PCs vs. Macs

[NiCKEY NoUSE]

What do you prefer? Which OS (0perating system) is superior: Windows XP or Mac OS X? What type of computer is better for both home users and pros? What brand of computer do you own or use at work (Dell, Compaq/HP, Gateway, IBM, Apple, etc.) and why do you prefer that brand?

Personally, Apple products in general (e.g. iMacs, PowerMacs, iBooks, Powerbooks, the brand new eMac for schools, and even the highly successful iPod) They are incredibly easy to use and reliable (Windows constantly crashes). The computers are incredibly stylish and sleek, and the OS is super powerful.

Apple is truly an innovator, inventing such products as FireWire, USB, and such acclaimed software as iPhoto, iTunes, Final Cut Pro, and much, much more. I really think Apple computers are the best choice for professionals in editing, graphic arts, drafting, and any other computer-based career.

One downside to Apple products, however, are their cost. The iPod runs from $399 to $499, and the top of the line 23" High Definition apple cinema display runs a steep $3,499!! Many apps and/or games are only available for Windows, however, a problem that Apple/Pixar CEO Steve Jobs has been addressing.

By the way I do not currently or ever have worked for Apple! I'm just a big fan of their stuff.

:sohappy:

 

[NowInc]

PC's all the way...running either 2k or Linux. Im a digital media artist and those old myths about how macs are better for graphics have not been true for about 2 years now. My pcs RARELY crash (and when they do its my own fault for doing too much at a time)...

..however..i also DO own a mac for video input output (tho that too is getting replaced by a PC reallllly soon)....I kinda like OSX..cant wait for the PC version of it to be done

 

[Dawn S]

I am a computer moron, so my opinion doesn't count, but I am definitely a PC gal-all the way. I can't stand Macs!!

 

[Sheri]

I have no clue what the difference is...buut...I get one thing, I think, lol...I have a gateway downstiras, the "family" computer...and the one I'm on now, "My" computer, says Hewlett Packard Pavilion, so I'm geussing that's what it is, lol

Sorry if that's not what you were looking for...Kinda pathetic, my school has gotten awards for the "technolagical" (sp? lol) aspect of everything there, yet I have no clue what you're takling about. Whatever.

 

[no2apprentice]

Originally posted by NowInc
PC's all the way...running either 2k or Linux. Im a digital media artist and those old myths about how macs are better for graphics have not been true for about 2 years now.

NowInc is right (of course). I just read recently in PC Magazine that more and more of professional digital artists are now going to PC's over Macs because they have more power, better choice of software, less crashing (than previous Windows versions), and more customizable.

Mac's could have dominated early on, but Apple blew it.

 

[momickey]

i don't know. i think that steve jobs is playing it kind of smart my writing more programs. has anyone tried to use some of these (examples being: itunes, idvd, iphoto...). they're great! so simple an idiot can use it... gets everything you need done. i hardly think apple is dead.

 

[Main Street USA]

Macs are certainly not dead. I went into the Mac store the other day. Holy crap! There is some sweet stuff in there! I think for most people (for general home use) the preference comes from whatever OS they learned on. I learned on a PC so I naturally prefer their OS. However, Macs are certainly capable of the same and more in some cases, and vice versa for PC's.

It really doesn't matter!!!!!!

 

[NiCKEY NoUSE]

Originally posted by no2apprentice


NowInc is right (of course). I just read recently in PC Magazine that more and more of professional digital artists are now going to PC's over Macs because they have more power, better choice of software, less crashing (than previous Windows versions), and more customizable.

Mac's could have dominated early on, but Apple blew it.

What mag said PCs are more powerful??? That's COMPLETELY UNTRUE. And just because Windows is the standard, doesn't mean their "better." The physical and non-physical components of PCs are extremely ugly...Macs, however, are INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL OS X is based on the super-powerful and stable UNIX, something that Windows doesn't have. Don't know about others, but my personal experience with Windows has been unfortunate because of constant crashing (i'm not a pro user and the home user lines are less stabel in my opinion) and complicated interface.

It was really hard for me to learn Windows, as I was raised on a Mac, but if it were the other way around, I think I could pick up learning to use Macs EASILY.

If only Apple had a little more market share...oh well.

Call me a purist or whatever you want, but Macs reallly have much more going for them.

 

[Dawnie]

Has to be PCs - running Win98 or Linux, depending where I'm sitting at the time.

I tried a Mac once and decided it was sent to me by Satan himself. :fork:

 

[NowInc]

I can honestly tell you from experience..that the mac is not the preferred workstation for Graphics of 3D...and they are very quickly losing their video and audio market as well...

