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Search Tech-Forums - link takes you to our Forum's search page. Note: The following is only a text archive! To view the actual forum discussion, please visit our website at http://www.tech-forums.net Pages:1 Why are macs so good?(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)Posted by: Poon Ok so at my office people are always arguing about macs being better than pc's and pc's being better than macs. What is the big fuss all about? I haven't used a mac since grade school when that's all our school had. Now a days I've only used pc's. But the idea of using a mac combined with all the hubub about them, makes me feel like I should buy a mac. What makes a mac so much better than a pc? Thanks. Posted by: savagenator Mac is more expensive Mac is a little safer Mac has inbuilt features (a lot of them) Mac looks nicer Mac gets boring after a while if you like to mess with things PC is cheap PC can get infected easily without protection PC has nothing installed that you need when you first start it PC is used by 90% of the computer users in the world PC never gets boring Posted by: moisiss Really the whole "mac vs. pc" thing is a silly argument. Nowadays, with some minor variances, the hardware is all the same... so really, it is a matter of which operating system you like more (although you can (legally) run both windows and OSX on a Mac). Some people like OSX (the mac operating system) more than Windows.... and some don't. I have used both to some extent and don't really have a preference either way.... they both do what I want them to do.... and to me, both have advantages and disadvantages. Other than that, there are some types of software that are available on only one system or the other... but you can pretty much do anything on either one to some extent. Posted by: Poon Thank you both for your expertise. So if I'm reading this correctly, there really isn't anything to get worked up about when it comes to Macs? Why do all my colleagues constantly bicker about them then? For my next computer purchase, should I simply flip a coin with let's say Mac as heads and pc as tails? Posted by: The General [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]Mac is more expensive[/B][/QUOTE] The Mac Mini is $599, and it blows the doors off of any comparably priced PC. The Mac Pro is $2299, and it blows the doors off of any comparably priced PC. The MacBook is $1099 ... No, the only Mac that seems too expensive is the MacBook Pro. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]Mac is a little safer[/B][/QUOTE] A little being "100% virus/trojan/spyware free" ... then yes, but don't downplay the security of Macs. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]Mac gets boring after a while if you like to mess with things[/B][/QUOTE] My Mac experience has been nothing but an adventure, using Windows gets boring after using it all day every day for 3 years at work. Nothing new ever happens. It: 1. Always hangs 2. Always sucks 3. Always is boring 4. Always gets viruses (but it's not my problem, the IT doesn't feel like installing that antivirus software I hear so much about that I don't need on my Mac) [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]PC is cheap[/B][/QUOTE] Cheap-o, you mean. ;) [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]PC can get infected easily without protection[/B][/QUOTE] And even WITH protection. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]PC has nothing installed that you need when you first start it[/B][/QUOTE] What about all that trial software? :rolleyes: [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]PC is used by 90% of the computer users in the world[/B][/QUOTE] Well, "consumers" = 90% Internet servers = 40% People at work = 80% or something like that. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B]PC never gets boring [/B][/QUOTE] Sure it does, after almost 6 years without a major release of Windows, it definitely gets boring. Posted by: Poon So after reading General's information, I am confused again. I think I have started one of the viscious mac vs. pc cycles that I see at the office. Two people said there's no big difference and now General is saying that macs are way better. I'm looking for a definitive answer. Which should I buy next time? Posted by: The General Here's what it comes down to: If you want to play games on your computer, then use Windows. If you don't plan on playing computer games, then get a Mac and save yourself a lot of grief and hassle with viruses and the like. Posted by: moisiss [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Poon [/i] [B]I'm looking for a definitive answer. Which should I buy next time? [/B][/QUOTE] There is no definitive answer.... it all comes down to personal preference. You should check both out and make a decision on which one [B]you[/B] like better. Mac's don't have problems with viruses (right now... that could change).... but neither does my PC (just going on personal experience). You can build a PC yourself.... you can't build a Mac, you have to buy one pre-made.... and when you are careful, you can build a