what advantage do Macs have over Windows?

Question

what advantage do Macs have over Windows?

Answer 1

Technically a mac is a type of computer while Windows is an operating system.



You can get a macbook pro with an intel cpu that can run both apple's OSX and Windows XP in the same laptop.



btw, there are less viruses for macs, probably because there aren't enough mac users to make writing a mac virus worthwhile.

Answer 2

I think the biggest advantage is longevity. A windows-based computer has a life of 2-3 years before it is completely infested with bugs and viruses, runs incredibly slow and becomes more of a hindrance than a tool. A decent Mac will run essentially the same for 5-8 years before showing signs of age.

Answer 3

Many things. For one apple uses far better parts than PC computers do. They also have more reliable monitors and are less likely to need matecince in the future. Mac's you also may find easeir to use.

Answer 4

graphic display, much less virus out there than windows (coz less people are using it)

Answer 5

Many.



First of all, they are pretty ñ_ñ.



-No viruses.

-Easier to use.

-Integration between the included apps. (itunes-iphoto--imovie-idvd).

-They are pretty!!!

-They don't crash every single time you use em' (windows anyone?)

-Most apps install by single drag and drop (actually most things are done that way) (actually I've been asked several times by windows users "Why can't I do THAT!!!???")

-There's something like brotherhood between mac users :D, (if you get a mac, feel free to contact me with any doubts or issues (which you most likely won't have)

-Lots of little details in the user interface make it desirable to work with :)

- ...



Believe me, I could spend the whole day answering your question, but If you know someone that has a mac, I'd advice you to ask him for a tour at it ñ_ñ.



Please forgive any grammar mistakes, I'm foreigner.

Answer 6

Macs are unable to get viruses, unlike windows they are able to create movies and edit them without installing a program, in Macs you can create your own ringtones, Macs are said to be easier to operate then windows.



Also if you are looking to sell your Mac in the future, it won't have gone down as much as PC's, because PC's make so many models of their computers, that prices go down every year.

Answer 7

Macs run windows xp or vista plus leopard they have few to no viruses and one has never frozen on me! Look up macbook pro performance test on youtube they ran 3 oses without a glitch thats a lot of power! Plus they hold value look up g4 powerbook on ebay there TEN years old!

Answer 8

I would buy a MacBook Pro, I use it all the time, it's so fast and easy to use, Plus you can't get viruses it comes stock with intel duel core and 2GB of ram with a Nvidia graphics card, it's great if you're doing design, music, photography, 3d modeling, architecture etc. Its interface is much more simple too.

Answer 9

Hundreds and hundreds.



If you want all of the details, go to their website.



But in all honesty, once you use a mac, you never understand why people even use PCs.



Yes, getting a mac will take a little while to get used to, but thats the same with anything new.



Everything just makes sense. Everything looks great, and most of all, macs are the most reliable computers on the market.



The only problem that you should have is choosing which one to get.

Answer 10

you use less breathe saying Mac

Answer 11

Hope this info helps you decide...



BTW, OSX have a niche in "2D" graphics. 3D modelling and Architecture are the realm of the PC's. But that "may" soon change because Adobe CS4 64-bit will only be available for Windows. OSX will get 32-bit only because they won't be ready for the 64-bit software when Adobe releases it later this year. Maybe OSXI?



For Vista, get at least 2 GB RAM / 256MB Video RAM and make sure it’s certified. If you can afford, get 3GB RAM / 384MB VRAM …then Vista should rock your socks. If you learn how to use it, Vista features and technology blows XP away…when it works fast. ;) You want it to last so get 64-bit Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. It’s mega-fast with 64-bit apps as well as lets you upgrade > 4GB TOTAL RAM (system RAM + graphics card + other devices). 64-bit also requires “MS approved” (a.k.a. digitally signed) drivers so this “might” help with hardware compatibility, etc. This is MS’s way of trying to get everyone to “move on” if they are able to.



