why not buy a mac?

[Fritzo]

I almost bought a Mac Mini too, but after you add all the stuff you need to it, it's way too pricey for a toy.

I do love the iLife software. It's great for recording music

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: ntdz
I have a mac mini, the $600 1.66 dual core duo, and I love it. I'll never replace windows as my main OS, but i like using something different sometimes. Plus, if you don't like osx for whatever reason, you can easily just put windows on it.

Is there anything specfic you do on your Mac over your PC?

 

[Platypus]

Laptop ended up being 300 dollars cheaper or so with same hardware from Apple versus Dell, I use firewire a lot for music devices, and OSX is great + easy access to BSD shell.

No brainer for me, I'm no mac fanboy but it fit my needs more appropriately as a musician. I doubt I'd ever purchase a Mac desktop.. no reason in that case because of ridiculous cost premium. I could build something for a fraction of the cost and use XP or UNIX if I have to do any 'real' work. I won't go as far as to say it's not possible to do these things in OSX but there's just really no justification for me to use a Mac for something another OS does better.

 

[IGBT]

..no doubt they're an interesting novelty.

 

[miniMUNCH]

OS X is nice but not all that great, eye candy aside. I tried it for about a year, still use it on occasion.

I use a windows/linux combo.

Most of the apps I use on a daily basis are not on OS X or run like ass on OS X (autocad, solid edge, MS Office, Origin, mathcad, matlab - runs like ass).

Finder sucks -- should be called "Loser" -- worst file management tool in a mainstream OS. I found Pathfinder to be a $35 necessity for OS X.

I will also say this... OS X is not a UNIX/linux substitute.

Get linux/BSD code to run on OS X can be very, very annoying to say the least. Most numerical codes that are written for unix/linux either will not run on OS X or run like ass on OS X after many hacks to get them working.

Al that being said... I like Apple's hardware design.

 

[50cent1228]

b/c they r fvckin expensive

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: brunswickite

Originally posted by: ntdz
I have a mac mini, the $600 1.66 dual core duo, and I love it. I'll never replace windows as my main OS, but i like using something different sometimes. Plus, if you don't like osx for whatever reason, you can easily just put windows on it.

Is there anything specfic you do on your Mac over your PC?

Intensive graphics apps seem to run better on a Mac - 3D rendering, audio, video, that type of thing. I've had much better success with those types of applications on a Mac. That's about it, everything else is the same. Granted there's more candy and different programs talk to each other better

 

[ultimatebob]

I have an older G4 Mac Mini, and it's a slug performance wise. Even my old 2.5 GHz Pentium 4 gaming machine is faster, and that sucker is 4 years old now!

OS X IS really nice, though. The OS has never crashed (although applications occasionally hang, just like Windows XP), and it's nice to have at least one computer that doesn't need Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software on it.

The mini makes a great web browsing and e-mail machine, but that's about all I use it for. Even my iPod still syncs with my gaming PC, since it has more storage space for my MP3's and photos.

 

[Eos]

If I had enough money to do it, I'd have a couple (me and the g/f) iMac 24" machines for web, surfing, e-mail, bt, etc. Then I'd put our PCs in a LAN one router off of the web. 24" iMac, 2 gb RAM, 500 GB HD, 256mb video card is only $2498. A Dell 24" LCD is $675, so $1823 for a fast Intel based proc, lots of RAM, HD space and OS already paid for is not TOO crazy of a price.

Plus the iMacs look cool all in 3 pieces like that. Keep the RAID and file storage far away where the office can be quiet. There's no reason to keep 4 tb of storage in your daily use machine.

 

[zainali]

macs are great pieces of hardware and thats about it (IMO).

i bought my dad a mac recently and have a buy windows now cause he does not like osx.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: joecoolhaving said all that, i'm still curious, from experienced and objective observers (not just fanboys!), why i shouldn't buy a mac? and please, try to contain your comments to reality-based, objective facts.

