Thinking of Going Apple

[Rohirrim]

I've had enough of all the quirks, bugs, crashes, etc. etc. etc. I'm thinking my next computer (this summer) is one of those Apple G5s (or whatever they're called). Of course, I'll have to go out and buy the Apple version of Civ, right? Are there Apple users here? What can you tell me about the gaming experience on Apple (Civ or otherwise). All responses are appreciated.

 

[Axis Kast]

Awful. The lack of expansions precludes playing Civ 3 on my Apple, which is, needless to say, good for work, school, and graphics, but not much else.

 

[Smash]

I am a converted MAC user and all I can say is don't do it.

MAC OS is fantastic.An OS is no good without software.This is still, and always be the biggest drawback of MAC.

Also,more expensive in most cases.Not many MAC techies either.You get a problem,you are on your own.Course with MAC,you don't have problems

Stay in the mainstream.

 

[Mt.Everest]

I am a converted MAC user and all I can say is don't do it.

MAC OS is fantastic.An OS is no good without software.This is still, and always be the biggest drawback of MAC.

Also,more expensive in most cases.Not many MAC techies either.You get a problem,you are on your own.Course with MAC,you don't have problems

Stay in the mainstream.

I agree about the lack of software to match the Windoze OS, but the sheer genius of the MacOS is incredible. Ive been a Mac user since the beginning and looking at/working on a Windoze machine makes me wonder how you guys bare it. If the software options were equaled, would you convert?

Also, there ARE tons of us Mac techies out here. There are plenty of Mac forums out there and help is sooo readily available, especially that Mac users are such nuts about their systems.

But yeah, Civ 3 sux on Mac. If this is a main point for you, Id wait till Civ4 and see if they release a Mac version on par with PC.

MT

 

[Dark Russell]

I agree about the lack of software to match the Windoze OS, but the sheer genius of the MacOS is incredible. Ive been a Mac user since the beginning and looking at/working on a Windoze machine makes me wonder how you guys bare it. If the software options were equaled, would you convert?MT

Uhh, no. I much prefer working on a PC. This is an age old arguement that, for me, can never be resolved. I started on an Amiga, moved to Mac and now am on a PC. I loved my Amiga3000 and still have it. Mac was a great replacement but today I find it is more hype than practical. In my line (video editor and motion graphic artist) of work PC's are faster, cheaper and more versitile than any Mac on the market and just as stable. I am not saying I don't like Mac, they are just not the right tool for me. I think ultimately, the choice of which platform is better should only come after the question "What do I want my computer to do?" Once you figure that out, the choice is simple.

Sorry if I started an arguement here...it's just my opinion.

I do wish the Amiga had survived though...

 

[ac196nataku]

If you're buying just for gaming steer away, the gaming options suck. But for all around practical purposes, its a very nice machine. I've only hadd the system hang once in 3 years. My old Win98 that I had before crashed about once a day. Plus I hate the monopoly that is MicroSoft. With passion.

But yeah, the gaming options suck.

I think MoO3 is available on Mac? I must pick that up. I had the old school MoO back in the day and I was obsessed with it then.

 

[gunkulator]

XP is a far more stable OS than rickety old 98 or worse, 95. I'm no MS fan, but there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to go Mac these days.

 

[TyranusBonehead]

If software were equal, yes I'd go to the Mac in a heartbeat, or Linux for that matter. The only thing I really like about Windows is the software base, that's about it.

I have a Linux box at home and only use it for tinkering with Perl, Kernel drivers, etc. Real shame, because the OS rocks....I used Macs at work and developed on them for 5+ years...loved them, but software base determines what I use regularly.

 

[oldStatesman]

If Mac's are so good...why are they a niche product?

There is a reason PC's are #1 - much more versatile, can run any number of OS's (not just MS - there are others out there - Linux for example) - and on the same box without major hardware changes or software emulators. (Virtual Workstations rock!) - and are non proprietary regarding hardware.

I think the same arguments occured in the early 1900's...over that wonderful steam powered automobile... .

 

[ac196nataku]

This post is not meant to be offensive or flaming, it's just my opinion on the subject.

Other operating systems are mostly void in this discussion. A casual gamer does not care for the *nix systems. Those however, are godsend for my programmers, and I know this since half my family works in computer programming. However, as I said earlier, I assume that the topic creator is buying merely for games and recreation. Thusly, it is MS vs. Mac.

Yes, I suppose "PC"s are more versatile (I use quotes, seeing as a Mac is a "personal computer" as well), but no one really wants to run more than one OS, unless they are programmers which I alreay covered.

In all, Macs are nice all-around packages, but of course you can do better with a specialized machine but towards your needs in a computer. Personally, I love the Mac laptops, and that's why I have one. I would rarely pick a Mac desktop model over a "PC" desktop though. I would miss the hardware flexibility.

Lastly, Macs have gotten a lot better over the last 3-5 years, so a lot of old prejudices are not warranted anymore. BTW, you can now use right-click mouses with them.

So back on-topic: What are you buying a computer for? If just to game, you're better off with a Windows-running desktop model with all those crazy packages they have now with the intense graphics cards and 500GBs or whatever is the rage now. If you don't mind sacrificing some gaming options for some nifty applications (which I admit, there are probably similar applications for Windows...) and all around more compact and clean OS, then give Mac a shot. Too bad computers arent like cars which you can lease if you really can't make up your mind at first...

 

[oldStatesman]

Too bad computers arent like cars which you can lease if you really can't make up your mind at first...