To give you a really core example...i did a test render this morning::

Both scenes are EXACTLY the same using the same exact version of the software..one on mac..one on PC..here were the results::

on my Mac G4 (Supposidly the "superior machine")::

24 minutes 32 seconds

on my PC (not the main machine..a common "internet" machine..no 3d workhorse)

21 minutes 21 seconds

That was 3D...so lets move on to video::

Same deal...same software..same project...

the Mac - 4 minutes 53 seconds

The PC - 2 minutes 22 seconds

...and I wont even get into how all of a sudden..photoshop runs a LOT better on my PC than it does on a mac (up until now..it was the other way around)

..i personally dont hate macs..i think they are fun..but the old myths about their superiority are just that...myths Thus the reason apple never shows up to SIGGRAPH (3d animation/graphic design confrence)

 

[jojoyner55]

There are four Macs in my house, so I guess that shows where my loyalties lie! My first computer was an Apple IIc purchased in 1983, and I have never owned a non-Apple computer, although I'm am forced to use a PC at work. Because I am so passionately a Mac fan, I'll refrain from getting too far into the arguments over pros and cons here, except to remark that because I have to use Windows at work, and because I prefer to use Macs at home, I am familiar with both OS's. It is obvious that most of you bashing Macs aren't using them - otherwise you wouldn't be bashing them. Macs still enjoy a significant edge in ease of set-up, usability and reliability over PC's - even if some of you dismiss this as "myth". The reasons are many, and well documented elsewhere for those who care to look (hey, this site is about Disney, right?). Anyway, before you say you hate Macs- when was the last time you used one? Have you seen the beauty of OS X? Don't worry, you will. Bill Gates and company are busy copying it as we speak...

Anyway, I can't wait to take my digital camera and PowerBook to WDW late next month and use the power of OS X and iPhoto to get my best ever pictures, then edit them into a great slide show with music and effects, all at a level only professionals enjoyed a few years ago, but which the Mac and Apple's digital hub concept make available to all of us.

Sorry to be long-winded, but heck, I'm as passionate about Macs as I am about WDW!:sohappy:

 

[NowInc]

I do use a mac frequently and never stay long...too slow

...but lets not get into that

OSX is being develpoed for PC as well (gee...i guess apple isnt even loyal to THEMSELVES)...and since bill gates owns 1/3rd of apple anyway..no use in using that "stealing" argument...especially since they all stole from xerox in the first place...

 

[jojoyner55]

Originally posted by NowInc
I do use a mac frequently and never stay long...too slow

...but lets not get into that

OSX is being develpoed for PC as well (gee...i guess apple isnt even loyal to THEMSELVES)...and since bill gates owns 1/3rd of apple anyway..no use in using that "stealing" argument...especially since they all stole from xerox in the first place... Not sure where you are getting your information, but sorry, it is not true. Bill Gate DOES NOT own 1/3 of Apple - this is public record, check their (and his) disclosures. In 1997, Microsoft did purchase $150 million in non-voting Apple stock to underscore their commitment to developing Office for the Mac, but this is a drop in the bucket of Apple's share value. As for stealing from Xerox, Apple bought the right to Xerox's desktop experiments, which Xerox had no intention of developing commercially themselves. Finally, while there have been rumors of ports of OS X to Intel architecture, this has been done more as an experiment, and to keep Motorola's nose to the grindstone on chip development - they don't have any plans for any public release of this. All this is old news - if you were paying attention.

 

[dwldzm9]

unique perspective...

well,

I am still in school for Graphic Design, and the department is totally Mac. I have used Macs exclusively as my own computer since I began using computers - well, unless you count the tandy TRS-80 or Apple IIe, but those were not what most people think of when they hear the word "computer."

I have also taken more than a handful of programming classes , all of which were taught on PC. I can use a PC, can navigate the DOS command line, and can also use UNIX.

My personal preferences are based on what I consider to be a fairly subjective point of view. I do mostly Graphic work - i.e. Illustrator, Photoshop, etc. For me, OS X can't be beat - I leave my computer running 24/7 and it hasn't seen downtime in more than two months. However, I don't do 3D - yet.

For 3D, there is no question : Windows and Linux are where it's at - unless you can afford a SGI Now is absolutely correct. Heck, even After Effects rendering can show a noticable difference in speed between the two. Right now, the system architectures available from Apple simply can't keep up with the PC for this task - and make no mistake about it, that is where most of the difference is. Unfortunately because of this, there are also several KEY 3D applications that aren't even made for the Mac right now.

