Truth in advertising: the Mac guy vs. PC guy

[gtech]

I started having problems when I switched from XP rev1 to XP rev2, but the friends I have who use Vista find it the worst Windows ever.

That convinced me to stay with Linux for my experiences with another system.

Oh, I tried switching to Mac, but it's not for me...

I have to stay with Windows because of the many programs I bought. But Linux is what I use for these other times...

[Cheesehead]

From the PC Magazine article I mentioned above: "If 'buyer's remorse' describes regret and self-doubt after a costly purchase, then 'upgrader's remorse' seems to sum up the way some people have after switching to Window's Vista. And why shouldn't they feel that way? Windows XP is noticeably faster than Vista on the same hardware, and it gets by with much less RAM and hard drive space..."

I didn't mean to be an early adapter - got my system about a year ago when my old computer went down in flames. Got enough power so it runs reasonably well. I resent though that I had to upgrade QuickBooks, Office, Dreamweaver, and every other piece of software because Vista does not support the older versions.

I admit that it has been pretty reliable and stable. It's just sluggish and doesn't do anything that XP couldn't do faster. And this was supposed to be an upgrade. Screw Microsoft. It's just another piece of bloatware excuse to make money. And I think the ad captures that really well.

[Boubou]

All right, again.
Funny second page of the thread and we are still civilized, i just dont understand. Anyways, since people go into details. I started with a mac performa 6200 (75 MHz) I had problems with it but then after a while i knew its guts in and out, gave it to my sister, she would phone me ask questions i would say click here, there you see this window, click there change that. All this without looking at it. Then a pentium 2, 233MHz win 98 it too had a bit of problems, than 2 PC's with Win 2000 and XP no problems. My girlfriend had an iMac and now a mac desktop about 3 years old, no problems there. Personally i dont like the new mac interface, always looking around for the little program with the tiny minuscule triangle to figure out what programs are opened, and than when you want to find a program thats not opened, well good luck, but then its her machine not mine so its set up her way.
Either Machine would be fine,, but since i play games, mac sux, unless you are a big fan of tetris

P.S.: oh yeah i forgot, i dread having to use vista, my OS (XP) works just fine I dont need anything else, why get a bloatware

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by StuH

Me again. A supplement to my original post that sums up my concerns and fears very accurately. Quote form a topic on Sonar forums posted today.

" Hello all.
I am very sad today. I bought a new PC with Windows Vista 64 and Sonar 6 Producer 64 Bit installed with absolutely no issues @ all. However, my Tascam Control Surface did not go as good. I ended up selling it on Craig's list because I could find nothing on-line concerning how to fix the Vista 64bit issue and Tascam doesn't have any plans to add a 64bit driver.
So, I go to Guitar Center and the trusty Salesperson did some research for me and tried to sell me the Digidesign Control Surface for $2K, that only works with Pro Tools. I am happy with Sonar so I said no. I told him I need a Control Surface/Audio Interface that works with Vista 64bit. So he went on-line and showed me that the Projectmix I/O has a 64bit BETA driver. I got all excited forked over $1,200 and went home (15 months no interest). When I tried to download the driver on M-Audio's website, I had to fill out this application about why I would like to participate in BETA testing and they would get back to me in 30 days . I was obviously dismayed @ this.
I have not recorded or mixed in seven days and I am going through withdrawals. So I want to keep my Vista 64 bit machine because it has 4GB RAM and I do a lot of video and still photography (not porno). But I also want to record using my very expensive piece of hardware.
So finally, my question: Has anyone been successful at using the Projectmix I/O in the Vista 64bit environment? If so, what's the trick?
Thanks."

If there is stuff that doesnt work in Vista why not just make a dual boot system and at bootup you get to choose from XP or VIsta?

[Rizo]

I went Mac two years ago with a MacBook that replaced my ancient PC. I've never looked back, love it!

To be fair though, the MacBook is not without it's quirks. There's always an upgrade coming that'll fix whatever is acting up it seems like, but I had my AC adapter fry itself. Pretty scary really, but Apple replaced it for free even though the warranty had expired. Can't complain about that...

