PC vs Mac

[Pago Warrior]

About ready to pull the trigger on getting an iMac with Intel Core Duo, 4GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, & 21.5 inch monitor.  I realize that I could get up to 3 decent PCs for the same price, but there's just so many cool features to a Mac not to mention the reduced concerns of viruses.

Anyone out there able to talk me out of doing it?

[rocky_warrior]

I'm personally not a mac guy (mainly because of the premiums they charge), but hey, if it's what you want, and you can afford it - get it!

Well, as long as it's MUScoop compatible 

[MU B2002]

Hey if Justin Long is your spokesman, that is a good enough reason for me to stay away.

[Hards Alumni]

I will never buy a Mac.

ever.

I could build you that computer for far cheaper...

I never saw the upside of Mac.

[Chili]

Macs are such a pain in the ass unless you are dealing with other Macs. I mean the other night we couldn't get an avi file to open on a mac without jumping through hoops. PC's are just simple and open. Macs force you to use Apple stuff and it is expensive. Just not worth it.

As for virus's, just get a good anti-virus (AVG is free and great) and you should be fine so long as you aren't on some sick bukkake site.

[Benny B]

If you don't mind the price premium... go for it.  I've owned two Macs since my last PC went to the "blue screen of death" and destroyed a 25-page research paper I was working on many years ago.  Eventually, I was able to recover most of the data from the hard drive, but for some reason, the one .doc file I needed was corrupted.  I vowed on that day never to buy a PC again.  Stubbornly, I refuse to go back on that vow, even though PC's have improved.  The day will come when a Mac will evoke my wrath, but by then, I'm guessing another mainstream platform will have emerged.

To each their own.  A PC will save you a lot of money, but a Mac functions better out of the box.

[jfmu]

ill buy a mac the day they the stop using one-button mice...so annoying

[mu_hilltopper]

Macs are a niche product.  

When Windows 7 came out .. it took a whole 4 months before the installed base of Win7 machines overtook the number of Macs.   FOUR MONTHS.  

That's not to say Win7 is better or worse than Mac's OS.  It just tells you that the world runs on Windows by an enormous margin.

[Moonboots]

Former PC lover, current Macbook Pro user, since freshman year of college.  Won't ever go back.

[Skatastrophy]

ill buy a mac the day they the stop using one-button mice...so annoying

In 2005 Mac started supporting normal 2x button mice.

That said, I have no use for a Mac unless I had a couple thousand dollars to waste on an underpowered computer that can't play most video games.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'll buy a MAC right after I buy a Prius and have my balls cut off.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I'll buy a MAC right after I buy a Prius and have my balls cut off.

Geez.

Those are some strong feelings.

[MUBurrow]

mac user and prius driver here. love both.

add to that my 2 balls and you've got four sweet items.

 ... okay so i dont have a prius.  just wish i did.

[ChicosBailBonds]

To be fair, I like the MAC a lot more than the Prius.  

If you're into games from time to time, Mac is out.  The lack of an upgrade path drives me crazy.  If I want to upgrade my PC graphics card....easily done.  On a Mac...ugh.


Here's an article on Macs and their suckitude from December.

http://collegetimes.us/top-10-reasons-why-mac-sucks/

[reinko]

I'll buy a MAC right after I buy a Prius and have my balls cut off.

Thaaaaaaaaanks!

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm fine with Hybrids....just not the Prius....anyone that lives out here in California will know what I'm talking about.

[MUBurrow]

tell me about it. and yet the newest energy efficient car is called the leaf!?!

they just dont get it. more than a little frustrating.

[4everwarriors]

I'll buy a MAC right after I buy a Prius and have my balls cut off.

Balls removal? Getting close to that stage in life anyway. 
As for the car, I don't know if you realize what you're missing until you drive the 405 in the hybrid lane.

[mu-rara]

I'm fine with Hybrids....just not the Prius....anyone that lives out here in California will know what I'm talking about.

There is no economic justification for owning a Peeus.   If you want good gas mileage at a great price, buy a Mazda3.

[Skatastrophy]

There is no economic justification for owning a Peeus.   If you want good gas mileage at a great price, buy a Mazda3.

If you're planning on buying a chick car like the Mazda 3 just buy a Jetta TDI.  Way better gas mileage and decent performance.

[wyoMUfan]

I have to agree w/ chico
I have an IMAC at home can't upgrade....
an Airmac which is basically a glorified type writer...


HOWEVER

at work i have an 8core g5 and it blows the socks off of anything I have ever used, for video its the perfect system.

I haven't used windows 7 but in comparison to every other microsoft OS, mac os is a pleasure in comparison.

[wyoMUfan]

wait....did I just say i have to agree w/ chico...oh man

and after i hit "post" I realized I wasn't quite sure what we were agreeing on. lol

[rocky_warrior]

buy a Jetta TDI.  Way better gas mileage and decent performance.

That is, when they actually work.  VW = terrible quality.

[Jumping Jesuit]

I use both Mac and PC (work and home).  I much prefer the PC only because it works with almost all applications that are out there.  With that said, I would never purchase another Mac.  A few years ago, my wife's Mac Book went on the fritz.  We took it to our local iStore (or whatever they are calling it), and the sales people were such arrogant pricks.  The wait time for one of their "geniuses" was like an hour.  I told the guy that I would just leave it with them, then.  He said I couldn't do that.  They thought they could make us walk around the mall for an hour until THEY had time for me.  I understand that they were helping other people, but how hard is it to get my name, a description of what is wrong, then call me when they looked at the computer.  I took the Mac and never went back to the store. I then called their customer service number, and some guy told me to make an appointment using the internet.  I told him that my computer was broken so, therefore, I couldn't make an appointment on the internet.  He told me I was SOL.  Apple--their way or the highway.  Their hardware sucks, their software is whatever, but their marketing is pure genius.  Thanks for letting me get that off my chest! 

[Ron Paul]

http://collegetimes.us/top-10-reasons-why-mac-sucks/

That is all, I bought a Mac last year and would NEVER buy another one.  Anyone who claims that they are just easier has lost their minds.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

That is, when they actually work.  VW = terrible quality.

and terribly expensive to repair.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Balls removal? Getting close to that stage in life anyway. 
As for the car, I don't know if you realize what you're missing until you drive the 405 in the hybrid lane.

That's the problem, I'm in my Tacoma truck and these hippies are in the diamond lane cruising at 55 while I'm trying to go 75 in the same lane.  Drives me nuts, especially since I could put one of these things in the back of my truck and carry them with me I think.   

[flash]

I currenty use a PC but I have had a lot of problems with it.  A lot of my friends use Macs and they say they are very reliable.  There would be an annoying transition period getting used to a Mac but i think it would be worth it.  If i ever get a new computer, I would probably lean in the direction of a Mac. 

[mu-rara]

If you're planning on buying a chick car like the Mazda 3 just buy a Jetta TDI.  Way better gas mileage and decent performance.

I replaced a Passat with the Mazda.  Passat was fairly reliable, but outrageously expensive to repair.  Mazda has a lot of spirit off the line.

[StillAWarrior]

About ready to pull the trigger on getting an iMac with Intel Core Duo, 4GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, & 21.5 inch monitor.  I realize that I could get up to 3 decent PCs for the same price, but there's just so many cool features to a Mac not to mention the reduced concerns of viruses.

Anyone out there able to talk me out of doing it?

Just bought that same computer about three weeks ago.  Like you I debated with myself over the price difference.  We are loving the computer.  My wife loves it (and she's never loved any computer).  My kids love it.  The first time my 11-year-old daughter sat down at the computer she took one of her videos that was on the computer (that transferred over from our old computer) and made a movie out of it with graphics, music, etc.  It took her about 15 minutes -- and she had never used a mac before.  I'm sure there are pc programs out there that would have allowed her to do the same thing, but it was right there and it was simple.

Yes, they are expensive.  But they are really neat machines.
Edited to acknowledge that I'm admittedly still in the honeymoon period.  No problems yet, no need for repairs, etc.  I've found the transition fairly simple, but there still are things that take me a couple minutes to figure out.

[Hards Alumni]

I replaced a Passat with the Mazda.  Passat was fairly reliable, but outrageously expensive to repair.  Mazda has a lot of spirit off the line.

Mazda puts out some really nice cars.  If you think they are girl cars, get behind the wheel and they'll prove you wrong.  my speed6 has more balls than any VW out there... and my friend's passat is literally falling apart just as he is finishing paying it off. 

As for Mac's, they are novel, but not practical.  Sure they are cute and hip and family/user friendly; but in the long run, you can do a lot more with the PC.  Software, upgrades, etc.

[hairy worthen]

I'll buy a MAC right after I buy a Prius and have my balls cut off.

That might be the funniest and smartest thing you ever posted.

Its not the hybrids or prius that is the problem, its the smug attitude of most of the people who drive them. I especially hate the light green ones, like they are trying to prove to everyone they are environmentally superior. As if light green is more  sound than blue.

[KipsBayEagle]

I bought a mac four years ago, when my fourth pc labtop crashed and burned after months of continuoulsy slowing down from god only knows what.  The mac has run like new since the day I got it without ever getting a virus, or ever having a mechanical problem.  My brother switched to macs after I recommended it to him and now he loves them as well.  Yes macs are expensive, yes they aren't as powerful, and yes, macs do sort of look like gay spaceships.  But hell, they work.  Buy yourself a PC and I bet within a year it will be noticably slower than the day you bought it, will hardly work in 2, and in three, you'll probally be looking for a new one.  Buying a mac was one of the smartest tech decisions in my life, and i'll never go back to PC.

