MAC versus PC
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Spokane WA
MAC versus PC
Im just curious to know how many of you (besides me) run MACS as opposed to PC's?
I have nothing against PC's and in fact thats what I learned to use a computer on, but 2 years ago my wife and I bought a mac, and have NEVER looked back, ease of use (once you learn how they're different), and reliability are incredible.
We have our eyes on the new dual 2ghz G5 power Macs...but at $3000 the worlds fastest personal computer (or so they tout it, but it is screamin fast, played w/ one at compusa) is still a little out of our reach...gotta saveup
what do you guys think, Im not trying to start a war, just curious
I have nothing against PC's and in fact thats what I learned to use a computer on, but 2 years ago my wife and I bought a mac, and have NEVER looked back, ease of use (once you learn how they're different), and reliability are incredible.
We have our eyes on the new dual 2ghz G5 power Macs...but at $3000 the worlds fastest personal computer (or so they tout it, but it is screamin fast, played w/ one at compusa) is still a little out of our reach...gotta saveup
what do you guys think, Im not trying to start a war, just curious
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 387
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From: South Texas
I've never used a Mac. I have always thought that software was not as readily available. And yeah, IMO, $3K is a lot of dough for a computer when you can get them for next to nothing these days. I'm running a Sony Vaio right now and was just thinking of looking into upgrading the memory on it...I think that's the way to go for someone looking to purchase a PC. Make sure it can be upgraded, otherwise you'll find yourself buying another every few years. I spent $3K on an IBM Aptiva about 6 yrs ago, still have it, still works, but can't run alot of my sons pc games and cannot be upgraded any further.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 11
From: Westfield, North Carolina
LOL so you really did start this topic, and to think it sprang from Holleys and Edelbrocks, but might as well throw my .02 in here. I like PC's dont have much of a reason , just I feel insecure on a MAC 
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Spokane WA
YES It did spring from Holleys and edelbrocks, so I HAD TO 
the ideas we get sometimes.
Once I bought a MAC I was hooked. I think the price markup has to do with proliferation of PC's and the umpteen million companys that make them, MAC's are all made by apple, and its probably harder to make a buck as there arent as many of them.....its just like.....Chevy aftermarket parts versus ford aftermarket parts....uh oh, theres another topic being born
the ideas we get sometimes.
Once I bought a MAC I was hooked. I think the price markup has to do with proliferation of PC's and the umpteen million companys that make them, MAC's are all made by apple, and its probably harder to make a buck as there arent as many of them.....its just like.....Chevy aftermarket parts versus ford aftermarket parts....uh oh, theres another topic being born
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
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From: Enjoying the real world.
They aren't the world's fastest PC. Great Britain has now barred them from advertising that. For $3K I can get a dual 3+ Giz AMD or Intel system that will blow the socks off of it. As for reliability... check the uptime results published of Internet sites all over the world:
1. BSD Unix variants (every one of the 50 longest running sites without a reboot is BSD)
2. Linux
3. Solaris
Windows and MAC OS are way down on the list. Frankly, I've hated the uptime reliability of Windows and the Mac until Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Professional has been rock solid. Haven't had to reboot it or turn it off for months except when we moved to the new place. I've got Linux running on the laptop and intend to keep it that way! The only reason we run Windows in the office is because of one software package: Quickbooks. If it weren't for that, the whole office would be Linux based.
1. BSD Unix variants (every one of the 50 longest running sites without a reboot is BSD)
2. Linux
3. Solaris
Windows and MAC OS are way down on the list. Frankly, I've hated the uptime reliability of Windows and the Mac until Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Professional has been rock solid. Haven't had to reboot it or turn it off for months except when we moved to the new place. I've got Linux running on the laptop and intend to keep it that way! The only reason we run Windows in the office is because of one software package: Quickbooks. If it weren't for that, the whole office would be Linux based.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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I started on a Mac about 12 years ago. It is still the number one operating system in my book. I have been working with both Mac and Windows now for quite awhile. When I first turned on a Windows based machine, I found out that because of my Mac experience I could work in the Windows environment just fine. Didn't Apple have a number of lawsuits pending against Microsoft for using Apple's ideas for their Windows OS?? I have twin cousins and each have a PhD in Mathematics. To this day they say a Mac is a far superior operating system. They have used both operating systems. My children have had the opportunity to work with both. They also feel that a Mac is easier and more reliable.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
I use a PC because that's what I'm comfortable with and the majority of computers sold are PC's. If that changes and Macs become more mainstream instead of the exception I'd consider changing. As of yet there isn't one thing that I need/want to do that my PC can't do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
We all have our personal preferences but uptimes don't lie. BSD and Linux win. BSD and Linux are more reliable than any variation of Windows and Mac OS. http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/today/top.avg.html
I choose Linux over BSD but I'll freely admit BSD is a more robust OS --- Linux won in my case because of the availability of software (BSD will run some, but not all Linux compiled software). Frankly, I'd rather spend half as much for twice as much hardware and have a choice: Windows, BSD, Solaris and Linux (which has a Macintosh like interface under X-Windows if you prefer that look).
(I'm not sure how a PhD in mathematics qualifies someone as an operating systems expert. My brother designs state of the art networking chip technology for Texas Instruments but that doesn't mean he knows a thing about operating systems technology --- though he probably has an opinion like the rest of us! )
I choose Linux over BSD but I'll freely admit BSD is a more robust OS --- Linux won in my case because of the availability of software (BSD will run some, but not all Linux compiled software). Frankly, I'd rather spend half as much for twice as much hardware and have a choice: Windows, BSD, Solaris and Linux (which has a Macintosh like interface under X-Windows if you prefer that look).
(I'm not sure how a PhD in mathematics qualifies someone as an operating systems expert. My brother designs state of the art networking chip technology for Texas Instruments but that doesn't mean he knows a thing about operating systems technology --- though he probably has an opinion like the rest of us!
)
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Spokane WA
Exactly Ken, we all have our prefs.
I thought Mac OS was linux based?
I read an article in MACworld that the ad about fastest in the world is bogus.....but it is very fast
Ive had to reboot my computer due to freezing less than once a month Id say....Happy owner here
I thought Mac OS was linux based?
I read an article in MACworld that the ad about fastest in the world is bogus.....but it is very fast
Ive had to reboot my computer due to freezing less than once a month Id say....Happy owner here
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
The Mac OS uses a portion of the Free BSD Unix code base but it is not Unix, and certainly not Linux (which isn't Unix but is very similar). Though Apple claims its Unix, its not. Some of its file structure is the same, and some of the OS calls are too but try editing the files in /etc and you won't get the results you're supposed to. I can run Unix apps with Windows and Cygwin but it doesn't make Windows into Unix!
Apple choose to use some Free BSD code because the Free BSD license allows them to use and resell the code without having to pay for it. They are headed in the right direction, but I think their afraid of commiting completely to Unix because it'll make it that much easier for their customers (and software developers) to jump ship to the free alternatives.
Apple choose to use some Free BSD code because the Free BSD license allows them to use and resell the code without having to pay for it. They are headed in the right direction, but I think their afraid of commiting completely to Unix because it'll make it that much easier for their customers (and software developers) to jump ship to the free alternatives.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 389
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From: Charleston, SC
I've got a Mac (been using since ~ '85) and a home built ibm/pc (been using these since the late '80s). For work and general use I use the Mac. It's pretty much an appliance as far as reliability goes. They last me around 5 years before they get a little on the pokey side and find a new home with my father.
For games I use the other computer. This one was built for the most part with parts that were new in 03. They both share a keyboard (Apple/USB), mouse (Logitech/USB), and Apple 17 inch Studio Display through a KVM switch, and share a cable modem connection through a router. They share files, and in this case hardware without a problem. It's a great setup.
For games I use the other computer. This one was built for the most part with parts that were new in 03. They both share a keyboard (Apple/USB), mouse (Logitech/USB), and Apple 17 inch Studio Display through a KVM switch, and share a cable modem connection through a router. They share files, and in this case hardware without a problem. It's a great setup.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 82
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From: NC
I work with computer systems for a living, here is my take:
For real uptime/bulletproof systems companies run Unix based operating systems like AIX, HP-UX, or MVS on a mainframe, etc. They run on really cool hardware with 36 cpu's and can run 256 gigs of RAM. They run multiple operating systems on one box (aix, linux) and can allocate hardware resources between them, in real time. The technology is amazing.
On the desk, most companies run w2k or xp. These systems are easy to manage and run on different types of hardware. There are tools available to manage 2000 machines like thay are all in the same room. Unlike MAC windows os will run on non propriatary (sp lazy) hardware. The only thing mac has going for it is a pretty interface over a BSD os. This is interesting..They are front ending a UNIX os. Macs in the enterprise are the domain of graphics and creative people because that is what they are used to, not because a pc cant do anything a mac can do better and cheaper.
However all these systems are tools, if one supercedes another companies will move to that system. My opinions are not that of an os bigot.
For real uptime/bulletproof systems companies run Unix based operating systems like AIX, HP-UX, or MVS on a mainframe, etc. They run on really cool hardware with 36 cpu's and can run 256 gigs of RAM. They run multiple operating systems on one box (aix, linux) and can allocate hardware resources between them, in real time. The technology is amazing.
On the desk, most companies run w2k or xp. These systems are easy to manage and run on different types of hardware. There are tools available to manage 2000 machines like thay are all in the same room. Unlike MAC windows os will run on non propriatary (sp lazy) hardware. The only thing mac has going for it is a pretty interface over a BSD os. This is interesting..They are front ending a UNIX os. Macs in the enterprise are the domain of graphics and creative people because that is what they are used to, not because a pc cant do anything a mac can do better and cheaper.
However all these systems are tools, if one supercedes another companies will move to that system. My opinions are not that of an os bigot.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 342
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From: Detroit, MI
I'd love to have a mac, but the sheer cost drives me away every time. Was going to get a nice G4 PowerBook, but went with my IBM T40 since for the money (and battery life) the IBM is unbeatable!
As an IT Professional as well, I deal with both Mac's and PC's where I work. Mac issues = almost zero (with about 10 mac users). PC issues (150 users est) = too many to count. However... replacing old crappy PCs with nice new IBMs running XP and properly configued for easy management and problems are dropping fast...
My fantasy - Apple realizes it should cut it's losses and become a software company - port OS X to various hardware platforms and run with it!! I'd love to load OS X intead of XP/Linux/Whatever...
As an IT Professional as well, I deal with both Mac's and PC's where I work. Mac issues = almost zero (with about 10 mac users). PC issues (150 users est) = too many to count. However... replacing old crappy PCs with nice new IBMs running XP and properly configued for easy management and problems are dropping fast...
My fantasy - Apple realizes it should cut it's losses and become a software company - port OS X to various hardware platforms and run with it!! I'd love to load OS X intead of XP/Linux/Whatever...