Should I get a Mac or a PC?

Question

Neutral Opinions please. The next 10 years of computing depend on this!!!! I have $5,000 to spend. I was considering Alienware Area-51 m15x for the PC. And a MacBook Pro for a Mac.

I have 1 more year of high school then I'm going to college. Mostly for gaming and work. I like how easy mac is to use. However, I hear macs are not exactly the best for gaming. But I like how PC's have all the new games as soon as they hit the market. However, I hear they have a tremendous load of viruses. For example, my mom had one and then it had like 60,000 viruses on it later. I ask my friends with both PC's and Macs and they both agree with the system they have. I would appreciate a neutral opinion. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

If you have an antivirus on a windows-based computer, then you'll be fine and pretty much safe. Just don't visit porn sites, scam sites, etc. and USE COMMON SENSE and you'll hardly ever get a virus. I never got a virus since when i was kid when i foolishly downloaded a software that was offered to me for free.



Honestly, it doesnt really matter if you get a mac or pc. You can run windows on it to play those high end games. However, a regular macbook or macbook air WONT be able to play these games because they have INTEGRATED graphics.



If you want a laptop for gaming only, then get the alienware.

If you want a laptop for some gaming and homework, get macbook PRO. Why? Macbook pro has better battery life which is good for college and its alot more portable than the heavy alienware laptop. Again, getting a macbook pro will give you some major drawbacks such as weaker graphics card (8600M GT vs 8800M GTX)



I recommend going to best buy and "test drive" each one. See what you love, and ill garuantee this works.



Mac fix it, how does the mac pro compare to a gaming PC with SLI'ed graphics? Unfortunately, the mac pro does not support SLI or crossfire. Most high end games are graphics demanding, NOT cpu demanding.

Answer 2

I personally believe Macs are over rated. They are more reliable, but at the cost of performance and compatibility. They are also more expensive, and are a very poor choice for gaming.

It is true that there are more viruses threatening windows based machines, but it is more hype than anything. I strongly believe that once every two years a computer should be wiped clean, with a fresh windows install. Sounds like a hassle but it is actually quite simple. This will make a PC just as if not more reliable than a Mac.



You have 5 grand, way too much for a computer. You can get a fantastic gaming computer for 2 grand tops. If you know little about computers, buying a high end model from a big box store such as Futureshop (they usually through in a giant LCD for free) and then replacing the video card with a high end model is your best bet.

So, a high end big box store computer for 1500 with monitor and all accesories, and toss in a high end graphics card (best deal in a long time is the geforce 8800 GT) and you have a fine machine.



As a computer science student, I know many of my classmates who bought Macs for school, and can't use them because they won't run Microsoft Visual studio. You don't want problems like these. Also, Alienware make high end models that will be worth 2 grand less 6 months after you buy them. The hardware develops too fast to justify so much money for components that will become mainstream in less than a year. They are a short lived showpiece

Answer 3

Judging from your "story" you are more suited towards a PC. "Why?" you ask?. Here is why:



1. You are a gamers and you are aware that MOST of the latest games are not compatible with Mac. Let alone the video card for a Mac is not as good as an Alienware's.

2. You mentioned you are going to use this laptop for work? What kinda work? Will you be installing an apps which will ONLY work in a windows environment?



Viruses attack almost ALL forms of computers be it Windows, Mac, Linux, et cetera. It's up to the users to be aware of what he/she does with it. That's why there are antivirus and antispyware softwares out there to safe guard you. To make it even more protected, you should be looking into Firewall programs.



I can't really give you a neutral opinion because I am not sure what kind of line are you going to work in.



If you are going to work in the designing industries; multimedia, graphic design, etc; a Mac is your faithful companion, there is no 2nd doubt about it.



But if you are going to work in the programming department or will require special softwares like AutoCAD (or any other), your best bet will be to stick with a regular laptop.



Just my 2 cents.

Answer 4

The MAC vs. PC is an interesting debate of course. Here's my opinion.



