Mac v PC

fuzzball172

The main factor these days is price and software. Macs now use similar hardware to PCs so this is no longer a factor. I use both and have for a long time. Stability issues - I have not had a blue screen of crash on my xp or windows 7 PCs I also fix PCs and macs without exception satbility issues are caused by the user, most frequently installing too many anti-whatever packages or free registry optimisers from who-knows-where on the net. No stability issues with mac either. Security - Viruses, with a good security suite PCs are fine, It is a myth that macs dont get viruses, it was more the case that viruses were not created for macs. Now macs are more common, the virus writers and cyber criminals are now starting to target macs (OSX/Inqtana.A is an example). Software - wider range with PC, but you can get most software functionality for the mac.
So its down to cost, you pay a premium for the design, if thats important to you then its a viable factor in deciding which to buy.
Personally, right now, I would buy a windows 7 PC with a lot of RAM.

Bowling_4_Gold

If you've got the cash, get a Mac. I think you are decided on what you are gonna get anyway.

Don't let people drone on about how useless Windows is, and how many errors and whatnots it gets; 90% of this is down to user error, so if you are a sensible user, you shouldn't hit any major problems.

There are lots of new PC systems coming out every month, where as Apple only release new computer hardware every 6 moths at best. For example, there are many All-In-One PCs that have come out recently, e.g. the HP Touchsmart with Windows 7 (designed for use with a touch screen) that are good for most consumer's needs, with a considerably cheaper price than a Mac.

People will try and fob you off with the age-old argument that a Mac is beautiful - yes, but so are many other manufacturer's offerings.

BTW, a Mac is a PC, so your title is a bit out...

ckerrd

Bowling_4_Gold wrote: »

If you've got the cash, get a Mac. I think you are decided on what you are gonna get anyway.

Don't let people drone on about how useless Windows is, and how many errors and whatnots it gets; 90% of this is down to user error, so if you are a sensible user, you shouldn't hit any major problems.

There are lots of new PC systems coming out every month, where as Apple only release new computer hardware every 6 moths at best. For example, there are many All-In-One PCs that have come out recently, e.g. the HP Touchsmart with Windows 7 (designed for use with a touch screen) that are good for most consumer's needs, with a considerably cheaper price than a Mac.

People will try and fob you off with the age-old argument that a Mac is beautiful - yes, but so are many other manufacturer's offerings.

BTW, a Mac is a PC, so your title is a bit out...

Nice to see a fellow pedant;)

DatabaseError

Bowling_4_Gold wrote: »

BTW, a Mac is a PC,

shhhhhhh.... That's a secret!

Casperthefriendlyghost

I bought a mac 6 months ago and will never go back again. I love my mac and do not have another pc. I found it easy and very user friendly. "just my pennies worth lol"

Cheers
Casper
x x

i8change

Originally Posted by viktory
I only use my PC for e-mail, surfing, itune, photos etc. I rarely, if ever game on my PC (that's what the PS3 is for!).

Yesterday, my local John Lewis was selling the last of the (presumably old model) 20" iMacs for £800, instead of £949. Free two year guarantee included. It would be fine for the above tasks.

You may as well get one if you have the money or you are always going to wonder if you should have. :rolleyes:

Kadeeae

Am now on my second Mac due to a recent upgrade and I haven't run into anything that a 'PC' (yes, yes I know, lol) does/can do that a Mac doesn't. I personally have just never run into any problems with my Macs - hardware or software wise.

I would highly recommend them to anyone, but they are pricey so I would also recommend that you try one out before deciding.

viktory

Kadeeae wrote: »

Am now on my second Mac due to a recent upgrade and I haven't run into anything that a 'PC' (yes, yes I know, lol) does/can do that a Mac doesn't. I personally have just never run into any problems with my Macs - hardware or software wise.

I would highly recommend them to anyone, but they are pricey so I would also recommend that you try one out before deciding.

Thanks to everyone that posted but particularly this post - this is exactly what I was wondering. I know they are beautiful, more expensive (not an issue at all) but was concerned that I was missing something important.

Decision made

BillScarab

The main thing you can do on a Windows machine that you can't on a Mac is play lots of games. There are some available but nowhere near the sane range. If you don't play games then I can't really think of anything a Mac can't do that a Windows Machine can, certainly not for the average home user.

So if you like Macs get one. Youc ould get a cheaper Windows machine that will do the sam,e job but if you're looking at Sony Vaios then the price wil be comparable anyway.

My only advice would be not get an all in one machine of any sort. But then that's just because I don't like them. I'd always rather have a seperate monitor and base unit.

Marty_J

viktory wrote: »

Morning

I am buying a new computer soon, upgrading from my Toshiba laptop to an all in one unit. Initally I was determined to have a sony Vaio all in one but am now considering a Mac. I have seen one in action and have done loads of research and am very impressed, having found little to worry me so far.

Is there anything that I should wary of? Anything a Mac can't do that a PC can?

I only use my PC for e-mail, surfing, itune, photos etc. I rarely, if ever game on my PC (that's what the PS3 is for!).

Thanks for any advice

It sounds as though a Mac would be ideal for you. It comes with iLife, which is great for editing photos, making movies and music, etc. Apple Mail is a really nice email client (my wife emails from my Mac as she dislikes both Windows Mail and Thunderbird so much). Safari and iTunes behave a lot better on the Mac than they do on the PC, and there are AppleScripts available that add extra functionality to them such as Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes.

bat999 wrote: »

A Mac is overkill for these tasks.

What an odd thing to say.