For graduation, I get a laptop. Should i get a Mac or a PC? ?

Question

For graduation, I get a laptop. Should i get a Mac or a PC? ?

Answer 1

You should probably get a Mac. I ran across this interesting article on ISU's website. (Go Redbirds). It contains information about how the computer industry has changed and why you should consider Apple hardware. Everything you can run on a PC you can run on a Mac, so the old argument that there's more software available on a PC isn't valid any more. Mac does Windows, too.



So write Microsoft In. But there's more.



Mac OS X (now in version 10.5.5) is really rock solid and stable with it's UNIX architecture, and Apple has it's work cut out for it in terms of stability and ease-of-use. Apple's OS X includes many applications that you might have to pay for on the PC side — features that are built into the operating system.



I'm referring to Display PDF, which makes it very useful if you work with documents of any kind or size. Display PDF is WYSIWYG at its' finest.



Anyway, I've included a link in case you'd like more information.



As always, thank you for the opportunity to answer.

Answer 2

all depends on how much you want your parents to fork out. (Apple's are more)

Answer 3

I am a PC and you should buy me.

Answer 4

That depends, you wanna just look cool? Get a Mac! You want power, get a PC!

Answer 5

I would get whatever you are most comfortable with. There is nothing worse than being in front of a computer and taking 3 years just to get familiar with it.



That being said, it depends on your level of gaming. Photoshop was originally written for Macs, and Macs definitely have the upper hand when it comes to graphic arts. Ditto iTunes. They make Microsoft Office for Macs, so if you got a Mac the papers you wrote would still be compatible to a PC if you had to email it or have it looked over by a friend etc. You can play the Sims on a Mac but not all the expansion packs and editions are available for Macs.



Certain Mac laptops have a duo core, and with "Bootcamp" you can actually run Windows/Vista. With this you would be able to play whatever Sims or other game you wanted.





Macs are more expensive, but in my experience (Mac user for about 15 years now) they don't have the problems with spyware, viruses, etc that PCs do. There is no need to by Anti-Virus software. I have never had my harddrive erased and had to pay someone to come over and fix it....at least 10 of my friends have.



I personally find PCs hard to use and "can't find anything". I am constantly clicking the "right click" on accident, Macs only have one click.





If you are going to be taking a foreign language, I would definitely get a Mac. The accents are 100x easier. On PCs you have to type in a code that's usually around 3 numeric digits (or cheat and go into "insert symbols"). On a Mac it's just option + whatever letter the accent normally appears on, and then the accent. (ñ is option n + n).





If you are going to be doing a lot of powerpoint presentations, PCs might work more in your favor. If you don't have your own equipment to hook your computer up to the projector, or if the school doesn't have it, you won't be able to present using your own computer (you can go around this by using a thumb drive or emailing it first).

Answer 6

Both PC and MAC can do these things you mentioned. Its up to you which platform you're comfortable.



im not sure though if Sims have a mac version. better check their website.



im a pc user all my life and shifting to a mac may require some time to get used to.

Answer 7

Depends on what your doing, Mac is more based on Media suites and all of its programes coinside and merge together to work in harmony, where as Windows is more based for an office suited computer user such as work for college or school etc, but still giving the same basics as a mac with the media functions and downloadable programmes./

Answer 8

Probably a PC. It can do everything you want it to do and it's a lot cheaper than a Mac. Plus, Mac is a terrible platform for gaming. I don't believe Sims 3 will initially be released for Mac.

Answer 9

A Mac is better for all those

Every mac comes with iTunes, microsoft word, and you can buy photoshop. Macs also work well with games

Answer 10

I would get a PC, 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..



Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. They use a lot of the same parts as PCs. 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.



Today, Macs use the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Look below.



WINDOWS ADVANTAGES:



Aprox 90% of the market is Windows. Most PCs include windows already pre-installed.

1) There are a number of websites that still require Internet Explorer to view and IE for Mac Stinks (it is really ies4osx which is the Windows IE version running really buggy on OS X and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows, too many problems with it).

2) More supported peripherals (printers and other things you hook into the computer) on Windows.

4) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.



I Would also install Avira AntiVir, Avast, Comodo Firewall on the Vista since there are free versions.



LINUX ADVANTAGES:



1) Install Linux, and then get tons of stuff for free. Updates done, etc.. Linux is very easy and has tons of software that will be updated automatically. (Checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (Add/Remove or Synaptic Package Manager), search for something I want, check a box and click apply)

2) If you like the effects on a Macintosh go yahoo or google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more...

3) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator.

4) Linux is MORE SECURE. I surf the internet and can even run some windows programs on Linux.



LINUX OS

If you are worried about viruses, spyware, security, Try Linux (it is free), I have included some information about Linux and links so you are not lost if you decide to try it.



Easily turn your system into a Dual booting computer with Linux, fast, safe and secure, easy to use (contrary to belief). You then get the best of both worlds (Windows with all of its supported products, freely go online without the worry)



My Recommendation would be either Ubuntu (Most popular and well supported linux), Kubuntu (KDE version of Ubuntu),

Freespire (has all windows codecs for watching videos, dvds out of the box),

PCLINUXOS (very nice Linux, easy to use and polished),

There are so many good versions of linux besides these.



PLEASE NOTE: In linux there are many forms of Windows Environments, the two main ones are KDE (K Desktop) and GNOME. Ubuntu uses GNOME, KUBUNTU is a KDE version of Ubuntu, PCLINUXOS, Freespire use KDE... The differences in the window environments (DESKTOPS) control how you configure, open close the windows, the appearances of the windows... linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting helps with printer support. ScreenCasts.ubuntu.com shows video and non-video help with learning to work with Ubuntu.



There are many good Linux distributions for different reasons, distrowatch.com, polishlinux.org, desktoplinux.com

are good websites for overall understanding linux.



Installing Linux in general is very simple and much more secure than OS X(Macintosh) and free.

Also, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD which means you can try without installing...

UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, FREESPIRE, PCLINUXOS, etc.. all have live CDS.

All you have to do is..

A) to download .iso file off the internet from the Linux website

B) burn the .iso file to a CD or DVD (Make sure your burning software can burn an ISO or get InfraRecorder http://infrarecorder.org/)

C) restart the computer with the CD in the drive

D) As computer is restarting, press on F12 Key a bunch of times to get a boot menu

E) Select the option to boot from CD or DVD.



Click on this link and follow instructions up to the point of "Once the system has started up...", (the rest is how to backup windows) for an easy picture guide for steps A-E above http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

For easy instructions on setting up Dual Boot http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: People have been able to run OS X on a PC since the PC and Mac use the same hardware. This is not legal and I would not recommend it for security and legal reasons



But, I have included a link to show you, purpose is to show that there is nothing special about the MAC.



A)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)



****************(DESKTOP)



PLEASE NOTE: I am comparing Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you decide that you must have 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 upgrade the Imac to try to match. 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 must 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: (Right Now) 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 Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... 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



************************END OF DESKTOP



B) SECURITY:



Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered.

All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera.

Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.



C) VIRUSES



The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses, 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".



Google/Yahoo Mac Viruses





D) WINDOWS LICENSE is discounted with PCs



You do not pay the full price, for instance Dell -> you pay $50 or less for Vista Home Premium If you buy a Mac and want Vista, you pay full price.





D) EXPANDABILITY & REPAIR...



With AppleCare you have to put down $300 and there is no guarantee the computer will be fixed, may cost more.. 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.





E) PROBLEMS



Macintosh's are far from bug free. 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://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

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

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/

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

http://www.avast.com/

http://www.free-av.com/

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

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

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

Google/Yahoo OS X on PC