Macs vs Windows

marleyboy

I'm in a quagmire, I have just over £1100 to buy a computer with. OH wants me to go for a Mac, but I am reluctant. Its not so much the cost, its the costs of repairs that bother me more. I high spec pc is at least easily adaptable and\or upgradable, whereas a mac may be more stable up until it needs a repair.

That I am specifically after a decent graphics computer, the Mac offers me more potential when it comes to MOV files, of which my GoPro creates, a PC will have to convert then re-convert the files, thus losing any quality whereas a Mac is designed for it.

Still if I was able to buy a decent laptop\desktop that can handle these files without loss of quality or conversions, I would happily drop the Mac for the PC on the compatibility of hardware\software costs.

I am not likely to buy either on the grounds of someone merely arguing the Mac v PC debate, only interested in sensible debates as to why and which is the best overall, in both costs and performance.

interstellaflyer

I_have_spoken wrote: »

If that is the main use, I'd say no. Plus if you have any purchased Windows s/w you'll need to buy the Mac version (if available). Then learn OS X.

I accept that a Mac is overkill for the OP's needs, however, as the OP asked about basic internet browsing and enquired about Word and Excel I would think the OP doesn't have need for 'other purchased software' you get Pages, Numbers and keynote which is basically their version of Word, Excel and Power Point pre installed so no need for additional 'office' software, I also believe you can save work in the equivalent MS Office format, though I haven't tried. Besides, if you want to run Windows based software on it you can buy software from PC World that will allow you to do this.

As for learning OS X, Hmmm, the OP has had his last computer a few years, would he/she not have to learn his/her way round Windows 8.1 or Windows 10? Mac has a very simple, what you see is what you get type desktop unlike Windows 8 and 8.1 where you have to navigate your way from the appalling default tile screen to get to the desktop or navigate your way through the equally appalling App screen to find stuff.

Mr_Toad

marleyboy wrote: »

I'm in a quagmire, I have just over £1100 to buy a computer with. OH wants me to go for a Mac, but I am reluctant. Its not so much the cost, its the costs of repairs that bother me more. I high spec pc is at least easily adaptable and\or upgradable, whereas a mac may be more stable up until it needs a repair.

That I am specifically after a decent graphics computer, the Mac offers me more potential when it comes to MOV files, of which my GoPro creates, a PC will have to convert then re-convert the files, thus losing any quality whereas a Mac is designed for it.

Still if I was able to buy a decent laptop\desktop that can handle these files without loss of quality or conversions, I would happily drop the Mac for the PC on the compatibility of hardware\software costs.

I am not likely to buy either on the grounds of someone merely arguing the Mac v PC debate, only interested in sensible debates as to why and which is the best overall, in both costs and performance.

I've had both my MacBook Pro and iMac since 2009 and neither have needed any repairs.

My ex wife has an even older iMac and that too has never needed repair and still performs the same as the day it was first turned on.

To balance that my old PC, home built, and older than the Macs, is still working, running Linux, and has also never needed any repairs.

For me the big advantage of both Linux and OSX over Windows is the lack of intervention required to keep things running OK. I just turn on and use whereas with Windows there's all the stuff people do to keep things running smoothly and quickly, running cc cleaner, malware bytes etc.

I don't miss that side of Windows at all.

Like you I do a fair bit of video work and OSX is excellent, something that was brought home recently on a trip to the Isle of Skye to stay with friends.

I had some photos and video to edit and save to my server and had to borrow my friends Windows PC to do it. His machine is more than capable and I did the job but it's so much harder, labour intensive and slower, time to do it rather than computer power, than on my Mac.

At the end of the day you have to set your requirements and priorities and decide which is best for you. As you say the PC v Mac mine is better than yours arguments are pointless.

