Discussion Forums > Technology
Apple releases new... everything
mgz:
--- Quote from: geoffreak on March 06, 2009, 03:27:00 AM ---Mac has a ton more potential that everyone is giving it credit for. I'm a computer engineer and have dealt with all three operating systems, and I prefer Mac OSX because it just works. No having to fight configurations, viruses, or missing dll files. I was a hardcore Windows fan up until I used my first Mac in middle school for a film making class. I didn't end up buying one until the beginning of last year after doing a ton of research on why I should get a Mac. I'm a hardcore computer user and a casual gamer and Mac OSX is exactly what I needed. I bought Windows XP so I could dual boot and play my Windows games, but I removed XP off my hard drive after it rotted because Mac OSX is too awesome to boot out of. Now, I'm not saying it couldn't be better, but it is a HUGE step up from Windows.
I've found that around 50% of the people who outright don't like Macs have never used or seen one in their life. 20% can't get over their Windows bias to give Mac a valid chance when they do see it. 20% look at the upfront price and turn away, despite the fact that you are saving yourself a ton of money down the road (more on this below). 5% have been around rabid Mac addicts and have become sick of Macs (we Mac users hate these kind of people just like everybody else, but everyone groups us with them). 5% just want something that can check their email and won't upgrade anyways.
WINDOWS ADDICTS AND LINUX ADDICTS ARE JUST AS BIG OF SHITBAGS AS MAC ADDICTS
Anyways, here is a basic layout of what OS is used in what (computer using) industry. The more dominate OS is listed first, with the least listed last. Only major OSes are listed for each.
Engineering: Linux, Windows XP
Graphics/Web Design: Mac OSX, Windows XP
Finance: Windows XP
Game Programming: Windows XP, Mac OSX
Film: Avid OS, Mac OSX
Information Processing: Linux, Mac OSX
Small businesses: Mac OSX, Windows Vista, Windows XP
(Online) Freelance work: Mac OSX, Windows XP
Now here is why you cannot compare specs on Macs and PCs. Windows ≠ Mac OSX. Mac OSX is SIGNIFICANTLY more efficient in everything it does than Windows. The same specs will offer at least a 30-50% improvement over Windows. If you want to upgrade a PC to offer that much of a performance improvement, you will be paying much more than a Mac costs. Don't forget, when you boot into Windows, you will have an equivalent performance to a similar specced PC as you are using the same hardware. You don't have to run Windows to play your games, because OpenGL (Mac, some Windows) games don't need anywhere near as crazy powered graphics cards to run at full quality as DirectX (Windows) games.
I could talk all day about why Microsoft's model is setup for them to only produce the bare minimum and screw over the users so long as there isn't competition (see the Netscape vs IE wars, and why IE used to be the most awesome browser while it was fighting Netscape), but I won't get into that now.
Anyways, Mac OSX is all about the easy to use UI. There really isn't a good way to describe it that would sound appealing to a Windows user, but I recommend that you stop by an Apple store and try one of the many computers they have on display for you to try. Make sure you go with an open mind as a bias will not allow you to record accurate data. Also, the Apple store employees DON'T work on commission so they won't try to sell you anything you don't want, but they will be able to answer any basic questions you have.
Appwise, Mac OSX is by far the best media OS in existence. There really isn't anything (besides Blu-ray, but that will be fixed soon) that can't be done media-wise on a Mac. Also, because of all the included GUI libraries Mac OSX offers programmers, all your apps will have consistency in interface that is very intuitive. A few applications of note are GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto, Plex, and much more. Adobe has all their creative suites for Mac OSX, and Microsoft Office is surprisingly much more stable on a Mac than on Windows (Also of note: the latest version for Macs is 2008, whereas Windows is 2007). iTunes is also really awesome in Mac OSX (the Windows version is fairly pathetic).
