Feb
I'm getting a new laptop (hopefully soon), and I was wondering if I should stick with what I know (PC), or try buying a mac product. I asked my friends about this, and they were unable to agree on one thing. If I buy a macbook, I would probably go with pro. Any ideas?
Answer:
I will give you an HONEST opinion of what I think about using Macs everyday. None of that you-get-no-viruses, or it 'just works' better, 'looks better', 'doesn't crash' trash that Apple fanboys will lie about.
So here it goes.
I use Macs and PC's every day. Namely, I use a Sony Vaio AR and a MacBook Pro.
Here are common myths about Macs and OS X:
1) No viruses - Well guess what? I use both Windows and OS X and I get viruses on neither one. None on Windows because I use a thing called anti-virus ( http://onecare.live.com/ ), and none on OS X because it's not mainstream enough. Complete facts.
2) Macs look better - now I have to say, I love Mac hardware. But that doesn't mean PC's don't have any good looks either. Take for instance Sony Vaios. These are top-of-the-line PC's with beautiful sleek designs, quality hardware, and a lot of the good stuff. Dell has an XPS line which is also great. HP computer are also not half bad.
3) Macs can run OS X AND Windows - Nice feature, but it's kind of a cheat since Apple won't license it to PC vendors. If OS X was available on any computer, it would have many problems as well. Running Windows on a Mac is ok, but I still see performance issues, you don't get full AERO effects, and on some Macs, it's a slow down running 2 OS's.
4) OS X never crashes of have problems - WRONG. I know several other OS X users besides me, who have issues and it's annoying. Take a look at this forum to believe : http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay…
5) Apple Tech Support is good - Another common myth. For the most part, they are better, but many times, they also can be rather awful. I called about a broken Mac one time, and I sent it, they couldn't fix it, and gave me a discount to BUY a NEW one. What a cheat! I was rather angry. I got myself a Sony Vaio to use for awhile, and found a REAL Mac fixer to do the job, and it worked well again. I also have heard other people claim tech support from Apple can be a hassle as well.
6) Macs are great for creativity, music stuff, graphic programs, etc. - True, Macs do well with that stuff, but that doesn't mean it can't be done on Windows. Vista comes with several easy-to-use media creating apps. Adobe sells a lot of it's programs to create media, along with other freeware that works on OS X as well as Windows. Many of the graphical stuff you see, isn't always created by Macs you know.
7) Macs last longer - True, and so do your quality PC's. Buy a crappy cheap PC, you get what you buy. Buy a quality computer, not just Macs, and you'll have a long lasting computer.
It's easier to use - In a way, it is easy to use, but you can say the same for Vista. To me, I still find Windows more intuitive to use, and easier to navigate through than OS X. There's still times I can't figure out why Apple put this here, and it's rather annoying. I also prefer the taskbar to put up programs than the Dock.
9) You get special attention when you show off your Mac - you do, but in a bad way. I've seen some Mac users flaunt their laptops at coffee shops, and I often see more dirty stares than envy. Not because they wish they could have one, but any smug guy saying "Hey, I'm better than you because I have this" won't make friends. I even saw one person 'accidently' knock a coffee cup on a MBP, and walked right off. So yeah, not cool at all. Don't believe what you see on TV.
10) "Get a Mac" ads are completely true - Oh brother, as much as Mac hardware is great, those ads are a BIG LIE. You'll notice how they like to make fun of PC's and Vista, but yet they NEVER 'show' anything good about Macs and OS X. So saying you're better than the worst is you're way of persuading people? Plus, sometimes these faults are overexaggerated, and are completely untrue for the majority of PC and Windows users.
11) Macs run much faster - Like I said, depends on what specs you may have. There's many computer brands out there, and some have even better specs and do more well than Macs. And they might even just cost the same as well.
So those are the main issues I have with these lies. Personally, I use my MacBook Pro for a few OS X only things, and that's it. Otherwise than that, I would stick to Windows full time.
I find myself using my Sony Vaio more often. It runs Vista very well, and I have no problems with it. Here's why I kind of prefer PC's (or Sony Vaios) more than Macs.
