PC or Mac?

[TheFlyingBomb]

I own a Mac, but I'm not a big computer buff and really chose it over a PC because I find it easier to use and have found that pc's have a habit of picking up viruses wheras Macs don't.

I've owned mine since mid-summer and am now having my first problem with it. The disc drive stopped working, and I had to drive about an hour to bring it to an Apple store, where I was told that I'd have to come back later. When I brought it back they took it from me and sent it off for repair. I've just received an e-mail which indicates the repair is on hold because a part is "on order." It would seem to me that the repair center would have parts needed for repair.

In any case, it's all under warranty, so I can't complain too much.

So what does everyone here think? Mac or PC?

[jtur88]

I've had a couple of hand-me-down Macs, and I was not impressed with either of them. One was a laptop, and the AC adapter had no flex-protector, so the wire broke off and it would have cost over $50 to replace it. That kinda soured me on Macs. I thought putting the power on-off switch on the keyboard, without labeling it, was kinda goofy. Makes one's first moment of Mac experience a non-intuitive challenge of having to phone somebody and say "How do you turn this thing on?"

[apicalbodscan]

No contest. Mac is way better. More stable and far more intuitive.

[TylerDurden]

Love love love love my Mac. All I'll ever buy. How could you not love having a computer that does precisely as its told, never crashes, and doesn't spit out its operating system?

Currently a Mac Mini I bought roughly three years ago.

This thread will likely be lopsided. PC users are rarely in love with their computers.

[DiamondDave]

Not a MAC guy.. .too pricey...

I use PC's for the every day use... but I also run 2 PC's with Open BSD... basically I can say it is like MAC OS without the MAC BS

[dlb]

I was a PC guy for years. I had used Mac's while working in some of my clients' offices and thought they were just a tad better, but not nearly enough to justify their higher price.

Then, last year, one of my clients started producing his presentations with Keynote, which is only available on Macs. It was time to replace my laptop anyway, so I bought the cheapest Macbook.

I love it. Objectively, I can still only say that it's just a little bit better than the PC, but everything about it is just a little bit better. With everything you do, you experience the delight produced by good design. It looks better. The operating system is easier to use. There is nothing on it that feels cheap and / or flimsy (as almost everything on comparably priced PC laptops does.

Perhaps best of all, though, is that there are no virus worries. I used to spend about 3 hours per week on scan-related maintenance. Now, I spend no time at all.

Finally, when you consider how you actually use your personal computer, the price difference is fully justified. On the Mac, all of the superior features are part and parcel of the tasks you perform regularly. On a PC, you get a few more gigabytes of disk space that you'll never use. You get some extra memory that has no discernible effect on the function of the machine as you use it. Likewise with the extra processing power. If, like most folks, you keep your schedule, do your word processing, spreadsheets and internet surfing on your laptop, the Mac will deliver a better experience than a comparably priced PC. Of course, there are no $499 Mac laptops; so if all you want is the cheapest possible low-function box, get a PC. But if this is something you're going to use for quite a few hours every day - and will depend on to earn your living, get the Mac.

[Zen653]

Do the Macs overheat and crash? My PC has the annoying tendency of getting so hot, it shuts off. I literally have to ice it down before rebooting.

[apicalbodscan]

Originally Posted by DiamondDave

Not a MAC guy.. .too pricey...

Sorta like a Porsche.

[bigheadache]

I bought an Apple II in 1980. Since then I've had several Macs and several PCs. Currently, I have an HP that I bought 3 years ago and a Dell laptop that is 2 years old. At work, I have a Dell that is 6 months old and I manage 20 Dell servers. Most of them running Windows Server 2000 or 2003. 3 are running Linux.

On the Windows servers, I spend a lot of time checking logs and reacting to any potential problems. I don't have to do as much on the Linux boxes.

On my home computers and any work computers I have had over the years, I have never had a virus, hard disk failure or any other major problem. Instead, I find myself raplacing them about every 3 to 5 years for other reasons.

[yh*]

I've run Windows, I've run OS X, I've run Linux. I've bought PCs, Macs, and built my own.

In the end, they're all just computers. They all have flaws.

The issues with Windows are well-documented.

People talk about Macs like they're perfect, but my Macbook Pro has been perpetually stuck in "pinwheel mode" multiple times, embedded Windows Media Player works like garbage (yes, even with Flip4Mac), installing is not always as simple as it's touted to be, etc. It might sound like I'm being harsh on Macs, but I'm just trying to make a point that the people who say "Macs just work" are glossing over the details significantly.

Linux needs no comment. It's an adventure for people who like problem solving. Don't get me started on OpenOffice.

As far as hardware goes, Macs are significantly more expensive on the desktop side of things. You can get a good desktop PC for a few hundred dollars, and a great one for under a grand. The hardware quality difference is not a big one at all on the desktops.

For laptops, Macs are WAY more competitive. Hold a Macbook, Macbook Pro, or a Macbook Air and then hold a Dell, HP, or Gateway. It's really not even up for discussion which is more solid or made of higher quality materials. Then add in form factor and suddenly the Macs look REALLY good.

On the lower end of things, Macbooks are excellent computers as long as you aren't doing anything graphics-intensive. And all the typical Mac laptop stuff applies: great build quality, great materials, great form factor. You might be able to get a comparable (spec-wise) PC for a better price, but overall the Macbook is a better deal almost every time unless you're getting some kind of closeout deal.

When you get to the high end, the price argument goes completely out the window. PC laptops get really expensive very fast, and of course Macbook Pros are expensive themselves. The BEST PC laptops on the very high end are made by companies like Fujitsu and Sony -- they are tiny and powerful, although there are obviously some sacrifices with that form factor. And those very high end ($2500+) laptops start to beat up on the Macbook Pros. But when you're in the $2000 range, it's pretty much a pick 'em. I would just say that if you're paying $2000 for a laptop, you had better get something with rock-solid feel. No bending plastic, no cheesiness.

Bottom line: get what you are comfortable with. If you are going with a desktop and price is an issue, I would recommend a PC unless you are desperate for OS X. For a laptop, I'd seriously look at Macs and generally recommend them unless you are really dedicated to Windows.

[Simp]

Have a PC at home. Use one at work 99% of the time and an old Mac
rarely. Since it's old I guess I can't compare it to a current PC. My main problem with the Mac is simply that I'm more used to the PC.

[John F]

Mac's are far too pricey for me though they are the more innovative system. Apple in general innovates where PC just replicates.

If I had more money to throw around I would buy a Mac for the sake of trying it out and having exposure to those types of systems... But my PC is rather new (Dell Inspiron I bought in February) so I don't believe I'll be makign the huge investment in a Mac computer any time soon.