What's the big deal?

I have no Idea

I'm not into computers too much these days, but the differences back in the day were much greater.

At one point I think it was because with PC you programmed in DOS which meant that you could work quicker than a GUI but it was much less user friendly.

I think now it's about the peripherals, right?

Well the snobby attitude the Mac user typically has, is my beef with Mac (and I really don't like their file browser).

Essentially the big deal is Apple runs on proprietary hardware (though even this is changing) so it is a definite no for people who build their own computers. This means Macs are often more expensive for the same hardware given they have no competition in their part of the market. Macs are typically used more for multimedia editing, and are big in the Video and music industries because of this.

So really there are a lot of differences, and both are more suited to particular tasks, though both can perform the tasks of the other. So really it's more about personal preference as they're all not really that great. Each Operating system has it's benefits, downfalls, and things that make you want to throw your computer against the wall. Like the fake Apple commercial said,

Apple, Crash different.

Really most of the debates come up because most Mac users say, MacOS is the best thing ever, blah blah blah. Then the PC users have to correct them, and then the Mac user says nuh uh, and it keeps going. The funny thing is that really Mac is geared more toward the computer illiterate than Windows.

So basically Mac is for Indies Emos and the like, and Windows is for everyone else, except the complete computer geek, who uses some obscure UNIX variant.
Disclaimer: The preceeding view has not been verified by any authority, is a gross generalization, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the poster or this forum.

As for why they are different and largely inoperable, -> $$$.

Heh. Since I do not work/live/deal with 'computer geeks', most of my thoughts on the mac/PC relation is based on the daily, informal environment... and I guess it all comes down to personal preferences, in the end.

I personally defend mac just because it is my computer. Why do I have it? No idea, it is over 5 years old and I can't remember why my family opted for a mac at the time. But after getting used to it, I prefer the mac.
If I had a PC, I'd defend the PCs

But really, at least in my case, it's nothing too serious. Of course each system has it advantages and disadvantages, neither one is better than the other. You can buy a PC or mac, I really don't care much, just buy what you like better. It's a matter of personal preference, again.

And yes, macs are more expensive than PCs.

And I have something to add to ttc: the PC people are as likely to start argumentlessly despising the macs, as the other way around. It really depends on the people, y'know. =)

Haha.. TTC already explained it rather well. I'm a bit of a computer geek (PC) and honestly I can say we love tormenting Mac users because honestly most of them very defensive. It's quite fun ^_^ Ask Lantis.

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Yeah, it's old... but it's still great.
^_^

I worked on a Mac durring my time in highschool. I learned how to type on a mac, truth be told. But I eventually started using Windows and found the change pleasant. I would like to inphasize though that Macs are quite beyond proprietary. You can not make a custom Mac. You can call Macintosh and spec out a computer, but you can't make a honest to god custom Mac. And because of that, replacing and upgrading becomes more ploblematic than it should be. Also, as a gammer... the Mac really can't hold any ground (and no, photoshop is NOT a game).

And also, TTC brings up a good point. Mac users (with the acception to Gnasher, so it seems) are really defensive. And agressively fight if they think their pride is being challenged. I use to work for a computer repair shop, and we would get a Mac call every now and then (it is here I would like to point out that we got more PC calls than Mac because littlerally no one in town used macs... but it seems all the mac users, as few as they were, had issues). As I would go out and make the house call (as they were to affraid to unhook the ONLY CORD being the power cord) and try and diagnose their computer, I wouldn't even say a word about a PC and they would rant and rave about how they were using Macs for all this long time and how they could never switch to PC because of this that and the other. And HEAVEN FORBID I say something that would support a PC after that. They would look at me like I just shot their dog.

Most the time, it seems like with ever Mac you buy, you get a stick to cram up your ass... that alone would keep me out of the Mac community. But I digress.

In my line of work, I spend all my time around PCs and I haven't seen a Mac since my time at the computer repair shop. Also, people argue that macs are better because of graphics. But you must realize that PCs are too horrible in that department as well. And what's so great about having wonderful graphics when it doesn't even support games? Also, graphics aren't that big of deal. And with the PC acceling in every other aspect, there really isn't much of a battle here.

I guess most people who have used a Mac just stick with their guns... which I can respect.

@ Lantis
So is there anyone who should buy a Mac instead of a PC?

@Bo i think lantis is saying the opposite...

I haven't played with the networking on a Mac, so I can't validate using them for business purposes, but assuming they are up to par with PCs then I guess Macs would do well for small businesses.

Also, for end users who don't want to do much with computers other than graphics work.

Of course, this is pesronal opinion.

I've used a Mac. Once. Ill stick
to PC ^ ^

I always thought the best thing about MAC was the near immunity to virus stuff.

Apart from that, unless you're doing Serious video editing it doesn't matter. For serious work, a MAC is superior because it's got a real operating system.'

Without the need to talk back and forth between a user interface (like windows) and the operating system itself, it is faster and performs better.

But everything runs on windows, so suffer with it.

I use both, so I'm truly in a class by myself here!

Well also realize that one of the main reason for this is most people use PC, so really there is no point in writing a Mac virus. So while I'm sure most things are more secure than Windoze, I'm not sure if really tested that Mac would prove much better. So when the majority of script kiddies are using Windows, of course their going to write a virus for it, since they don't know anything else. Also most people write viruses to cause wide spread disruption, so what's the best operating system to target, the one most people use.

