblack]

The best thing that ever happened to Apple was Windows Vista. The number of people with an IT background who warned me off that turkey was staggering. I tried Apple and from my point of view it was a superior experience.

Really? The 'Vista is crap' line was pretty over-exaggerated. There was early compatibility issues, which came about because it was a totally new OS, but for the majority of users, Vista had no issues. For a standard home user, you would have experienced no troubles.

For the overall debate. I have a custom built PC, and a shitty old laptop (that is still able to run Vista and Win7). My sister has a MacBook. I would never buy a Mac, especially a desktop Mac. I'll sometimes accept people buying a Mac for Media purposes, but when people (like my sister) buy a Mac for no reason other than having a Mac, then they can rot.

I also don't accept the 'when I had a PC, it was virus infested' line, or anything related to cost of an AV. I've never had a virus in any of my family computers, including my sister who used to download from Limewire/dodgy websites. Microsoft provide probably the best free Antivirus (Microsoft Security Essentials), there is no reason to fork out money for an AV. I actually run my PC without an AV most of the time, as you have to be pretty idiotic to visit sites that would give you a virus.

I'm still using windows xp.

When I upgrade because of compatability issues it will be straight to Win7.

Saying Vista is shit is telling us something that every PC user already knows.

The noob style interface was really an attempt to make it act more like a Mac OS.

Apple hardware while styled very well is infact extremely inferior and not upgradable.

Can a stock Ipad run flash yet? Special apps don't count.

Haha, that's crap.

Vista is a fine OS as of like 2 years ago. Windows 7 had lots of compatibility issues as well you know. Most of the time, the best way to get around them, was to use the Vista version

And the Windows 7 interface is literally identical to Vista. Except for a couple of minor things. The jump from XP to Vista would be the exact same as XP to Win7.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Good post Grizz.

After all being happy with our computer is the most important thing.

Saying that windows PCs are buggy and need constant troubleshooting just isn't the truth.

A well set up system shouldn't cause any problems at all. Once you have all the right patches and updates everything should be smooth.

The same issues happen to all computers like hard drive failure and overheating from fans that stop working. These are due to moving parts.

Yes I know they are bringing out laptops with solid state hard drives but are they cheap?

If you enjoy using mac fair enough but don't go presuming they're somehow more reliable. That's just rubbish. No problems in 7 years is lucky and you obviously look after what you've paid a lot of money for

 

[grizzlym]

Good post Grizz.

After all being happy with our computer is the most important thing.

Saying that windows PCs are buggy and need constant troubleshooting just isn't the truth.

A well set up system shouldn't cause any problems at all. Once you have all the right patches and updates everything should be smooth.

The same issues happen to all computers like hard drive failure and overheating from fans that stop working. These are due to moving parts.

Yes I know they are bringing out laptops with solid state hard drives but are they cheap?

If you enjoy using mac fair enough but don't go presuming they're somehow more reliable. That's just rubbish. No problems in 7 years is lucky and you obviously look after what you've paid a lot of money for

Honestly, I haven't had any issues. But I run a pretty tight ship. All updates are applied, I trash my preferences every couple of months and I reinstall CS every year or so. The Mac OS has worked flawlessly for me. Now, in that 7 years I've gone through 3 Mac Book pros, pick up my fourth tomorrow.

So Macs suit me and what I need to use them for. What I will say, is that I never assume that trouble won't be around the corner, that's why I run timemachine and back up to the cloud as well. But in my experience, Macs have been more reliable and mush less trouble that when I was using genercis running Windows OS

 

[JDavey]

Clean and Simple User Experience. There is now very little difference between the easy user experience on Windows 7 and Mac OS X. Gone from Windows 7 are Vista's loads of unnecessary bloatware applications, confusing and poorly designed configuration dialog boxes, and moronic UAC popups that impeded a user's productivity at every turn. The new task bar is more simple and straightforward than Mac OS X's crowded icon bar. Windows also has very good screen configuration settings that make switching between monitor configurations extremely easy. And the Control Panel has been redesigned to the basics of what end users need to manage Windows 7. Like it or not, we're now down to personal preference when it comes to usability and ease of use.

Mac Crashes More. Fact is, my Windows 7 systems don't crash... ever. Those days of frequent Windows Explorer crashes went away when I installed the Windows 7 RC. My Mac now crashes more often (about once a month or so) than Windows 7, and my Mac isn't over laden with junk on it.

Flexibility and Lower Cost. Microsoft has updated its "PC hunter" commercials but they still show how easy it is to find a better value when buying a Windows PC over a Mac. You have to use some pretty convoluted math to come to the conclusion Macs don't cost more than PCs for the equivalent devices. If you buy a Mac it's going to be because you consciously have decided you want a Mac instead of a PC, you hate Microsoft, you prefer the Mac user interface, etc.

Performance. We may not have side-by-side Windows 7 and Mac OS X performance comparisons yet (I'm sure we will soon) but Windows 7 isn't the performance hog Vista was. The experience is great. Windows 7 tools are fast, applications don't freeze up waiting for resources, disk I/O performance is great, memory utilization is much more efficient. Startup, shutdown and sleep are fast. Outlook still has its issues with not responding but overall we're talking a speedy experience on Windows 7. Now add that to the fact that Windows has access to the latest hardware advances -- you can crack the core on the latest Intel i7 or other hardware advances.

Mac Security Is NOT Better Than Windows 7. Many still live with the myth that Mac OS X doesn't have any security issues while Windows does. That myth ignores the facts. For example, Apple just released 18 security patches (the smallest collection of patches this year) for Mac OS X on August 5th. Many try to argue that not all the fixes are for Mac OS X, but rather for other software that might be included with it. To compare apples-to-apples (pun intended) you have to stack up the software each vendor ships with their products, not selective parts of it. While it is true that Windows is still a much larger security target because of it's market share, it isn't true that the Mac doesn't have plenty of security issues of its own.

This pretty much sums it up. In terms of software v software any top IT guy will let you in on the secret that Windows 7 beats the current Mac OSX.
I've never had a problem with Windows and I've never ever gotten a virus, but then again common sense is the best way to prevent that and unfortunately most people who convert to Mac despite the Windows 7 option lack that.

I can understand the move during the Vista days but there is no reason now not to be on Windows 7 over the Mac alternative.