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Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs
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BarryP
Jul 29, 08 6:17
Post #1 of 18 (293 views)
Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs
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Okay, I am so F'ing sick of the crap I have to deal with on my PC. I'm ready to get a Mac. Why should I not get one?
What should I consider when looking for a Mac? Does the hardware offer a straight comparison? IOW, is 2Ghz on a Mac going to perform like 2Ghz on a PC?
Should I even entertain the mini, or should I fork out the dough on an IMac?
______________________________________________
-Barry Pollock (aka Baron Von Speedypants)
-Running Coach
RunTraining articles here:
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or you can search Runtraining## where ## is a number from 1-16.
slammer
Jul 29, 08 6:25
Post #2 of 18 (281 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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I have had a Mac for 3+ yrs..at first I wasn't thrilled but now I love it...I really want a new one with the Intel processor.
That is the main thing, to run PC stuff well you need a new model with the Intel board...typically Macs aren't scalable like PC's, yo9u can add some memory but that is about it.
If you are a basic computer person like most people it will be great, no bugs or freezing.
Andrew
I'm racing in '09...
Miami 1/2 marathon, Triple T, ?????????
slowguy
Jul 29, 08 6:26
Post #3 of 18 (281 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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"IOW, is 2Ghz on a Mac going to perform like 2Ghz on a PC? "
No. In my experience, it is going to perform better. I switched to Mac about 6 or 7 years ago and don't plan on ever going back.
If you're replacing a desktop computer, and you use it a lot, I'd go ahead and go with the iMac. I have a MacBook Pro, and I have it plugged into a display at home so I can use it like a desktop there and still bring it with me to work or when the ship gets underway for extended periods.
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
sphere
Jul 29, 08 6:37
Post #4 of 18 (274 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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Imac.
Here's an idea: start a thread asking those who regret buying a mac why they wish they had bought a PC instead, and see how it plays out.
(Oh, and don't forget to bump it every so often so it doesn't disappear into oblivion. ;)
"The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." - George F. Will
ashayk
Jul 29, 08 6:46
Post #5 of 18 (260 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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It's less about the hardware than the operating system. OSX just runs better than Windows and you'll spare yourself a lot of headaches. For that matter, a flavor of Linux called Ubuntu runs much better. I reinstalled Ubuntu (Edgy) on my housemate's old PC, 1.1 GHz, 512MB RAM, and it's like a new machine.
If by chance most of what you're doing is surfing and using Office, I'd highly recommend installing it(it's free) and giving it a go before forking over for a new machine. May just give you what you need.
Good luck.
mmrocker13
Jul 29, 08 7:08
Post #6 of 18 (244 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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I was a Mac user for a long, long time...then we had a combined Mac/PC household. A few years ago, I switched over to entirely PC...and I really have no desire to go back to Macs (and trust me, for a long time, I SWORE that Bill Gates was the antichrist).
My macs would not only crash and freeze...they'd SMILE when they did it. PCs are at least cold and heartless when they blow up and take your stuff with it. (and, honestly...I've had far fewer problems with my PCs than I ever did with my Macs.)
You really couldn't "build up" a mac, maybe add a bit of memory, but for the most part, if you outgrew it, you needed a new one. PCs don't have that problem. Which is, I think, part of the reason why there were fewer problems wth the PCs--most problems could be easily solved, and if I needed outside help (rare), it was far cheaper and more readily available than for a Mac.
PCs are cheaper. Periphreals are cheaper and readily available. (Which has its plusses and minuses, of course...but in my mind, the plusses outweigh the minuses.)
I think that Macs are designed for two people--graphic designers/movie makers/etc., and the very very afraid of computer folk. They are excellent (ideal, really) for the first group, and good for the second group (although I actually think PCs are easier, once you get the hang of them). But it's their simplicity that makes them complex...the average joe (i.e. not a total computer-phobe but not a techie, either) can't get to the man behind teh curtain if you need to do something.
So that's my .02 on why you should NOT get a Mac ;-)
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MJuric
Jul 29, 08 7:25
Post #7 of 18 (233 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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What crap do you have to deal with on your PC that you won't have to deal with on a Mac?
What should I consider when looking for a Mac? Does the hardware offer a straight comparison? IOW, is 2Ghz on a Mac going to perform like 2Ghz on a PC?
