Apple Macs! anyone got one???

[Moonraker]

I agree with moduser. The issue regarding Mac/ Windows is now pretty redundant in that I choose (have done for 13 years) to use a Mac I can, and if I need some capability in Windows (not often) I simply open up Windows natively and use it. I don't even have to reboot to do that with apps like Parallels which run the Windows partition natively from my desktop.

The economies of scale dictate what goes into an office and since the vast majority of people use a web browser, check email and write a letter, price will determine most buying choices. Also whichever way you look at it Windows became the defacto software and is a huge monopoly, which does not make it the best, simply it cut out the market share.

Now the insides of the machine are the same (Intel), with Vista (cleverly borrowing all the good features of other OS) looking very much like Mac OS X.

The big reasons to buy a Mac are more intuitive user interface and generally more elegantly designed applications; the ability now with a UNIX kernel in the heart to play 'under the bonnet' if you so desire (why not have another LINUX partition at the same time, no problem); certainly a lack of trojans, viruses makes a lot of difference; great product design; good looks (yes they do matter to some and now the capacity to boot into either OS as required.

You will always be able to buy cheaper but it's much the same argument for buying a bog standard car or something a bit more upmarket. The bog standard car will get you from A-B just as well but it is always nice to have a choice.

So, I am very happy with my MacBook Pro 17" 2.33Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo thank you very much

ps

There is a lovely parody of the 'I'm a Mac and I'm a PC" ads on youtube which puts it all much more in perspective link;

Gates vs. Jobs

 

[Mikey P]

No No No, You've got it wrong.


Solaris Solaris Solaris Soalris Solaris Solaris

Yeah but LINUX is free! See, low-cost bushcrafting for all!!! Hurrah!

 

[nigelp]

I think there are some things like religion, politics, sports teams and Apple/Microsoft that friends shouldn't discuss.

Quite true, I think that the original question has been answered and there are fans of both platforms who will defend there prospective operating systems to the death.

Now on a more friendly level.... .....which web browser?

Safari for quick use and Firefox at work on a windoze machine, why tabbed browsing.

Nigel

 

[davef]

I've used Macs regularly for about 18yrs (feel old now), I owned at least one as soon as I could afford one.

Off topic, I know, but is that a Welsh Springer in your avatar? Or a Cocker?

Ohmygodohmygod, I'm a dog-spotter!

21/2 year old english springer called Pebbles, she pretends to be cute but its all an act. I reality she's a satanic hell hound

 

[swyn]

We started with an SE which was superceeded by an i Mac which has been replaced with a Mac mini and another Mac mini in my office. Can't fault any of these at all after 15 years use. They are now well integrated with Word.
Apart from a mapping pc in the office I have very little experience with them so can't offer any comment.
Do not forget that there are very few viruses that affect Macs so Norton etc is not needed. This is a big saving.
I would highly recommend the Mac mini bolted to a Samsung screen as the Mac screen is v expensive.
Swyn.

 

[weaver]

My boss, who is a very MS/PC oriented person and has always chided me for using Mac, brought into my office yesterday a brand new MacBook Pro 17" 2.33Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo. He wants to learn a new language and found after much research this is the best machine to learn from.

OMG!!! I am in love again! This new machine is SOOOOOOOOO fantastic!!!!!

He wanted me to check it out, install the language software and test the headphones. Wonderful. I took it back to him in about 10 minutes and said don't tempt me!

"So, when will you load the software?"

I'm done, it works, have fun!

 

[dommyracer]

I'm always astounded that the misconception about macs being 'more secure' is still peddled by Apple Inc.

There is nothing about the OS that is inherently secure, the simple fact is that Virus writers can't be bothered to use the bugs to make virii that will have such a small impact.

If you don't believe it, check out the "Month of Apple Bugs" site, a security specialist posted a different OS X bug every day for a month, all bugs that had the potential to present serious security risks.

http://projects.info-pull.com/moab/

Personally I find Apple computers to be overpriced lifestyle items, and these days there is nothing a Mac can do that a similar specified PC can't.

As for those "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads featuring Mitchell and Webb, don't get me started....

Norton etc is not needed. This is a big saving.

Norton isn't needed on my PC either, I use AVG for free.

