General Discussions

**Learning Newbie** · 08-10-2007, 05:21 PM

Just like everyone else who buys a mac, you "think differently." With millions and millions of them sold I'm not really sure how paying 2x for the same hardware proves (to yourself, mostly) that you're unique (just like everyone else) but maybe I'm just a bitter old man. "Grandpa" like Adam calls me, who's ticked off that people don't still use Pony Express. Only in my old age (ha!) I'm a pretty good programmer.

On this board of web site owners and content producers, I wonder what people think about the PC/Mac holy war. My own thought is that any difference is shrinking - Windows is getting dumbed down to look like a Mac, and Mac is adopting all the same hardware as a Windows machine, has been running Microsoft apps forever, and sales are finally going up now that Macs can run Windows. But those are just my thoughts - what are yours?

**ADAM Web Design** · 08-11-2007, 02:09 AM

My thoughts are that the best thing Windows could have done was to leave well enough alone. If people want to buy a Mac, let 'em. They're niche machines for niche markets, and stand almost no chance at cracking the mainstream (smug commercials with Mac guy trying way too hard to be cool notwithstanding).

This whole thing about Windows trying to look, act, and feel like a Mac is just silly. The Mac users won't cross over, and the Windows users don't want to.

**ninjashoes** · 08-11-2007, 02:11 AM

Why do people buy macs? They can't run jack **** unless you use a windows emulator.

**LadynRed** · 08-11-2007, 11:47 AM

Yep, the camps are firmly entrenched, especially in the graphics arena. I wouldn't take a mac if you gave me one and I sure as heck won't buy one, the cost is insane. Macs may be gaining a few percentage points in the market but they're still hovering in the 10% range.

**ForrestCroce** · 08-11-2007, 02:27 PM

I have some friends who are Mac enthusiasts. One of them has a PhD and uses it to write articles for journals like Science. I've played with them a little, and in Word and Excel, the way the toolbars are all weird like that, not connected to the app or the document, just irritates me. It seems like a waste of screen real estate.

Photoshop has identical functionality on either platform, and the best html editor is any text editor with syntax highlighting, code folding, and spell check ... so for me it really comes down to personal preference.

My friends told me they can't stand things about PCs like how consumer versions of Windows hide your Program Files and Windows and System32 folders by default. I don't hate Macs, or try to talk my friends out of using them, but I don't see the appeal, either.

Oh, and you're right, the difference seems to be narrowing. In a lot of ways, today's Mac is a PC with a different operating system. You just need to buy the complete hardware to get the O/S.

**vangogh** · 08-11-2007, 05:06 PM

The one thing I will say in favor of Macs is you can run Windows on them. The reverse isn't true. If you develop websites then you can test both operating systems on one machine. I've actually thought of making an iMac my next laptop so I could work in both operating systems and dare I say it, Linux too all at the same time.

I've been a PC and Windows user most of my computer life. My very first computer was a Mac (actually one of the first ever made), but I wasn't really interested in computers at the time. Windows has generally done well by me, though it has its quirks that sometimes have me cursing at the company. If I had a Mac I'd just be cursing out Steve Jobs every so often instead of Bill Gates.

Both Macs and PCs are fine and each have their pros and cons. I've always thought these OS wars and browser wars were really stupid. People have different needs and so prefer different products.

**stOx** · 08-11-2007, 05:35 PM

When one of the questions they ask you at the store is "what colour do you want?" you know you are buying the wrong machine.

Personally i don't understand why anyone would buy such a limited confined machine when a PC will do much more, Is half the price and can be upgraded as easily as changing your socks.

**ADAM Web Design** · 08-11-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stOx

When one of the questions they ask you at the store is "what colour do you want?" you know you are buying the wrong machine.

Personally i don't understand why anyone would buy such a limited confined machine when a PC will do much more, Is half the price and can be upgraded as easily as changing your socks.

Think of why Barbie would buy a PC, and this will make sense.

**D-not** · 08-11-2007, 07:19 PM

Honestly I like the Mac Operating system, the inability to upgrade pretty much sinks it for me. Due to Erm.. hardware issues I typically run XandrOS Linux with a few modifications to emulate both OS's. As far as mainstream OS's, I tend to lean toward Windows as much as I hate to do it (Though my last few PC's were ordered with DOS... magical)

**NateL** · 07:27 PM

I built my own computer from NewEgg...costed me around $1500. The g/f just got her mac stolen..and i begged her to let me build her one for around 1k .."no...i really want a mac"...

so she goes off and spends 2k on a macbook pro.

