mac vs. PC?

Question

So, I need to get a new laptop for college. I need to decide what would be better for me, a mac or a PC (most likely a XPS Dell)
My friends are all telling me that macs are better computers, but for what I need (CD burning, good memory, etc.) a dell seems more practical because of pricing.
I don't know too much about computers, if I could get some advice on what would be the better choice (and WHY) that would be great
Thanks!

Answer 1

For Vista, look at the MS requirements…and double it at least and make sure it's certified. Triple if you can afford…then Vista should rock your socks. If you learn how to use it, Vista features and technology blows XP away…when it works. ;) You want it to last so get 64-bit Vista Home Premium or Ultimate.



But if you have old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version). Vista compatibility list wiki here:

http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List

You have to know a bit about computers to get them to work (for those old programs that have problems and IF there is a solution. 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 to Aero graphics (at least 256MB 128-bit in the newer cards). Better if you can afford.



Recent release of Service Pack 1 made things better and more compatible with hardware. Unfortunately, Microsoft marketing made people think it will work with old computers but it’s very risky so that’s why there are so many problems. It’s too far ahead in technology and requires new hardware and too many manufacturers sell cheap computers that don’t run Vista good.



Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in a new activity known as “disk caching”. The computer determines which files will be accessed 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. 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.



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



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

http://www.dealsofamerica.com/

http://www.techbargains.com/

 

Unless you are an artist, most Universities (and programs) as well as the rest of the world use Windows. WinMacs are popular (of the 7% of Mac users…5 of 7 are WinMac’ers).

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11

But for the price, Macs don’t run Windows as well as other brands.



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 CS is also good and available for Windows but works better on a OSX. The Windows version actually looks like an OSX port.



Most Mac users eventually use Windows on it however. (of the 7% of Mac users…5 out of 7 are WinMac’ers)

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=11

I would suspect that many OSX keepers are artists as usual. Emotion workers are generally not as good with computers as logic workers so OSX's are good for them.



Windows runs better on windows machines of course, but sometimes it doesn't really matter that much to most users.



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 good

Expensive

Minority: currently Only 7% use Macs [2% OSX, 5% WinMac] (91% use Windows)



PC Pros:

More customizable

More choices

More styles

Cheap hardware

Vista has best gaming capability (DX10)



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

Answer 2

Personally I like Macs. In 15 yrs of using a Mac with no virus protection, I've never had a virus. AND if you're not computer savy, a Mac is much easier to use and learn. Apple stores offer FREE classes for all the software that comes with a Mac. My mother in law owned PC for years and never figured out how to send an attachment until she finally got a mac two years ago. Now she send us jokes, photos, invites, shops online, etc.



The only reason I would buy a pc is software. There are some specific software that do not work on macs. My company, for example, runs Outlook and Prophet 21, an inventory program. So I have one pc and one Mac on my desk.



OH, by the way, I personally HATE dell with a passion. Their laptops suck! Sooooooo slow!!! I prefer Toshiba, Compaq and HP over Dell.

Answer 3

Go with a mac laptop. The new OS X "Leopard" can do far more than vista in any case, and there are video games to be had for mac. Oct. twenty sixth I'm making plans on shopping the brand new iMac for $1199 if it comes pre set up wth leopard. Anyways, a mac is a lot more dependable than a laptop, I use them each within the identical day (macs at college, my laptop at dwelling) and I love mac when you consider that the OS is not a POS. Windows freezes at all times and consistently is liable to viruses that may even ruin your difficult force. Mac's are founded at the unix OS, a unmarried kernel working approach, which makes them A LOT much less susceptible. If you consider approximately it, mac is a higher purchase than laptop, definite it fee somewhat greater than a laptop, however finally it is going to even out. Buy a webcam, anti virus, in general spend cash repairing dull mistakes for your laptop, upload a few desent program and also you in general spent greater than that on a laptop, whilst you might have simply purchased a mac. And the OS will take approximately an afternoon to be taught if that, it's such a lot simpler to function than a laptop. And apple has a support menu within the menu bar that has PC to Mac translations (all systems=macintosh hd, and so on.)

Answer 4

get the Dell XPS, dell are cheaper then Macs, and they are great with warranty, plus you will have a wider software range

but you will need to buy a product like norton internet security from the stores to protect it, but Macs are so insecure, true they don't have viruses now, but thats because of the low market share they have, no one wants to target an os that not many people use, but once they start gaining in popularity they will be attacked just the same, and mac users are sitting ducks for viruses etc coz they think there mac is safe from that, and are so blind and will eventually learn the cold truth about their operating system but if you do choose mac, at least buy anti virus for it as well to be safe





but get the Dell XPS its a great choice, plus great service/warranty you get 2-3 years





if this helped mark as best answer



thanks





william

Answer 5

Mac's are way more reliable and better computers in general, but they cost much more.

If you need a computer for just basic tasks, maybe a pc would be better for you, and yes they are much cheaper to buy.

If you are in to video or graphics types of projects, buy a Mac. Without a doubt.



If you need it for basic internet surfing, cd burning, writing papers for school, etc... buy a pc.

Answer 6

PC, more available software and you are most familiar with them already, so you don't have to relearn.



I know Mac's are good its just familiarity that I'm pushing.

Answer 7

Comparison:



Mac: PC:



Designed for simplicity of user interface/ not advanced Designed for more advanced functions, can do

functions. some things you could never do on a Mac.



Support tends to be good, although expensive. Usually you have to fix problems yourself(whi-

ch I find fun).

Very expensive - a good MacBook will cost around

$1400(can you imagin what kind of PC you could

get for that money!?)





All in all, I personally prefer PC, but I think that that's just me.

Answer 8

If you go to a Mac, you'll never turn back.

Answer 9

pc. windows 7