But if you have old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version). Google “Vista compatibility list”. Knowing a bit about computers helps getting the old problematic ones to work (Internet has a lot of solutions that smart people share).



Ultimate is the best but if you don’t think you need anything that fancy, Home Premium is good too. Get a good video card if you want Aero graphics (at least 256MB 128-bit in the newer cards)… better if you can afford. Vista technology distributes more graphics processing to the video card and relieves the CPU for other things. Therefore, a good video card will make Vista work better.



Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in a new activity known as “disk caching” (SuperFetch). The computer uses artificial intelligence to determine which files will be used most and copies it to RAM (where it is much faster than accessing your hard disk). This includes components of the programs you use on a regular basis. When you need more RAM for programs you launch, etc. the computer purges the “least likely used” files from RAM to make room for the new program. That’s why if you look at the performance monitor, Vista always has near zero “free” RAM. So in theory, the more RAM (for disk cache) you have, the faster your computer will operate. This can also be augmented (to a lesser effect) with a flash drive/card with a technology called ReadyBoost. Just stick it in and select “Speed up my system” and leave it there. Google “AnandTech ReadyBoost Performance” for basic test examples.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=735



Vista Home Premium and Ultimate has Windows Media Center, where with a TV card/USB adapter (if not integrated) of the type that fits your TV/Cable, acts similar to TiVo. You can play your videos, schedule recordings, etc. You can get a wireless keyboard / mouse or gyro-mouse and it will be sort of like remote control. If you do this, get a big Hard Disk.



MS Office productivity software works best on Windows. The Mac version is really nerfed and doesn’t have new features like Office Ribbon interface, Mini Toolbars, and Live Preview, among a large list. There are also less individual titles in the Mac version.



Vista supports touch-screens and voice recognition if you’re into note-taking and dictation. A good program to use with this is OneNote, which is included in some Office editions.



Deals of America and Tech Bargains catch good deals on HP and Dell’s and sometimes you can get like $500 off! XPBargains has deals and coupons on Tablet PC’s!

 

Unless you are an artist, most Universities (and programs) as well as the rest of the world use Windows. WinMacs are popular but for the price, Macs don’t run Windows as well as other brands, but sometimes it doesn't really matter that much to most users. In addition some just want it for fashion and like them to match their iPods.



Here are some statistics to put it into perspective.

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/

Note that these “internet traffic statistics” actually miss a lot of Windows PC usage because many are used for work and do not surf the internet much (if at all). Thus the Windows PC’s out there may be even MORE than the representation on the charts!



Macs are durable because many have an accelerometer in there that can "increase the chance" of saving your hard drive when you drop it. Like those used in airbags. The power cord is also magnetically attached so it reduces the chance that you yank it off the table.



OSXMacs can exclusively install Final Cut Pro (which is good for media work). Adobe Creative Suite is also good and available for Windows but works better on OSX. The Windows version actually looks like an OSX port. Though the nextgen CS4 64-bit will only be available for Windows. Macs will only get CS4 32-bit. :( Hence, many OSX users are artists historically. Emotion workers are generally not as good with computers as logic workers so OSX is good for them. Because OSX is less complicated and harder to mess up, a lot of computer newbies also use Macs and that’s why you see a lot of “Get a Mac! They are so awesome!” without any technical explanation to back up that opinion. ;)



Mac Pros:

OSX stability

OSX is easy to use

Dual-bootable to Windows

More durable than many brands

Trendy



Mac Cons:

Not as much peripheral support

Not as much software support

Windows doesn’t run as well

Expensive

Minority



Windows PC Pros:

More customizable

More choices

More styles

Cheap hardware

Vista has best gaming capability (Direct3D 10)



Windows PC Cons:

Less stable (unless you are an IT pro)

Many are relatively not as fashionable

Not as user-friendly

Some extra features in Windows requires advanced knowledge to use

The extra features require better hardware despite your use of them or not



Details of features can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X



Some brand statistics: In terms of recent sales, the top 3 manufacturers are HP, Dell, and Acer (Gateway). Apple is #4 in USA.

