Mac or PC? BF wants a PC.

[frostedflakes]

I'd say Mac. If the BF wants to run Windows, you can install it alongside OS X with Boot Camp, this way everyone is happy.

 

[KeypoX]

Get a PC that can run a mac? Thats what i do Pay pc price for mac. See here http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45

By run a mac, i mean run max osx, snow leopard.

 

[MrPickins]

Cost of Windows PC is normally less than Mac, but more than Linux PC (Linux software & OS generally are free). The high cost of a Mac doesn't necessarily mean that user experience is that much better than a PC be it Windows or Linux.

Majority of Windows users don't have the patience at learning another OS, while majority of the Linux user are more adaptable that willing to learn another OS. Mac user is somewhat in between of Windows & Linux user in learning new OSes mentality.

I have had experience with Apple OSes since the early 80s, Amiga OS in the 90s, Unixes since the early 90s, MS OSes since the late 80s, and Linuxes since the Late 80s. And, IMHO the learning curve are relatively similare to each others.

None of that explains how using one OS makes it more or less easy to learn another. The closest you got was in the second paragraph, but you're talking about user bases, not OS's.

IMO, just having experience with any modern OS makes learning another much easier.

 

[sourceninja]

I never understand why people get MACs

Limited software available.

Myth, the only place where mac is lacking in software is gaming. In fact, I can find mostly free or open source software to do any task. On other fronts, there is paid software and in many cases cheaper then windows software (iwork vs office for example). In some cases osx shines (keynote, garageband, terminal, etc).

Ridiculously expensive.

Myth again, there are no low end options, but the price of a 27 inch imac is a pretty good deal.

Myths that get peopel to buy Macs:
-Mac's don't get viruses but PCs do. WRONG. PCs don't get viruses, idiot users do. I have Firefox, go to all kinds of websites that are probably loaded with viruses. I use Avast. I've never gotten a virus.

True, but your risk of exposure is minimized by using an operating system that is not as targeted as windows. If you have to be an idiot to get a virus in windows, then you have to be a complete and utter moron to get one on a mac. I don't run antivirus. I've never gotten a virus. In fact I don't know of any antivirus software for osx that checks for anything but windows viruses.

-Windows crashes all the time. WRONG. Windows 7 is very stable. Have never had it crash and I've had it since a couple weeks before it was released. So is VIsta but it's a memory hog so you need a more powerful PC to use it.

True, windows and mac are both very stable. I've see shitty windows computers, I've seen shitty macs. However, if you buy a cheap low end PC, it will probably end up slow, crappy, and crashing. You can't buy a slow low end mac. This makes apple computers seem faster with better stability.

-Macs are just cool. WRONG. The only people who think macs are cool are other people with macs. So amongst your little club, sure, go ahead and think you're cool for getting a mac while the rest of the world laughs at your ignorance.

Everyone who walks into my office at work and see's my mac wants to know what it is. They say it looks beautiful. The fact is they are a very attractive piece of tech. I'd buy one to run windows on they are that nice ascetically (plus an awesome trackpad and nice display). I hated apple computers until I actually had to use one for a day. I replaced my linux computer the next capital cycle.

As for the kids, don't force the to learn on something that they'll never use once they get into the real world. Buy a PC.

Myth. You know what my computer was as a kid? Apple in elementary school and middle school, DOS and windows 3.1 in high school. Do you know how much I use dos in my job? I don't. I learned wordperfect in high school and QBasic. Do you know how often I use these things in my job? I don't. My job consists of linux servers and mac desktops. You have no idea what current technology will look like in 20 years (when her kids enter the job market). Microsoft could be gone and everyone could be using web OS in the cloud via google. Linux could take over, apple could merge with microsoft to compete against google, Google could go belly up and sell it's assets to AOL who takes over the world. You can't use that argument. The whole world could go voice activated with universal UI. Or 3d glasses that track your eye movement. Teaching basic fundamental computer skills is what kids need. If you have those skills it doesn't matter what kind of computer you sit down at.

The skills I learned as a kid have translated to every operating I've used. People who learn how to use a OS, or how to use a single application (I'm looking at you mr certification) have a much harder time. I've seen people completely lost because I switched the XP theme from classic to luna. These people did not learn how to use a computer, they learned how to use the computer put in front of them. This means teaching your kids how to use windows will be of no benefit. Because in 20 years windows will be nothing like it is today.

Get the computer you are most comfortable with. That is the right choice. Windows, mac, linux, beOS, it doesn't matter. If you can get your job done quickly, efficiently, and happily, then you made the right choice. I use OSX because I work with linux all day long and windows just doesn't have as easy of a time integrating into that environment. I'd use linux on my notebook, but buying a notebook with commercial support for linux is a headache, and OSX can do everything I need, plus it looks great and I like the UI. By contrast, if my job was dealing with windows servers all day long I wouldn't be using a mac.

