What makes macs better than pc's?

Question

Are macs really better as many people say they are? I want to go into a math/engineering field and am really looking into macs. I don't want a computer for playing games, but something that will get done what I need. I'm going to college in a year (not this coming year). So what computer would be best for the use I want it. Mainly not for gaming.

Answer 1

Macs are great, i've used both for about 10 years and i still just enjoy using them.



I dont know what software you will need to do maths/engineering, but if there isn't a mac version, or equivilant, you can always use a program called crossover which will let you windows programs on your mac (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/



If your not into gaming, I really cant see why you wouldn't get a mac!



- Doesn't get PC viruses.



- Very reliable (my mac hasn't crashed in 2 years).



- Far better operating system - easier to use, more features (Microsoft always copies apples ideas)



- 3 months of free phone support.



- Although people say you can get a better spec PC for less, a mac will still run faster than a PC with higher specs because the Mac OS is far more efficient, and this means better battery life too. (I get 8 hours battery life running Mac OSX, 3.5 hours running Windows on the same machine).



They also look very stylish, very light, long battery life



Please don't listen to the people who tell you that Windows is better, they have probably never experienced a Mac properly, and/or they are jealous of the people that own them! I have a 17" Macbook Pro and all my friends at University are very jealous!



You will find this link very useful in your decision:

http://www.apple.com/getamac/whymac/



PS. If your going to college, apple give you a free iPod Touch!

Answer 2

This is a question that has been debated many times. Personally, I think PCs are the better choice because they are more versatile and there are more programs and applications supported by Windows than by Mac. But it really depends on personal preference.



If you are looking into a very specific use for a computer, a Mac is usually the best way to go. People who want to do one particular thing will get a lot of use out of a Macbook because they have the processing power for it. Artists and musicians benefit the most from Macs because they serve their uses well.



They are very expensive, even the simplest configuration of a Macbook will be 1000$, whereas you can get a decent PC laptop that can do almost anything for 800$ or less, depending on what you want.

Answer 3

Not much, the situations where a mac would perform better than a PC is slim to none.

Most mac owners that pimp mac have some social issues, notice how they all say, "it looks so cool" or "all my friends are jealous" some reason they feel it's necessary to tell everyone they know how much better mac is than pc. It's a computer FFS, not a lifestyle choice.

If you're going into math/engineering you're going to be using lots of CAD programs and such and trust me it's been enough of a pain helping my friends get mac versions of the basic software I use for my physiology research lab. If you don't want to deal with these frustrations get a pc.

True mac can run parallels but they are far from a good substitute for a windows machine, it's just as much of a pain dealing with licensing as it is looking for mac compatible software.

Macs are toys, if you want to have some fun get a mac, if you're going to use your pc to do some actual work, especially if you need to run engineering programs, get the computer that all those programs are designed for.

Check out the buisiness side of dell.com. They offer very powerful computers that will last you all throughout college for a very cheap price. Their graphics cards are designed for engineering tools instead of games. I have a dell latitude D630 (14.1"), vista ultimate, with a core 2 duo 2.5GHz processor, 160GB HDD, 4GB RAM, 256MB Nvidia Quadro graphics card and a 4 year warranty for less than $900. And that was over a year ago.

I got it through my employee purchase program, %50 off. I can send you the link if you don't know anyone with a EPP. Although I'm not sure there's still a %50 discount it will still be ridiculously less than any similarly capable mac.

Answer 4

Most people who claim Macs are better, are usually saying so because they don't have nearly the amount of or risk to all the wonderful computer viruses that PCs are accustomed to. It's true there's less of a security risk with Macs, but that's also because there's half the people using them. I would stick with a PC, they may not have the cute little half eaten apple that allows the Mac to be so darn expensive, but they have the same running power for literally half the price. Chances are your college will have a anti-virus system they give free to students anyway, so really why waste all that money?