No offense to other mac users, but the most important reason I can see for not getting mac: The reputation. Apple's marketing team has done a fantastic job at convincing me to stay on my PC. I love HP commercials with their magic hands that do cool stuff, like the commercials with Pharrel and Jay-Z. Notice how they don't even mention macs, ever? I've never seen any PC manufacturer bash macs on their commercials, yet Apple can't stop bashing PC's in every commercial they put out. I'm sorry, but I don't want to be a part of that snob campaign.

For objectivity, nothing runs faster on a Mac, the hardware comes at a premium, and the only thing I've ever heard that is worth getting a Mac is garageband... so if you don't want that, then I fail to see any reason for getting it. Otherwise you'll just be paying a premium for what? Losing compatibility with some of your stuff or even using the same stuff, but slower? I mean, back in the day when the G4 came out they did a performance comparison with an AMD PC and an Intel PC, and they spanked it even with Adobe software. Macs got a performance boost when they finally started using the Intel chips, but you can get those on your PC so there's really nothing there to brag about.

If you want to try a new OS, try Linux. At least you don't have to get new hardware for that. Not that Linux really offers much more than Mac OSX either... in fact less.

 

[1Cheap2Crazy]

I'm thinking of buying a mac, but the one biggest issue holding me back is what is Apple going to be coming out with in the next few months. I'm cheap, but the mac mini doesn't cut it for me. I have my new LCD monitor so I don't want to pay Apple for one. So the only reason I can think of for not buying a mac, is the timing isn't right. Wait until OS X 10.5 comes out and see if there is news about newer, cheaper, headless macs. Unless you have lots of money, then buy a top of the line Mac Pro, tonight!

 

[mrzed]

PC - open, flexible, more oppotunities = more opportunities for headaches
Mac - Closed, proprietary, more stable as a system because it's all validated. Less flexible in hardware (software argument no longer matters now that they run Windows)

Choose your poison

---

But the one good reason not to buy a Mac?


10% of your money is delivered directly to Steve Jobs' underground lair, where reverent Macolytes deliver it to him by the wheelbarrow. Clad in black turtleneck, he rolls around in your money licking, fondling, and doing other, more unspeakable things to it.

Do you really want to be a part of that?

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: mrzed
more stable as a system because it's all validated

You want to explain that bit?

 

[mrzed]

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: mrzed
more stable as a system because it's all validated

You want to explain that bit?

I dunno, maybe it's changd now that they ar PC's, but from what I understand, Mac hardware is tested in almost all its possible configurations, possible, because there is a very limited pool of mac graphics cards, etc (again - this may be all different now with the Intel switch - if so, somebody correct me).

Software wise, it's even more like that. Much smaller pool of software that runs on Mac OS means fewer chances of baffling interactions - most mac users install less software too.

 

[rasczak]

at home I run the following, 1 ubuntu box which i love poking around with, 1 2k3 server box, 1 winxp pro box (by far my least favorite only use because of games and fiddling around with my domain) and an ibook(osx 10.2.8) that I love about as much as my linux box. the macs i have found to be much more user friendly than any windows box or linux box I've ever used, even os8.6, 9.0 and 9.2.

love the mac

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: jjones
Because I don't want one.

 

[Zebo]

PC users are evnvious of macs
a) they can't afford them
b) they can never make thier PC's look as nice
c) they can never be cool like mac peoples, it's like being a dead head either you got it or you dont' - fit in or you dont. High strung vs. low key. A vs B. etc.


All Kidding aside - I've seriously looked into Macs now they support a gamers OS however I still enjoy building my own. Finding best bang for the buck and could never warm up to the childish looking OS (same problem I have with XP and Vista). My wife has an iMac and it's painful to use.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Zebo
PC users are evnvious of macs
a) they can't afford them
b) they can never make thier PC's look as nice
c) they can never be cool like mac peoples, it's like being a dead head either you got it or you dont' - fit in or you dont. High strung vs. low key. A vs B. etc.