I switched my wife to mac and she loves it. My mother on the other hand I would never recommend a mac to. I know her workflows, I know there are things that would be too annoying for her to switch. I switched my grandma to linux for years (until her computer finally gave and she bought a new one with vista on it). It was a simple matter of just showing her how to get the same tasks done (web, email, camera, cd burning, scanning, printing).

So look at your budget, look at what software you each want to run, then see what makes the most sense to meet those goals. If all you plan to do is surf the web all day, buy a cheap netbook. If you plan to record your own music and do a lot of presentations, I'd say buy a mac because garageband and keynote are just freaking awesome. If your a gamer, buy a windows computer. If you have a piece of software that requires windows, buy a windows computer. If you like windows, buy a windows computer.

I still have a windows virtual machine. There are two pieces of software I need windows for (virtual center and IE for testing). If I needed more then that, I'd probably have a windows computer. Otherwise I love my mac. In fact I'm looking at replacing my notebook at home with a 27 inch imac (My work just bought 2 and they are the nicest most awesome computers I've ever seen).

Mind you before I switched to apple I had been building my own computers yearly. Overclocking, tweaking, etc. I've never not been happy with my apple computers. I've also not felt the need to replace them or upgrade them as I did with my other computers. This actually made my computers cheaper over the life cycle.

I paid a little under 2000.00 for my last apple computer. I'll keep it for 5 years. By contrast I paid 1400 for my last windows computer I built, I kept it 3 years, but put 2 300+ video cards in it and upgraded the ram to 4 gigs. Putting the total cost around 2100. If you take depreciation into account, when I sell my notebook I'll get a 7-800 bucks for it. I had a hard time selling my windows computer, it was 3 years old and you could build or buy a new computer for around 500 bucks that was on par if not better then mine. I finally sold it for 250.00 with the monitor.

By no means am I saying buy apple. I'm saying buy what makes sense for you.

 

[lxskllr]

I paid a little under 2000.00 for my last apple computer. I'll keep it for 5 years. By contrast I paid 1400 for my last windows computer I built, I kept it 3 years, but put 2 300+ video cards in it and upgraded the ram to 4 gigs. Putting the total cost around 2100. If you take depreciation into account, when I sell my notebook I'll get a 7-800 bucks for it. I had a hard time selling my windows computer, it was 3 years old and you could build or buy a new computer for around 500 bucks that was on par if not better then mine. I finally sold it for 250.00 with the monitor.

This is a little disingenuous. You don't upgrade your Apple because it's expensive to do so, and there isn't much point in it. You're comparing a gaming machine to an office machine. If you want to stay on the cutting edge, you upgrade components on a gaming rig. I don't game so much anymore, so I'm running the same basic machine I built in 06. I also get to overclock it for free performance. I may be wrong, but I don't think you can do tha with Apple.

 

[fatpat268]

For a desktop computer, I'd go PC all day every day.

As for a notebook, definitely a mac. Why? I've owned several laptops in the past few years of all shapes, sizes, and prices. And what I've learned, is that nearly every laptop in the $400-$700 range feels like it wants to fall apart after a few months.

I bought a 13 in MBP for several reasons.
1. Portability. 13 inches, is the perfect size for me in a notebook. It has a comfortable keyboard, is light, fast processor (none of that Core ULV or Atom stuff), semi decent integrated graphics. All that stuff in a 13 inch package.

2. Price. As weird as it sounds, but $1100 is a pretty good price. At the time I bought it, I configured a 13inch dell XPS to have similar specs as the 13 MBP, and in the end, the MBP wasn't that much more expensive (maybe by a whole $50 at the time).

3. Operating System. OS X is the perfect mobile operating system. I never cared for OS X in the past because I had tried it as a desktop operating system, and frankly it never felt that flexible. But on a laptop, it just feels right. I know it sounds cliche, but I wouldn't have anything else for a laptop right now. If I had another laptop, I'd hackintosh it.

4. Durabilty. Probably one of my most important points. As I alluded to earlier, most laptop's build quality is rubbish (with some exceptions of course). With the MBP, you never get that feeling. It feels very solid for its size and the hinges are still as strong as they are day one.


All that said, a mac isn't for everyone.There is a steeper initial price, and I'm fine with that. For a lot of people they need the cheapest computer they can get, and there's a lot of options out there.

 

[lxskllr]

As for a notebook, definitely a mac. Why? I've owned several laptops in the past few years of all shapes, sizes, and prices. And what I've learned, is that nearly every laptop in the $400-$700 range feels like it wants to fall apart after a few months.

I'm the other way. If I were to buy an expensive computer, it would definitely be a desktop. Laptops are disposable AFAIC. Every single bottom end laptop I've bought has lasted a minimum of 2 years, and I'm extremely hard on laptops. If it breaks or gets stolen your out a few hundred dollars, and you go buy another one. That's less than the repair bill on a Mac.