Answer 5

I think pc's are way better than macs. I have vista laptop and i have no idea why people say mac's are way better. I have a bunch of gaming stuff on it and it works fine. Plus ive used pc's all though school so far and im just used to pc's. I have used a mac though its ok but i just like pc's better.

Answer 6

PCs are better. Dell Inspiron 15, Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 Processor.

Microsoft Word 2007 Home and Student Edition. 320 gig and 500 gig hard drive are the options; if you have a ton of pictures and videos I'd suggest the 500 gigs.



Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Most of my friends do their work on a Windows Operating system

Most software is more caomptible with Windows. Easy to manage everything on windows. Mac users will say Windows Crashes on them all the time i have Windows Vista 64 bit OS Havent crash 1 TIME!!! on me or anyone in my family



If ur looking at a Mac thats over 1,000$$$ compare it to the stats and components of a Windows OS see and compare how much faster and cheaper they are for what you pay

Answer 8

ok first all you idiots who are saying "DURRR macs cant get viruses", yes they can, the only OS that isnt going to get you viruses is linux, and thats because its an OS built by hackers, for hackers. secondly, nothing makes a mac Superior to pcs, tons of mac fans think their all unique for using macs instead of pcs, pcs and macs are virtually identical, it all comes down to which you prefer more. the only thing that pcs have up on macs is that its easier to get software for it, not always true, but usually for gaming, which isnt a problem for you, go to best buy and mess around on their demo computers and see which you prefer more.

good luck

Answer 9

no they are not!!! i am a regular person. i don't go crazy with pic editing, or vid making...and i bought a macbook about a year ago. for the price and memory you get, it is complete crap! you can get so much more bang for your buck with any windows brand computer!!! i will never go to mac again! i now have a dell and it blows the crap out of that mac book for more than half of the price of it!!!

Answer 10

yawwwwwwn macs usually don't get as many viruses(but they are getting more than they used to) but i'll always be a pc guy probably, or i mean to say, "i'll always just use whatever is more universal atm"



i'd like to still be using the old Amiga's (hey it could have worked)

Answer 11

macs just aren't as likely to get a virus but i have a pc and i haven't gotten a virus and i download a lot of things that could have a virus and i dont have any virus protection programs

Answer 12

They have an incredible amount of processing power and memory options, and are insanely fast, the system is easy to operate and to work, and it's sleek, stylish, and portable. You can get a lot of ram and memory, the only downside is that they're incredibly expensive.

Answer 13

They look way cooler! I love to sit in starbucks and update my blog on my trendy cool macbook!

Answer 14

Nothing pc's are better and cheaper

Answer 15

Mac's cannot receive viruses.

Answer 16

nothin, it all depends on personal prefernce

Answer 17

it's music software is waaaaaay better...

Answer 18

mac suck

Answer 19

For you, a Toshiba L305 will be fine.... Macs are not better, here are reasons why



PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support

Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..



Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..



Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.



A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,



If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.



Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?



I say: NO... for the following reasons...



ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :

Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.

1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows.

2) Supports devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).

3) More business software/games

4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.

5) Used by businesses.



ADVANTAGES LINUX :

1) FREE (most versions are)

2) Install software by eitjher 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)

2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)

3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE

4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet

5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)



Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



SECURITY

Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.

Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.

Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html

http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml





VIRUSES

Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".

http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/



QUALITY/PROBLEMS

Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.



Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

http://www.appledefects.com/

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html



Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.

With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.

IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.



PRICE

A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)



**(LAPTOP)

Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799

15" Screen

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks



Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224

13" Screen (SMALLER)

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)

Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)

Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)

Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~857204&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Duo&a=55103~0~857204

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB402LL/B?mco=MTkzOTI0Nw



**(DESKTOP)



PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.



PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.



Dell: (At The Moment) Specs Below costs $809

CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: 3GB Ram

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer

GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB



The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.



IMac ($1400)

CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)

HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~861680&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Extreme&a=55103~0~861680,55103~0~861681,55103~0~857204&page=1

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB323LL/A?mco=NzMyNjMy



Equivalents to ILife

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html

http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518



LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.ubuntu.com/



http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/