To my knowledge they are the same machines pretty much. Apples are now running the same hardware as PC's. Compare this
APPLE
to this
PC.
Not saying these are comparable machines by any means, just point out the similarities in hardware.
I'm no Mac guru but I'm pretty sure with a few "Tweaks" you can install Mac OS 10+ on a PC
HERE.
In short whatever problems you're having is most likely not a hardware problem...and if it is Mac ain't gonna fix it. If you go out and by a new machine with a new OS...well of course it's going to run better.
~Matt
BarryP
Jul 29, 08 9:11
Post #8 of 18 (215 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [MJuric]
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Right now I have an Acer lap top that runs Vista. My recording software randomly freezes....actually, I think it waits until I lay down just enough tracks to make it a huge pain in the ass to have to redo them all before it freezes. It just hates connecting to the internet. I have a billion windows that constantly pop up and won't let me close without asking me if I'm sure I want to close them. I get a bubble that constantly pops up to remind me that my internet has either randomly connected or disconnected to the internet......which wouldn't be a big problem if it didn't consistently do this on top of a scroll bar that I need. Often when I save files it hides them.
Regarding the old desktop, it gets viruses...often....and not even from searching porn.
That's my 2 cents.
______________________________________________
-Barry Pollock (aka Baron Von Speedypants)
-Running Coach
RunTraining articles here:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...runtraining;#1612485
or you can search Runtraining## where ## is a number from 1-16.
Helitech
Jul 29, 08 10:07
Post #9 of 18 (196 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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I would go with the Imac ,,, 2Ghz could be a bit faster with the same ram .
Macs will lock up due to an over worked processor , rarely viruses or pop ups .
If your near an apple store , go in for the free tutorials .
slowguy
Jul 29, 08 10:11
Post #10 of 18 (192 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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I don't think you can go wrong with a Mac for music. Apple really has stressed the photo, video, music aspect over the years. As for internet, I haven't even seen a pop-up window in years. I just never get them at all.
I can't think of anyone I've ever heard of that switched to Mac and regretted it. The only possible drawback is pricepoint, but for my money, it was well worth a few extra bucks for the convenience, easy operating system, etc.
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
MJuric
Jul 29, 08 10:28
Post #11 of 18 (181 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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Acer lap top
Well there's your problem...go buy a real laptop :-)
I have a billion windows that constantly pop up and won't let me close without asking me if I'm sure I want to close them. I get a bubble that constantly pops up to remind me that my internet has either randomly connected or disconnected to the internet......which wouldn't be a big problem if it didn't consistently do this on top of a scroll bar that I need. Often when I save files it hides them.
Sounds like a Vista issue. This was discussed in another thread earlier. I think in an attempt to make vista more "Dummy proof" and "Safer" they added ALL SORTS of annoying features that "Popped up" asked questions and hid files. I don't use vista for a couple of reasons but according to the other thread a lot of this was taken care of in a later release. Might want to try that first.
Regarding the old desktop, it gets viruses...often....and not even from searching porn.
Viruses are operator error :-). Get a decent anti-virus and stay away from things you're not 100% sure what they do. E-mail, Web sites, porn etc etc. The main reason Macs don't get virus's is simply because they aren't as popular. Mac's can get virus's too, just aren't as many out there written for the mac OS. You could switch to Linux and be even better protected for not only the above reason but it's not as suceptable.
Not saying don't go to mac but I think often time an OS get's a bad name that isn't really warranted. I think your case may be one of those.
No offense but laptops are pretty touchy and "Acer" has had issues. Put a relatively new OS on a "Not the greatest" piece of hardware and you're bound to have problems. Mac has done a fairly decent job at controlling hardware, that's why they are typically more expensive and less "malleable". They often times don't have the problems that a Windows OS has because there are far fewer hardware issues to start with due to fewer vendors.
~Matt
BarryP
Jul 29, 08 11:02
Post #12 of 18 (169 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [MJuric]
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No offense but laptops are pretty touchy and "Acer" has had issues. Put a relatively new OS on a "Not the greatest" piece of hardware and you're bound to have problems. Mac has done a fairly decent job at controlling hardware, that's why they are typically more expensive and less "malleable". They often times don't have the problems that a Windows OS has because there are far fewer hardware issues to start with due to fewer vendors.
