Another Mac vs. PC thread

Mark J · 11-26-2004, 03:44 PM

Okay, guys, I am aware that thereÂ’s at least one other thread about this on the first page, but my circumstances are quite a bit different, so I thought this deserved a separate thread.

Basically, I just saw the huge difference in price and wondering if a Mac is really worth it. Software availability for the Mac isnÂ’t an issueÂ—there are Mac versions of everything I want, and more; the few games I play have Mac versions. In fact, as far as software goes, a Mac would be BETTER, because I donÂ’t have to re-buy Photoshop and everything else. And in my opinion, you canÂ’t even compare Windows to OS X.

So the only reason for me to buy something other than a Mac is the vast difference in hardware you can get for the same price. For example, I recently compared a Apple G5 and a Gateway machine, which both were priced at $2499:

PC:
3.6ghz processor
2GB RAM
250gb hard drive
ATI RADEONÂ® X800 Pro with 256MB DDR Video Memory

Mac:
Dual 2ghz processor
512MB RAM
160GB hard drive
NVIDA GeForce FX 5200

And that's just if you order the pre-built stuff. IÂ’ve heard you can save a lot by building a PC yourself.

Any suggestions for me, one way on the other? I would especially like to hear from Mac users who think I'd be better off getting the Mac, and the reasons for your opinion. I mean, being able to use OS X is worth a bit, but is it really worth that much?

ATIRAGEPRO · 11-26-2004, 06:59 PM

I can't really tell you why getting a Mac would be better than getting a PC, simply because they are EQUAL in every way. (accept for their OS's.) Therefore, the only way somone can base an arguement like this, can oly be with their Operating Systems. MacOS X in every way, shape and form, is superior to Windows XP. Hands down. So the only reasn i could suggest to you to go with the Mac, is because the less Viruses and spyware bullsh*t you'd have to deal with compared to WinXP. (Even SP2!! :wooha: ) That prospect prooves that macs are worth the extra money.

g5orbust · 11-28-2004, 12:49 PM

This is like comparing a silicon graphics computer to a gateway.

SGI:

Single 800 MHz or 700MHz MIPS R16000A processor with 4MB L2 cache; 200 MHz front-side bus

Graphics
Integrated vertex processing engine

Integrated image and texture engine

12-bit per component color and alpha (V10, V12), double-buffered (V12) 16-bit 2 buffer ( V12 only)

24-bit eye space Z buffer and 8-bit stencil

10-bit digital to analog (DAC) display interface

Multiple concurrent visuals (8-bit window ID)

V10: 32MB graphics memory, including up to 8MB texture memory

V12: 128MB graphics memory, including up to 104MB texture memory

Resolution up to 1920x1200 pixels @ 60 Hz and 72 Hz

Support for dual channel and stereo viewing mode

Memory
512MB-4GB synchronous double-data rate RAM (DDR SDRAM)

That probably costs about 3x as much as that gateway you mentioned earlier. You gotta see that specs dont really tell the whole story.

Simon · 12-01-2004, 05:09 AM

macs r good for 1 thing, photshop

mac_mogul · 12-01-2004, 02:29 PM

Correction: Macs are good for anything

Simon · 12-01-2004, 03:55 PM

everything but games.

Zimon

horndude · 12-01-2004, 06:08 PM

Macs dont do well in the performance per $$ area vs x86 machines either, you pay a HUGE premium for that proprietary motherboard and processor that Apple offers.

ATIRAGEPRO · 12-01-2004, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zimon
everything but games.

Zimon

You have No IDeA WhAt You'r talking about Zimon. :laughing: :freak: :cyclopes:

g5orbust · 12-03-2004, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by horndude
Macs dont do well in the performance per $$ area vs x86 machines either, you pay a HUGE premium for that proprietary motherboard and processor that Apple offers.

Unfortunately this still holds true. That and Apple is too slow getting out faster stuff.

waynejkruse10 · 12-03-2004, 05:01 AM

Many people just simply dont have the money to buy even a low range mac. Thats why they have such a low percentage of the market. And suprisingly nobody has mentioned linux. Its free, and it has the stability and basicly no virus protection, along with Panther and ofcoarse linux is free. I recomend a Athlon 64 3500 + with a Gig of ram and a 6800GT. You set a dual boot system with Windows XP, and Mandrake, Slackware, or Fedora Linux. This will cost less than the Dual 2.5ghz G5 and peform better in games. Linux is good for everything but games. Windows is great for games. Also suprisingly, I have found that while using Windows, i havnt had 1 virus, and run Adaware every few days. Lots of anti-windows people overeact about the likeliness of getting a virus in windows but by experience, its really not that bad.
Wayne

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