Pros and Cons? I have been using windows all of my life, but the new Apple laptop with the DVD Burner is sick. What do you guys think?
As always, Apple makes much better harware, but you can't get the software you can with the Windows machines. It is changing though, the new emulation software with OSX is pretty good. Except for games.
Switched... I recently switched and got one of the new 12" Powerbooks with the Combo Drive (not Super) and the AirPort Extreme. I haven't been this happy a user in a while. The OS is amazing and the built-in software (iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie) is so very simple to use. As far as games for the PB vs. WinPC I haven't been in the market for a while so I can't really comment. However, I have found that on http://www.macnn.com and http://www.versiontracker.com you can find just about any kind of shareware or freeware that can do everything you need, and probably more intuitively and elegantly than any Windows software.
I don't think this has been true for a very long time, even before OS X. Almost all mass market software have been available for Mac for as long as I can remember. Adobe apps in particular have been developed with Mac users in mind. I use Apple because it's the standard in my field, but I've never felt inconvenienced because I wasn't using Windows. PCs can't beat Macs in terms of expandability, stability or usability. Cons? I suppose it's not for gamers, though they're becoming more available now.
I switched over to a Titanium Powerbook last summer and don't have one regret. I've been able to find all the software I used on my PC for my Mac and those that I couldn't I'd simply use Virtual PC (although now it's primarly used for Kazaa). I find the OS and the iApps to be far superior to anything that M$ can offer. I know I'll never go back to a PC for home use.
I would buy a Mac but they're just too damn expensive. You can knock up a decent PC for $500. Macs are twice that price. And whats the point of buying a cool Mac if you're only going to run Microsoft Office. Macs are great for Desktop Publishing but thats about it. What about Linux though? After all, Apple OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) is built around UNIX FreeBSD. I'm not a geeky techie type but I do work with computers for a living and have messed around with Linux a bit. With KDE and Open Office its really not much different from Windows these days. But at the end of the day I'm a gamer and until Counter Strike, Empire Earth and all the other clan games are cross platform I'll stick to my PC.
i've been pondering this dilemma for when i get a computer for college. i want a mac notebook but theyre crazy expensive. hopefully by the time i need it the price will be down. also, what do you mac users download mp3s with? when i got an iMac a few years ago there was nada. i haven't bothered trying to d/l new stuff though as it's OS 8.5 and complete *************** now
I use both. I have an imac g3 for home(i've had it a long time) and a pc at work(piece of crap gateway) I've always perfered apple, but they're impractical in todays workplace. again, software compatability and availibility.
I don't mean to argue and this is an honest question - what business software aren't available for Mac? I work in an all-Mac office so I don't really know, but nowadays, all Microsft Office files are compatible across all platforms and likewise for Adobe applications.
I work for an insurance company and all of our software that is used for illustrations are windows based. Our communications dept. all use macs to do everything, the site, bulletins, the monthly newsletter etc. Apple is the way to go and all signs are pointing to it getting even better.
Well, if somebody could manage to make a good Motorola-based Mac clone (they are still using Motorola chips, right?) hardware prices would drop. That's the biggest problem with Macs - they are too damned expensive. x86-based platforms can be bought on the cheap, and if you are technically inclined you can cobble one together for peanuts. I've built my last three PCs myself. Additionally, you aren't locked to MS operating systems on x86 archectures. Linux is a viable option, as long as you don't need MS Office. Games are less common on Linux, but some good ones exist. Frankly, my home system is a Win2K, and as my network grows (when I get my house) I'll probably remain x86 based (with some embedded systems as well). I may get a Mac laptop, but all of my servers and desktops will almost certainly stay Windows/Linux.
They tried Mac clones back in the early 90s. Didn't work out for whatever reason, I don't remember. And yes, they still use Motorola chips but the next generation Macs (G5) will most likely use IBM chips.
Infact it was Apple who prevented other manufacturers from producing clones as it was cutting into their market share.