1) Tons of choices - you're not limited to what computer you want to buy. Sony, Dell, HP, LG, Samsung, etc. No limits there.
2) Tons of price ranges - from the very cheap to the most expensive. It all works out from what you want to choose from.
3) Runs Windows natively - Sorry, but I think Windows does everything OS X does plus more. And people need that.
4) Games! - There are some games on OS X of course, but not the myriad you find on PC's.
5) Windows Media Center - absolutely the best thing since TiVo. Connect to your TV via an Extender, and you can watch your TV with a beautiful UI, access photos, videos and more from your computer on your TV, and even record TV shows and put on your computer and Zune. The best thing ever.
6) Tons more compatibility, freeware, tweaks, extras, customization, and everything - Lots of programs actually 'just work', you can get access to lots of free downloads, Windows has more customization in the menus, and a lot more going for it than OS X.
7) Apple charges you for it's 'service packs' - Apple really charges you for it's service packs. Like Tiger and Leopard are just merely service packs to the whole OS X system. And they cost $130 each, while on Windows it's a free update.
Office 07' - a true productivity worker can't live without this suite. It works on Windows only, and has a beautiful UI, and it's super easy to transform stuff into something pretty.
9) Upgradability - It's by far way more easier to upgrade things on a PC than on a Mac. You can changed innards better without worrying, you can change OS's, etc. You have to be careful around tinkering with Macs, but it could easily void the warranty.
10) Freedom! - With Macs you're very restricted to Apple's rules. You HAVE to get OS X with every new Mac. You HAVE to use Apple's software if there's no other alternative. You HAVE to use specific guidelines when creating programs. You HAVE to legally buy a Mac from an authorized Apple reseller. Sounds like Apple really controls its users far more than PC's.
So overall, I say stick with a PC. I recommend a Sony Vaio to get you going : http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stor…
There is Office 08' for Macs, and I find that it works well (not Office 07' well, but almost), it should be able to work with your documents and whatnot. There isn't Outlook, but something called Entourage which is a rather bummer. http://www.macoffice2008.com/#
I faced a ton of compatibility issues when I moved to the Mac platform. Eventually, I found running Windows as well as trouble, so I bought a Sony Vaio to complement it. Chances are MOST of your stuff WON'T work at all, even though there are liars that say it will.
Hope this helps. Please, I suggest you listen to what's real, and go with a PC.
Answer:
I would say mac, then install windows with boot camp (free program as far as I know that comes with mac os x 10.5) but macs are expensive (I don't think running macs on a pc is legal or easy)
I think I'm in the rare group of people that like both windows and macs. Never went into linux but I am willing to try it at some point when I have time
Answer:
dont get a mac they suck
Answer:
Mac
Pros:
it's the 'cool' thing to buy
stable operating system (for the most part….)
doesn't get viruses and spyware like Windows
Cons:
You are not used to that operating system and will have to learn your way around.
No Right Click - that's hard to get used to
You pay for 'Coolness'
Less software and games available for MAC (but that's getting better)
One flavor of OS, less confusing
PC
Pros:
You already know the OS
Price is more affordable
99% of software and games are made primarily for PC.
The right click is a wonderful thing!
Vista has a self made and preserved partition for when you have to format.
Cons:
Spyware and Viruses must be stopped at every possible entry
Vista is pretty but it is a RAM HOG.
Multiple flavors of Vista, more confusing to choose from.
Vista's security is annoying.
If you know where to look, you can mess this operating system up easily and quickly.
Formatting sucks!
Basically, depends on how much you like games on your computer and how much you are willing to spend. Typically, Mac is more $$$ than PC.
good luck
Answer:
special focus on laptops just in
http://www.laptopeoples.blogspot.com
Answer:
Either a PC with Ubuntu or a Mac with OS X - either is fine! All depends what you want to do really. If you like freedom and want a wealth of free software, then a PC with Ubuntu. If you're heading into design and want to do audio/video work, then a Mac with OS X.
Answer:
i went with a mac and i love it now, way better than pc
Answer:
I would go with a Mac. I have had mine for 2 years and it is still as fast as the day I got it! Meanwhile my brother bought a Dell and he was ready to get rid of it within the first 3 months.