 

[swyn]

I will have to disagree with you there dommyracer on the overpriced part also the bug part. This is NOT peddled by Mac sellers just fact experienced! Most problems seem to be an attack aimed at Mr Gates' operating wares and as a percentage there are very few aimed at Mac. (to my knowledge and limited at that!)
Not sure on your comment re mitchell/webb??? over my head there.

As a last piece of advice.This comes from a successfull friend who runs a website company with more than ten Mac systems; Go for a wireless system as is the new Mac mini, fine, but avoid wireless keyboards and mice as these need constant attention along with batteries. Also avoid the new super mouse and instead get the older version as it has less irritations. Boring wires everywhere but at least your keyboard will talk to your screen and you won't be forever forgetting batteries.
Swyn.

 

[dave k]

There is nothing about the OS that is inherently secure, the simple fact is that Virus writers can't be bothered to use the bugs to make virii that will have such a small impact.

Sorry - I have to pull you up on this. Unix (macosx essentially) is more secure by default. You have to inherit permission's in order to perform something that can compromise security. With windows you're the `admin` by default. Windows application's often break the system. Since unix doesn't use shared libraries it is not affected. The kernel in unix also runs in a protected space, unlike windows where it can be overwritten by any application. the list is good, but most of the vunlerability's cannot be effectively exploited for technical reasons. Please show me the list of Windows bugs and security updates.....


As for viruses, it is far harder for people to write them for Unix as it's more secure by default. I believe there are over 60,000 known windows viruses, and about 50 for unix (commercial + mac). On outlook, you are able to compromise a computer by just opening a mail attachment. This does not happen in Unix!
Outlook uses a buggy web-browser to compose and display HTML content. If there is a bug in your web software it will affect your mail software.

you look at the government and armed forces sector. When they want to lock something up, they don't use windows.

 

[Levi]

I'm always astounded that the misconception about macs being 'more secure' is still peddled by Apple Inc.

There is nothing about the OS that is inherently secure, the simple fact is that Virus writers can't be bothered to use the bugs to make virii that will have such a small impact.

I agree that with a higher market share we would see more OS X exploits doing the rounds, however I disagree that OS X isn't any more secure than Windows. People have made viruses for OS X in the past, and you just don't see them in the wild because the machines are much harder to infect.

If you don't believe it, check out the "Month of Apple Bugs" site, a security specialist posted a different OS X bug every day for a month, all bugs that had the potential to present serious security risks.

http://projects.info-pull.com/moab/

Except not all of the bugs where in the OS, but third party software, and not all of them could be triggered remotely, but only by a local user. The few that could actually have been a problem have now been fixed, and non of them where ever exploited anyway.

Personally I find Apple computers to be overpriced lifestyle items, and these days there is nothing a Mac can do that a similar specified PC can't.

Out of the box I would say you can do much more with a Mac than with a Windows PC, but you're right: with the right software, they will both do the same things.

As for price... well, I believe there are benefits to both platforms, and in the end you just pay what you have to, to get what you want.

As for those "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads featuring Mitchell and Webb, don't get me started....

I agree completely. As a user of Apple products, I'm ashamed that they're promoting themselves with those adverts. Absolutely shocking to say they've had some of the best ad campaigns of any industry in the past (IMHO).

 

[CLEM]

I will have to disagree with you there dommyracer on the overpriced part also the bug part. This is NOT peddled by Mac sellers just fact experienced! Most problems seem to be an attack aimed at Mr Gates' operating wares and as a percentage there are very few aimed at Mac. (to my knowledge and limited at that!)
Not sure on your comment re mitchell/webb??? over my head there.

As a last piece of advice.This comes from a successfull friend who runs a website company with more than ten Mac systems; Go for a wireless system as is the new Mac mini, fine, but avoid wireless keyboards and mice as these need constant attention along with batteries. Also avoid the new super mouse and instead get the older version as it has less irritations. Boring wires everywhere but at least your keyboard will talk to your screen and you won't be forever forgetting batteries.
Swyn.

Why the Mac Mini???

 

[Levi]

Why the Mac Mini???

Sorry, all that debate got in the way of your question.