However, things are changing (from what I've heard.) My best friend's Uncle (by marriage) is John Lasseter (Pixar). My friend is also a Mac enthusiast, and according to him John said that Pixar is beginning to move to OS X for person workstations. I guess they were able to port a working version of their proprietary software in like 3 hours! This is ALL because of OS X - the application development environments provided by this new operating system are unbelievable. My hunch is that if Apple has any more powerful motherboards in the works, they are probably already at Pixar. Whether Apple will be able to catch up in time is still to be questioned, but they are moving in the right direction.

I should note that although the graphic design dept. is Mac, our sister depts. Industrial and Interior are both PC based - because they use mainly 3D software and CAD, which further reinforces Now's argument.

Enter short spiel mode:

If all you do is check email, browse the 'net, and maybe use Office occasionally, get what ever computer you can use and afford. If you think one looks better than another, get it. But don't be turned off by Mac just because your neighbor doesn't have one. With OS X you get a stable, fast environment, can do all the surfing, email checking, and word proc. you want, and get great applications for SIMPLE creative endeavors such as taking and sharing digital photos (iPhoto) and videos(iMovie and iDVD). Oh yeah, and you have native use of an iPod (WAY COOL!!)

End spiel mode.

Hope I didn't wear out anyone's eyes with this post - just thought I'd give my opinion (And yes, you DID ask for it ;-)

 

[orlandoparks]

It think dell PCs are the best. Once you get them going, they preform well. Definitly harder to oporate than a apple computer:animwink:, but worth the troubles that come with it.

 

[NowInc]

SGIs arent top dogs for 3d anymore either..they took a major blow a couple of years ago when the PC 3D market exploded...

...also...lets try not to forget who owns pixar.....Steve Jobs..it is of no small coincidence that they try and push macs over there.

And...Pixar uses Maya and Poweranimator for their animations, only Maya runs on OSX right now (tho the PC version is far far superior)...and they still run linux for the renderfarm.

Apple computers is also most likley going to buy out Alias|Wavefront (the company that makes Maya and poweranimator...the most widely used 3D applications in the world)...but they do not plan on pushing the OSX version of Maya anymore...it has been deemed an industry "failure" and they need to do some serious thinking before pushing forward with its development.

Oh...and coincidentially enough..right now..Alias|Wavefront is owned by SGI.

 

[no2apprentice]

Originally posted by NiCKEY NoUSE


What mag said PCs are more powerful???

PC Magazine, Feb. 26, 2002 issue. Bill Machrone's column "ExtremeTech", page 49:
"Video professionals were quick to assure me that the pros are moving away from the Mac platform, finding more power and flexibility in PCs."

This one I found right away. There have been some other references in past issues, but I can't recall the authors.

Don't shoot the messenger: I'm just reporting what a columnist/contributor (and someone who knows oodles more about computers than me) to THE leading computer magazine has written.

 

[jojoyner55]

Originally posted by no2apprentice


PC Magazine, Feb. 26, 2002 issue. Bill Machrone's column "ExtremeTech", page 49:
"Video professionals were quick to assure me that the pros are moving away from the Mac platform, finding more power and flexibility in PCs."

This one I found right away. Yeah in PC Magazine, not exactly an unbiased source, and one with an anti-Mac agenda. Why not check out Mac World or MacAddict? Reason - people like to be reassured their PC prejudice is ... well "PC". Don't believe everything you read in one (biased) source.

 

[Tramp]

My first computer was an Apple IIe back in the 80s and then I bought a Gateway with Pentium 180 GHz in 1996 ...

I just bought a Dell 8200.....Pentium4 2.0 GHz.......512 RD Ram.....and 80 gig hard drive.......64 MB video card......DVD Rom and CD-RW....19 inch .24 trinitron monitor....etc etc.....and this thing purrs like a kitten and is as fast as lightning....I went from Windows 95 to XP and love it, especially the 'restore' option when ya screw things up....and paid $1000 less than I paid for that Gateway back in '96....

...ya just can't keep up with the technology.....just when you think they can't get any better, they do. Ain't tech life great?

 

[no2apprentice]

Oh, trust me - I don't have a prejudice against Macs, or Apple. My first computer was an Apple IIe. I've always appreciated the better stability and graphics of Macs, but from a distance. I've never been able to afford one, and everywhere I've worked didn't use Macs. When Macs came out I was still fairly young and games also played a part in my decision making. Like I said in the earlier post, Macs could have really dominated, but they waited too long to go color, and kind of rested on their laurels, instead of coming down out of the clouds and making their prices more competitive with PCs. Wasn't Apple really hesitant to share their coding or something like that? Oh well, my eyes have started to go and the memory is not far behind...

Anywho, not looking for a big debate, because I don't have the knowledge or resources to do side by side testing like Now can.

This thread almost reminds me of some of the threads about AK...
"Not a zoo"
"It's a zoo"
"Lot's to do"
"Nothing to do"
:hammer: