Mac vs pc dun dun dahhhh

mountaindewbass · September 2012

So since my lil side topic.. Was way off topic i thought i would post a thread so we can talk it out. IMO Apple makes great products that tend to last an average of six years. Pc makes up-to-date products that last an average of two years. So the real question... Buy a product thats over priced, out of date(after a few months) and have it last six years.. Or buy a pc with all the gadgets for a third of the price, outdates fast, and will be exhausted after two years thus having to buy.. Another pc. At the end of the three years the cost is about the same. I have two 1st gen apple tvs, 2 ipod touches, 2 ipod classics, at least 10k wrapped up in itunes(thank the lord they let you download past purchases)... So am i against apple.. Cleary not.. I just prefer to get the newest and greatest every two years(same with tvs) Conformity: I really hat the mentality people have about owning apple products... Thats what i hate. I once had a guy call in to my work at TransUnion and he was all pissed because he couldnt access a secured website via his iphone. I kept saying "its not secure to receive that webpage via 3g" he ststed.. But.. But its an iphone its secure. He didnt understand that his phone may be secure but the signal that hes receiving the data from is not. Also i hate how apple is all inclusive ir monopolize everything. Any cable, software, hardwae ect.. Has ti be apple approve which.. Is good fir the older folks whom may mess something up.. But its not for me(both of my parents have iphones) -end rant Well almost. Iphone 5 is going to suck, i hope you guys dont plan on jumping on that band wagon. They changed the pin connectors so all electronics(stereos, ipod players) wont work with it.. Juat adding more monopoly merchandise. End rant

mountaindewbass · September 2012

This was all broken into nice paragraphs.. But its not anymore.. Probably because i wrote it on my phone

lemonade · September 2012

I'm still using a mac powerbook 15" I bought in 2004 before mac switched to intel chips. It is just now starting to run into compatibility issues. This is being typed on a 2008 iMac 22" screen, and it runs everything I can find just fine. I use a slingbox, nfl network streaming vid, etc. No, it's not the latest and greatest, but I don't have to worry about moving all my stuff to a new computer every two years......

nolaegghead · September 2012

The mac computers (PCs, not tablets or phones) run on the same hardware insofar as CPUs, GPUs,memory, hard-drives, etc. as PCs. I see the main advantage in using a Unix (adopted from Mach/BSD) operating system, primarily being driven by Apple having a relatively small amount of hardware certified to work on their OS versus Windows. The mac hardware is top-of-the-line - not just the components, but the cases - MBPs case is CNC machined out of a single billet of aluminum, for example.

From an end-user perspective, I like that it's resistant to field abuse, shuts down and starts immediately, and doesn't have all the security holes with Microsoft VBS, registry, etc. protocols that Windows computers use.

I think it's easier to keep a Mac system operating for years versus a Windows, but I'm not sure if the usable years in use comparisons you quote are accurate. I'd agree macs hold their value longer, but after the G4/5 processors, they've been using the same hardware as Windows PCs.

troutgeek · September 2012

I use both platforms. I personally do not understand the animosity people have toward Apple users. They make a great product. I need to use Windows too, and many PC's are great products. I have to say that I never had the blue screen of death, until I loaded VMware, and Windows 7 on my MacBook. Sure enough. Windows crashed and took the whole machine with it. Still need Windows servers though, to run my databases and various DB applications.

SamFerrise · September 2012

You cannot fire up a Mac and grill some steaks so who cares?

zosobao5150 · September 2012

Apple computers are nice, especially for people who historically just want to do their activities on it and don't want to worry about anything system related. Having said that, Windows 7 has come a long way, but quite frankly most windows machine lack the elegant design and because there is no hardware standard, there can still be compatibility issues.

All my PCs have lasted longer than two years. In fact, I wait patiently for one of my laptops (4+ yrs old) now to die so I can justify a macbook.

gerhardk · September 2012

I bought my MacBook Pro late 2008 and I find it is capable of all I need it for. I upgraded the hard drive to 750 gb, and the memory to 8 gb. Earlier computers truly became dated in less than 2 years but I think todays computers are faster than most people's needs so doubling their speed has little effect on the user experience in the 90s doubling the computer's speed was something everyone could appreciate even while doing the most mundane tasks.

Gerhard

travisstrick · September 2012

My iMac has 16 gigs of RAM. I dare it to not keep up.

mountaindewbass · September 2012

travisstrick said:
My iMac has 16 gigs of RAM. I dare it to not keep up.