As for which Mac to buy, it's the same as anything; the most expensive that you can afford.

The Mac Pro will last a long time without needing any upgrading, but when the time comes that will be easy to do so.

The iMac comes with everything you need to get going (monitor, mouse, keyboard, webcam, speakers), and should easily last the 5 year life-cycle common to most computers. After that, upgrading is trickier, and will most likely have to be carried out by someone in-the-know.

The Mac Mini is cheap, and fairly limited in terms of expandability. Fine entry level Mac, or dedicated media server, but if you're planning on getting some serious work done (web/graphics, or moving image) then it's not really the one to go for. Also, you'll need to supply a keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor separately.

 

[swyn]

Hi CLEM.
Why the Mac mini......Small only 6 1/2' 'X 6 1/2'' X 2'', does what I, my wife and the children need it to do, home work, accounts,internet shopping, letters, i tunes,watching films, etc. £ 300.00 so not horribly expensive. (Samsung screen)

It is a well known fact that most people are seroiusly over computered. Much as I would like a G5, in reality what is the point? So Mac mini does all that we want as a family and the other does all I want in my office ie letters, BCUK, e mail etc.
When all the children were here it was seriously busy and we were still on dial-up, but with hind sight there were no problems and if there were we caused them! Also that was the iMac so by todays standards...OLD!!
Swyn.

PS, I see Levi is mentioning bells and whistles such as web cam, speakers etc.
Mine is a system that serves us well as a family and I simply would have no use for other bits and bobs like that. Also like the original iMac, five years down the road you are out of date, simply get another.
Our original is next to me now and gives the children endless pleasure in their attempts reprogramming the system so they do NOT do it to the working one!!!!!!
S.

 

[Levi]

Hi CLEM.
I see Levi is mentioning bells and whistles such as web cam, speakers etc.
Mine is a system that serves us well as a family and I simply would have no use for other bits and bobs like that.

Was just making a point that the iMac is ready to go out-of-the-box; whereas the others are just the computer.

And I wouldn't call speakers, keyboard, mouse and monitor "bells and whistles" (Webcam, maybe).

 

[swyn]

I agree Levi, iMac is 'out of the box' ready, just making a point with 'webcam' and 'speakers' which are 'extras'.

I did mention in an earlier post about keyboard and mouse as the 'latest' are pushed as 'better' and this is not the case. The wireless items still have issues.

The Mac mini is sold as an 'out of the box' item too, at Mac Warehouse, complete with wireless, battery powered, keyboard and mouse. It is also availsble as a stand alone unit to which you connect your £19.00 wired Mac keyboard and £40.00 ish wired Mac mouse (available at Mac Warehouse) to your less than £100 Samsung screen from our office stationary supplier (there is a built-in speaker inside the computer) Hey presto! You have a working system.
Swyn.

 

[sandbender]

But are PC's bulletproof?

http://blog.wired.com/cultofmac/2007/02/bullet_doesnt_s.html

 

[gunnix]

I use linux on normal cheap pc hardware. Either I'd use an old computer or buy new parts which I select carefully by looking at all the hardware reviews on the net (there's crappy hw and good ones), which I then put together (as easy as playing lego). I'd never had a problem with crashing under debian, arch linux or freebsd. It just doesn't happen. It's definately as reliable as apple osx, just cheaper and there's more free software available for it. I can run windows apps on linux trough wine if I really need to. I put linux on old pentium 1 or 2's and still use them reliably to do a lot of stuff (programming, mail, browsing, videos, music, chatting, graphics, writing...) quite fast with up to date software.

my desktop on the 12 year old pentium1:
http://users.skynet.be/six/gpure/tech/icewm.png
http://users.skynet.be/six/gpure/tech/icewmopera.png

http://users.skynet.be/six/gpure/tech/lightdesktop.html

lol I'm getting really off topic , whatever, I think collecting old dumped hardware and reusing it by putting linux on it is quite DIY and for that it fits a bit in the bushcraft way of things

 

[Risclean]

Linux for me, been using it for a fw years now. It's stable, modular and open. I've always used SUSE but I'm thinking about Kubuntu. Running on x86 hardware since I built it myself.

I prefer Opera for browsing, mouse gestures are really cool.