comparably equiped PC for less than you can buy a Mac. I priced these two a while back (priced the custom build off of Newegg).... so I'm not sure if this is still acurate... Mac Pro: $3199 Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2GB (4 x 512MB) DDR2-667 NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI) One 16x SuperDrive 250GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s (HD1) 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse - U.S. English Mac OS X - U.S. English Apple case (w/ fans and powersupply) Custom Build: $2782 Dual Intel Xeon 5150 dual core 2.66ghz Supermicro Dual Xeon Motherboard 2GB DDR2-667 ECC : 2 x 1GB (Kingston) NVIDIA Geforce 7600GS 256MB DVI/DVI Samsung 16x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW 250GB SATA II (HD1) 250GB SATA II (HD2) 250GB SATA II (HD3) Logitech Keyboard and Mouse Windows XP Professional ChenMing case Asus 550W power supply and 2 low db fans ... but you get the idea. Now, if you go out and buy a pre-built PC (comparably equiped)from a big name dealer (like DELL) you will end up paying more for it than you will a Mac pro. Point being, don't blindly believe any Hype (from either side).... just figure out which one works best for you and buy it! Posted by: blaackoran [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The General [/i] [B]The Mac Mini is $599, and it blows the doors off of any comparably priced PC. The Mac Pro is $2299, and it blows the doors off of any comparably priced PC. [/B][/QUOTE] HAHA, oh man that is a funny one. Sorry what is the mac mini used for again? Web browsing? I dont know what kind of PC your comparing it to...you can have atleast 1gb of ram at this price in a pc. And im sorry, I can build a 2000$ PC that has twice the power of mac pro at $2299, and thats not an overstatement. Where is the DX10 capability? At 2299$ u get 2 512mb sticks of slow ram, a 7300gt... not much of a bargain if you ask me. Now that said, im not a mac hater..I like what they have done with the macbooks Posted by: blaackoran [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by savagenator [/i] [B] Mac looks nicer [/B][/QUOTE] Tell that to my All Aluminum Lian Li Case... Link: [url]http://lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/Middle_Tower/V_Cool/M_V_C_PC-V1000plus.htm[/url] Posted by: The General [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]HAHA, oh man that is a funny one. Sorry what is the mac mini used for again? Web browsing? I dont know what kind of PC your comparing it to...you can have atleast 1gb of ram at this price in a pc.[/B][/QUOTE] Perhaps you can find a Dell with a 90-day AOL trial that subtracts $300, that has a Celeron, 256MB of RAM and a 20GB harddrive, oh and don't forget that free Lexmark printer, oh and all that trial software and coupons and a FREE 15" flat-screen CRT monitor for that price, but good luck getting a Core Duo in a package that small that runs OS X. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]And im sorry, I can build a 2000$ PC that has twice the power of mac pro at $2299, and thats not an overstatement.[/B][/QUOTE] You can't even get the processors the Mac Pro has for less than $1400, that leaves you with $600 to find a case, powersupply, video card, ECC RAM, wireless, and dual-socket motherboard that supports two quad-cores, harddrives, etc. You can't do it. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Where is the DX10 capability?[/B][/QUOTE] It's a Mac. Unlike Windows, Mac actually uses the STANDARD for 3D graphics, not that proprietary garbage that Microsoft made up to further their monopoly by selling at losses and over advertising. It doesn't need DX10, it uses OpenGL, and aside from the fact that you are about 15 and play computer games on your light-up fancy dan "rig" with unnecessary fan controls on the front and beige CD-ROM drives on your cheesy aluminum case that tries and fails to mimic the PowerMac G5/Mac Pro, people use computers for things other than games. The only reason anyone would need a powerful graphics card other than the Quadro/FireGL series would be to play computer games. Besides, it's not like you can't get an X1900 and stick it in a Mac Pro, or even an 8800GTS for that matter. Install Windows, and have at it with your quad-core DX10 Mac Pro, but you people really need to get a grip on the fact that OpenGL is the standard, not DirectX. DirectX is, always has been, and always will be Windows-only. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]At 2299$ u get 2 512mb sticks of slow ram, a 7300gt... not much of a bargain if you ask me.[/B][/QUOTE] Again, 7300, big deal, like anyone plays games on it thinking it will be good for that. The Mac Pro is a professional workstation, not some uber leet gaming system for you and your leetz0r friends to go have LAN parties on while all the cool people are out getting laid. It's for things that matter, not for playing Halo 17 with ub3r leet DX27 graphixz0rz. You must have no idea what ECC RAM is, lol, so I'm not even going to explain to you how two 512MB sticks of slow RAM is a bargain. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Now that said, im not a mac hater..I like what they have done with the macbooks [/B][/QUOTE] Well it certainly sounds like it to me. You even included all the irrationality, lies, and misconceptions. Yep, you are a Mac hater who likes MacBooks. Let me guess, you have an iPod Nano but you want a Zune? :rolleyes: [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Tell that to my All Aluminum Lian Li Case... Link: [url]http://lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/Middle_Tower/V_Cool/M_V_C_PC-V1000plus.htm[/url] [/B][/QUOTE] Yep, that's the one. Little holes and everything. How about a REAL computer case? :rolleyes: Here's a picture of the real thing, not that cheap knockoff: [img]http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1190/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/macpro/img/product-product.jpg[/img] Don't worry, Lian Li, adding casters to the bottom, a floppy drive and flimsy grill isn't enough to make it a new design. Posted by: Poon What if I want to play games, but I also don't want hassle and viruses? Has modern science not found a combination of both yet? Posted by: moisiss You can play some games in OSX.... just not as many as are available for Windows. Posted by: The General [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Poon [/i] [B]What if I want to play games, but I also don't want hassle and viruses? Has modern science not found a combination of both yet? [/B][/QUOTE] Then get a Mac, and run Windows on it with Boot Camp. Only use Windows for games, you won't have problems. :) Just make sure you get one with a dedicated graphics card, so any Mac but the MacBook and Mac Mini... But yeah, as Moisiss said, there are some games for Mac, just not as many as in Windows. [url]http://apple.com/games[/url] Posted by: datapimp I like you grew up on Macs in the schools. Then went on to Windows when the schools did, and when my Mom bought me a Gateway because it was cheap. Then 5 years later got a Dell, which I kept for 3.5 years and still use as an occasional back up or when I need something to rest my beer on. I bought a HP laptop one day one a whim at the local CompUSA about 3 months ago. I week after owning it I knew I hated it, meaning it was slow and had a boring interface. Plus I was tired of starting it up and being welcomed by 15 new pop ups asking me if I want to upgrade this or that. Then one day I got brave and downloaded a movie onto it...big mistake. After seeing all those ads on TV I at least figured I should give it a shot. Afterall I have always heard that Macs are for serious graphic and web designers, so why wouldn't it work great for me too? I went down to the Apple store 45 minutes away to test drive a macbook. I was immediatly attracted to its sleek design, and size. For a student like me it was perfect, about the size of an actual notebook. Then you turn it on. It comes on in seconds and is waiting to take your command. Not making you wait for what feels like forever to even get to the big green grassy field with your folders scattered everywhere. I am telling you this is like driving a Mercedes down the road. It is obviously a nicer product. It is more intuitive, and speaks to you in a way you can understand. It feels like it has more power when you are rendering graphics, like not a huge difference, but just enough to notice and appreciate. I went down there looking to get the $1000 white one, but I fell in love with the black one. $1500 ouch! or at least I thought at the time. I am on a budget, but to be perfectly honest. It was the best purchase I have ever made. Not even looked back once to think twice about returning it to get my $1000 back so I could go buy a $500 Dell. Which after all could do what I need as a student, text, print, surf...whatever. but look at those things. They look like old dinosaurs all trying to look like one another. All grey and black with a hint of chrome or silver here and there. Have you noticed that the newer laptops are slowly turning white? [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-SONY-VAIO-VGN-N150G-W-100GB-1GB-DDR2-15-4- DVDRW_W0QQitemZ190074581805QQihZ009QQcategoryZ1400 84QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] This is flat out the nicest computer I have ever owned. It is now to point where I get depressed when I walk into the classroom knowing I have to use Windows. It is so dull, and unintuitive. Conclusion: Buy it. Try it. You will never go back. Posted by: blaackoran [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The General [/i] [B]Perhaps you can find a Dell with a 90-day AOL trial that subtracts $300, that has a Celeron, 256MB of RAM and a 20GB harddrive, oh and don't forget that free Lexmark printer, oh and all that trial software and coupons and a FREE 15" flat-screen CRT monitor for that price, but good luck getting a Core Duo in a package that small that runs OS X. You can't even get the processors the Mac Pro has for less than $1400, that leaves you with $600 to find a case, powersupply, video card, ECC RAM, wireless, and dual-socket motherboard that supports two quad-cores, harddrives, etc. You can't do it. It's a Mac. Unlike Windows, Mac actually uses