technology Mac vs. PC

[Pony Joe 583]

I prefer PC's (is it right to put an apostrophe there?) because I'd much rather spend $200 upgrading a single part every two years than spend $2000 replacing the whole thing every six or so. I also play a lot of games, and I grew up using Windows XP, so there's obviously a bit of bias for me towards the UI.

 

I really like Macs too, but they're not really for me. Confused? Well, Macs are better suited towards the kind of people who need a reliable computer for both personal and work purposes, but aren't willing to/don't have the expertise to properly maintain one. Now, I'm not saying that Macs are "dumbed down" or whatever, but I will say that you need to be a lot more stupid to get malware on one as opposed to a PC.

 

Linux is the polar opposite: it's for people who are literate enough with a computer that they're probably either programmers or IT guys. It's not exactly user-friendly to people who don't usually use a command line, but you can do pretty much anything that you want to with it. Some say that when the meaning of life is found, it will be on Linux.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Pony Joe

[DusK 1,264]

The argument that a Mac's price point is so high is because their hardware is somehow of a higher quality than what you can get for a PC is completely unfounded. Paying over twice as much for hardware doesn't magically make it better.

 

The argument that Macs are somehow "better" than PCs for creative works is also definitely unfounded. Regarding my area of expertise, music production, the ability to create music is actually stunted on a Mac. More DAWs are available on PC than OSX, ASIO outperforms Core Audio for low-buffer work by a considerable margin, and a majority of VSTs on the market have no Mac capability, requiring the user to run them through a DXi converter at the expense of a massive performance hit.

 

In this day and age, there really is no viable reason to buy a Mac over a PC other than the inability to use a PC correctly. And no, paying over three times as much as I did for my rig for half the firepower of my rig just because you're some hipster who wanted an Apple logo on his tower doesn't constitute a viable reason. It just makes you stupid.

[Retro*Derpy 3,182]

Seeing that I have only used a Mac once in my lifetime, this post is going to be unfairly biased. I've compared the prices for hardware pieces and without a doubt PC is the better. I've just never seen the use for me getting a Mac, since all I do is web browse and do gaming, which PC is perfect at.

[SPLinux 380]

I am going to assume when people refer to PC or MAC you mean the whole system and not just the OS or hardware alone since you can install Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux on both setups. Personally i prefer PC's, i like the more open system it has and customisability. Mac Systems are a bit too restricted for me and obviously i dont prefer OSX from default. I use a PC with GNU/Linux. Mac's aren’t horrible though, The Design is quite nice. Linus Torvalds even uses one (a Macbook Pro, yes he has Linux on it...). I just find Mac's to be a bit overpriced and not for me. Another reason i dont go for MAC is due to my diasgreements with Apple. Both are both perfectly usable computer systems IMHO.

 

 

 

Linux is the polar opposite: it's for people who are literate enough with a computer that they're probably either programmers or IT guys. It's not exactly user-friendly to people who don't usually use a command line, but you can do pretty much anything that you want to with it. Some say that when the meaning of life is found, it will be on Linux.

 

While GNU/Linux was originally intended for technically inclined users, its not that hard for a average user today. It's just as difficult/easy as any other OS. There are plenty of distributions like Ubuntu which are designed for Desktop Usability. Also "User Friendly" isn’t a great term, There are lots of different users out there with different needs. Software that's "User Friendly" to one user may be heavy and stripped down/bloated to another user. For example the VIM text editor probably would be difficult for writing a letter to your grandmother but LibreOffice/MSOffice would be a terrible text editor when it comes to programming. Everyone has there own needs and uses, GNU/Linux is a different OS that does things differently. Also, You don’t have to use the command line to use a general Linux System. The Command Line is just powerful and faster for many operations which is why it is reccomended often. GUI's have been in Linux even since the 90's (The X Windows System has been here since 1984). Hope i don’t sound like i am attacking you i am just trying to make a point.