This is why most OSes other than Windows don't need as strong of virus protection, because not a whole lot of people are working on new viruses for that system, because it wouldn't be worth the effort. Sure this isn't the whole story, but it certainly plays a big part, as ALL SECURITY at some point WILL BE broken. It's just a matter of how much time and effort is being spent to crack it. So it's the whole dilemma that the only real safe thing is something that does nothing, but then it's not very useful is it.

So not defending Windows security, as for the most part it is pretty laughable, but it's certainly far from impossible to secure it. All I have is a firewall (which all OSes have), and a virus scanner, and I haven't gotten a virus in years, and the only time I did was when I browsing the campus network, because of Windows insecure preview functionality in their explorer.

Also remember the weakest link in security is usually the end user, not the software. Really if people would use IE less, and start thinking before they click on some random link, Windows virus statistics would plummet.

Also Rodak I'm curious as to what a REAL OS is? It seems that if you don't like a User interface getting in the way you would just use UNIX not Mac. Windows has a command line too, that does work much like the Terminal in Mac (which came from UNIX btw). So I personally like having some UI as it makes it much easier to browse folders and such, as you can have refreshing data instead of having to constantly fill up the screen buffer eliminating what happened before. So while it's not suited for Batch tasks I like it much better for everything else. While it may seem noble to just use a command line, having a good UI does make things a lot easier.

I'm just curious as to what makes Mac a 'real' OS. Seriously as I don't use it much, so I'm not up on all it's features. I know at some point I'll likely switch to one of the myriad of Linux distros, once I find one I really like, and doesn't take days to set up properly.

So very true.

The last time I had a virus in one of my machines was back when I ran windows 98. Haven't had one sence. But working at the Computer Doctor, I saw viral comptuers quite often. And it was always the stupid "But it said a won a free laptop" users who end up with them...

Ummm...

The Pomposity of MAC Users?

...


I forgot my Sarcasm Tags!

Oops.

I don't know why.

But it is faster and does perform better editing large video files!

What if you don't edit large video files?

I use both stuffs. I really only like MAC for ART because everything just goes smoother and faster.

Everyone should use the system they like best!

You have to remember... I spent over 20 years with a Tandy 1,000 before buying a Modern Computer in the early part of this century... Just because the century changed!

I don't much care for either interface.

I hate using a mouse!

I'm a left handed dyslexic!! I use my keyboard for nearly everything.

Modern, New-Fangled, Computers!!

BAH!

I'll tell you - I went from that Tandy 1,000 to a Power MAC G4 a few years ago.

The first thing I thought I'd do was write a program or two - to get used to the new computer.

I had an APPLE II decades ago (and still have and use it!) so I knew their "Applesoft" language. Their equivalent of Basic.

I couldn't find the way to open it.

I searched everywhere!

I called tech support and they wondered why I wanted to Program my Computer!!

I was stunned.

I thought that was why people bought computers!!

I simply could not believe that it came with NO Programming language at all and you actually had to BUY one these days!

So MAC vs PC?

Bah!

Neither!

I'll take my Stone Tablet and Chisel any day.[/sarcasm]

@thetruecoolness

In the same way that Mac's are more safe from viruses because most people don't use Mac's, aren't Mac's better for media because most people DO use it for that. In other words, is the Mac actually better capability wise for graphics and media or does it just have better support?

@Rodak, Lantis
I used to use Macs then I started to use PC. I only use PC now because it is the only thing in my environment (girfriend's, work), but at some point, I intend to get a computer primarily to create electronic music, second for word, processing, and maybe for internet and video editing. I don't mind going back to Mac if it is better for that but I don't want to go to Mac if it is only better rep wise unless that rep makes all the difference in the world to get the right software support for what I'm interested in. Any thoughts?

Well Mac does seem to have better programs for doing these things, and it does seem to be what the OS is more geared towards doing. So I'm not really sure which would be better, though I just know that most Artists and Video editing places and Movie companies use Mac almost exclusively. Maybe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro are better and work better on a Mac, I wouldn't know.

I use my computer mainly for internet, recording TV, and programming, but for programming almost every tool I use is cross platform and therefore it doesn't matter what OS I use. However since I want to get a Job I'm basically going to have to learn .NET, since pretty much every company uses it, because they're lazy, and would rather spend money on their development tools, than spending money on better programmers who know how things work behind the scenes I guess.

But I have successfully edited videos in Windows, though for personal use I mainly just cut out commercials with a really great program for MPEG2 files that's made pretty much exclusively for that purpose, and is extremely fast and efficient at what it does (which is why I felt it worth paying money for). But for my DVFX class we use Premier on Windows, and it worked just fine, though I really didn't bother trying to learn Final Cut Pro, so it maybe easier (and possibly cheaper).

So to answer your question, yes I do believe Mac comes with a lot more media editing tools out of the box, and has a larger selection of them I believe. But it is possible to do any of those on both, really it just comes down to which one is easier for you and unfortunately you don't know until you try it.

And I do see your point Rodak, but everything now is all about creating plugins or widgets and having the computer do everything for you. As for programming look for Eclipse, or if you want to stay oldschool Emacs. For BASIC you can probably still find QBasic on the net, and it still works with Windows. Of course you may not be able to do somethings on it given it's not really run in DOS, but emulated, it still works. My first computer was a Tandy as my dad got it free from work, and that was only 6 years ago (though the computer was like 10 years old at that point or more). I was really happy when I got my new one however, but I embrace stuff right under the bleeding edge so yeah. If only I had the money to afford it, I would likely build a new computer every year or so, to try out all the new things.