Can someone please briefly describe the material difference in mac vs. pc? I know macs have a cult-like following-not very technical savy and wondering what the major differences are. The powerbook g4 looks like a great notebook.
Can someone please briefly describe the material difference in mac vs. pc? I know macs have a cult-like following-not very technical savy and wondering what the major differences are. The powerbook g4 looks like a great notebook.
The main difference is how it interfaces with the user and the susceptibility to viruses. There are some programs and many games not available for the Mac. Other programs Macs tend to do better or faster. These program differences are not important for the average user.
Can someone please briefly describe the material difference in mac vs. pc? I know macs have a cult-like following-not very technical savy and wondering what the major differences are. The powerbook g4 looks like a great notebook.
I forgot. The Mac won’t improve your cycling or running while the PC will. 
To keep it simple; Macs are better, PC’s are cheaper
The windows operating system is just a pretty good although bloated copy of the Mac OS
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It really depends on the applications you want. For example if you’re into video, music or graphic arts, then the mac might be better for you. If you’re into gaming or have specific business applications, then the PC might be better.
The windows operating system is just a pretty good although bloated copy of he Mac OS
Not true.
People that spew bullshit like that are plentiful among Mac zealots. It’s quite amazing. It’s like the truth and the facts don’t even exist.
As for which one to get, what are you going to be using the computer for? What’s the primary use for the laptop? What kind of computers do those close to you have and use?
2nd edit:
Main difference? $$$$
Everything you can do on one, you can do on the other.
This maybe should have gone in the lavender room under the inciteful vs. insightful rules;) People can be pretty hard line about it. Macs are no less vulnerable to sercurity issues like viruses etc. and neither is Internet Explorer or other Windows based software. It really comes down to the fact that if you want to right a malicious code to do the mose impact you will write it to effect the most systems you can. If MAC had the share Windows does you would see the same attacks on MAC OS.
There is really no difference to the end user interface, both are easy to use and learn. MAC has more of an artistic background in advertising etc vs the old big blue days of IBM and PCs in business. Some software is still mainly written for Windows OS but for home use it really doesn’t matter so if you want a G4 get one.
I forgot to mention one thing that the macs do extremely well now, BE QUIET. All the of newer macs are practically silent. You can get a pc that is quiet is well, but they are either fairly expensive or you have to build them yourself. So if than fan noise bothers you at all, then the mac definitely deserves a look.
Also the macs seem to be focused on being smaller as well. You can’t really get much smaller than an iMac or mini as far as size goes.
Consumer Reports recently (3 or so months ago) gave better reviews to mac for preventing viruses, spyware, etc. and for superior customer service. Macs typically get reduced marks from CR for limited expandability and higher price.
I have both. My windows machine crashes regularly (XP) and we fight often. My mac is rock solid.
Is Mac computrainer compatible or not?
Is Mac computrainer compatible or not?
I think CT will work on a mac with virtual PC (and a usb/serial port adapter) although if using the 3D mode ou may need a very fast mac.
I have never done it myself but it should be theoretically possible.
One thing that drives me crazy with CT is they do not have usb connectors. Still using 1980s technology.
Thanks Frank. My wife and I are considering buying a new computer and this is one of the considerations.
Thanks everyone for responding. I currently bought the Dell 700m for work/business purposes. However, I would like to get a powerbook g4 on ebay for recreational use. Any thoughts?
very few viruses are written for OS X, and the OS is pretty resistant anyway. Macs are generally more stable. Mac laptops get excellent battery life - if I turn off bluetooth and airport, and turn the screen down, I can get almost 5 hours out of my 12" Powerbook. the 12" iBook can get nearly 6. I can get around 4 with airport on.the 17" Powerbook probably gets around 3, and not very many Windows laptops of any size can get 3. the stock 256MB in most Macs isn’t enough, plan on buying an extra stick of RAM (or on buying one of the latest Powerbooks, which comes stock with 512). and they just look so sexy.
If your use of the computer is limited to email, the www, Microsoft Office and watching DVD’s, you will probably not have any problem with either.
Mac’s have an advantage in reliability because Apple tightly controls the hardware so you have less incompatibilities. XP Pro is much better than other versions of windows but still has more problems in general than the Mac. Mac applications are also more consistent - the same controls work across all applications.
Video editing has been one area which has always been better on the Mac. Most video editing software is now available on the PC, but lots of video editors still like the consistent feel that the Mac gives the app.
Window’s systems will generally be cheaper - or rather, faster for the same price - and have more options but often users will not take advantage of this.
Games is one area where the PC has many more options than the Mac so if this is your bag, stick with the PC. Sure you can run almost any windows app under VirtualPC, but you pay a performance price for doing so.
so whatever floats your boat. I have owned several PC’s and Macs and work at an XP machine several hours a day working on unix systems. My next PC is a Macmini though.
I LOVE my iBook. Works perfectly and has from day one.
I just rebooted here at work (for the third time this week and it’s only Tuesday). Windoze piece of crap, of course.
Get the Apple if:
- you like to tell people “I was Starbucks before Starbucks was cool”
- you drive a Jeep Wrangler, a Saturn (bought new) or any hybrid
- you are an artist and think it would be cool to have a computer
- your girlfriend already thinks you are a nerd, and you are worried about it
- you need a prop for a movie or TV
- you have any of the following: nose ring, Bose or Bang and Olefsen stereo, dreadlocks or cornrows, a shirt that cost more than $150, a DVD collection of “the OC”
- you think your Nintedo Game Cube was a good choice
- you don’t like to have to make a lot of decisions
- you like the idea of buying your computer at the mall
- if you could afford it, you would drive a Jaguar (or maybe something Swedish)
Get an Intel-architecture machine if:
- you have a serious, definable need for a computer
- you might upgrade it someday
- you need top performance or best value
- you don’t care if your girlfriend thinks your a nerd/don’t have a girlfriend
- your stereo is made up of 6 differnent brands of components, only you know how to turn it on
- all your shirts were gifts
- you know that anything sold at the mall must be overpriced
- if you could afford it, you would test drive a German car, but then buy a Korean car instead.