But here in the US you can...most metro areas have "rent to own stores" ... you can lease a pc or mac for a month or two to try it out relatively cheaply ... if you like it return it and buy one from a real merchandiser! There are also leases available from a lot of small mom and pop type computer stores and other places too if that is what your needs are.

BTW, not knocking Mac's technically - they are extremly good machines ... they just seem to be suited best for certain needs ... and price themselves accordingly in most areas. (Did you know that MS owns a large percentage of Apple? BG bailed them out financially in the late 90's but got a big cut of the company in return... that has a lot to do with why Mac's are kept as specialty computers) They are most always more expensive than a PC of similiar power ... I have done consulting all over the US and only in a few locations are Mac's even remotely competitive with PC's for general usage.

Back on topic, If you want a Mac for gaming, better make sure the game you want is designed for a Mac ... those that are work very well ... but some are ported over very crudely as programmers can make much more money spending time writing for PC's and don't spend as much time writing for Mac's as it is not as profitable.

 

[Raijer]

I'm a long time Mac user who just bought a sweet Windows PC for my home. Being a "bi" user, it's easy to contrast and compare between the two. I honestly believe that Macs are wonderful machines, that the OS is more intuitive, and without a doubt, it is visually superior to Windows - Panther is absolutely gorgeous!

That said, let me address Rohirrim's original concerns: 1) Do not think for a second that switching to Macs will save you from "quirks, bugs, or crashes." It will not. You will face these problems on a Mac just as you do Windows, although they'll be of an entirely different nature, and will need to be prevented and/or solved in different ways. On one hand the Mac can indeed be a bit more stable of a platform, on the other hand, in my experience, you really need to know your stuff and become a self annointed Mac Guru in order to acheive this.

I do agree with everyone here who stated that if you use your computer mainly for gaming, that Windows is the way to go - and for all the reasons previously stated. As far as my Civ experience on Mac, I have to say that besides the fact that I never got to play PTW or Conquests (as neither were ported to Mac), it's been great. Vanilla flavored Civ is a fantastic game, and on top of this, the Mac support on this site is outstanding. Here you'll find the Mac Civ community on this board. If you decide to go Mac, and want to play Civ on that platform, I suggest you drop by for a visit. You won't be disappointed.

 

[ac196nataku]

But here in the US you can...most metro areas have "rent to own stores" ... you can lease a pc or mac for a month or two to try it out relatively cheaply ... if you like it return it and buy one from a real merchandiser! There are also leases available from a lot of small mom and pop type computer stores and other places too if that is what your needs are.

Haha, din't know that. Also idn't know BG owns a % of Apple. Bah, I just really hate him andd his company as whole. I don't really know why even. Perhaps my badd experiences with my oldd machine, or perhaps just the moddern monopoly they are. So, yeah my posts are a little anti-MS biased actually. New Winddows MSs are proabbly better than I think, but my last Windows machine was 98 and that will hopefully always be my last. I just prefer Linux or OS X to Windows.

I also wish my d button wouldnt be so faulty.

 

[oldStatesman]

Haha, din't know that. Also idn't know BG owns a % of Apple. Bah, I just really hate him andd his company as whole. I don't really know why even. Perhaps my badd experiences with my oldd machine, or perhaps just the moddern monopoly they are. So, yeah my posts are a little anti-MS biased actually. New Winddows MSs are proabbly better than I think, but my last Windows machine was 98 and that will hopefully always be my last. I just prefer Linux or OS X to Windows.

I also wish my d button wouldnt be so faulty.

Nothing wrong with that...everyone has their own likes and dislikes. But you are right - don't judge the current MS product by W9x - that OS was horrible.

People luv to hate their computer's - as with any new technology (and remember this one is still in it's infancy - it's only been around in mainstream form for a bit over 20 years) - because they don't understand them. I remember my Great Aunt hated Cars ... infernal machines she called them. It's just that in the Information Revolution that we are living in things go so fast...compare it to the Industrial Revolution that lasted over 100 years or the more recent Electronic Revolution that lasted for about 50...

As I said, Apple's are a wonderful quality product...they have their uses ... as do Linux, Unix, and MS. If you don't like any of them wait a few more years... I hear Google may be the next big thing to hit ... rumour has it they are working on/towards a true online OS.

So if you are looking to change to a Mac or Linux or anything else just to avoid problems with MS running games ... beware, there are problems/issues with them all, just different...and be prepared for a possibly steep learning curve with it's inherent frustrations if you try something new.

 

[Rohirrim]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I think I'll stick with the PC. Many good points brought up here. It comes down to gaming and the learning curve. Why bother to fight it. The Borg win! I will be assimilated.

 

[MarineCorps]

I use Macs at school a lot and I hate using them.

 

[shadowdude]

I use Macs at school a lot and I hate using them.

Same here. Strangely enough I have had more bad experiences with macs than with windows.

 

[oldStatesman]

Not meant as a flame to Apple users, just to help disspell a common myth about Macs - they DO have issues ... and inform those users who may not be aware so they can protect themselves: Apple just released a major patch for its OS X that plugs 20 security holes including one that may be used for remote takeover attacks.

It's not just MS that has issues, all software, especially OS's, have flaws. So whatever you use be careful out there - take proper precautions!

Link to eWeek magazine article:
Apple Mega Patch Plugs 20 Mac OS X Holes

 

[MarineCorps]

Same here. Strangely enough I have had more bad experiences with macs than with windows.

Yeah. Plus when I am on the internet it takes for ever for the computer to catch up with me when I reponded to something on this forum.