http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2008/04/24/mac-q1-2008-market-share-3-26-percent-worldwide-6-26-percent-in-the-us.aspx



Pretty good deal on a powerful laptop: $900 - Gateway M-6851 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T5550(1.83GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory DDR2 667 250GB HDD 5400rpm Dual layer DVD Burner ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600(512MB GDDR3 Dedicated Memory)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101154



Pretty good deals on mid to powerful Tablet PC’s: $700 - Gateway C-141X / $1100 - Gateway C142XL

http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529597319.php?mtr=DCYAONANC&sg=hm&ph1=8667187749

Answer 12

first of all you can run windows on a mac and you CANNOT run mac on a pc. There is about a 3% chance you will get a virus with mac, i know because i have had 3 macs for 4 years and i have never gotten a virus. With windows you HAVE TO get virus protection or your computer will be toast. In other words pc's are more vulnerable to viruses. The MAC OS X operating system runs smoother than windows and it barely ever freezes. There are way more and better features on mac and some i think windows copied from mac. You can run pretty much all of your programs on the mac part or windows. And macs most the time can start up quicker than pc's depending on the RAM and in windows you always have to wait for the virus protection to update before you can use it.

Answer 13

Absolutely none. Apple is supported solely by rabid fanboys at this point.



Edit: Ok fanboys, allow me to elaborate.



Mac hardware is the most deranged pile of circuitry I've ever had to work with. Have you ever actually tried to SERVICE a Mac? It takes hours compared to a PC. BILLABLE hours.



Superior software? My ***. I've yet to see a Mac that didn't crash within 10 minutes of my touching it. This has been true since I first encountered Macs on OS 6, back when they actually had something to talk about, and has been true in OS 7, 8, 9, and is still true to this day.



No viruses? My windows system hasn't had a virus since...ever, actually. 5 years and running without a single infection. Because I know what the f*ck I'm doing, unlike you. I've also yet to experience a total system lockup on Windows XP. Again, because I know what I'm doing.



By the way, Macs DO get viruses. There aren't very many of them out there, but they do exist and were written mostly to shut you up. They are also vulnerable to any virus that targets a ported Microsoft product, especially since security updates to those ports are delayed compared to the windows versions.



I think I've said enough. Use Linux.



Edit: To the guy a few posts down, don't bring Vista in here. Any Windows user who voluntarily uses the system has rejected that steaming pile.

Answer 14

1- cant get virus

2- very very fast much faster than any PC. u can use a screen-saver for a background. on a PC ur computer would freeze but not on a mac.

3- very good software included.

4- the computer of professionals. photographers, producers big name corporations and much more all use mac because of the power behind them.

i have a mac book.

160 GB hd

2 GB ram

2.24 Hz processor

i will never use a PC again as long as i live macs are simply better. they are more advanced and easier to use.

they are prov en to run faster and last longer than a PC can this is prov en. the bios they use is very very fast twice as fast as a PC. they are simply better. they may be a little pricey but are worth every single penny.

Answer 15

Usually people don't check the facts and only believe commercials that don't tell the whole truth.....



PC's are cheaper, can use MUCH MUCH more software, same or better quality parts, easier to upgrade, easier to repair, cheaper to repair, cheaper to upgrade.



PC's get more viruses but it's only because they have more people using them. This example says it all.....



Lets say you entered a room with 2 people, the chances of catching a virus are not high, if you entered a room with 8000 people your chances would go up.



The question is, why would you pay more to limit what software you can run, what you can upgrade and add to your computer?

Answer 16

If you mean the hardware, nothing, they use the same hardware as PC's.

If you mean Software, nothing as well, Mac OS X is inferior compared to Windows, it is unstable and has no third party support.

Answer 17

Macs don't get viruses.

Answer 18

they have a seriously superior operating system, and well, lets face it, windows is terrible