Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject: Mac or PC
I am looking for a new computer. I have the specs recomended for a computer and also I was said it could be a Mac or a PC. I know a little about PCs but I know nothing about Macs. Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks for any comments you have _________________ Myspace LayoutsStudy English in UK
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:08 pm Post subject:
You can have both if you get a Mac.
You can run Windows XP on a new Mac now, but it takes a bit of technical savvy.
(You can also run Windows on old Macs, but not suggested.)
I believe the next Mac operating system (10.5?) will make running Windows on a Mac point and click easy, available to non-techies. Available in a few months I think.
If you buy a new Mac (an Intel based Mac) it will be able to run OS 10.5 when it comes out later this year. If you're not in a hurry, wait a few months and 10.5 will come installed on every new Mac, meaning you won't have to buy it separately (about $100).
If you buy a PC you'll have the choice of many different vendors. This is good, or bad, depending on how you look at. How much time do you want to spend shopping?
If you buy Mac, the Apple site will be a one stop shopping experience.
PC's are probably cheaper, Macs may be a bit higher quality.
If you get a Mac, and don't run Windows on it, you won't be able to run some of the specialized Net business programs you'll see advertised on sites like this. Something to consider.
If you're new to computing, and will be relying on friends for technical assistance, what do your friends use? This could be an important factor.
In the unlikely event you want to learn or use Unix, Mac is your choice, as OSX is built upon Unix. A long time Windows using programmer friend of mine just switched to Mac for this reason, and others.
If you get a Mac, you'll probably go on to be a famous award winning artist with hot models on your arm. If you get a PC, you'll probably become an accountant buried in some dingy federal office building.
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject:
I forgot something important.
I've worked on dozens of different Macs everyday since 1994 and never once installed any kind virus protection, and never once had a problem. I'm online everyday, downloading all kinds of stuff, lots of email etc. Never have problems with worms, trojan horses and other digital vermin.
Not sure if this is still true, but not long ago there were no known viruses for OSX.
If you get a PC I believe you'll need to worry about security quite a bit more. But, I don't have a PC, and may not be fully informed.
Finally, I just realized we are way off topic of this room....
But your best approach is to develop a list of software applications that you plan to run and make sure you can get a MAC version.
And don't expect much help from the Hosting Community if you run a mac (Macs work fine with Webhosts, but few will know how to help you set up email, IP configuration, etc.).
The only downside to the Mac in my opinion is the smaller development community. For me that is enough to keep me glued to a PC and the inherent windows problems. (Which are much less frequent since XP). But I'm not a fan of Vista. _________________ FREE SEO and Keyword Suggestion Tools Proven Traffic Generator
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:26 am Post subject:
Quote:
But your best approach is to develop a list of software applications that you plan to run and make sure you can get a MAC version.
Yes, good advice.
Quote:
And don't expect much help from the Hosting Community if you run a mac (Macs work fine with Webhosts, but few will know how to help you set up email, IP configuration, etc.).
If this is a real problem, you can always use a Mac based web host. Apple makes servers too, and there are some hosts who run their whole company on them.
As example, I used to run a popular list hosting service entirely on Macs. (The problem I had was helping people with basic Windows questions.)
Quote:
The only downside to the Mac in my opinion is the smaller development community.
I believe this is solved by the ability to run Windows on the new Macs.
If you get a new Intel Mac, with OSX 10.5 (when it comes out) you can run Mac, Windows and Unix, all on the same box.
My guess is you'll see Apple continue their focus on making Windows easily available on Macs, because that's the number one source of new market share.
Their "switch" campaign is a pretty prominent part of their marketing these days. They've designed their TV ads around this pitch.
The main downside I see to Macs is that they are dependant on one company. Apple's been doing well lately, but that hasn't always been the case.
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