the STANDARD for 3D graphics, not that proprietary garbage that Microsoft made up to further their monopoly by selling at losses and over advertising. It doesn't need DX10, it uses OpenGL, and aside from the fact that you are about 15 and play computer games on your light-up fancy dan "rig" with unnecessary fan controls on the front and beige CD-ROM drives on your cheesy aluminum case that tries and fails to mimic the PowerMac G5/Mac Pro, people use computers for things other than games. The only reason anyone would need a powerful graphics card other than the Quadro/FireGL series would be to play computer games. Besides, it's not like you can't get an X1900 and stick it in a Mac Pro, or even an 8800GTS for that matter. Install Windows, and have at it with your quad-core DX10 Mac Pro, but you people really need to get a grip on the fact that OpenGL is the standard, not DirectX. DirectX is, always has been, and always will be Windows-only. Again, 7300, big deal, like anyone plays games on it thinking it will be good for that. The Mac Pro is a professional workstation, not some uber leet gaming system for you and your leetz0r friends to go have LAN parties on while all the cool people are out getting laid. It's for things that matter, not for playing Halo 17 with ub3r leet DX27 graphixz0rz. You must have no idea what ECC RAM is, lol, so I'm not even going to explain to you how two 512MB sticks of slow RAM is a bargain. Well it certainly sounds like it to me. You even included all the irrationality, lies, and misconceptions. Yep, you are a Mac hater who likes MacBooks. Let me guess, you have an iPod Nano but you want a Zune? :rolleyes: Yep, that's the one. Little holes and everything. How about a REAL computer case? :rolleyes: Here's a picture of the real thing, not that cheap knockoff: [img]http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1190/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/macpro/img/product-product.jpg[/img] Don't worry, Lian Li, adding casters to the bottom, a floppy drive and flimsy grill isn't enough to make it a new design. [/B][/QUOTE] Ok, im not sure why you are talking about Dell...Its PC vs. Mac not Dell Vs. Mac I didnt say anything about the same hardware, I said i could get performance that crushes any mac at ANYTHING for under 2k. Why mac is outfitting its computers with server parts im not sure, being different isnt always a good thing. I will go make up the computer and post again later, It will crush the mac pro without breaking a sweat. Blah blah blah blah blah. You basically didn't say anything related to performance per dollar in these middle paragraphs, which is all i was talking about. ECC ram, heres another mistake by apple. The fact is you get 1gb of ram, and yes they are very slow. Well since my case cost around 300$, I am thinking it wasn't cheap. Since I know you cant afford it, and therefore have never seen brushed aluminum in person you should just take my word for it, its beautiful. I'm not sure where you got the "knockoff". Oh and please show us how well macs overclock...oh wait no, saying that would make me fifteen years old right? PS. Im going to go makeup that PC i was promising you now. Posted by: The General [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Ok, im not sure why you are talking about Dell...Its PC vs. Mac not Dell Vs. Mac I didnt say anything about the same hardware, I said i could get performance that crushes any mac at ANYTHING for under 2k. Why mac is outfitting its computers with server parts im not sure, being different isnt always a good thing. I will go make up the computer and post again later, It will crush the mac pro without breaking a sweat.[/B][/QUOTE] How can you say that? lol ... you have a Pentium D and a 7300. :p [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Blah blah blah blah blah. You basically didn't say anything related to performance per dollar in these middle paragraphs, which is all i was talking about. ECC ram, heres another mistake by apple. The fact is you get 1gb of ram, and yes they are very slow.[/B][/QUOTE] lol, clearly you have no idea what you're talking about. These are pro workstations, used for important stuff. You don't just go get the cheapest Ultra RAM off Tiger Direct. You need ECC RAM. Period. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Well since my case cost around 300$, I am thinking it wasn't cheap. Since I know you cant afford it, and therefore have never seen brushed aluminum in person you should just take my word for it, its beautiful.[/B][/QUOTE] I can't afford it? lol ... What are you talking about? [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]I'm not sure where you got the "knockoff".[/B][/QUOTE] It's clear that they copied the design of the PowerMac G5/Mac Pro. :rolleyes: [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]Oh and please show us how well macs overclock...oh wait no, saying that would make me fifteen years old right?