Edited February 3, 2013 by superponylinux

[Winged Anomaly 47]

I could see why somebody would like a Mac.  Mac OS has always been very sleek and very easy to use, but for an advanced user, it's incredibly restrictive.  Windows (excepting the horrendous Windows 8) is incredibly customizable and lies wide open for tweaking and modification by users who know what they're doing.

Beyond that, the hardware is much, much, MUCH less expensive.  You can literally get a PC that's twice as powerful as a Mac for the same price.  I have a heavy duty gaming rig that ran me ~900 dollars - this thing can handle Crysis 2 at 1080p and 60 flat FPS.  Similar power in a Mac would run me 1.5 - 2,000 dollars.

As a gamer and a programmer, PC is my poison of choice, but for an artist or lightweight user who doesn't want to manage the finer points of the system, I could see the appeal of a Mac.

But in the end, Linux FTW.  I'd be running Ubuntu if it could game.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Winged Anomaly

[null1 606]

I had been using Macs since the 1990s (and before the hipsters hijacked the brand in the mid 00s), don't know how I started using them, but I just did. Father brought them into the house at some point. I usually say that I was Mac-Raised.

 

I just really have a strong distaste for the smug Mac users that exist that make the rest of us look bad.

 

I use PCs too from time to time, but they just don't feel at home for personal use. Windows 7 I really like though.

Edited February 3, 2013 by DeltaTangent

[Moog the Kvlt 1,460]

The argument that Macs are somehow "better" than PCs for creative works is also definitely unfounded. Regarding my area of expertise, music production, the ability to create music is actually stunted on a Mac. More DAWs are available on PC than OSX, ASIO outperforms Core Audio for low-buffer work by a considerable margin, and a majority of VSTs on the market have no Mac capability, requiring the user to run them through a DXi converter at the expense of a massive performance hit.

 

This is the most wrong argument I have ever heard in my entire life. Almost every major DAW on the market can run on a Mac and PC, I have Ableton Live running on my PC and my Mac as well. Also are you forgetting about Logic Studio, you know the one that is Mac exclusive. Reason and Pro Tools can work as well. And also the same goes for the your statement on how most VSTs on the market can only run on a PC. Most people develop VSTs for both Mac and PC, at least the major companies do. Massive, FM8, Absynth, Rapture, DCAM Synth Squad, Arturia's emulations, Nexus, Sylenth1, Gladiator etc. can all run on a Mac as well. Most of the softsynths that are PC exclusive are lesser known

[DusK 1,264]

This is the most wrong argument I have ever heard in my entire life.

Then you consider irrefutable facts "wrong". That indicates a problem on your end. Feel free to accept reality at any time.

 

Almost every major DAW on the market can run on a Mac and PC, I have Ableton Live running on my PC and my Mac as well.

That's nice for you. It doesn't change the fact that Windows has a larger DAW selection than OSX.

 

DAW options for Windows: Ableton Live, ACID Pro, Cakewalk SONAR, Digital Performer, FL Studio, MAGIX Samplitude, MAGIX Sequoia, Mixcraft, MU.LAB, MultitrackStudio, n-Track Studio, Orion, PreSonus Studio One, Pro Tools, REAPER, Renoise, Reason, SAWStudio, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Tracktion, Usine, Zynewave Podium, Z-Maestro. Total of 24 DAWs.

 

DAW options for OSX: Ableton Live, Adobe Audition, Digital Performer, Garage Band, Logic Pro, MU.LAB, MultitrackStudio, n-Track Studio, PreSonus Studio One, Pro Tools, REAPER, Renoise, Reason, Soundtrack Pro, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Tracktion. Total of 17 DAWs.

 

DAW selection point goes to Windows.

 

Also are you forgetting about Logic Studio, you know the one that is Mac exclusive.

As opposed to the several that are Windows exclusive. See the list for details.