Mr_Toad

interstellaflyer wrote: »

I accept that a Mac is overkill for the OP's needs, however, as the OP asked about basic internet browsing and enquired about Word and Excel I would think the OP doesn't have need for 'other purchased software' you get Pages, Numbers and keynote which is basically their version of Word, Excel and Power Point pre installed so no need for additional 'office' software, I also believe you can save work in the equivalent MS Office format, though I haven't tried. Besides, if you want to run Windows based software on it you can buy software from PC World that will allow you to do this.

As for learning OS X, Hmmm, the OP has had his last computer a few years, would he/she not have to learn his/her way round Windows 8.1 or Windows 10? Mac has a very simple, what you see is what you get type desktop unlike Windows 8 and 8.1 where you have to navigate your way from the appalling default tile screen to get to the desktop or navigate your way through the equally appalling App screen to find stuff.

You don't have to buy software, parallels, for that.

You can install the free VirtualBox and run Windows as a virtual machine. Or, if you have Windows, the Mac comes with software, bootcamp, to enable you to install Windows and dual boot into either OS.

Yes, you can save documents and spreadsheets etc. in MS Office format.

And as you point out iWork is free as are the OSX upgrades to new versions.

Of course to balance the above you can also get free office software for the PC along with loads of other stuff too.

interstellaflyer

Mr_Toad wrote: »

You don't have to buy software, parallels, for that.

You can install the free VirtualBox and run Windows as a virtual machine. Or, if you have Windows, the Mac comes with software, bootcamp, to enable you to install Windows and dual boot into either OS.

Exactly.

I was just pointing out that it's not difficult to find a way of running Windows based software on a Mac, I've seen software on the shelf in PC World, I haven't had to do it so wasn't really aware of other ways of doing it.

zagubov

Moneymaker wrote: »

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BTW I have NEVER bought a new Mac. I always buy second-hand. I'm typing this on a 13" early 2011 MacBook Pro with 2.7 GHz i7 CPU, that I bought off eBay. I expect to get several more years out of it but I could sell it right now for about £800. Used Macs hold their prices quite well. Check out eBay prices.

I'm using another old macBook Pro secondhand, nine years old. Does most of what I need. i'm loading virtualbox in case I have to use MS publisher or use activex software.
If there's students in the family, they can buy software cheaper here.
There's links on this site to free software as well.

prowla

marleyboy wrote: »

I'm in a quagmire, I have just over £1100 to buy a computer with. OH wants me to go for a Mac, but I am reluctant. Its not so much the cost, its the costs of repairs that bother me more. I high spec pc is at least easily adaptable and\or upgradable, whereas a mac may be more stable up until it needs a repair.

Why do you think they are more unreliable, and why do you think they're more expensive to repair?

The most likely component to fail will be the hard disk, and that is a standard part, the same as in a Windows PC (of similar spec).

If you buy from John Lewis, you get 2 years warranty, and if you buy from the Apple Store, they do (or did) offer interest-free credit.

interstellaflyer wrote: »

I accept that a Mac is overkill for the OP's needs, ....

I don't - a Mac is perfectly suited to those needs.

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Exactly.

I was just pointing out that it's not difficult to find a way of running Windows based software on a Mac, I've seen software on the shelf in PC World, I haven't had to do it so wasn't really aware of other ways of doing it.

I use VMware Fusion on my Mac; it has the advantage that the VMs can be copied as-is between that and VMware Player or Workstation on Windows and Linux PCs.

[Deleted User]

I have a refurbed Mac mini from the apple store for £330... As good as new and looks really nice coupled with an Apple keyboard and magic mousemouse so total cost was around £400 and is a lot less hassle than windows PCs.

enfield_freddy

"Macs vs Windows" , is "Mac" a new operating system?

esuhl

enfield_freddy wrote: »

"Macs vs Windows" , is "Mac" a new operating system?

No -- the Mac is a brand owned by Apple, just like Windows is a brand owned by Microsoft.

Neither are operating systems. The Windows brand includes OSes like "Windows 8.1", while the Mac brand includes OSes like "OS X v10.8", which is also known as "Mountain Lion".

There's a lot of info on Wikipedia if you want to read more.