Apple or Microsoft?

[Shadylookin]

I say unix just because I want to be different.


seriously I'd go for microsoft.

 

[Sophie 378]

I've had loads of bad experiences with Windows and Microsoft products: crashing, freezing, Blue Screen of Death, sound misbehaving, losing data, viruses, stupid configuration problems, etc. I got a Mac nearly a year ago, and have only had ONE error message in that whole time - and that was solved by opening the programme and then the file. I can't think of anything that it has done that annoyed me at all. I agree that Macs are more expensive, and are often seen as a fashion statement (and the famous "they're not gaming machines", spoken by those who've never even seen one), but I find them much more reliable and just as, if not more, easy to use. Also they're pretty: no more beige boxes!
You can get games for Mac; of course you will have to buy ports of some, but www.versiontracker.com has loads of freeware and shareware games (and plenty of other stuff) for all operating systems - and there's always Ebay for cheap 2nd-hand games.
If you're a student, then you can get money off at the Apple store - I think it's 8% on most things. Also, if you don't get on with Appleworks, then Microsoft Office for Mac student edition is 67% money off - yes, they sell it at only 1/3rd normal price.

 

[amadeus]

Get Windows XP Professional.

Apple is a dying brand, their market share is now under 2%.

 

[Speedo]

Let's clear one thing up: Microsoft does NOT make laptops, or any computers at all. They make the Windows operating operating system in its various forms. If you buy a PC, then you will be getting it from HP, Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc, etc.

CoolioVonHoolio: Have you ever used a Mac? Are you at all familiar with MacOS? I would hazard a guess that you've never really used anything but Windows based PCs. I would get a friend who has a Mac, or go play with one in a store, anything. It's rather foolish to make such a large commitment in your choice of machines if you have no idea what you're throwing down your money for.

If you're only looking at using it for "average" things (web browsing, school work, etc), then there's no real reason to prefer one over the other. If you fall in love with MacOS when you play with it, go for it. Otherwise, stick with a PC.

Just as a personal preference, I can't stand MacOS. The UI is terrible... and unfortunately Windows [Vista] is heading straight for the same thing.

Also, if you don't get on with Appleworks, then Microsoft Office for Mac student edition is 67% money off - yes, they sell it at only 1/3rd normal price.

IIRC, MS dumped Office for MacOS. At least, it's an unsupported product now, or something along those lines.

 

[aneeshm]

What , exactly , is a "Microsoft laptop" ? I know of only commodity x86 laptops , or x86_64 laptops .


If I were you , I'd go for a standard x86_64 laptop , preferably a ThinkPad from IBM or Lenovo . Far more versatile ( it can run Microsoft Windows , Linux ( RedHat , Ubuntu , etc. ) , the BSDs , etc. etc. ) , and it can also emulate an Apple environment if need be ( using the rather neat ( and free ) PearPC emulator ) .

An Apple laptop , on the other hand , can only run OS X , or a rather limited version of Linux ( limited due to problems of binary compatibility while using binary installers ) . Also , you have to purchase emulation software to emulate a Windows or Linux environment on an Apple laptop , whereas the emulation of Apple on a normal laptop is free .


If your interest is playing games , then the normal laptop with Microsoft or Linux makes far more sense than Apple .

Then there is the issue of upgradability - commodity laptops are far more upgradable than Apple ones ( which is true even in desktops , for that matter ) .

In your shoes , I would go for a x86_64 ThinkPad , dual booting Microsoft Windows XP and Ubuntu .

 

[Gogf]

IIRC, MS dumped Office for MacOS. At least, it's an unsupported product now, or something along those lines.

This amount of incorrect information in this thread is astonising. No wonder so many people still use PC's!

Microsoft has committed to continue to develope Microsoft Office for the Mac for the next five years.

Get Windows XP Professional.

Apple is a dying brand, their market share is now under 2%.

Where are you getting this from? Apple is either very close to, or just recently passed 5% market share (I'm not positive which). Apple's market share has been steadily climbing for a while.

An Apple laptop , on the other hand , can only run OS X , or a rather limited version of Linux ( limited due to problems of binary compatibility while using binary installers ) . Also , you have to purchase emulation software to emulate a Windows or Linux environment on an Apple laptop , whereas the emulation of Apple on a normal laptop is free .

Running Mac OS X on a PC is an incredibly ineffecient and poorly process which is offered by a third-party company. You still have to purchase the operating system.

Now, why would you want to emulate Windows on a Mac? The reason that would buy a Mac is that you prefer it to Windows. Put yes, you can run Windows on a Mac if you really want to.

 

[cidknee]

heres what it comes down to in the end. Do you want to play Civ 4. Cause i dont think ive heard of it for Mac. If u want to use a mac, go for it. But u will have some choices limited, especially game wise. BUT windows is a good operating system for those who just want to use the computer and not get too technical. I myself use Linux, and i have windows as a second operating system. I only use it for games. Big plus for Linux and Mac....very little Viruses and spyware. BUT less games and other programs.

 

[Padma]

Just FYI: Civ4 Mac is scheduled for release tis spring.

 

[CoolioVonHoolio]

i would be using this PC for mostly video editing, internet and word documents. (id be playing civ on my home comp) sooo based on what you said about multimedia in apple, im gonna get the apple. thanks.

 

[cidknee]

well ya see Padma. Thats how much i pay attention to Mac krap

 

[vyapti]

Whatever you do, touch it. Every laptop has a different feel. I've especially found this out about the keyboards. Keys respond differenly, spacing differs between brands, as does key response.

Personally, I would go for a Windows OS over Apple. And I've purchased several Fujitsu laptops and love them. Toshiba also has some nice products. If you've got the $$, check out a tablet PC. It would be awesome for school.

P.S. Don't tell my kids. They don't get a laptop for high school.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I am very happy with my microsoft laptop.

Id get a microsoft, because i dont like apple. (bad experiences at primary school)

Apple laptops ---> setting peoples croaches on fire

 

[vyapti]

Apple laptops ---> setting peoples croaches on fire

So don't blow your wad on an apple.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

PCs are better because the hardware is better. Apple has been putting midrange parts in its high end sytems for years. The fact that it just switched to Intel doesn't speak highly of the systems they have been selling and goes contrary to most of Apple's incorrect claims that its G5s were faster then its high end PC competitors. Even its own chipmaker IBM is providing better cpu's for the video game consoles of Apple's main competitors; Sony and Microsoft. So even an XBox360, PS3 and a Nintendo revolution has more processing power then a G5. Too bad they didn't hook up with AMD. If you really want something besides a Windows PC go with Linux not Mac otherwise just stick to Windows as it will be more convinient and you will have more toys to play with.

And as for laptops, get a Fujitsu.

 

[MarineCorps]

I hate macs. The UI is just piss poor and they are slow as hell. And yes I have used a mac. My high school uses them. Both iMacs and eMacs.