[/B][/QUOTE] Do you know any professionals that overclock their workstations were accuracy matters? If so, you're lying. Macs don't need to be overclocked, they aren't for ub3r l33tzr gamz0rzz. They are for things that matter, not for ov3rcl0ckz0r3z!!11!11 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by blaackoran [/i] [B]PS. Im going to go makeup that PC i was promising you now. [/B][/QUOTE] I can't wait. I'll let you include a QX6700, if you like. Because dual socket motherboards are rather expensive. ;) Posted by: an51r this is so silly you need to get lives how about helping the person who started the thread rather than flame each other. imo you should try both and get a feel for what you like in your price range. the macs are a lot of fun. i think the enjoyment of building a pc is great though. hopefully you can find a mac to use for a little while to see if you really like it. ask one of your co workers to use there comp at their house.also if you get a mac and put windows on it you are vulnerable to viruses again. the only reason you do not get viruses with a mac is the same reason you dont get viruses with linux cause all the viruses are made to exploit the windows os. Posted by: blaackoran Ok, firstly id like to say that I have nothing against apple. I just wanted to address one issue and that was that Apple is not cheaper then PC. The general was false in his claim, and he turned this thread into something ugly. Here is the comparison ive constructed: PC: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail $254.00 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590[/url] Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail $879.00 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115017[/url] GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $148.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012[/url] eVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $369.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130071[/url] Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $104.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136054[/url] Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $69.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144417[/url] Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - Retail $99.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817371002[/url] LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $119.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112040[/url] Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 70SB079000000 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail 65.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102007[/url] LITE-ON 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black IDE Model LH-20A1H-186 - Retail $37.99 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010100005&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=5&Description=lightscribe&Ntk=all[/url] Microsoft Windows XP Home Upgrade with SP2 - Retail $99.99 (Free Upgrade Vista) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194[/url] Total Price: $2251 Mac Pro: 2x Dual Core Xeon 2.0ghz 1gb ECC Ram 2x512 (ddr2 667) 250gb 3gb/s HDD Nvidia 7300gt One Superdrive 16x DVD/CD Burn Apple Keyboard/Mouse Mac OSX 10.4 (add price of leopard to cancel out vista/xp upgrade) Total Price: $2200 + Price of leopard The performance gap between the two is extremely significant. Words like "workstation", and "reliable" have no meaning when this pc outperforms the mac pro in every category. Workstations typically have a quadro of firegl card, after checking apple's website including a quadro card would send the price 1500$ higher. My point is, the PC is actually much more effective as a workstation, playing pc games, and doing 3d rendering...all for about the same price. Posted by: mac_mogul omg, ur gay. It doesn't matter what kind of hardware you have or how cheap it is... [b]at the end of the day....[/b] You're still using WINDOWS. [size=24][b]WHAT IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO...[/b][/size] Is: Do you want a computer that will work FOR you? or do you want a computer that will work AGAINST you? If you wanna get things done they way you want them without any stupid interruptions from something that says "Do you want to allow this? Continue/Cancel" every five seconds, then get A Mac with OS X and get on with your life. If (for some unknown reason) you enjoy being bothered with viruses and you thrive on the thought of Microsoft knowing your every move and deciding which hardware you should or shouldn't use or deciding what you view as 'premium content' then by ALL MEANS go get a PC with Windows so you can spend 4 hours getting your printer to work. :rolleyes: BESIDES. Please note the title of this thread. "Why are Macs so good?" The guy OBVIOUSLY KNOWS that Macs are the superior machines. Otherwise he would've said something like "What makes a mac a mac?" or some stupid crap that we see five hundred times a day :rolleyes: THE END. Posted by: macdude425 I'm not even going to try to chastise the morons in this thread, I'm just going to lock it and hope they don't pop up with the same arguments in another thread. vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2003, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. PPC Management vB Easy Archive Final - Created by Xenon |