MAC versus PC your ( value comments of people that have switched from PC to mac)
- Thread starter Erick
- Start date
Erick said:
Pour surfer sur le net...pas vraiment de différence entre PC ou Mac a part le fait que sur Mac il y a presque pas de virus informatique.
Pour montage vidéo....Mac est en avance sur PC
Pour les jeux vidéo...PC
si tu veux surfer sur le net et faire des montages vidéo, ton meilleur choix serait Mac
Which overall do people find better PC or MAC.
I am specifically looking for opinions of people who started with PC and switched over to MAC. Given Vista and all teh networking issues I have with windows, I want to move over as networking is apparently a breeze with macs. But the price is holding me back a bit. I want to know what others here
think.
Thanks.
I am specifically looking for opinions of people who started with PC and switched over to MAC. Given Vista and all teh networking issues I have with windows, I want to move over as networking is apparently a breeze with macs. But the price is holding me back a bit. I want to know what others here
think.
Thanks.
Hi Ocean,
I don't think one is better than other, it all comes down to the user's needs. MAC has Pros and Cons, so does PC. I'm hooked on Linux for now, but have used Macs a lot in the past (haven't used in a while) and PCs with Windows still today (writing this on a WinXP PC right now).
You obviously haven't been lucky with Vista. Noone has. Even with the latest Service Packs it's still shaky. I just saw today a preview of Windows 7 - Beta 1 and boy was I impressed. Everything is much more easier to understand.
The reason is .... when Mac got their 10.5 OS out, they literally said "Ok, Microsoft, you can start copying us now" (or something like that). And Microsoft did. Windows 7 looks a LOT like the recent MacOS's. I've seen the networking configuration screens, you'd think they're trying to sell Windows to babies, I found it really easy to follow... and in my experience (remember I haven't used Macs in a long while, just seen the desktops) I think Macs are harder to get connected to a network than Windows.
So to sum up :
If you're money tight, want something super compatible with every known software and wouldn't mind spending a couple of hours getting your machine to work steadily, go with a PC with Windows.
If money's no option, are only looking to use "Office" suite software and some good audio, have almost zero harware compatibility issues, go with a Mac.
If you feel a little adventurous, which to work with a great community, have a llittle time on your hands to get a good thing better, buy a all-in-one computer (i.e. Dell Optiplex, or HPs) and get the latest copy of Ubuntu (but that's my personnal favorite, I had to put it in ;-) )
Feel free to PM any questions you have !
I don't think one is better than other, it all comes down to the user's needs. MAC has Pros and Cons, so does PC. I'm hooked on Linux for now, but have used Macs a lot in the past (haven't used in a while) and PCs with Windows still today (writing this on a WinXP PC right now).
You obviously haven't been lucky with Vista. Noone has. Even with the latest Service Packs it's still shaky. I just saw today a preview of Windows 7 - Beta 1 and boy was I impressed. Everything is much more easier to understand.
The reason is .... when Mac got their 10.5 OS out, they literally said "Ok, Microsoft, you can start copying us now" (or something like that). And Microsoft did. Windows 7 looks a LOT like the recent MacOS's. I've seen the networking configuration screens, you'd think they're trying to sell Windows to babies, I found it really easy to follow... and in my experience (remember I haven't used Macs in a long while, just seen the desktops) I think Macs are harder to get connected to a network than Windows.
So to sum up :
If you're money tight, want something super compatible with every known software and wouldn't mind spending a couple of hours getting your machine to work steadily, go with a PC with Windows.
If money's no option, are only looking to use "Office" suite software and some good audio, have almost zero harware compatibility issues, go with a Mac.
If you feel a little adventurous, which to work with a great community, have a llittle time on your hands to get a good thing better, buy a all-in-one computer (i.e. Dell Optiplex, or HPs) and get the latest copy of Ubuntu (but that's my personnal favorite, I had to put it in ;-) )
Feel free to PM any questions you have !
I have used different system. Initially I used dos, the different iteration of windows, Unix system, Linux and MAC.
From what I learn using those different system is the computer is a tool. You need to define what you do with your computer. Once you know that you can look for what system is better for you.
At home for me I mostly do Internet, play video and music. My current system is running Linux and it work well for me. At work I use Windows XP some software only work with XP.
If your computer is recent and you have network issue. If you don't need specialised software you can try some linux live cd and see if it work well for you.
Good luck
From what I learn using those different system is the computer is a tool. You need to define what you do with your computer. Once you know that you can look for what system is better for you.
At home for me I mostly do Internet, play video and music. My current system is running Linux and it work well for me. At work I use Windows XP some software only work with XP.
If your computer is recent and you have network issue. If you don't need specialised software you can try some linux live cd and see if it work well for you.