 

Reason and Pro Tools can work as well. And also the same goes for the your statement on how most VSTs on the market can only run on a PC. Most people develop VSTs for both Mac and PC, at least the major companies do. Massive, FM8, Absynth, Rapture, DCAM Synth Squad, Arturia's emulations, Nexus, Sylenth1, Gladiator etc. can all run on a Mac as well. Most of the softsynths that are PC exclusive are lesser known

All 4,000+ of them, yeah.

 

Feel free to dodge that ASIO vs. Core Audio elephant though. I'll have a blast running 128 sample buffers on my rig without it breaking a sweat while your Mac struggles with anything lower than 512.

Edited February 3, 2013 by DusK

[Prismatic 49]

PC.  In addition to the above my 12 year old laptop PC has 1/16" Magesium alloy casing which I've yet to see incorporated into a Mac.

[Pony Joe 583]

While GNU/Linux was originally intended for technically inclined users, its not that hard for a average user today. It's just as difficult/easy as any other OS. There are plenty of distributions like Ubuntu which are designed for Desktop Usability. Also "User Friendly" isn’t a great term, There are lots of different users out there with different needs. Software that's "User Friendly" to one user may be heavy and stripped down/bloated to another user. For example the VIM text editor probably would be difficult for writing a letter to your grandmother but LibreOffice/MSOffice would be a terrible text editor when it comes to programming. Everyone has there own needs and uses, GNU/Linux is a different OS that does things differently. Also, You don’t have to use the command line to use a general Linux System. The Command Line is just powerful and faster for many operations which is why it is reccomended often. GUI's have been in Linux even since the 90's (The X Windows System has been here since 1984). Hope i don’t sound like i am attacking you i am just trying to make a point.

 

It's fine, maybe I just wasn't being clear enough.

 

When I say "user-friendly," I mean it in a "to do something, just click a button that's shaped like what you want to do" way.  I didn't mean to imply that it wouldn't be perfectly intuitive for some people; I just meant that, when compared to a Mac, the choice for people who don't understand the ins and outs of filesystems is obvious.

 

I've also only used a Linux-equipped computer for a single session, so I clearly can't speak as if I know every single one of the OS's strengths and weaknesses.  In fact, I wasn't even planning on having a Linux paragraph in my original post at all until I realized it would be funny to compare it to a Mac.

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

I use both, and they both serve their purpose.

 

My custom built Windows 7 rig is my gaming pc and my Mac is my art/photography focused pc. I prefer a Mac as a laptop though since they are more durable, I'm sorry but a portable electronic device should be metal IMHO. Only time I had a Windows laptop that I picked out were the aluminum Dell Alienware M17x's and M11x I had. Those were not worth the cost but to me a MBP feels worth the cost. Can't say I'm happy they did away with the 17" MBP though, 15" is too small to draw on so you gotta use an external monitor. And not limited to Macs, but I hate how pc screens have switched over to 16:9 ratio rather than 16:10. The extra vertical space was so nice, the 1920x1200 RGB LED screen was the single best thing about the M17x's I had. Who cares if there is a tad more black bar when watching a movie, while gaming and drawing it was so much nicer.

 

I also prefer OS X to Windows, it just flows better to me and a lot of the artist programs cater to this for their layouts. Wacom tablets also play nicer with the OS in my experience, Windows wants to do funky things with a tablet connected.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Puddlejumper

[Zeruis 53]

I have both an iMac as well as a regular Macbook. The displays are great and quiet. I've only "really" used PC's at my school. For the gaming problem, I was never a computer gamer. I preferred consoles. 

 

So yeah, I prefer Macs.

[Hansel 1,512]

I've always use Windows at home, but I used Macs in college when I was studying fine art. Now I use Windows (and sometimes Linux) at uni for animation.

 

For me generally speaking, it's Windows > Mac, both for personal use and work. I'm fine with using Macs, but I find Windows is generally better and less frustrating to use for everything I need, whether it's drawing, animation, video editing or making music.

 

Saying that, I'm not so keen on Windows 8, it has a similar kind of awkwardness that most Apple products have. 