Using Mac OSX for the first time can be a slightly scary experience, but this can also be said about upgrading to a new version of Windows. You will have to get used to a few Mac OSX quirks that are different from Windows, but nearly everyone is capable of figuring anything out in the OS and it takes the most technologically declined less than a month to get used to it (I figured just about everything out in a day or two). I can post some links to some great guides about differences between Mac OSX and Windows and how easy it is to start using a Mac and doing everything you did before and more.
--- End quote ---
um windows addicts like myself enjoy playing video games on our significantly cheaper better performing computers and since its like 1/15 games that supports a mac well you can figure it out
zherok:
Thanks iindigo. Your list does have some nice points. I'm not sure it's several hundred dollars worth, but they're concrete differences at least.
Honestly looking at PC prices, I think my next computer is still gonna be Windows, but it's something to consider when I've got more discretionary income at least.
--- Quote ---The same specs will offer at least a 30-50% improvement over Windows.
--- End quote ---
30-50% improvement over what, specifically?
--- Quote ---Microsoft Office is surprisingly much more stable on a Mac than on Windows (Also of note: the latest version for Macs is 2008, whereas Windows is 2007). iTunes is also really awesome in Mac OSX (the Windows version is fairly pathetic).
--- End quote ---
I don't think the year difference means what you're implying, it probably means that they simply took long enough on the Mac version that it'd have been silly to label it 2007. So far as I'm aware, there's some things missing in the Mac version, but they'd probably be unimportant to me, I use Open Office, and almost exclusively as a simple word processor anyway.
There was one thing I did like in iTunes (the windows version), and that was it's really simple search box, but yeah, other than that it's clunky and not very good. The Windows standard is pretty shitty too, but given the alternatives I'm not really seeing much reason to use either, at least for Windows.
PowerMac:
I don't think I can add much (iindigo and geoffreak covered almost everything), but there are some small things that I value just as much.
I don't have a entire room just for my Computers, so I want them to make as little noise as possible. Apple's machines are nearly silent unless under a heavy load. My iMac G4 was practically silent. My Mac mini is also extremely quiet. There are some great PCs that make very little noise but the majority of them have loud fans that would keep me up all night.
As iindigo said, nearly every app takes advantage of built in spelling and grammar checking. This sounds like a small thing but its very important to me and my terrible spelling.
Also most programs support the built-in dictionary. Highlight and right click on any unknown word and choose "Look up in dictionary". Extremely useful and also links to the Wikipedia article if it has one.
I don't know if OS X gives a 30-50% performance improvement as geoffreak says, but even my now 4 year old iBook G4 seems just as fast as my brothers Core 2 based HP in basic everyday tasks. It will not play 1080p video like his will but for 95% of the things I do its still just as fast as his.
furuoshiki:
In the end all of this sounds fantastic, but Zherok's point is unfortunately the sticking one.
The Price tag.
I have dealt with Sony all my life and that's who I feel comfortable with. I have experimented with other brands and they have failed me every time. These brief stints with competitors have strengthened the "bond" that I and Sony share. This is the reason I bought my VAIO. I don't have money to waste on laptops that will make me look cool or unique yet break within the first year that I get it.
Basically my standards for electronics are ....if the device is being used in the business capacity, it is good enough for me. Unfortunately I don't see many Mac Advertisements targeting the small business man.
I will be honest and say Sony VAIO is similar to Apple in it's price premium and fancy smarmy act. However, Sony is about 2/3 the price and is known for it's superior tech in many other fields aside from laptop technology. So not only do they have brand awareness, but brand loyalty because of the integrity of their other electronic products. Sony can charge a premium price because their name is synonymous with electronics.
Aside from the iPhone, iPod and other minor iGay apps/devices, what has Apple done??? I need some reliability here and some history. Sony was founded in 1946, Apple was founded in 1976. That's a 30-year difference, and it shows...a lot.
So I suppose it'll be another 30 years before I can put my trust in Apple I guess. :(
bloody000:
WOW That's some powerful PR material, I'm completely sold!
*YES I'M GONNA BUY A MAC NEXT TIME I NEED A PERSONAL COMPUTER! ::)
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