Good luck
I switched over from PC to MAC several months ago and love my Macbook. My PC fried during an electrical outage so I took the opportunity to switch over. I have to admit that the TV commercials got to me. But to make sure, I went to my local Apple store to fool around with the units on site. They also have free workshops all the time and there are lots of people there to help on technical issues in person, pretty well anytime.
I just got tired of all the weird things like lockouts, freezes, stalls, etc., that we see on Windows. The Mac OS is a real breath of fresh air compared to Windows. And the hardward is built nicer too with quality components. I particularly love the new thin keyboards.
So I was willing to splurge a bit to get a Macbook. I still go to the Apple store on a semi regular basis to take in more workshops.
I had initially thought that I would have a problem with software but did have the option of using Mac's way of installing Windows on the Mac as well. But fortunately, I was able to find either Mac versions of software I need (Office) as well as many decent open source programs out there for Mac that pretty well does what I want with previous PC software. So I never had to use the Windows installation option on my Mac after all.
Yes, I would highly recommend moving over to Mac. But see for yourself and go to an Apple store to browse around as well as to take in a few of their free workshops.
I just got tired of all the weird things like lockouts, freezes, stalls, etc., that we see on Windows. The Mac OS is a real breath of fresh air compared to Windows. And the hardward is built nicer too with quality components. I particularly love the new thin keyboards.
So I was willing to splurge a bit to get a Macbook. I still go to the Apple store on a semi regular basis to take in more workshops.
I had initially thought that I would have a problem with software but did have the option of using Mac's way of installing Windows on the Mac as well. But fortunately, I was able to find either Mac versions of software I need (Office) as well as many decent open source programs out there for Mac that pretty well does what I want with previous PC software. So I never had to use the Windows installation option on my Mac after all.
Yes, I would highly recommend moving over to Mac. But see for yourself and go to an Apple store to browse around as well as to take in a few of their free workshops.
GuitarPlaya said:
I really love the highlited part of your post. No one has had any luck with Vista? Wow! That's quite a statement considering that Vista is probably the most stable OS that Microsoft has ever released! People should stop reading all the fud that's on the net and actually try using something and making up their own mind. Spend a decent amount of money on a quality system instead of a 499$ bargain box and you will be quite pleased and will still be about 50% cheaper than an equivalent performance Mac. And Windows 7 is not very different from Vista, I'm running the beta at work and will be loading it at home this weekend and the same people who hate Vista will hate 7 just because it's from Microsoft.
When it comes to Mac and Windows, buy whichever one meets your needs in software availability, usability and price. Personally a Mac could never meet my requirements in either category and so I run Windows. Plus I think that Jobs is an ass and I will never give him any of my hard earned money.
The best way to check out a Mac is by using a friend's, not at the Apple store where they will be doing their best sales job to get you to buy one. Test it out without pressure and see if it's for you or not. If it is, go ahead and buy one and enjoy your new system!Techman
Techman said:I really love the highlited part of your post. No one has had any luck with Vista? Wow! That's quite a statement considering that Vista is probably the most stable OS that Microsoft has ever released! People should stop reading all the fud that's on the net and actually try using something and making up their own mind. Spend a decent amount of money on a quality system instead of a 499$ bargain box and you will be quite pleased and will still be about 50% cheaper than an equivalent performance Mac. And Windows 7 is not very different from Vista, I'm running the beta at work and will be loading it at home this weekend and the same people who hate Vista will hate 7 just because it's from Microsoft.
When it comes to Mac and Windows, buy whichever one meets your needs in software availability, usability and price. Personally a Mac could never meet my requirements in either category and so I run Windows. Plus I think that Jobs is an ass and I will never give him any of my hard earned money.
Techman
And I really love how you start your techonolgy oriented posts by trying to discredit another poster instead of just giving your opinion concerning what the thread starter asked. (Try looking at the "Any advice on free anti-virus software" started by JLB).
Ocean, good luck on finding your computer.
I used to be PC, switched to Mac early '07, just before Vista. Wanted to get away from it actually.
Don't know networking, sorry.
For my purposes (Word, Internet, copy and play dvds/cds), Mac is a bit expensive, though I do appreciate the smooth running. A few snags in the features, more than I expected, but machine's functioning is still way better than the Dell I used to have. Of course that machine was so bad it might have been a factory screw-up.
I use a MacBook Pro. Two items that drive me crazy but no one else seems to mind:
the keyboard is small
the delete bar is really a backspace bar. whatever you want to delete, you have to park yourself one space to the thing's right.
Don't know networking, sorry.
For my purposes (Word, Internet, copy and play dvds/cds), Mac is a bit expensive, though I do appreciate the smooth running. A few snags in the features, more than I expected, but machine's functioning is still way better than the Dell I used to have. Of course that machine was so bad it might have been a factory screw-up.
I use a MacBook Pro. Two items that drive me crazy but no one else seems to mind:
the keyboard is small
the delete bar is really a backspace bar. whatever you want to delete, you have to park yourself one space to the thing's right.