Edited February 3, 2013 by Hansel

[Fridge 382]

Personally I have always preferred pc, they're much more customisable. Admittedly this means that if your gaming you have to actually pay attention to the specs required but it's a small price to pay for optimisation.

I've used macs at college and at work extensively previously and I never got on with them, they're 'idiot proofing' makes it hard for me to do anything outside of normal perimeters.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Fridge

[Bohtty 1,775]

I got a Macbook Air (1,800$) because I wanted something light and durable for college. It was my first mac ever and it's been the best computer I've ever had. First one that hasn't broken down in any way either. I think that the Macbook Pro is a bit too expensive for what it's worth, but their Macbook Air is the best ultrabook you can find in my opinion. Their keyboards and track pads are legendary and everything just seems to work very well together.

 

Once I got the mac I installed Windows 7 on it to be safe. I never use that partition. It's used only for games that don't run on Mac and there aren't that many that I play. This computer is able to run Skyrim and Modern Bro Duty 3 on settings a little higher than the low, which was better than I was expecting. 

 

I am a huge fan of the Mac OS X and I do not plan to ever go back to Windows for general computing. Looks matter a lot for me. My major is Computer Science with a minor in Fine arts. I would have done it the other way around if art paid half as well. The operating system is really clean and everything looks good. Plus I love the terminal and file structure.

 

I used to be very pro PC, but now I have no intention of use that pile of shit again unless they make their entire UI as nice looking as the Windows 8 start menu.

 

I don't think I'll be able to go back to a plastic bodied computer either. The aluminum body is fantastic.

 

Mac ftw

 

EDIT: I'd also like to point out the whole "Oh mac is for arts and development" is completely false. Both Windows and Mac have adobe products and both have development environments. A professional can easily use either. The only real difference is using command on mac rather than control as you do on windows. The two OS's have the same capabilities.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Bohtty

[sLORT 28]

PC is greatest computer in the world

Macs are made by little girl.
PC have greatest graphical capability
Mac have inferior graphical capability.

[HunterTSN 1,444]

I use both a mac and windows and I must say I like the windows much better for what I do, the mac is too limited with programs and and isn't as user friendly. You can't customize it like you can a windows.

Edited February 3, 2013 by thesteampunkninja

[CloudsdaleCompanion 342]

I'm gonna have to say PC, but only for one reason: ThinkPads

 

If it weren't for them, I'd probably have a MacBook. I don't even like Apple's Design, IMHO it looks ugly (just my opinion there! ), but it's got a good keyboard, a good screen, a good touchpad and of course a solid chassis.

 

So yes, it gets the job done and has all the stuff I expect from a Laptop.

 

However, my current ThinkPad (X220) has all that and even more. It's got a very rigid magnesium alloy chassis, a classical 7 row keyboard (the legendary type like IBM used to produce), a trackpoint (better than touchpad IMO) and an IPS screen.

 

On top of that it also comes with an SSD, 16GB of RAM and i7 if configured so. Mine has an i3 with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD allowing Win 8 to boot in a mere 5s.   Most importantly it even houses an ExpressCard Slot, allowing me to hook up an external GPU (in my case GTX550Ti), thus making it 1000x times better at gaming than any MacBook.

 

That might change with Thunderbolt in future though.

 

Other Windows Laptops just don't even come close to that. Sure, there are some pretty interesting contenders, but none of them come so close to perfection as ThinkPads.

 

I haven't really used Mac OS that much, so I can't judge, but I'd say Windows 8 is definitely a great OS. It fixes many of the negative aspects of previous Windows versions.

 

Just my 2 bits.

Edited February 3, 2013 by CloudsdaleCompanion

[Guest]

The Macbook Air is made from a solid aluminum unibody. People have ran it over with a car and it still works. The storage inside is on flash rather than a disk so it's basically a giant USB stick. This makes retrieving and storing data faster, less moving parts, conserves space, quieter, and can't be damaged by falls. And honestly, when's the last time you used your CD drive? I don't think I've ever used mine.

