Originally posted by Calind0r

And all you guys talking about Mac's neat features, or better for the business world. Well Linux is better at that than Mac, and its free. All of the pros that have been mentioned for OSX over Windows in this thread, Linux has over OSX...You can also start up Linux in command line prompt...not to mention if you are having any problems with your computer, whether its a Mac or PC, chances are a good shop would be using Linux tools to troubleshoot. So Mac OSX is out of the equation, any of the neat features you think Mac OSX has over Windows, are even better in Linux, and Linux is free.

Can you be a little more specific?  What applications are you running under a linux that don't work well on mac?

Every linux application source that I've downloaded on my Mac I've had no trouble compiling and running smoothly.

lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.

Originally posted by Calind0r

lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.

How? Name one specific example of a program that works better on Linux.

Linux users (like mac ones), live in a fantasy world where they think applications work better than on Windows.

Originally posted by Jimmy_Scythe

Recently, I tried Ubuntu. I'm still trying Ubuntu. I like it, but I don't love it. Unlike OS X, I'm wondering if my discomfort with Ubuntu is due to my long familiarity with Windows. OS X I just hated from the start due to it's complete disregard for, what I feel are, the standard conventions of modern user interfaces. Ubuntu is Gnome is familiar enough that I could pick it up easily, but so much has to be done through the terminal that I almost felt like I was back to Windows 3.11. I'm giving it more time since I know that Linux is rock solid and has very few problems with viruses, adware, spyware and the like. But if you're just talking about PC vs. Mac, I'm gonna have to vote PC.

BTW, Linux does do games.

Warhammer Online

Eve Online

Steam 

While I agree Linux does "do" games, it's not as though I could say "Does Linux run my entire games collection, at the same settings as Windows and at the same framerate?" and you could honestly say "yes" is it? Don't get me wrong, I love linux, I think it's the future, Open-Source software just generally will be as more and more "community" members become tech-savy, anyone will be able to fix bugs/security holes/performance leaks etc.. Just not quite yet. Give it 10 years and lets see what OS we are using, certainly wont be Vista or even Windows 7!

I've not a big mac fan either and yes they are expensive, but I've enjoyed my MacBook a lot.  I believe when they say it's easy for students is because generally it works without a hitch.  In OSX it's rare a program crashes.  The bar at the bottom of the screen has big shinny buttons that a child could use easily.  Installing and removing programs is pretty easy.  There is no registry in MAC like there is in Windows.  You also don't have to wry about driver issues with MAC as they have uniform hardware.  Windows has to take into account many different possible hardware configurations. 

Pfft. What's the difference anymore? Macs are becoming more like PCs all the time.

Remember when Apple switched to Intel CPUs? And remember when they switched to ATI/nVidia video cards? They never used either before. Currently they're offering BootCamp, allowing users to install another OS on Apple hardware if they so choose.

So, I have a question then. If you're playing on an Intel CPU with a nVidia card through Windows Vista/XP... Are you sure you're gaming on a Mac? No, you're not. What makes Macs "Macs" (with all the loaded terms that come along with the word) is the OS and the occasional elitest attitude.

At that point, you're paying $600 more for an operating system. The benefits of the OS are fairly mild, and mostly benefit novice users. I will give the OS that much. If you're just using the thing to type, play movies, and listen to music, Mac OS makes it fairly painless. Windows has a small learning curve when it comes to that stuff, but the gap is closing as MSFT focuses on usability issues with Vista and Windows 7.

Windows Vista has been rather stable for me. I built the computer I have for about $1400 and it's twice as powerful as its equivalent Mac. It hasn't crashed in about 8-9 months since I fixed my RAM voltage issues, and the thing is about a year old.

Hardware-wise I will openly admit Apple uses better components than most of the "PC" companies. Better than Dell, Compaq, etc. for sure. I do say "most," though, because once you get into the realm of IBM, Sony, and the high-end Dells - they're equivalent, if not far better. IBM laptops can be worlds more durable than any MacBook you could pick out, and the high-end Dell computers are made surprisingly well. Equivalent, for sure.

And that's really the jist of the issue. Macs use practically the same hardware. The computer itself is hardly any different than what you can buy or build yourself. The question becomes, is the usability of the packaged OS worth the extra $400-$600 (or more) to you?

If you're a novice user or an elitest, it certainly can be. There will always be people like that, and that's okay.

If you're a power-user, build your own PCs, or have used Windows before... I think it's proof enough that over 80% of the market belongs to Windows.

Mac may be the Lexus of the computer world (which I think is a far better analogy than Honda - Hondas are cheap, Macs are not), but PCs can range from the Chevies to the Customized 2009 Nissan GTR depending on the user. It's definitely that flexibility which has garnered so much of the market, and if Apple ever starts trying to match that flexibility, you'll probably see the same issues with the MacOS that you currently see with Windows.

That all said, everybody has their opinions. Some are just more corroberated by evidence than others.

PC stands for personal computer, so technically Mac's are PC's.  So everyone wins?

EDIT:  Listen to Calind0r's first post.   He nailed it.

       I think it's safe to conclude from all these posts that you should get a PC if you know what your doing and can either build your own computer or at least pick the components.   But if you are technically challenged you should pay an arm and a leg and get a Mac.

Originally posted by Netzoko

Originally posted by Calind0r

lol..its not that specific programs that work on OSX work better on Linux...if they work, they work. Its that anything Mac has over PC, people mention business applications, audio, visual, video editing software, etc...well Linux has all of that better than OSX or Windows.

 

How? Name one specific example of a program that works better on Linux.

Linux users (like mac ones), live in a fantasy world where they think applications work better than on Windows.

Linux user's are Windows users. Mac users live in a false reality thinking they have the best OS. Linux users 99 times out of 100 are running a dual boot with Windows..they use Linux for everything Windows can't do.

I agree with Calind0r, Linux users ARE also Windows users. They are one and the same, most people just have dual boot so that they can have a gaming OS and an "everything else" OS. Look at the latest Fedora 10 as an example, it's GORGEOUS!

I think the thing that annoys me most about OSX is that it *could* support any PC out there, but that isn't how apple make their money, no, no, no.. Apple's money is all made from the overpriced hardware required to run their expensive software. The fact that it's identical to what is in that PC box next to it, yet double the price means nothing.

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=macs_cant

Can always get both, Leopard works on PC's now with InfiniteMac.  Haven't tried it yet,

I like both systems to be honest, prefer the PC for gaming of course.

The demographics that Apple is going after are the frustrated novice PC users and Creative Professionals. I wouldn't expect any gamers here to be Mac supporters as most gamers are PC/Windows/Hardware savvy. Most people here covered the typical pros and cons, however having been an Apple Specialist and Gamer, I still lean towards the PC.

Macs are great when it comes to ease of use and a nightmare when it comes to hardware (repair). PC's are great when it comes to customization and compatibility for both software and peripherals. I like that I can custom build my own PC for my needs. One of the great things I liked about the Mac is if you had any software issues you can simply do an Archive Install and restore the system without having to back up data or be concerned with losing data. I really liked Migration as well.

When I was trouble shooting Macs I really enjoyed the luxury of booting to an external drive to conduct diagnostics.