 

[fatpat268]

I'm the other way. If I were to buy an expensive computer, it would definitely be a desktop. Laptops are disposable AFAIC. Every single bottom end laptop I've bought has lasted a minimum of 2 years, and I'm extremely hard on laptops. If it breaks or gets stolen your out a few hundred dollars, and you go buy another one. That's less than the repair bill on a Mac.

I agree with you actually. A lot of the cheaper laptops are complete junk. The plastic flexes, the paint chips, the hinges get loose, etc. I went through a laptop about once a year. I didn't particularly abuse my laptop, but I did take it everywhere. I finally decided that I wanted to get something that would last me longer. I could've went with a Thinkpad or something and had a real sturdy notebook, but I wanted to try something new, and I'm hooked.

Expensive desktops are a waste to me. Components drop in price way too fast for an expensive desktop to ever feel like it was worth the price.

I never had a laptop stolen, but I was ever worried about it or had the experience of having one stolen, I'd probably just use a netbook (ugh).

 

[sourceninja]

This is a little disingenuous. You don't upgrade your Apple because it's expensive to do so, and there isn't much point in it. You're comparing a gaming machine to an office machine. If you want to stay on the cutting edge, you upgrade components on a gaming rig. I don't game so much anymore, so I'm running the same basic machine I built in 06. I also get to overclock it for free performance. I may be wrong, but I don't think you can do tha with Apple.

The point was really that my 3 year old pc was worth significantly less then my 5 year old mac. Even with upgraded ram and video ( it is possible to upgrade ram in all macs and video in some). As for overclocking, I'm not 100%, but I'm fairly sure it is possible.

 

[speg]

Get a Mac. If your BF wants Windows so bad, he can install it on the Mac and everyone wins.

 

[Raduque]

Hmmmmm, her name is cutenfit and shes talking about her boyfriend. We will seriously need proof this is not some joke.

pics please

What kind of woman do you know that refers to her boyfriend as "my partner"? Bet you it's a gay/bi guy.

Anyway, to answer the question: Get a Mac and install Windows on it using Bootcamp. Macs are generally more foolproof and therefore better for children. With a Mac using Bootcamp, both you and your partner will have an OS that you're comfortable with to use.

I'd go with Pliablemoose's suggestion of a refurbed Mac.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

What kind of woman do you know that refers to her boyfriend as "my partner"? Bet you it's a gay/bi guy.

Anyway, to answer the question: Get a Mac and install Windows on it using Bootcamp. Macs are generally more foolproof and therefore better for children. With a Mac using Bootcamp, both you and your partner will have an OS that you're comfortable with to use.

I'd go with Pliablemoose's suggestion of a refurbed Mac.

No.

 

[ViviTheMage]

PC

 

[Pliablemoose]

LOL, all the refurb Macbooks are gone now, fess up, who bought them???

 

[drnickriviera]

Did we just get trolled? 'Cute' girl asking pc vs mac on a computer forum. I'll bet her next question will be AMD vs Intel

 

[lyssword]

woman on anandtech? it must be a prank.

 

[Sumguy]

Did we just get trolled? 'Cute' girl asking pc vs mac on a computer forum. I'll bet her next question will be AMD vs Intel

I'm pretty sure OP is not a chick.

 

[KeypoX]

like i said tottaly avoid this problem. Build a Core i7 machine, do all this for less than $1000. Add $30 for snow leopard. Just make sure you buy a compatible motherboard and video card with mac.

Both OS's are great, but if mac had games i would never dual boot...
Task Mac Windows Winner
Internet FF FF Equal
Email FF/Mail FF/Outlook Equal, up to preference
Office Office 2008 Office 2007 Windows
IM Audium/growl Digsby/etc Mac

The list goes on and on, each winner really up to preference. Some programs are better with windows options. Some with mac.

 

[Anubis]

With the significant # of Apple products used in primary education, I think the opposite argument could be made...

this really depends on where you live, there isnt a mac anywhere in my entire school district

 

[caspur]

Yeah, looks like a troll thread with the girl.

But to the PC supporters...Macs are PCs. Just different OS. As a PC builder, Macs have a level of innovation not seen in most consumer level computers.

How many PC manufacturers other than Apple have the ability to create the iMac all in one form factor with an IPS display? Look at all-in-ones from HP, Gateway, etc. None are anywhere near as good as the iMac.

As mentioned in some previous posts, how many consumer level laptops have anywhere near the battery life of a macbook pro? Or the build quality? Look at the high end windows equivalents, ie the HP Envy, it's nearly the same price as a Mac.

I sold Macs for awhile and it still amazes me how passionate people are about their Macs. You never hear people talk this way about Dell or HP.

And for the record, I have a Hannah Montana Hackintosh. Its the best of both worlds.

 

[JEDIYoda]

You misunderstood. He didn't say PC, he said BJ.

BJ??? BeeJeebus,,,,,,,

 

[Omegachi]

PC.

 

[zinfamous]

pics needed to verify accuracy of user name.

 

[zinfamous]

...

security through obscurity!

excellent policy.

 

[0roo0roo]

you learn by fixing things that break
pc's break a lot....