 

Err, you can easily get PCs with SSDs (Solid-state drive, the flash drive if you didn't know) and they perform just as well. My PC has an SSD where I installed Windows 8 and I can boot in 15 seconds.

[A Blithering Div 247]

PC. Not because of a rabid hatred for OS X even though I'm not a huge fan of it. It's simply because a tower PC is better value. The only mac that's even worth a consideration is the mini. Moreso when Haswell is released. On the laptop side of things, my next laptop will probably be a System76 as I'm not about to shell out for form over function nor am I about to use windows 8 day to day as I find it unpolished. Not bad, but unpolished.

 

Edit: At least Apple has a good taste in sound as I'm now seeing ads for a 2.1 Paradigm system that's on sale in the apple store for the same price as crutchfield.

Edited February 3, 2013 by A Blithering Div

[Winterbass 763]

PCs are the most superior and we're not even talking about either if it has Linux or Windows. If I may, when I compare my pc ($1500) to a Mac, I can see that mine is decades ahead. Let's take the picture @Evilshy has provided for us on the first page.

 

Starting with the processor. Given, mine isn't that great at all and it kind of lacks the capability to support my video card to it's fullest I can tell you not only was mine less expensive, my processor is better. Sure it's an i5 quad-core and it lacks some of the features the i7 has, but let me tell you, would you go for 2 66ghz quadcores for $1400 or 2 (wouldn't actually know any reason to have more than 1 processor really) that's an i5 3.40ghz quadcore that can be overclocked to 4.6ghz (THANK GOD FOR MY COOLING), btw, even 3.40 is more than enough to play all videogames. My processor costed me around $180 btw.

 

Memory: WOAH WHAT, $100 for an extra 4GB? Mine has 16 gb and it cost me $60 in total, and these were corsair's Vengeance 4gb-a-piece RAM, that's not only RAM, but it also has an extra part to spread the heat more evenly.

 

RAID Card: What is this thing? Is this what the legends speak of? Back in the ancient times when motherboards didn't have RAID Cards? So.. a MAC, A MAC, that needs a RAID card! This is priceless!

 

Hard Drive: My 2tb Seagate Barracuda HDD costed me around $90

 

Graphics Card: Now this is where I myself went way overboard with, but it doesn't really matter at all. Mine is a Nvidia GTX 670 FTW, costed me around $400

 

CD Drive: I don't have one, no seriously, I don't have one. Oh, and yea, most cd burners can be found for around $20, you could even get a blu-ray burner for as low as $60.

 

Motherboard, mine is an ASRock Z77 Extreme4, this thing is about $350 and has everything I could ever wish for, not only this, it is also able to read the HDD, SSD and USB at a very high rate. Let's also add the nice bonus of high LAN speed, more satas that you can wish for, and a plethora of USB ports.

 

Microsoft Office, does anyone buy these things?

 

Alright. Now get this, for what you have bought for $3000 you have this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Including the parts I bought I got this case which got me to a total of around $1500 for my complete pc (not the exact price, since I bought it with euros).

 

 

 

I think I have made my point. And this is when we are disregarding the fact that the OS of Macs is terrible, it's like a permanent hand-holding program. What I want is customizability, I want to have a pc that's mine and unlike anyone else's, that's not something I can have with a Mac.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Winterbass

[Aaramus 449]

I use both but for completely different reasons. My PC is my home computer which I use for everyday stuff and video games while the iMac sits in my office and I use it for work only.

 

If I had to choose one it would be the PC, simply because you have more control over it than the Mac. I can upgrade my graphics card in about 2 minutes whereas it takes me half and hour just to work out how to get into the Mac. 

 

PC's are certainly more powerful and cheaper and are better for video gaming by far. You can use creative software on a PC if you want and it's pretty much the same.