Get a Mac: if you are more into design, web, video/photo editing.



Get Windows: if you are more into computer games and customizing your PC.



I'd say get a Mac and get a gaming console like Wii or PlayStation so you'd have the best of both worlds. Windows is undoubtedly a lot of 'work' to use with Virus Guards, Software updates, etc. Macs are also far more superior in Photoshop, Premiere and other graphics oriented stuff.



If you are a student, you get more concessions from Apple than from Microsoft. Although this fact is based on your geographical location, you might want to consider that too.

Answer 5

You can run Windows natively on a Mac. I do this to play games and everything else in Mac Os. You cannot run Mac Os on a PC legally and not always very reliably. Thus, if you're unsure, a Mac & a copy of Windows will give you the best of both worlds. Hardware is much of a muchness as Macs are all Intel now. I agree lots of ram in any machine is a must. If I had that much I'd buy a Mac Pro. Instead I have an iMac that I play games on (mostly in win xp) and all else in Mac Os..

Answer 6

If you are looking at 80% gaming and 20% general computing get Alienware



The Mac is better for general computing but you will be under whelmed with the gaming capabilities.



If you are looking at 20% gaming and 80% general computing get a Mac.



NB - with the creation of the iPhone SDK I have a feeling that we are going to see some large changes to the gaming abilities of the Mac platform in the next 6 - 12 months.



For best gaming on a Mac - get the Mac Pro desktop and run Bootcamp with Windows.



otherwise stick with a custom built gaming rig and Windows XP.

Answer 7

"However, I hear they have a tremendous load of viruses."

That's not true. I've had a PC for 4 years without getting a single virus. As for your mom, I think she might be downloading some weird things that had viruses in them that's making her computer messed up. (Also, 60,000 viruses? Yeah right.)



Personally, I use a Windows. It's not that great. It starts up really slowly compared to Mac computers (or that may just be my computer.) Macs are great but somewhat useless. No offense. PCs came out first, I believe, so more stuff are Windows compatible.



Good luck.

Answer 8

i have a mac pro and a pc and I like them both. for gaming I'd probably go with area-51. for graphics i really like my mac pro. get whatever holds the most ram. you can always run windows on a mac. my mac has 16 gb of ram now but will hold 32 and 4 hds

and i like it.

Answer 9

It's like apple & orange. Which one is nicer? They all have plus and minus. For game, go for PC or i will say Windows, but a lot of virus. For video editing, go for Mac, less virus, less game. Or you can buy apple and then use Virtual PC or this kind of software to run Windows on it

Answer 10

DEFINITELY MAC



top reason: you can put windows on a mac!!

(and its not laggy or anything)



however! for games i would recommend a mac pro, especially since you have 5000 dollars to spend, you could build a REAL sweet mac pro rig with that on store.apple.com if you gotta have a laptop, get a 17" 2.5 or 2.6 hi res macbook pro with 512mb video card. you'll have at least 1500 left over anyway (maybe to spend on a console, which doesn't need upgrades blah blah blah).



definitely go with mac, especially since you're going to college with it

Answer 11

Either one will work. I personally prefer PC's for their ease of use and large user base. I would go the PC route but I would build it myself. You'll get a fine computer from Alienware but you could build the same machine cheaper yourself with some judicious spending.

Answer 12

PC

Pros:

1. best for gaming

2. faster processors

3. a little cheaper

Cons:

1. bulky you can't bring it anywhere you go

2. takes bigger space

Mac

Pros:

1. for school and work purposes

2. you can bring it anywhere you go

3. pretty handy

Cons:

1. not designed for gaming

2. slower processors compared to a desktop PC



So.... for me, buying both would be the best choice. *laughs* but for the meantime... if you have to choose only one... I would suggest the PC (that's in my opinion only since i like gaming alot) then buy Mac later. BUT based on your budget... $5000 is really alot. you can buy both i think.



hope that would help you decide. make the best choice... hehe =p

Answer 13

MAC!!! They are the best!!!!!!!!