The price is the one thing I hate about Macs...but that is all. I can work on a Mac. The arguments and "wars" now are close minded and stupid arguments, if you ask me. I agree with Vangogh, every person has their needs and requirements and both Macs and PC's have their advantages and disadvantages.

I take advantage of opportunities to learn. and if I have to learn on a Mac, then that's +1 for me when a possible employer asks "are you comfortable on a Mac platform?"

**goheadtry** · 08-12-2007, 12:34 AM

Why not buy the disk off of ebay and install it on a PC I herd of something called OSX 86 PROJECT which is OSX on a pc I don't like how some pirate the disk thats why you buy it off ebay for $3-- but I think it is a money saver so turn your pc into a mac for 3 dollars that is funny
http://www.osx86project.org is what I am talking about

**Link00seven** · 08-14-2007, 12:10 AM

I really like the Mac OS. I think its a very well done OS and I've never had any major problems with it. I've owned a lot of Windows-based PC's and Mac's and really don't have any problem with either one. Especially anymore, its all based on which you prefer, because you can do the same stuff on either one.

**D-not** · 08-14-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goheadtry

Why not buy the disk off of ebay and install it on a PC I herd of something called OSX 86 PROJECT which is OSX on a pc I don't like how some pirate the disk thats why you buy it off ebay for $3-- but I think it is a money saver so turn your pc into a mac for 3 dollars that is funny
http://www.osx86project.org is what I am talking about

Hey man, thanks for that! I've been looking for a way to add Mac to my testing computers... you just saved me a whole tonne of cash!

**dansgalaxy** · 08-14-2007, 11:38 AM

haha only a geek could think of that for a splash page!! xD love that

I have just recently installed Windows Vista Ultimate, and i have seen many many videos on youtube showing just how much has been ripped of the mac Os and i have to say i agree, and i find windows vista to so far (its been installed for about a day now) to be alot better than i expected, i was expecting alot of lag and graphical problems, but so far it seems to manage itself well, (im running AMD Athlon 64 pro 3200+ 2GHz, 1GB ram and a G-force graphics card running dualscreen)

i have never owned a mac and my usage of them is limited to pcworld

i think macs are way to over proiced and i think MS has a huge manopoly, macs are obviously trying to fit in more with windows and windows is moving towards the design, and flashy graohics of macs,

personally after using windows vista, the only benifit i can see form mac systems is that its doesnt work program on program, and theoretically should run smoother,

where as windows, runs about 3 levels under the GUI, Bios -> DOS -> Windows -> extra programs which run on top

where as my understanding of the mac set up is

bios -> Mac OS

whats peoples thoguhts...

**goheadtry** · 08-14-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-not

Hey man, thanks for that! I've been looking for a way to add Mac to my testing computers... you just saved me a whole tonne of cash!

You're welcome.

**Learning Newbie** · 08-14-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansgalaxy

where as windows, runs about 3 levels under the GUI, Bios -> DOS -> Windows -> extra programs which run on top

where as my understanding of the mac set up is

bios -> Mac OS

whats peoples thoguhts...

I think that stopped being true with the release of Windows NT. You can still open up a command window if you want, but that's more for convenience for old timers like me ( says Adam ).

With Win 3.1 you could exit Windows and be returned to DOS. With modern versions, when you close Windows, that powers the machine down - there's no underlying middle man to return full control to.

**dansgalaxy** · 08-14-2007, 03:25 PM

really?... im not so sure.. :P

i'll have to look into that

**highanddry** · 03:31 PM

You could be an individual if you decided not to use computers. A unique individual, or an eldery person.

Personally I think the dumpy looking PC guy from the Mac commercials could take the younger, though seemingly more fragile "mac-guy." I mean PC guy is obviously frustrated with pent up rage from not being able to do "multiple tasks", plus he has like 60 pounds on mac-guy. Mac guy looks like he would be hanging out at the latest hipster joint or ipod listening party, sipping appletinis and just for reasons of spite, PC guy would come barelling in like Chris Farely on an 8ball and flatten mac-guy deep into his designer, poly-mesh pantaloons.

I didn't read the opening thread, but that is my take on Mac vs PC.

**D-not** · 08-14-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansgalaxy

really?... im not so sure.. :P

i'll have to look into that

End all processes, you'll see. The only way DOS is running in modern Windows OS's is if (for whatever reason) you used DOS as a main and Virtual Machine to run NT, XP, Vista or whatever. Which is a shame, DOS was godly.

**dansgalaxy** · 08-14-2007, 04:35 PM

yea i know if u shut down certain processes, it causes shutdown -f -s -c "blah has been unexpectedly terminated, windows must shutdown in XX" -t 30

been years since i have been on system on a system pre xp and when i was i didnt know mcuh about PCs XD

Dan