Wow thats like over over kill lol

MrCookingNurse · September 2012

The question really lies in the OS. Thatst the difference in it lasting and not getting Bug'd down.

But to me, there is no debate. I've got a 2005 MacBook that is still running strong and i don't see any reason it won't work for another couple years. It's a word/Internet/iTunes/PowerPoint computer. It'll still do iMovie and iDVD.

It's getting a brother soon but only cause my wife and I are gonna both be in school together in the spring.

I'm all Mac all the way.

dweebs0r · September 2012

I primarily use "Hackintosh" computers. These are computers I assemble myself using up to date (easily upgraded parts) and install the Mac Os operating system on. The computer behaves exactly like a "real" mac but I built them for a fraction of the cost.

More info here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/100-building-customac-buyer-s-guide-2012.html

Skiddymarker · September 2012

For years had a Dell laptop, new every two years provided by the company. Although it was professionally maintained by our sometimes overactive IT department, it was a pain in the butt. Seems the PC might suffer from what my systems integration professor told me years ago, "be careful when you integrate the best from too many different companies that are specialists in their field, the result will often resemble a camel".

When I retired bought an iMac, can't run Lion on it so it will be phased out over the next two or three years. Also have a MacBook. Both these computers just work. We have not purchased any software, they came with everything we need. We make movies, burn DVDs, organize pictures and make books of the grandkids. Apple seems to have hit what we want in one easy to use integrated product.

MrCookingNurse · September 2012

dweebs0r said:
I primarily use "Hackintosh" computers. These are computers I assemble myself using up to date (easily upgraded parts) and install the Mac Os operating system on. The computer behaves exactly like a "real" mac but I built them for a fraction of the cost.

More info here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/100-building-customac-buyer-s-guide-2012.html

Best plan if you can build it

fishlessman · September 2012

if pc's dont last, how come im still running and old tape drive machining center off of a 286
:D

newegg13 · September 2012

mountaindewbass said:

My iMac has 16 gigs of RAM. I dare it to not keep up.
Wow thats like over over kill lol

Travis used to drive trucks with big tires. Now he shows off his manhood with geekdom! :-B

FxLynch · September 2012

I bought my first laptop in the early 2000's, a windows based big name brand. 2 months later HD failed, then 3 months later, monitor failed, etc. I bought it at best buy with the full coverage warranty with lemon policy. If it breaks and is repaired 3 times, then breaks a 4th they replace it. This happened every 3 years or less, and they gave me full original price in "in store credit" so I bought all diff brands of windows based laptops for "free". (still had to buy new warranty)

My friends with Mac's would always rib me about buying windows based, saying "just get a Mac so it won't break". I finally did when my final windows laptop failed and I got store credit, only to prove to my friends that Macs weren't any better, and that when you take your laptop everywhere it will eventually break from being in and out of heat/cold, etc.

That was 2009, and my aluminum Macbook hasn't missed a beat. Not a single button, key, monitor, or internal part has failed. I travel with it, use it daily, just like the other laptops. Now it could be that by random chance every other laptop I had was defective, and that this one was just good luck, but I have a hard time believing that. I now support Mac products, and will until I start having bad experiences.

Village Idiot · September 2012

Retired IBMer

Mac User

'nuff said.

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

I do know that Macs use higher-end hardware components, rather than medium or lower-end. I also know that they go out of their way to test both hardware & software. They devise testing jigs to strength-test things like their hinges (for Macbooks) and keyboard button-presses, along w/ most other "movable" components. They also simulate duty-cycle tests via data analysis software such as MATLAB (among other software).

Now, I'm not saying that various PC manufacturers don't do similar things, but I can only speak for Mac because I've been there & have seen what they do.

I also own a 5+ year old Macbook Pro, which has been serving me well all these years. That being said, however, when it finally gets to the point where I cannot do what I need to do on it, I believe I'll build my own high-end PC (will build it "piece-meal" and spec out the motherboard & graphics card I need, etc), rather than just go out & buy one pre-made.

Reason being, most of the software I use now, only runs on Windows - and I can't see paying 2 - 2 1/2 times the price for a Mac to turn around & then turn it into a Windows machine. For me, investing more $$ into a high-end Windows machine means I can get more "bang for my buck" and use the extra $$ I would've spent on a Mac to invest in higher-end PC components and faster GPU / CPU speeds, and more RAM.

Eggdam · September 2012

I use both. Almost all apple hardware is very well built. However I have owned very well built Pc computers as well. In fact my pc in the basement is 10 yrs old and never gets shut down as it also stream to my media center(mac mini). One observation I've made on laptops is a lot of people throw their laptop on a bed or the couch and use it like that. When they overheat and start failing its not because they are crap but because you over heated it. Apple laptops are designed with a better ventilation system as they dont put vents in the bottom. In other words you can run them on the couch, a bed or your lap and they will never overheat. Also to compare a $500 low end Acer or such to 1300 Mac book doesn't make sense.

FlyingTivo · September 2012

If you have not tried Solid State Drives, you are missing a whole lot.

Im extremely happy with my MacBookAir, run Vbox from oracle for

any windows based software i need. Never had a problem and running

most recent Mountain lion OS. Waiting for a MBA with retina display and

i wont need anything more!

Felipe

nolaegghead · September 2012

I recommend a Macbook Pro for users that:

1. you travel a lot with your computer and need to hit the ground running, and pack up quick. The sleep and wake is excellent and it really handles multiple monitors and network connections well (and fast)

2. the system is subjected to a lot of physical abuse

3. security is of very high importance

4. you work on Unix/Linux servers

5. you don't develop with .net

6. you're willing to shell out a couple of grand

The multi-touch pad is so nice...scrolling, navigating, editing, zooming. I still have 4 windows computers, but I end up mostly using my mac (dragging it into the shop, plugging into the desk monitor, etc.) Me-ow.

nolaegghead · September 2012

FlyingTivo said:

If you have not tried Solid State Drives, you are missing a whole lot.
Im extremely happy with my MacBookAir, run Vbox from oracle for
any windows based software i need. Never had a problem and running
most recent Mountain lion OS. Waiting for a MBA with retina display and
i wont need anything more!

Felipe

I maxed-out the memory on my MBP, added an SSD that runs the OS, removed the optical drive and replaced with a HHD for data. It screams! I only reboot OS X about once a month, but I boot the Windows VM every couple of days and it takes about 15 seconds.

dweebs0r · September 2012

OSX 10.8.1

Completely home built system with a core i3 and a SSD drive. Nearly silent fans. Boots in about 6 seconds. Low power consumption. Can easily be set up to dual boot Windows and/or Linux.

A Hackintosh is really the best of both worlds.

dweebs0r · September 2012

I was a geek before I was an egghead. Now I guess I'm both.

nolaegghead · September 2012

My brother-in-law is running 3 VMs on top of OS X on his MBP. He spent 7K on his Mac Pro. That's just crazy - it's just used as a desktop computer.

FlyingTivo · September 2012

Here is mine! I also reboot every 2 weeks or so, when i notice a slowdown.

Nola:

Thanks for the idea for the MBP, did you do the work yourself or send it in for the exchange?

I will try that for my daughters MBP.

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

dweebs0r said:

OSX 10.8.1

Completely home built system with a core i3 and a SSD drive. Nearly silent fans. Boots in about 6 seconds. Low power consumption. Can easily be set up to dual boot Windows and/or Linux.

A Hackintosh is really the best of both worlds.

If you are doing a "Hackintosh" it should be noted that Apple's EULA dictates that Mac OS run on Mac hardware, and that by violating that, you are in violation of their EULA, voiding your warranty, and could potentially face legal repercussions.

However, if you're also able to set up a PC to run Mac OS, you're probably savvy enough to fix any of the issues which may arise, and therefore are not worried about any warranties. :-B

FlyingTivo · September 2012

I would not recommend parallels, they have files all around with no logical order. Im using Vbox from oracle, very simple and its free.

Felipe

nolaegghead · September 2012

@FlyingTivo I ordered the SSD and a caddy made to turn the optical drive into a 2.5" drive bay. Put the SSD in the original drive bay and the original drive in the caddy. Just did it myself. It took about 20 minutes, then about 2 hours to move stuff around. The file system journaling/indexing ran for another few hours, but the system was usable during that time. My VMs wouldn't start, but that was easily fixed by manually starting from Finder. Everything was easy as pie.

FlyingTivo · September 2012

Nola:

Who sells the caddy? Apple? Can you point me on the right direction?

Thanks

Felipe

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