Mac vs. PC

[DeadViolet offline]

Well, I CANNOT run iMovie worth crap. WMM FTW. 'Cept it does freeze alot. D:

[Nightsabre offline]

Linux > All

I use Linux then VMWare to use Xp / Vista or if doing Music / Video OS X

[Malkmusian offline]

Windows. I've known it for a long, long time.

[Overcaffeinated Sloth offline]

Maa, I'm not really a big fan of either. Then again, my needs are different.

Macs, for example, have a very friendly interface, and are good for people who just want simple tasks done with high quality and won't have to learn a second language and have to spend a bunch of money for systems and such, because that's how some people are. However, it is very specific to programs, and you need specialized equipment for it, remaining you can't customize it as much as you think.

PCs, I like. But not windows. And I really wish that people would stop automatically grouping PCs with Windows. Microsoft has gone essentially into a meltdown ever since the potential of XP was found by the majority of the third parties out there, and their system was essentially taken apart and mutilated. When people saw that XP could be adapted to just about everything, Microsoft thought they'd try to improve by having a mac-like interface, and throw in a lot of heavy updating (Also known as Vista) After that, any kind of new model of computer nowadays has been implanted with vista, so you're stuck with it. And because of Vista's built-in superiority complex (Oh gee, maybe it's trying to compensate for somethiiiing...) you have to know how to take apart a computer and build it back up again just to get it into a working order. And then I come in!~

Sorry, I'm still born and raided on OpenSource and Linux. And you know what? It's nice, because one, it's easy to use, Two, it's completely customizable both in hardware and software (Like a new tablet-using took for practicing Kanji strokes in Japanese... w00t!), and best of all, it's free.

...Kind of

So, why not take the dog food these companies are feeding you, and turn it into a gourmet steak, eh?

But that's just my opinion.

[Tangent128 offline]

Linux is good if you buy the computer with Linux in mind; mine has the Broadcom chips in it, though, which don't play well with it. I sometimes have it working, but recently it's started hanging on me. At least Windows gives a BSOD when it freezes...

At any rate, for college I'm looking at either a Mac or a Linux-running PC. I don't really use any Windows-specific apps. (Besides notepad, but I can deal with gedit.)
POV-Ray, MPlayer, Apache, PHP, Firefox, and Opera are cross-platform.

[Nightsabre offline]

Linux is good if you buy the computer with Linux in mind; mine has the Broadcom chips in it, though, which don't play well with it. I sometimes have it working, but recently it's started hanging on me. At least Windows gives a BSOD when it freezes...

At any rate, for college I'm looking at either a Mac or a Linux-running PC. I don't really use any Windows-specific apps. (Besides notepad, but I can deal with gedit.)
POV-Ray, MPlayer, Apache, PHP, Firefox, and Opera are cross-platform.

The Broadcom is being looked into, anyway back to the original topic. This sort of argument is pointless its like the North & South fighting over who won the Civil War. Each operating system (Windows,Linux,Mac) all have there strength and weaknesses. Windows can do things that Mac and Linux can't do. While the contrast of that is also reflected such as Linux can do things neither Mac nor Windows can't do. Mac can also do things in which Linux and Windows can't. It basically comes down to personal preference... as a programmer I respect all operating systems, but I also know that on the inside regardless of the operating system the data within the computer is still One's and Zero's, or to be even more technical its all just simple electrical impulses traveling through a series resistors,transistors,ect.

[Overcaffeinated Sloth offline]

That is true. The only real difference of these three is the format of some of thee program layouts; they're all made of the same bits. And to be honest, it's good that you have so many different operating systems, because that way there's a better chance of finding your perfect fit!

Now, when a company tries to outright squash an opponent and leaves all of its users hanging... that's wrong.

[Reesane offline]

I just want to ask a quick question.

My plan is to build my own computer from the ground up. However, I want to know the no nonsence facts about each of the operating systems. No bias, no proboganda, just the specs, compatablility and exactly what the common isues for each one are.