 

However the iMacs certainly look much more professional in an office environment and take up a lot less space. The 27" screens are brilliant and you should never run into any technical issues with one. If you do however it's a lot harder to get fixed.

[Moog the Kvlt 1,460]

Then you consider irrefutable facts "wrong". That indicates a problem on your end. Feel free to accept reality at any time.

 

That's nice for you. It doesn't change the fact that Windows has a larger DAW selection than OSX.

 

DAW options for Windows: Ableton Live, ACID Pro, Cakewalk SONAR, Digital Performer, FL Studio, MAGIX Samplitude, MAGIX Sequoia, Mixcraft, MU.LAB, MultitrackStudio, n-Track Studio, Orion, PreSonus Studio One, Pro Tools, REAPER, Renoise, Reason, SAWStudio, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Tracktion, Usine, Zynewave Podium, Z-Maestro. Total of 24 DAWs.

 

DAW options for OSX: Ableton Live, Adobe Audition, Digital Performer, Garage Band, Logic Pro, MU.LAB, MultitrackStudio, n-Track Studio, PreSonus Studio One, Pro Tools, REAPER, Renoise, Reason, Soundtrack Pro, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Tracktion. Total of 17 DAWs.

 

DAW selection point goes to Windows.

 

As opposed to the several that are Windows exclusive. See the list for details.

 

All 4,000+ of them, yeah.

 

Feel free to dodge that ASIO vs. Core Audio elephant though. I'll have a blast running 128 sample buffers on my rig without it breaking a sweat while your Mac struggles with anything lower than 512.

 

I don't know what I was getting at before, though I think that I had worded that first sentence wrong

 

The best way to put it is that it depends on what you're looking for:

 

If you feel that the extra DAWs and VSTs are necessary and you're able to keep your computer away from viruses more easily then a PC is what you want

 

If you feel that the extra DAWs and VSTs aren't necessary, and that you feel more comfortable using a Mac for it's ability to not get a virus easily then a Mac is what you want

 

Or if you are like me and feel that both the Mac and the PC have their advantages and are both worth owning then you'd need a Mac and a PC

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Anyways a little bit off topic but, am I the only one who's being reminded of another certain argument that's going on as well:

[Antismurf9001 1,271]

I've used both Mac and PC with relative frequency (my laptop is a MacBook, but everything else around me is a PC).  I honestly don't have a preference.  I do think that Macs are grossly overpriced (the only reason that I have one is that some programs required for my major only run on a Mac) and the notion that 'troubleshooting' them is more often 'buying a new Mac' is absolutely absurd, but judging solely on the OS, they don't seem terribly different to me.  They just look different.  That said, I may have a slight preference for PC because it is more compatible with the rest of the world.

[khaine21x3 789]

I prefer PC's (is it right to put an apostrophe there?) because I'd much rather spend $200 upgrading a single part every two years than spend $2000 replacing the whole thing every six or so. I also play a lot of games, and I grew up using Windows XP, so there's obviously a bit of bias for me towards the UI.

 

I really like Macs too, but they're not really for me. Confused? Well, Macs are better suited towards the kind of people who need a reliable computer for both personal and work purposes, but aren't willing to/don't have the expertise to properly maintain one. Now, I'm not saying that Macs are "dumbed down" or whatever, but I will say that you need to be a lot more stupid to get malware on one as opposed to a PC.

 

Linux is the polar opposite: it's for people who are literate enough with a computer that they're probably either programmers or IT guys. It's not exactly user-friendly to people who don't usually use a command line, but you can do pretty much anything that you want to with it. Some say that when the meaning of life is found, it will be on Linux.

 

The popular linux distros don't really require any command line for basic functions and they have dumbed down interface as an option.I would say that linux is a lot easier to use than windows for the average joe who only wants to browse the web, do voicechat, check emails, draw stuff ,etc.

 

There aren't too many games that runs well on linux but we're seeing more video game ports and support for linus users plus the other two OS are ran by corporation who abuse people in third world countries and contribute to creating police states around the globe.