Perhaps your switch was not only from PC, but from desktop as well. Keyboards on all laptops are small.Red Paul said:
the delete bar is really a backspace bar. whatever you want to delete, you have to park yourself one space to the thing's right.[/QUOTE]Red Paul said:
With each new release of the OS there are more new tricks. My recent favorite is the two-finger scroll on the touchpad. There are other ways to delete beyond backspacing, primarily selecting the entire of that which you want to delete and hitting the delete key.
For the record, I have five Macs, one at home, four at my shop. The last crash of any of them was in 2000.
I've tried both PC's and Macs and have found that PC's are more suitable for what I use a computer for, business applications and games. I haven't had any issues with Vista. My buddy uses a Mac because of his line of business. He is a graphic artist and most programs for his trade work on Macs. So it really depends on what your looking to do on the Mac or PC. Hope this helps.
I eprsonally want to switch because I believe networking two macs is easier ie connecting two macs together wired or wirelessly. connecting a desktop and a laptop through a router and being abkle to access each other's files is a nightmare on windows, which is why I want to switch all teh mac users on teh mac forums say that you can easily wirelessly transfer files from one mac to another, and easily transfer files via wired corr over cable. Very hard for me to do in windows.
Sharing files is very simple to do in Windows. The first thing to do is make sure that both systems can see each other on the network, ie are part of the same workgroup, and that they have file sharing enabled. The second thing to do is to share the folders that you wish to share and basically, you're done!
If you have problems, just type 'sharing files' in the help function and all you need to know will be there.
In Vista, there are a couple of other minor steps that are necessary. Open the Network and File Sharing center and turn off 'Password protected sharing'. This function will only permit sharing files among users who have a local account on the Vista system. This is there to protect files from outside access when you only have one computer. In the case of a network you want to give other systems access to your shared files so it is necessary to turn this function off unless you wish to create a user account for each user who will be accessing the shared files.
You can also place the files you wish to share in Publicly Shared Folders. This will enable people to share your chosen files without compromising your system security.
I don't know the procedure for sharing files on the Mac platform but I would assume that it also involves something similar to protect system integrity. I'm sure that one of the Mac users here would be able to fill you in. Rumples?
Techman
If you have problems, just type 'sharing files' in the help function and all you need to know will be there.
In Vista, there are a couple of other minor steps that are necessary. Open the Network and File Sharing center and turn off 'Password protected sharing'. This function will only permit sharing files among users who have a local account on the Vista system. This is there to protect files from outside access when you only have one computer. In the case of a network you want to give other systems access to your shared files so it is necessary to turn this function off unless you wish to create a user account for each user who will be accessing the shared files.
You can also place the files you wish to share in Publicly Shared Folders. This will enable people to share your chosen files without compromising your system security.
I don't know the procedure for sharing files on the Mac platform but I would assume that it also involves something similar to protect system integrity. I'm sure that one of the Mac users here would be able to fill you in. Rumples?
Techman
I think its a little mroe complicated techman, I want to be able to access and control both computer from the laptop/desktop I am sitting at meaning access to all files.
I know in MAc, you can connect via wire (cat6 or crossover cable) and a sensor will detect what kind of cable it is , and automatically network the two comptuers.
As well, you can wirelessly file share.
these are things that make me want to move over to mac.
I know in MAc, you can connect via wire (cat6 or crossover cable) and a sensor will detect what kind of cable it is , and automatically network the two comptuers.
As well, you can wirelessly file share.
these are things that make me want to move over to mac.
If you are using a router to connect to the internet, the two, or more, systems are already connected together in a network. There is no need to connect them physically to each other directly.
File sharing is not dependant on whether you are connected wirelessly, or by cable. The result is the same, only the transfer speed will vary. As long as you are connected to the same router, your systems are available to each other. If you do not have a router, you can also connect them together using a crossover cable.
When it comes to sharing your files, it is not necessary and is actually a bad idea to share the entire root or 'C' drive of any computer, whether a PC, Mac or any other system. this leaves your entire system open to attack as the system files are visible from any network connected system.
But if you wish to actually take control of the other system, it can easily be done using the "remote desktop' feature in Windows which will allow you to control the other system as if you are sitting in front of it. You can also transfer files, access printers, even surf the net using the system you are connected to instead of your own. Using this function will give you access to all files and programs on the remote computer.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsXp/using/mobility/getstarted/Remoteintro.mspx
The system you are connecting to must be running one of the professional versions of Windows: XP Pro or Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate editions. If you are not equiped with one of these versions, you can download a free application called VNC that will basically do the same thing. This can be found here:
http://realvnc.com/
Techman
File sharing is not dependant on whether you are connected wirelessly, or by cable. The result is the same, only the transfer speed will vary. As long as you are connected to the same router, your systems are available to each other. If you do not have a router, you can also connect them together using a crossover cable.