That was one of the big reasons why we are considering a Mac. I know I got a piece of crap lap top, and with that you have to gamble with how everything is going to work together. Apple, on the other hand, is pretty standardized.
Are there free Vista patches out? It may be as simple as just downloaded the patches....or it may not = ^ (
______________________________________________
-Barry Pollock (aka Baron Von Speedypants)
-Running Coach
RunTraining articles here:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...runtraining;#1612485
or you can search Runtraining## where ## is a number from 1-16.
Katy
Jul 29, 08 11:11
Post #13 of 18 (168 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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I love my macbook, the only issue I have is that when it doesn't work right with something else, non-mac tech support sucks. For example I can't get it to communicate with my t-mobile blackberry so that I can access the internet via bluetooth. Mac has done their part, but t-mobile is clueless when it comes to troubleshooting on a mac.
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Awww, Katy's not all THAT evil. Only slightly evil. In a good way. - JasoninHalifax
If Katy wants it that way, then that's the way Katy gets it.-big kahuna
Francois
Jul 29, 08 12:25
Post #14 of 18 (146 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [mmrocker13]
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the man behind the curtain is called Leopard (aka Unix revamped)...and you can learn how to talk to him...he is really nice, and behaves well once you address him properly ;-)
MJuric
Jul 29, 08 13:02
Post #15 of 18 (134 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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Are there free Vista patches out? It may be as simple as just downloaded the patches....or it may not = ^ (
Microsoft typically has a pretty decent support system online. You may want to look and see if you have the latest service pack installed as often time this solves some basic issues. Not having any Vista machines I'm not 100% sure but it looks like
Service Pack One
is the latest and greatest.
Your "lower end" machines, particularly in the laptop arena, are usually less compatibility and problem prone. With a desktop you could swap out a problem component, not so much with a laptop. When getting a laptop it often times pays to get a better machine.
Personally I'd try installing XP on the same machine. Then upgrade all the service packs. Do that and I'd bet you'll have a more stable, less BS problem machine...and save 2K by not buying a Mac.
~Matt
TwinDad
Jul 29, 08 14:27
Post #16 of 18 (115 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [MJuric]
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Viruses are operator error :-). Get a decent anti-virus and stay away from things you're not 100% sure what they do. E-mail, Web sites, porn etc etc. The main reason Macs don't get virus's is simply because they aren't as popular. Mac's can get virus's too, just aren't as many out there written for the mac OS.
You could switch to Linux and be even better protected for not only the above reason but it's not as suceptable.
Well, this (underlined part) isn't quite right. It may have been more correct pre-OS-X, but the Darwin core of OS-X is pretty much FreeBSD, which is arguably even more secure than Linux. And Macs come preconfigured out of the box with fairly decent security. It can certainly be tightened up with a few tweaks here and there, don't get me wrong. But assuming the admin hasn't "let his pants down", I'd expect Darwin and Linux to be at least on par, security wise. And given the relative ease of configuring OSX vs. most flavors of Linux I've seen, for most users I'd think Mac wins in this department.
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Comaboy
Jul 29, 08 18:19
Post #17 of 18 (87 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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If I remember an earlier post you made on the Triathlon forum..... does it help if you know that Pete Egoscue's clinics use Macs?
BID......
I switched to mac 5 years ago. PowerBook still going strong with no virus worries and decent compatibility with the big windows software - word and xcel.
Local Star
Jul 29, 08 19:29
Post #18 of 18 (72 views)
Re: Comparing Apples to Oranges....er....I mean PCs [BarryP]
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Been to an apple store?
Their repair line is longer than the one at Best Buy.
I tried to repair an iPod there last winter. They would not fix it. I couldn't even pay them to fix it. They wanted to give me a $10 credit for a new ipod!!!! I had a 60 gig video ipod just over a year old, and they are telling me its worth $10 and not repairable (hard drive). How can they not stand behind their products! Fix the damn thing.
I'm still amazed at the repair lines. Please go check it out. You have to make an appointment to have your i-anything fixed.
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Silverman 1/2 Distance: November 9th 2008
Swim with drive, Ride with passion, Run with heart...
If you can't do that, don't toe up the start.
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