Desktops forum: (NT) Windows versus Mac

If Microsoft continues to follow the reoccuring pattern, then no, Windows Vista will not be more stable than the previous versions. Vista will be released with as many holes, security bugs, vurnerabilities, etc. as XP did. Already we see that their have been many viruses made that target Vista. Then after 3-4 years Microsoft will release Service Pack 2 for Vista with their patches and updates. As I see it, it is probably safer to stay with Windows XP SP2 than to go with Vista. Maybe after 5 years I may make the switch. But Vista will be too holey for me right now. I too have considered going Mac.

I have thought a lot about getting a Mac but have so much windows software that I would miss. And I have been looking at Macs online and they do not offer many systems. Also they don't have Mac stores in my area to check them out.

But i too, feel strongly about making the switch. But is it a good time to do so specially when intel is being adopted and may remain Apple's future? If buying a mac with intel inside means another PC with OS X then we may just be paying a huge premium for an OS only.

if things keep going the way they are then there might eventally be a hack for running mac on a pc and then no more apple. maybe apple becomes software only which is more profitable than hardware, the upside would be something like microsoft, the downside would be something like sega. this ipod thing might implode on them, like the zip drive did to iomega

Do they have CompUSA in your area? They sell Macs. And, Apple will continue to expand their retial outlets.

One thing I think people tend to overlook in the "amount of software" argument is functionality. What software do you really use a lot and is there comparable software on the Mac? In many cases, there is software for the Mac that will do what you want, often more intuitively.

I'm pretty much a Mac person but I don't think they are for everybody. If you view your machine as just a tool, stick with Windows. If you really like to have fun with your machine and be creative, think aqbout a Mac.

Plus, despite the continued warnings from the likes of Symantec (who, make their living often viruses and other exploits), there still aren't any real virus or spyware threats on Macs.

I would put my money on Windows Vista. Microsoft doesn't want to screw up again. Of course a Mac looks great and is stable, but the price for the power is just too much. You must also keep in mind that Microsoft is a powerful company. I was able to get all of my updates, both SP1 and SP2 free by mail, that in itself is a great advantage. Now it doesn't really matter since I have broadband now. I've also heard that Microsoft is doing their best so that there are no bad values in the Vista code. I'm not saying that Microsoft won't issue a service pack, eventually they will. The thing is hackers try to exploit the Windows code and thus it has to be updated to prevent harm to the user. It's a never ending explotation made possible by the hacking community.

If you want to play games then for sure stay with the toy machine. If you want consistency, no crashes and the best Microsoft has to offer then go with the Mac. It is a no brainer. Even out of the mouth of Bill Gates (I am paraphrasing) -It is the best computer I have seen. That was some time ago. It is even better now.

I feel the same way. I want to get a Mac but it would be just too expensive to replace programs. Have you thought of Virtual PC. A lot of Mac people say it is the way to go, I have never tried it though. It seems to me that it would be full of problems, but maybe someone on here can give a recomendation.

And just leave your windows PC where it is, you don't have to replace your programs, let it be there when you need it. Just get a Mac, and it will make you happy. Say if you're using MS Office on your PC, just install the Mac version of it and you're communications with your PC friends who are Office users will have no glitches. The Adobe on your PC can share files with Adobe in my Mac, no problem at all. I use PC for my AutoCad works becausde they're not supported by Apple (but how I wish they are) and some PC games, other than that I use Mac all the time, music, photos, video editing, etc., the ease of use is just amazing. I would recommend an iMac G5 20" for a desktop, the problem with these guys is, they are so good lookin' you don't wanna put you old junk beside it

Don't hesitate a minute, get a Mac and you'll stick to a Mac the rest of your life just like I did, and I don't regret it at all.

Specifically get an iMac 20" G5, you're not going to regret it. I use Windows XP for my other desktop and Qosmio XP MCE for mobility, because I have to use AutoCad for my work. But other than that, Mac OSX is a lot better.

How else can you tell?

I've been a windows user for years home & at work. I went to an Apple store & was blown away. There is software out there for the Mac. Also I transferred most of my windows programs to my laptop. I'm going with a powermac G5. Just working with the Mac,speed, Tiger OS is a revelation. Also despite Intel in the future,Apples will still have the Apple OS.

I appreciate all of your comments. I have decided to get another Dell. The 9100.
If they had a Mac store anywhere in my area where I could really check it out I may have purchased the Mac that has always looked and sounded so good.
I could not afford to get one just to check it out and I will probably always wonder if I should have gone Mac in the first place.

"As for the new Microsoft OS, their testing it quite thorough and should be safer than Win XP. As for dropping some stuff, yes they did drop a few items, however they are going to release some of those things later, such as the new filing system, as a seperate download."

Wait, are you talking about longhorne?? I mean Windows Vista???????( A rose by any other name would still have thorns) A product that is STILL 14 months away from bening released???? The ball has been dropped so much it has spent more time on the ground than in the air. Even M$ doesn't know what the final Vista will be like, just some vague ideas.
By the way M$ is tring to make Vista look like MAC OSX Tiger and Apple will relase a new version of OSX in December of 2006. Go for the MAC. John