When it comes to sharing your files, it is not necessary and is actually a bad idea to share the entire root or 'C' drive of any computer, whether a PC, Mac or any other system. this leaves your entire system open to attack as the system files are visible from any network connected system.
But if you wish to actually take control of the other system, it can easily be done using the "remote desktop' feature in Windows which will allow you to control the other system as if you are sitting in front of it. You can also transfer files, access printers, even surf the net using the system you are connected to instead of your own. Using this function will give you access to all files and programs on the remote computer.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsXp/using/mobility/getstarted/Remoteintro.mspx
The system you are connecting to must be running one of the professional versions of Windows: XP Pro or Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate editions. If you are not equiped with one of these versions, you can download a free application called VNC that will basically do the same thing. This can be found here:
http://realvnc.com/
Techman
Techman said:
I've always valued your opinion in regards to computers. Let's say i want to replace XP on my main computer with Win 7. Would it be too risky or should i just go ahead and do it?
Hey Doc! Win 7 is still in beta level, it's not a final product and the beta has an expiration date beyond which it will cease to function. If you have a second hard drive to install it on just to check it out, that would be fine. But I would not replace my existing operating system with a Beta version.
And don't trust the Win 7 versions that are floating around the net on torrent, they are incomplete and can't be updated with any security patches. Only install one that is from a trusted good source.
Techman
And don't trust the Win 7 versions that are floating around the net on torrent, they are incomplete and can't be updated with any security patches. Only install one that is from a trusted good source.
Techman
In windows the access I want is one where you can go start>run>\\computer1 or \\computer2. TO do this I connected
both computers to teh router put them on teh same workd group dropped firewalls, and enabled ipxnetbui, and still I cannot get two windows computers
to connect.
Getting two macs to recognize each other and give wasy access via wire or wireless connections is a breeze.
This plus Vista and the other general nuissances of Microsoft makes me want to cross over.
both computers to teh router put them on teh same workd group dropped firewalls, and enabled ipxnetbui, and still I cannot get two windows computers
to connect.
Getting two macs to recognize each other and give wasy access via wire or wireless connections is a breeze.
This plus Vista and the other general nuissances of Microsoft makes me want to cross over.
I don't really understand what you are trying to do.
If you want to see your networked systems in XP, all you have to do is click on 'My Network Places' in your start menu and you should be able to find your systems there. In Vista, just click on Network and you will see the networked systems there. Click on the system you wish to access and you will see your shared files on that system. Of course you have to make sure that file sharing and network discovery is turned on.
If you actually want to see the other system's desktop on your system, you will have to use either remote desktop or a thrid party application such as VNC.
It is all much easier than it may seem here. It is difficult to explain something without having the person in front of his system at the time.
If you google 'Windows home network' I'm sure you will find some excellent tutorials on the web. Here are a few I just got from Google search:
http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_network.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/Home_Networking_Setting_Up_a_Home_Network.htm
http://compnetworking.about.com/
Techman
If you want to see your networked systems in XP, all you have to do is click on 'My Network Places' in your start menu and you should be able to find your systems there. In Vista, just click on Network and you will see the networked systems there. Click on the system you wish to access and you will see your shared files on that system. Of course you have to make sure that file sharing and network discovery is turned on.
If you actually want to see the other system's desktop on your system, you will have to use either remote desktop or a thrid party application such as VNC.
It is all much easier than it may seem here. It is difficult to explain something without having the person in front of his system at the time.
If you google 'Windows home network' I'm sure you will find some excellent tutorials on the web. Here are a few I just got from Google search:
http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_network.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/Home_Networking_Setting_Up_a_Home_Network.htm
http://compnetworking.about.com/
Techman
I'm not a computer guy so I can't/shouldn't comment of the nuances of Windows vs. Mac. My very first computer was a Mac (1999) and I've owned 4 of them. I've also owned 3 Windows machines; one Sony Vaio, one inexpensive Averatec, and one Gateway. For my personal needs (internet, music, videos and photos), Mac has served me well and I've had far less freezes and crashes than with the Windows...but that could be my inexperience showing.
I bought a Photoshop program and an Office for Mac program and I'm very satisfied.
I did fill up the memory on my current Mac which slowed it down some, but an external memory with 500 GB for less than $100 at the local Staples took care of that problem. Maybe I should learn to be less of a pack-rat.
Like the other posters say, whatever best meets your needs is the right computer for you.
I bought a Photoshop program and an Office for Mac program and I'm very satisfied.
I did fill up the memory on my current Mac which slowed it down some, but an external memory with 500 GB for less than $100 at the local Staples took care of that problem. Maybe I should learn to be less of a pack-rat.
Like the other posters say, whatever best meets your needs is the right computer for you.
