Computers & Networking

[bm916]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop. I just need to for browsing the internet, music and pictures, and then for work occasionally. I know that Mac's are very popular, but they are so much more expensive. What makes them so much better? Is it worth spending the extra money on?

[Jimmienomam]

They run much more efficient/stable OS wise (although W7 made a decent stride to catch up), OS has less weak points for attacks (virus etc), OS also isn't as widely used meaning less malicious attacks are created for it (targeting a larger audience vs a smaller one).

[xl]

A few thoughts....

• do you use a Mac now?  do your friends use Mac's?  If you go into trouble.... can/will your Mac friend help you?
• what software do you use at Work?  Will it work on a Mac?  Does the Mac software need to import/export formats?  Yuck.
• how many apps are there for the Mac?  how many applications are there for Windows?  Do you need to share the computer with a "gamer" in the house?
• what music software do you plan to use?  what software do you plan to use for pictures?
• what's the cheapest Windows 7 machine?  what's the cheapest Mac?  How much????!!!!!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibhC_3-1New
• while viruses are less on the Mac... there may be no protection on the Mac when you need it.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSiSIzXKMXw

This is a classic when it came out....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvXZVJXIyqM

[JuanGuapo]

Mac.

No bloatware. Support is in North America, Genius Bars are across the world. Warranty is international. Operating System is Unix-based. No antivirus necessary. Quality hardware. etc.etc.

[NoNoBadDog]

Okay, time for a little clarity.  The claim that MACs do not need antivirus or malware protection are completely, totally, 100%, undeniably false. 

Next, the clain that the OS is any better than Windows is also false...one only had to visit the OSX support forums to read the litany of programs that crash, lock the system, etc.

To be honest, each platform (MAC vs. PC) has both strong points and weak points.  I use both, and I can tell you that I hate Apples' walled garden, and having someone else dictate to me what I want and what software I can use on *MY* computer. 

The days when OSX had a lead over windows in functionality and user friendliness are gone.

Basically, it comes dow to asthetics.  Go with what "floats your boat".  Either way, you'll have a computer that will do what you want. 

One last point...claiming that Apple has no bloatware is so funny....iTunes is probably the worst pice of bloatware in wide use, and it has a nightmare interface. So, that poitn is out the window. 

Hardware wise, Macs use the same technology as PCs; Intel chips, the same motherboard manufaturers, etc.

[seekrtz]

It sounds like you're used to using a PC, so I would stick with Windows if you're not very familiar with OS X.  

Mac does excel in the uses you have listed such as web browsing, email, music, and pictures.  And if you do not mind being nickel and dimed for every piece of software/game and like the simplicity of the Mac App Store, then this might suit you well.  Especially, if you have an iTunes account and already use an iPhone or iPod device now. 

The MacBook Air starts at $999 and only has an 11 inch screen and 64GB SSD drive.  Your only real meaningful upgrade choices are a larger hard drive 128GB-256GB or a slightly larger 13 inch screen.  Each one of these choices will cost you at least $200-300+ for a very minimal upgrade IMHO.  I will say that the Mac Book Air a is quite nice looking design and the small size is appealing to me, so I would certainly use one, but I would not spend that kind of money on one when I stop to consider the performance of a PC laptop at those prices.  I could also mention the MacBook Pros, but these systems are so expensive, that you are literally approaching the more rare/high end laptops that every manufacturer sells and most consumers never purchase.

When you buy Apple, you are paying for the design and name.  The OS has a very nice GUI in appearance/functionality, but I still prefer Windows 7's aero peek rollover, pinned applications/websites, and one taskbar/notification area to rule them all over Apple's retro menu bar and dock offerings duality.  IMHO Windows is just much easier when multitasking and navigating the file system, but that is mostly because I have used Windows for so long, perhaps.  OSX does offer compelling arguments when looking at things like expose, stacks, and spaces.  Finder is mostly a wash compared to Windows Explorer since I only use the detailed icons view or the list equivalent in Finder.

Apple is very proprietary in nature and hardware driver performance is somewhat lacking compared to Windows, in nearly all areas.  Windows is everywhere and is a much more powerful/robust system that runs on basically all hardware and has a much higher demand for backwards compatibility.  However, this legacy dependency is also one of Microsoft's biggest hurdles.  Apple just tends to throw compatibility/legacy concerns to the wayside and start over.

Malicious software has never been a real concern for me, but Microsoft Security Essentials has really turned the whole third party antivirus mess on its head, so there is no reason not to use it over other offerings, nuff said.  I do not really agree with the malware argument when comparing Windows to OSX, since technically, Windows is the much more secure operating system overall.  It is actually designed with security in mind because it dominates in the client-server business world architecture and will continue to do so for a very long time.

UltraBooks or MacBook "clones" are starting to appear for slightly better prices right now.  This is a new trend that will continue on throughout the year and into the next as Windows 8 launches later in October of this year.  So, if you like the look/design of the MacBook Air, the lowend PC laptop market will be quickly adopting to this sleeker form factor and the netbook will just die, as it should.

OEM installations of Windows are mostly terrible.  Wiping them and cleanly installing WIndows 7 is always the preferred method.  This can be done for free with a little tech expertise since you will already have a valid Windows license with the purchase of a new Windows laptop.  Of course, doing so involves finding links to download the ISO, burning it to a disc/usb, and having to use the telephone activation over the online one.  You could also re-buy an OEM copy of Windows 7 online for a little over $100; this is well worth it IMHO.  If you need copies of both WIndows and Office, a technet subscription is only $199 and it includes access to Microsoft's entire library of Windows/Office products for an entire year. This means that you can only download and access the technet software for up to a year before having to renew your subscription, but any downloaded software or keys are still valid after it expires, so you basically have a year to get what you need with no obligation to re-subscribe.  Technet gives you 2 keys for each product and up to 10 installations per key and it is technically only for testing environment purposes

[JuanGuapo]

Don't take my word for it: Ask someone who owns a Mac why they own a Mac, and they'll tell you. 

[xl]

Apple is famous for comparing the number of apps on their phone and tablets to the competition.

How many Apps are available for the Mac?  How many Apps are available for Windows?

[NoNoBadDog]

Quote

Don't take my word for it: Ask someone who owns a Mac why they own a Mac, and they'll tell you. 

End Quote

Yeah, but most can't tell you anything about their Mac, or iPhone.  They don't know anything about computers.  Or smartphones.  They'll tell you they own it because it's cool.  Go figure. 

[NoNoBadDog]

I think there are many many more software titles available for PCs.  PCs don't really have "apps". 

Apple's walled garden attitude towards software has contributed to them not overtaking PCs, IMHO.