Is there any site I can go to to get this information?

[TheAppleFreak]

I just want to ask a quick question.

My plan is to build my own computer from the ground up. However, I want to know the no nonsence facts about each of the operating systems. No bias, no proboganda, just the specs, compatablility and exactly what the common isues for each one are.

Is there any site I can go to to get this information?

Ok, without my praising Mac, I can tell you some tech specs that you will need.
You definitely need at least a 160 GB hard drive. Depending on which operating system you choose, or if you decide to dual-boot, you will need to format it in different formats. You will also need at least 2 GB of RAM. That will come in handy, as it allows your computer to perform faster and crunch more data. A 256 MB graphics card is also worth the money. You will get phenomenal graphics with it.
I can't really say much about motherboards, but a good power supply is definitely needed. Get one from a reliable source (eBay is not one of those). You need at least 300 or 400 watts to power the various aspects of your computer.
You need a CD/DVD drive at the very least. If possible, get a burner. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are recommended as well, just for the other various crap you may want to sync with.
Three or four USB ports are recommended as well, and if possible, get FireWire, or IEEE 1394. These support certain types of printers, hard drives, and computer-to-computer links.
You need, above all else, either a VGA or a DVI port on your computer. VGA is older, and doesn't have as good a signal, but it is compatible with more monitors. DVI is like, hi-def, but it is mainly compatible with flat-screen monitors only, but there are adaptors out there.
Next, you need an OS to use the computer. Windows is industry-standard, and the most programs are compatible with it, but you will need a good virus protection software to protect it from malicious programs. Also, if you decide to go with Vista, you may find some program incompatiblity. If possible, go with XP SP2. This has the most software, that is, if you decide to go with Windows.
Mac OSX is next. Macintosh is better with graphics, which can be an upside for the limited games that it can play. (Ugh, me saying that my idol system has a game deficiency is disturbing.) It runs MS Office, though you may want to stick with Office 04. 08 still has bugs in it. Also, Mac has drivers for many peripheral devices, so you can waste less time waiting for hardware to install.
I just began booting Linux from a disc that I burned, and it works nicely. You can run the full OS from a CD, and as said in the post after this, installing software is as easy as checking a checkbox. There are many distros of it, one of the most popular being Ubuntu. I haven't poked at all of the wires yet, but it looks like a good OS.

I tried to be as impartial as I could be, and I hope this helps. Though honestly, I would install Mac OS on the computer.
You are making a desktop computer, right?

[Tangent128 offline]

Linux has a lot of strengths, actually. It's stable- systems can often run for weeks without a reboot.
It's good for software development- compilers are included with most distros, as well as more powerful text editors than Notepad.
Installing software is easy- check a box in the "add programs" and let it download.
And Compiz. Just... Compiz.
It's free, too.

Weaknesses- Linux is more complex to use; it takes time to learn how to use, and programs typically demand a lot more configuration.
Also, there's weaker hardware support; one would be well-advised to research any components for Linux compatabilty before buying them.

[Yumes offline]

I know, I know, old thread. Sorry about that....

....I think it depends on the user. I used XP before, and now I use Vista, I find it really fine with me, I can use it with what I need, like Surfing the net, playing video games, and working on Photoshop, What do I need more than that? Though, it has its negative side….

Also, I'm not much of a Mac Fan, but I would like to try it someday.
.....but I'm voting for PC.

[TheAppleFreak]

I know, I know, old thread. Sorry about that....

....I think it depends on the user. I used XP before, and now I use Vista, I find it really fine with me, I can use it with what I need, like Surfing the net, playing video games, and working on Photoshop, What do I need more than that? Though, it has its negative side….

Also, I'm not much of a Mac Fan, but I would like to try it someday.
.....but I'm voting for PC.

You have become my mortal enemy.