[MUBurrow]

Its not the hybrids or prius that is the problem, its the smug attitude of most of the people who drive them. I especially hate the light green ones, like they are trying to prove to everyone they are environmentally superior. As if light green is more  sound than blue.

Dear Nissan, on behalf of all regular environmentally conscious human beings,

the leaf!?!?! you named it the f**cking leaf!!?!?!

Sincerely, every person that thinks it would be nice if fuel efficiency and responsible energy were just trends that took over the entire industry, rather than a pigeonholed small target audience.

[Hards Alumni]

I bought a mac four years ago, when my fourth pc labtop crashed and burned after months of continuoulsy slowing down from god only knows what.  The mac has run like new since the day I got it without ever getting a virus, or ever having a mechanical problem.  My brother switched to macs after I recommended it to him and now he loves them as well.  Yes macs are expensive, yes they aren't as powerful, and yes, macs do sort of look like gay spaceships.  But hell, they work.  Buy yourself a PC and I bet within a year it will be noticably slower than the day you bought it, will hardly work in 2, and in three, you'll probally be looking for a new one.  Buying a mac was one of the smartest tech decisions in my life, and i'll never go back to PC.

I built my PC 5 years ago, and can still upgrade parts when I feel it is "slow".  If you get that many viruses you aren't taking proper care, or are too lazy to find a way to remove them.   It isn't as if a virus causes termites to eat your HDD or anything...

Why is it that when people think their computer is slower than it used to be it is the computer's fault, and not all of the random crap they accidentally (or purposely!) installed themself? 

[KipsBayEagle]

I built my PC 5 years ago, and can still upgrade parts when I feel it is "slow".  If you get that many viruses you aren't taking proper care, or are too lazy to find a way to remove them.   It isn't as if a virus causes termites to eat your HDD or anything...

Why is it that when people think their computer is slower than it used to be it is the computer's fault, and not all of the random crap they accidentally (or purposely!) installed themself? 

By crap installed, do you mean downloaded porn?  Because if you do than check and mate to you sir.

[MU B2002]

Why is it that when people think their computer is slower than it used to be it is the computer's fault, and not all of the random crap they accidentally (or purposely!) installed themself? 

You mean all the songs I downloaded from Napster (dated reference) Limewire (better?) are causing performance problems?  I thought downloading files from total strangers was safe?!

[Hards Alumni]

By crap installed, do you mean downloaded porn?  Because if you do than check and mate to you sir.

well yes.  But of course there are lots of places to pick up malware... and MU_B2002... I wouldn't even date yourself with Limewire.

I'd say most downloading nowadays is done via torrents.

[MU B2002]

well yes.  But of course there are lots of places to pick up malware... and MU_B2002... I wouldn't even date yourself with Limewire.

I'd say most downloading nowadays is done via torrents.

Yea I figured.  I just didn't know what people were using these days.

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

Any PC will slow down due to the massive amount of files downloaded and crap people put on there. Both PCs and Macs have their pros and cons for different things, but unfortunately taking 5 minutes to run antivirus software and a simply speed check program that is free to download will take care of most of your issues on a PC. As far as Macs go, great battery life but I am unwilling to pay 2000 dollars for a macbook pro when I can buy a 600 dollar toshiba with about the same performance when you factor in all of the features that Mac is not capable of.

[PBRme]

If you're planning on buying a chick car like the Mazda 3 just buy a Jetta TDI.  Way better gas mileage and decent performance.

Except Mazda is in the top half of automakers for reliability and VW is fighting it out in the bottom 3 and has been for 8-10 years

[ChicosBailBonds]

well yes.  But of course there are lots of places to pick up malware... and MU_B2002... I wouldn't even date yourself with Limewire.

I'd say most downloading nowadays is done via torrents.

What do you use to get rid of malware?  Just curious.  The thing I hate the most about my PC is the amount of time it takes to boot up, then once it's in Windows XP it still takes another 2 minutes it seems before I can actually launch anything.

I have very few things loading at startup, just a few essentials.  I don't know what else it could be....well except all the porn of course

[spiral97]

malwarebytes is the best around that I've found.

[Hards Alumni]

depends on how much you know about computers... just a suggestion though... go to start>run> and type "msconfig" and go to the startup tab.

turn off the crap you dont use, or didnt know was there... should speed up your start up.

i run AVG and spybot.  I used to run adaware back when it was good.... also there is 'Hijack This'... which is nice if you know a bit more about computers.

[ChicosBailBonds]

depends on how much you know about computers... just a suggestion though... go to start>run> and type "msconfig" and go to the startup tab.

turn off the crap you dont use, or didnt know was there... should speed up your start up.

i run AVG and spybot.  I used to run adaware back when it was good.... also there is 'Hijack This'... which is nice if you know a bit more about computers.

Yeah, done all of that.  I've used Hijack This for a number of years as well.   

By the way, any of you guys know much about Adobe Air?  I was going through my files this morning and that application is 105 GIGABYTES!!  Holy crap is it huge.