Thread: Windows or a Mac

Originally Posted by indigo0086

I like that my friend is a mac guy, because we can toss insults at each other equally, but stuff like thsoe annoying mac commercials and hearing about macs being so much better is pretty annoying. I understand if it's reactionary but generally mac users who feel they need to defend a piece of software by attacking the competitor is pretty silly. If you want to treat operating system's like a religion, worship it in private like most churgoing citizens do.

A Mac is a box with some fancy hardware in it. I'm kind of tired of being called a fan boy just because I wanted to play with something new.

I would agree with indigo on his perspective. The fact is, Macs are just too expensive for what they offer. In fact, in the range that I expect my PC to operate in, almost all "PC" manufacturers are too expensive. However, I have no problems building a Windows- or Linux-based PC, where are Macs are not quite as simple in that respect. Sure, I can hack a version of OS X onto a PC if I desire, but I don't.

The only Mac worth buying in my opinion is the Mac Mini, which for general purpose computing is quite cool in my opinion. Not to mention the fact that, if you buy from the right places, they are reasonably priced for what they are. I certainly hope other manufacturers start producing some Mini-ITX or Nano-ITX based computers in the near future. One with an Intel chipset that supports Intel processors, not a freakin' VIA... *shivers*

Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom

The only Mac worth buying in my opinion is the Mac Mini, which for general purpose computing is quite cool in my opinion.

Which is exactly what I buy.

Originally Posted by brewbuck

Which is exactly what I buy.

Right, except I (and we might assume AaronHall) am generally looking for something with a little more kick.

So, let me put this into some perspective. I went into the online Apple Store to price their top model (which by the way, is still below what I would ask a PC to do graphics-wise). The specs are as follows:

# 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3
# 500GB Serial ATA Drive
# Apple Mighty Mouse
# Apple Keyboard (English) + User's Guide
# Accessory kit
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# 24-inch glossy widescreen LCD
# AirPort Extreme
# Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

The final cost of this system came to $2,399.00 (~1.540,00€) . Now, personally off the top of my head, I'm not sure where Mac is getting a 3.06Ghz C2D processor or a 512Mb 8800GS. However, for the sake of comparison I will replace the processor with the easily comparable E8400 @ 3.0Ghz and the 8800GT 512mb, which despite the marginal price difference, is significantly better than the 8800GS. Going onto Newegg.com, I was able to price a comparable system that I built using only quality components. Ultimately, I came up with a system using some superior components (the graphics card, the RAM) however, all in all, it's certainly a fine comparison to the iMAC listed above. Here you can find a wish list of the specifications. As you can see in the list, the price comes to over $1000 less than the Apple competition. Neglecting the fact that it is missing Bluetooth functonality, as well as a (cheap) webcam, mouse and keyboard, all of which can be had for under $100, you have to admit that this is a pretty significant margin. So, I won't argue with your opinions on whether or not OS X Leopard is better than the Vista Home Premium offered in the example, but I will ask if you really think it's that much better. Wouldn't you maybe have a change of heart if you were shopping and saw something like this?

Originally Posted by SlyMaelstrom

Right, except I (and we might assume AaronHall) am generally looking for something with a little more kick.

I got kick out of my Minis by buying multiples I don't game or otherwise do any heavy graphics. The box is great for:

Browsing
Development
Playing video and DVD
Watching live digital TV (with a HD receiver dongle called EyeTV, cool little thing)

Plus:

Extremely small footprint
Completely silent

There are definitely some very cheap desktop PCs right now. In fact they are building me an awesome system at work for under $600. But at home I don't want a tower -- I'd have nowhere to put it, and the noise would be distracting.

I think Apple really hit a sweet spot with the Mini for a lot of people. My wife is obsessed with Macs, I just use one because the Mini was so different than anything else Apple had ever made and for $500 I thought it was worth trying. Just because I like it doesn't mean I'm drinking the koolaid.

You'll buy a mac if you need one and that's just how it works.

When asked which one would you prefer, Mac or PC (which was the original question), again the answer is entirely subjective and any answer is, at the end of the day, acceptable. Despite the price I do think Macs are well worth it. And I personally don't mind paying twice for better quality, something that one can't say doesn't exist on a Mac build.

Again, going back to the subject of software development, a Mac just pays for itself if there is a need to develop for it. What is more interesting however, is that with a Mac it is possible to centralize the development in a single machine hosting the 3 major mainstream operating systems without risking jail. I can pay for that privilege. No worries. In fact, by doing so, I'm instantly adding another operating system to my products offer range at a a minimum cost.

As far as arguing over the fanboyism in the mac world... I find that quite entertaining. It's almost a photocopy of a recent thread here over a certain browser. Apparently, now it suddenly becomes annoying.

The fact is that Apple centered most of its strategy in creating a cult. They nurture this, they feed it and love it to the bone. If anything they aren't different than many other companies, Microsoft included and Open Source movement included. Only... Apple did it better.

The fact is that Apple centered most of its strategy in creating a cult. They nurture this, they feed it and love it to the bone. If anything they aren't different than many other companies, Microsoft included and Open Source movement included. Only... Apple did it better.

Yes, that is my analysis as well, though more modern popular usage of "cult" has negative connotations that do not apply to Mac users (or do they?)

As far as arguing over the fanboyism in the mac world... I find that quite entertaining. It's almost a photocopy of a recent thread here over a certain browser. Apparently, now it suddenly becomes annoying.

I find Firefox and Opera fanboyism (and fangirlism ) annoying too, but my hypothesis is that Apple/Mac fanboyism is more annoying because the culture (or cult) is more successful. On a personal level, it is also more annoying for me because Apple is in direct competition with one of the subsidiaries of "Singapore, Inc." (Creative's Zen line of products), heheh.