Mac OS X: Advantages of Mac of Windows
Advantages of Mac of Windows
by tbyron - 4/22/05 9:41 AMmany people have asked this already probably, but i was wondering about the advantages of Mac OS over Windows. i've heard some but they never made any sense to me. i've become somewhat tired of windows and the associated programs. but Mac is also very expensive. can you people give me any opinions or even links to hard facts about the differences between the operating systems.
Define expensive
by mrmacfixit
- 4/22/05 1:39 PM
In reply to: Advantages of Mac of Windows by tbyron
The difference between Windows OS and Mac OS.
One runs on a Macintosh, is free from virus attack, spyware, adware and malware and has a great set of installed software. The other does not, is not and has not.
Mac vs Windows? Never heard that one before...
by lampietheclown - 4/23/05 12:27 AM In reply to: Advantages of Mac of Windows by tbyronI've been a mac user for 19 years now, and have heard (probably) all the arguments for and against each platform. Here's my take on some of them.
The mac is easier to learn.
Used to be so true, that it kept many power users away, because they considered macs to be "toys". Todays mac can do much more than the macs of OS 6 and 7. A steeper learning curve is part of the price. At the same time PC's have learned a few things from Apple, and figured out a few things on their own, making them easier to learn and run. The gap is closer, but PC's are not there yet. Mac's are more consistant throughout the OS, and from application to application. If you learn one app., that knowledge will give you most of the basics of every other app. including the Finder. All common commands and menus will be found in the same places, and work the same way.
Macs are more stable.
More true now than ever. Back in OS 7 mac people were shouting this from the rooftops,... and lying through their teeth. Crashes were common, and even if the OS held you had to reboot when an app. crashed or froze, due to unprotected memory. Having said that, most of the unstable macs I ran across back then were suffering from owners installing silly amounts of OS hacks to do things like change the cursor, the colors, the way it booted, etc. It gave meaning to the term "personal computer" and many owners would defend the Christmas lights on their desktop, or the eyes that always followed their cursor, even if it did crash more often.
At this moment I have 3 powerbooks and an i-mac in my house, running OS 10.3.8, networked with Airport wireless, all up and running. It has been over a month since any of them was rebooted, and that was for a software install that required it, not a crash. All of these computers are used every day, and the i-mac (DV500 grey) never sleeps, as it serves i-tunes to the other computers, movies to my TV, does most of the e-mail and i-chat. Macs are more stable.
Macs are faster... PC's are faster...
All true. Macs are faster... at some things. with some software. AND PC's are faster... at some things. with some software.
If you only use your computer for one thing, take a hard look at these issues. most people I know use their computers for 50 different things, making a speed comparison out of the question. Most modern computers are fast enough for the average consumer's e-mail, surfing, book-keeping, photographs, music, DVDs etc. If you use your computer for rendering video, creating 3-D models, or serving websites, etc. you already know enough to figure out which one is faster for your purpose.
The one exception that comes to mind is games. I'm not a big game player, but those who are demand graphics speed that will tax any consumer system, so they add graphics cards and memory to make things look and work better. I am told that PCs win on this point hands down, because there are more, better, faster graphics cards made for the PC. Any Gamers want to tell me I'm right, wrong, or something else, feel free. Like I said, I'm not much of a game player.
There is more software for PCs
Go to any Fry's or Best Buy, and you will see how obvious this is. There are at least 10 times more titles for the PC. My opinion? So? There are whole isles devoted to word processing software for Windows. There are maybe half a dozen good WP titles for Mac. I have one question. How many word processing programs do you need? Me? I use two. One small and light for quick looks at read-me files and quick notes, and one "full on spellcheck in 30 languages, 5000 font, html, writes a novel in it's spare time, fat app." I can not conceive a reason for more than 3, but then most people consider me a bit slow. Another point about the PC isle, is that some of the titles only work with NT. Others only work with 95-98-whatever. That thins it out a bit.
There are good apps for the mac to cover just about anything you want to do. If there is an app. that is only PC, and you must have it, the mac solution is Virtual PC. It will run Windows 95,98,NT, and I guess, others on your mac. It works by creating a "shell" for the software to run in, the same way "Classic" works in OSX.
The often overlooked side of the coin is apps that you can only get for the Mac platform, like i-Movie, Garage Band, and i-DVD. Add the fact that they come free with the computer (along with i-Tunes, i-Photo, Appleworks, Quicken etc. and the size of the software isle becomes less important.
Note. Games are the exception here also. you do not want to play PC games on Virtual PC. Ever. You want to play them on a PC with a fast graphics card.
Mac's don't get viruses and spy-ware.
Not entirely true. but close. About a year ago I installed Norton anti-virus, and ran it on my laptop to see what it found. I got big eyed when I read it's report. over 600 viruses, trojan horses, and pieces of spy-ware were on my internal drive. A closer inspection showed that they were 99% in my junk mail folders. It sounds like a lot, but I run a couple of websites, and get about a thousand bits of junk mail a week. A detailed look at what viruses they were exactly (there were about 6 different flavors), found them all to be harmless to the Mac, unable to run in OSX. If I had that situation on a PC, it would be dead from trying to get a clock tick in and failing. I just emptied my junk, and trash. problem solved. NOTE: That doesn't mean I couldn't infect someone's PC if I sent an infected e-mail to them.
There are viruses, hacks, and spy-ware, that DO run on OSX. Not very many, but I have seen, for example, spy-ware that was cross platform.
Call it Luck, Karma, or the Lord looking out for fools, but the bottom line is, PC's are targeted, hit and hurt by these attacks on a daily basis. Macs are not.
I know 7 people who have crossed to apple from windows, and all of them are happy for the change. I know one person who gave up on macs for windows. It was 1987, and he wanted to use Auto-Cad. He is still on PC's, still thinks Macs are toys, and is happy with his decision.
When any novice computer buyer asks me which to buy, I ask what all of their friends-family have, and usually suggest the same thing. My reasoning is that no matter what system or OS you have, there are times when it will stump you, confuse you, or break on you. It's 12:26 AM, and you only know one person who will answer your call that late, for a question (or 300) about computers. What does he use? If it's the same as yours, you might just get your work done by morning. If not? Customer service opens at 9:00AM, a half hour after you should be at work. Mac or PC you are going to have questions, and need guidance every once in a while. Friends and family support is usually 24-7.
As to cost. Mac's are more expensive, up front. Two weeks after the computer purchase, when you've added to your PC all the things that come standard on the mac, it's about even. A year down the road, people who have switched say the mac has saved you time. Lots of it. It's not just the time saved with spyware, viruses, windows updates, and hackers, even though that is what you hear most.
It's this.
The hardware, the OS, and much of the software I use are all designed and built by the same company, to work together. Apple is very good at it, and it really does make a difference in the day to day world of getting things done.
Other people will say different, and they are welcome to tell me where I'm wrong, but my answer is...
Apple
Nice, lots of info to think about
by soc_wrkr - 5/30/05 8:36 PM In reply to: Mac vs Windows? Never heard that one before... by lampietheclownI'm a windows user tired of spending more time fixing and less time using. Even with Win XP (thankfully I was able to upgrade...Win ME was the WORST OS ever put out!!!!) I've learned that using new programs that might be great addition to your PC is good only if you have two PC's. One to test them with (so when you PC crashes you don't loose too much time) and one that you actually use on a daily basis. So, since I don't have the luxury of having two PC's I don't put ANY new programs on my PC unless I absolutely need them. The iTunes program has been WONDERFUL and a DREAM to use. Wait, it was created by Apple...not surprising. I've always heard that MAC's are more stable then PC's. I'm seriously looking at a MAC for my next purchase.
Good choice
by grimgraphix - 5/30/05 10:05 PM In reply to: Nice, lots of info to think about by soc_wrkrApple's Mac has been a great upgrade from the frustrations regarding stability and security holes that most Win machines present you with not to mention the extra hours and added cost of programs to monitor said security risks. Security is a+++.
It is a different OS however and you will encounter a learning curve and your own personal pet peeves if you switch. It's kinda unique as far as the window management goes and the mouse issues are frustrating if you are switching from windows. Overall the minuses are zeroed out by the pluses if you plan on switching.
Grim
What do you mean by mouse issues?
by soc_wrkr - 5/31/05 3:02 PM In reply to: Good choice by grimgraphixWhat kind of mouse issues?
As far as pet peeves I would expect that in any OS.
Over the years of fixing issues with my PC (which include reformatting my hard drive umm....3 or 4 times I've lost count and starting my PC as if it just came out of the box -- oh, the memories of a fresh new PC out of the box....) I've developed pet peeves but I've found that when my PC is working I don't have any major pet peeves.
Reply to: What do you mean by mouse issues?
by grimgraphix - 5/31/05 9:50 PM In reply to: What do you mean by mouse issues? by soc_wrkrIf you have got used to using a multi-button mouse then the limited functions that os10 offers for a multi-button mouse can be frustrating. You can use the right click but it is the same as pushing the control (ctrl) key and clicking the one button mouse...you then get a very limited menue. There is no assigning button functions from the system pref menue. There are after market drivers that can be installed to expand on these capabilities but I have yet to find one I like yet.
Stability and security more than make up for this oversight but it is one thing I miss.
Grim
Mac's are just better machines!!!
by mini87 - 6/20/05 5:53 PM In reply to: What do you mean by mouse issues? by soc_wrkrTo me, Macs are overall better machines. Not only for the OS and the design, the quality is also better. For example, I've owned my eMac for the last 8 months and it has never had a problem with the hardware, software, or etc. The Panther and Tiger OS'es are very simple to learn. When I did purchase my eMac in October 2004, I thought it was going to take forever to learn a new OS. It acutally took about 3 days! No computer is trouble free, and you do have to do upkeep to a Mac (repair permissions, disk utility, etc.) but they are easier to keep clean than a Windows machine. Plus, the OS is just better and the hardware looks better than anything out there!
Macs are just better machines !!!
by geek49203 - 4/19/06 8:52 PM In reply to: Mac's are just better machines!!! by mini87Amen to that. Macs ARE better machines, partly due to the concept of being a ''Closed System.'' Seeing that Apple makes the hardware AND the software, they know EXACTLY what to do, to get the operating system to be totally compatible with the hardware. Windows XP on the other hand can be VERY frustrating, when you consider the fact that you must use parts that are ''compatible'' with Windows XP. Otherwise you're gonna run into some problems that will cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000. For all of that money, one could purchase a robust Mac Mini with the Intel Core processor for LESS than $1200. Who could ask for anything more?
mouse issues switching from windows
by jcrobso - 6/3/05 9:30 AM In reply to: Good choice by grimgraphixThe stock mouse that came with my MAC is in the desk darwer and I have a very nice 3 button mouse that I'm using. John
Never heard that one before…
by taboma. - 6/11/05 9:31 PM In reply to: Mac vs Windows? Never heard that one before... by lampietheclownLampie, you are no clown.
Great post and very smooth writing.
I think you are a professional writer. Technical or Editorial?
For what publication? Very well written. Easy to understand from the first paragraph to the closing. NICE! Have not experienced this form of writing on the forum for a while. Printing your post out and will show it to professionals at work.
Great post!!! Please post again. Looking forward to your writing. NICE!
Kevin Smith
Wow! you didn't even ask to borrow money!
by lampietheclown - 6/12/05 9:44 AM In reply to: Never heard that one before… by taboma.Honestly, I've never made a cent by writing. I do other things (LOL), but my main gig for 26 years has been as a theater / concert electrician. I'm the guy who programs the moving lights for concerts-corporate theater-birthday parties. There's not much occasion for writing.
I guess it must be the computer I use? 
I enjoy a good debate, and am usually willing to take either side as long as money isn't involved. Have you ever seen the movie ''Dogma''? In the beginning Ben Afflack is having a conversation with a nun about her faith, taking the point of view that she should ''buy a nice dress'' and have some fun. Friends and family swear that I was the inspiration for that scene.
In writing, I must admit to a natural advantage. I have more time to choose my words than most people, because I type at about 2.4 words a minute. It's a closely guarded secret that seems to give me an edge.
Up until about 3 months ago, I had never posted on a web forum, just scanning them when I needed to find information. I was doing just that in the cell phone forum of this site, and I kept running into a guy that was deliberately misleading people about the very thing I needed information on. I posted my thoughts on the subject, he posted back, and after a week or two we had hijacked the thread to the point that the moderator started removing our posts as we put them up. He never said anything though (at least not to me). Must be the subtle approach?
My writing mojo was up (about 5 words a minute), so I ended up spending it on the ''never heard that one'' post.
I'm starting to realize what a great distraction these forums are from what I should be doing (work), so naturally I'm even more drawn to it. With your glowing review, and others encouragement I might just set my sights on getting zero work done. If I can help someone with a computer problem at the same time, it's multi-tasking! It's good to have goals.
I have to be honest about one thing though. While the post ''never heard that one before'' is my own, the post below, ''I don't see it that way'' was written using a technique students call ''research''. (take it from one source and it's plagiarism, 4 sources and it's research) The points are boiler-plate Apple responses to PC rhetoric, and I didn't see any reason to re-invent the wheel. If I remember correctly, the auto industry metaphor is something Steve Jobs used in the late 90's, the food metaphor I found doing a google search for Apple's market share, and while I knew about the super-computer, I wanted to make sure I had the numbers straight, and ended up just copy-pasting it in. On the bright side, it raised my words per minute to 8!
I guess I over shot the mark though, since it doesn't look like ''Merl'' is up to a reply.
Thank you for the complement, and don't worry. Today it's this or catching up on paperwork.
Lampie
Is that where "lampie" comes from? getting off the subject
by grimgraphix - 6/12/05 9:42 PM In reply to: Wow! you didn't even ask to borrow money! by lampietheclownAh,
"lightbulb appearing over my head"
I'm on the call list for the local theater union (rigger, carpenter,electrician) Are you one of those wierd folks that wear nothing but black all the time?
Grim
What you mean wierd? Doesn't everyone dress like that?
by lampietheclown - 6/13/05 1:56 AM In reply to: Is that where "lampie" comes from? getting off the subject by grimgraphixI thought I was a trendsetter because I did it before "goth" was cool.
I got the nickname a dozen years or so ago, on the road with Cheap Trick. Rick found out that I had spent a year with Ringling Bros. and wouldn't let it die.
Morgantown? Is that near Hamilton? I used to live in the capital of West Virginia. You know...
Akron.
Lampie
Which came first...
by grimgraphix - 6/13/05 7:27 AM In reply to: What you mean wierd? Doesn't everyone dress like that? by lampietheclownWhich came first...the Goth or the Punk?
Gaba Gaba Hey!
Trick would have been so cool ! I did get to do a few Kiss shows but the wierdest was WCW Wrestling...A bunch of huge people circled around a monitor going "ooh, that hurt!" or "whens your que? dont forget your mark"
You know, everyone from across the river was originally from WV...Too many jokes and none of them polite so lets just leave it at that.
I did get to watch 2 bear cubs play in my yard last night and I saw a taiko drum recital the night before...West Virginia is almost heaven but dont tell everyone...we are trying to keep the rif raf out.
Peace,
Grim
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