[Sithking Zero offline]

I'm having trouble getting over that my High School's Mac computers locked me out of the system for most of Sophomore year. I had to go to a completely seperate lab that used PC's to get any work done.

I'll let you take a guess which I support.

[Yumes offline]

I know, I know, old thread. Sorry about that....

....I think it depends on the user. I used XP before, and now I use Vista, I find it really fine with me, I can use it with what I need, like Surfing the net, playing video games, and working on Photoshop, What do I need more than that? Though, it has its negative side….

Also, I'm not much of a Mac Fan, but I would like to try it someday.
.....but I'm voting for PC.

You have become my mortal enemy.

Me? your Mortal enemy?
Well, that’s............not good.

It’s just that most people prefer PC, even the poll says that. and I’m not saying that Mac is bad, I don’t know a thing about it
I’m just saying that PC is good, and people can’t just insult it whenever they hear its name.

Now don’t kill me! , It’s my opinion.

[TheAppleFreak]

People can’t just insult it whenever they hear its name.

I can.
Though it really annoys me that all but two-YES, TWO- computers in my entire school are PCs, and one of the two is running Linux.
IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

[JesusFreak offline]

People can’t just insult it whenever they hear its name.

I can.
Though it really annoys me that all but two-YES, TWO- computers in my entire school are PCs, and one of the two is running Linux.
IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

>.>


Go to accessability options, and turn em off.

[TheAppleFreak]

People can’t just insult it whenever they hear its name.

I can.
Though it really annoys me that all but two-YES, TWO- computers in my entire school are PCs, and one of the two is running Linux.
IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

>.>


Go to accessability options, and turn em off.

CAN'T
Its a school computer. Zero access to anything other than printers.

[JesusFreak offline]

People can’t just insult it whenever they hear its name.

I can.
Though it really annoys me that all but two-YES, TWO- computers in my entire school are PCs, and one of the two is running Linux.
IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

>.>


Go to accessability options, and turn em off.

CAN'T
Its a school computer. Zero access to anything other than printers.

Oh.

Then, request that someone with access does it, maybe?

[TheAppleFreak]

People can’t just insult it whenever they hear its name.

I can.
Though it really annoys me that all but two-YES, TWO- computers in my entire school are PCs, and one of the two is running Linux.
IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

>.>


Go to accessability options, and turn em off.

CAN'T
Its a school computer. Zero access to anything other than printers.

Oh.

Then, request that someone with access does it, maybe?

The possibiliy that that could happen...
One in say...
167856187056780617806457806807680346578067806781678135674896187643780786785680168704156378658162783562378658760184607061 times infinity.
And yes, I just mindlessly typed that in, but the odds are still microscopically small.
I like how Macs just don't have that feature...
So useful not having a *beep* go off unexpectedly.

[Yumes offline]

IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

Press the Shift key 5 times to turn 'em off
not sure....

[TheAppleFreak]

IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

Press the Shift key 5 times to turn 'em off
not sure....

Didn't work. I had already rebooted.

[Yumes offline]

IT ALSO ANNOYS ME THAT PC"S HAVE STICKY KEYS< BECAUSE I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON AND I CAN"T GET IT OFF> REBOOT>>> NOW!

Press the Shift key 5 times to turn 'em off
not sure....

Didn't work. I had already rebooted.

Oh, OK

[Gauntlet offline]

Heh, I'm liking the poll results so far.

5 to 20, Mac to PC.

[JesusFreak offline]

Heh, I'm liking the poll results so far.

5 to 20, Mac to PC.

Amen, brother!

[TheAppleFreak]

The poll must be buggy...
Unless I am seeing incorrectly, PCs are ACTUALLY IN THE LEAD.

That is a horribly terrifying prospect which I cannot even begin to comprehend.
Either that, or its Firefox.
Being that its a free period before gym class, I don't have the time to load Opera. Firefox on XP is such a memory hog.
Then again, so is XP.