1) and what about all the people here building godly performance rigs that outprice macs?
2) "pretty" computer != quality and good performance (and no, i dont mean games specifically)
3) this is the exact reason why people hate on mac fans so much... a bunch of elitist snobs.

i've used OSX a lot, and i hate it... it's not nearly as down-to-business as XP/2k. i don't want an "improve your self esteem" computer and OS, i want one that lets me do things with as little clutter as possible. i find that OSX's dock is not nearly as nice as the toolbar: the toolbar is a much simpler system, and though maybe not as "elegant," is far superior in organizing large amounts of windows, IMO. not to mention quicklaunch, which is <i>just</i> large enough to be handy, but not annoying (again, unlike the dock which i think is bloated).

 

[bunnyfubbles]

How can they compete and offer a true alternative when they won't/can't release an OS for all x86-64 platforms? They were wrong about keeping the iPod exclusive to their own OS, I think they're wrong about keeping their OS to their own hardware - however they might not be wrong if they simply can't do it...

I'll probably never run a Mac OS as my primary OS (unless it became the market leader in place of Windows) simply because it can't do as much (and you certainly don't have as many choices). Now that their hardware can run Windows...yeah I guess it's possible, perhaps for a laptop or something I can't build on my own, because I'll never find price/performance by going with their hardware, especially when they force their OS and hardware upon you together.

 

[michal1980]

I was close to getting a mac, then re-watched there recent commericals. Can't support a company that thinks that little of pc users, and pc's in general.

Maybe pc's need a commerical, maybe Alienware now that they have access to dell funds.

Show some games running on the Alienware pc, people having fun, good grahpics. the mac guy asks to play them, and gets a big, HAHA, Nope.

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: michal1980
Show some games running on the Alienware pc, people having fun, good grahpics. the mac guy asks to play them, and gets a big, HAHA, Nope.

:thumbsup:

I don't get why people rave about OSX. Is it truly more user friendly than XP? Sure it has a lot of neat features but do I ever use them when I use my friend's MacBook? Hell no! I don't need that stuff. If I need to get to a window, I just click on it. I don't need to see all the windows laid out on the screen and sit there for a few seconds to ponder which window I want to select. I understand that it looks very smooth and elegant, but like my computer case, I don't really care how it looks. It's all about functionality. WinXP has that; no more or no less.

WinXP is clear and concise and free of gimmicks. This is one thing I don't like about Vista - it has gimmicks which I will never use in my life. Flip3D looks really cool and runs like a champ on my computer, but will I use it more than 3 times a week? Probably not. Again, if I need to switch to a window, I click on it in the taskbar. If clicking the taskbar is considered user-unfriendly then I'm sorry, I have nothing more to say to you.

The UI features I use most in XP:
- Taskbar
- Clock
- Start Menu
- Desktop Icons
- Quick Launch

There isn't a single user-unfriendly thing I've encountered with XP these past 6 years. Everything I've wanted to get done in XP, I've gotten done. There was never a headache or mountain to climb over for anything. If I didn't know how to do something, I do research to figure it out because the answer is always out there. Is that considered user-unfriendly?

I don't mind people saying MacOS is faster, more stable, looks better (Windowblinds > OSX?) or has more features. The only thing about this PC vs Mac debate is when people start saying MacOS is more user-friendly. Being a power user on XP, I do not find OSX any easier to use than XP. It might be easier for novices but that's because they don't know how to use a computer in the first place.

 

[joecool]

Thanks for all the input and thoughts, guys. You helped me remember one important thing - no matter how cool osx may be, how nice it may look, i'll still do most of my work on my pc. it's faster than the mac mini, has WAY better graphics, and i've already paid for all the apps i want to use, ON XP. switching to apple would be painfully expensive. so in the end the mini would just be a toy, and after playing with it for a while to enjoy all the eye candy, i'm sure i wouldn't use it much, if at all. so i think i'll save my $600 for something else.

 

[Frintinrocks]

so i think i'll save my $600 for something else

Go Here or here and spend the 600 dollars all the smart pc using folks saved ya!

 

[beemercer]

No start menu.