I need to choose between a mac or a pc. I am a high school student who has a decent amount of ***. plz hel?

Question

MAC or PC?

Answer 1

Considering mac is twice the price of a comparable pc AND a mac DOESNT run 95 percent of the software on the market store shelves, I wouldnt have a mac in my home. Dont believe me? BEFORE you decide, take a shopping trip and look at all the software, decide what you might like to run and read the requirements on the boxes? I aint a betting person but I'd lay money on the pc unless you dont have a lick of common sense.



EDIT: GEE Fred, I'm so impressed! "a full suite of productivity software (calendar, address book, chat, mail, web)" you call that a suite of software? LOL! And now a mac can do .doc files? I'm also stumped as to why they are mfging protection software for Apple computers now? You know, you could have bought an etch a sketch rather than your mac! Oh, an etch a sketch doesnt come with that comprehensive software suite.....how foolish of me! LOL! Then there is your comment "Windows can run natively on today's Macs". For one, just because you can run simple microsoft software on it by NO means makes a mac capable of running third party x64 or x86 software! The whole idea of spending 1500 bucks or more on a mac to run windows when you can buy a more powerful pc for half the price with windows preinstalled is absurd! You might BS some of the folk in here but dont try to BS someone whos been in the computer biz since punch cards! Every year software becomes more resource demanding. I can go out and spend some chump change on upgrading my pc to run the new software, you have to buy a new mac! Whos the fool here?

Answer 2

It's amazing. The anti-Mac bias one reads today repeats falsehoods from ten years ago that have been disproved time and time again. "No .doc compatibility???" C'mon -- every Mac ships with TextEdit that not only can read and write .doc files, but multiple formats, too. And it's free with Macs. Macs have a built-in PDF reader *and* creator.



On top of that, Macs include software that makes automating tasks easier, a full suite of productivity software (calendar, address book, chat, mail, web). In addition, the Mac OS is Unix with a really cool interface. You may never need to get to the command line, use the console, run cron jobs, check the system logs -- but they are all there if you want them. And, since it's Unix, system failures because an app misbehaves are almost unheard of. And when was the last time you heard of a Mac having virus problems...?



And what if you want Windows? Why not? Windows can run natively on today's Macs, or it can run in emulation (as an application) -- as well as the majority of Wintel computer. Since a Mac *is* an Intel machine, that only makes sense, no?



Considering what you get with a Mac, I don't understand why people would even think about getting something else. Unless they enjoy installing anti-virus programs, malware removers, adware detectors, Registry cleaners...

Answer 3

PC with Windows 7, releasing tomorrow, will serve all your need and more at half the price of Mac. I have been using Windows 7 for the past months and can say with no biased that Windows 7 is the best Windows that Microsoft ever release with its speed and stability, sending a crushing blow to Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Also go read Mac OS X Snow Leopard reviews at Apple.com to see how bad it is.

Answer 4

Most people who go MAC tend to never go back... MAC is better if you are just wanted to use intenret, word docs and crap as it doesnt tend to go slow and do crazy shite like windows and generally loads faster..



How ever if you like to much around cutomize, play heaps of games not that they dont work on MAC... most people use windows so like most programs run on Windows..



How ever if you are just wanting it for school work and dont give a crap about all random trial programs etc and want a computer that will load the same speed most of the time and wont have to worry about crap performance i would say MAC..



Personally use windows but I am an experienced user.. You could also get a MAC PC and there is software that can dual load windows and MAC OS so yea if you get a MAC you can have the joys Of the reliability of MAC AND if you really wanted to can post a question later down the track if you prefer to use windows on your MAC on how to do that..



Hope that helped..



good luck much love...

jake

Answer 5

PC = Viruses, gaming, compatibility, cheap, Windows 7, Has certain Microsoft exclusives

Mac = Virus-proof, not very compatible with some programs, expensive, Snow Leopard, Has certain Apple exclusives



Macs and Pc's have different "personalities." Pick the best one that suits you best. I hate though how these questions develop into flame wars though.

Answer 6

Definitely a PC. Mac make you use only there kind of software. While with a PC, you can run pretty much anything. Good luck.

Answer 7

It all depends on security and freedom. If you're looking for a computer just to do papers and school stuff with little risk, I'd go for a MAC. However, if you plan on gaming, going on to the internet, etc, I'd say go for a PC

Answer 8

How about learning what the ***** a PC is?



Mac=PC that can LEGALLY run OSX, PC is a computer, Not an OS!

Answer 9

A pc

Answer 10

PC mac needs a different word doc. to work so it can be hard to transfer doc.

Answer 11

WELL it matters what you have been using, if you are used to MACs or PCs. I always say PC!!!! cuz Macs suck

Answer 12

get a really good pc,download the protection you need,you shouldn't have any problems

Answer 13

pc

Answer 14

Mac. They're sturdy and efficient. Plus, they're very powerful. 999USD for a 2.26GHz mac with 2 Gigs RAM and NVidia 9400M.

Answer 15

this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9549054&st=toshiba+laptop&lp=14&type=product&cp=2&id=1218122294915

Answer 16

PC for the following....



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 more 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 either 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: Deleting your Data (Snow Leopard), 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://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=5006

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

http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg



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 (You may have the money, but why not buy something else you want as well or get extra software with the money you saved)

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 Starting Price: $500

Ending Price: $500

15" Screen

CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower]

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD [Not as good/fine for general use[

Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram)

Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (same)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndozm4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-1545



Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-2900 Starting Price: $755

Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860

15" Screen

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$100) [FASTER]

Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9600-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD]

Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY]

Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE]

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-2900_Notebook/detail



Macbook Starting laptop Price: $1000

Ending Price After Upgrades: $1200

13" Screen (SMALLER)

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER)

Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9400 256MB

Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME)

Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC240LL/A?mco=NjcxMTQ3Ng





**(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: ($700)

CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: 4GB Ram

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dddwra4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=desktop-inspiron-537s



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 ($1300)

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

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME)

HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE)

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

GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB417LL/A?mco=NDE4Mzg3Ng



Equivalents to ILife

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

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



FREE Windows Stuff

http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html

http://www.iobit.com/

http://www.ccleaner.com/

ANTI-VIRUS

Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by onsumer reports 2009 and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/

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



Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/



ANTI-MALWARE

Windows Defender (FREE)

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation - No Realtime protection on free version.

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol

Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)

http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol



LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.ubuntu.com/