[Wardpike]

Windows 95 convinced me. I saw the light. Instead of a Mac-knock-off, I went with the real thing and haven't had a problem ever since.

Not for you however, if you like crashes, lost and deleted files, viruses, trojan horses, worms.

And if you like security violations and your computer and all your private information exposed to the world, I would recommend sticking with Windows.

I haven't had either one of 5 macs to date crash in 13 years.

[kp8]

Originally Posted by Rizo

I had my AC adapter fry itself. Pretty scary really, but Apple replaced it for free even though the warranty had expired. Can't complain about that...

Mine caught fire too. Unfortunately the day before i was leaving for a trip so i didn't have the customary 800 hours to wait on hold only to get a power supply that would arrive after i left, so i went out and bought one. I still would like to get the burnt one replaced, so i can leave one at work. I doubt Apple would replace it now. Did yours flame up right where the cable meets the power blob (that is a technical term)? Mine made sparks and burnt a hole through the cable that was pretty big and smelt up my room something awful. I am just lucky it didn't set my carpet on fire. My mac book is getting really beat up looking and now it vibrates like crazy when i first open it from sleep and the coating on the Aluminim has all worn off the area below the keyboard. It looks nasty, but I really love Mac OS X and the UNIX under the hood. I enjoy working on this machine, i just wish they were as sturdy as they used to be. My 1400 and my Pismo were tanks. This one was so pretty when it was new, but it got funky looking and noisy really fast.

[Rizo]

Did yours flame up right where the cable meets the power blob (that is a technical term)?

Mine didn't completely catch fire, but did melt right where yours did ("brick" is the technical term for that blob, BTW). I wouldn't have even noticed it, but I was watching videos on YouTube and the light on my adapter plug went out. When I checked the cord it was red hot and flemsy, smelled like burnt hair, and then I noticed the plastic was melting and I unplugged it in a hurry.

Call Apple and see if they'll send you one (neglect to mention you already bought one), talk about how your house could have burned down, maybe mention something about your lawyer ) and see if they'll send you a replacement. They were really good to me, but be prepared to answer a thousand questions.

[kp8]

Originally Posted by Rizo

Mine didn't completely catch fire, but did melt right where yours did ("brick" is the technical term for that blob, BTW). I wouldn't have even noticed it, but I was watching videos on YouTube and the light on my adapter plug went out. When I checked the cord it was red hot and flemsy, smelled like burnt hair, and then I noticed the plastic was melting and I unplugged it in a hurry.

Mine didn't really blaze up, but it did spark and did more than melt the housing. Mine was burnt up pretty good and was really smelly.

Originally Posted by Rizo

Call Apple and see if they'll send you one (neglect to mention you already bought one), talk about how your house could have burned down, maybe mention something about your lawyer ) and see if they'll send you a replacement. They were really good to me, but be prepared to answer a thousand questions.

Yeah. I been down that road. I had 4 MacBooks before i finally switched to the MacBook Pro and spent a crazy amount of time working stuff out with them, at least a dozen case numbers and even pursued some of the strategies you outlined. It got silly frankly (if i told you the story you would find it hard to believe), but it was the first time that happened to me with Apple and i have used Apples since System 6 and worked for half a dozen universities and Apple always did us right. In the end Apple made this one right too, but there is a long backstory to it. I'm not anxious to relive it. But suffice to say, i have now grown adverse to dialing Apple's number. It can leave you feeling powerless and downtrodden. But i should summon the fortitude and make the call.

I just made the leap to 10.5. ... That is where Apple really impresses. I "beta tested" their crappy 10.0 and 10.1 for them (unpaid of course)... but since 10.2 each subsequent release has been outstanding. Whenever i wonder what all else they can do... bam... the new OS comes out and it is great. The Dev Kit is awesome (i love hacking code on this thing!) and so is iLife and everything that comes with it. 10.5 is sweet.

[garytelecastor]

I hated Vista when I first got it, now I have no problems whatsoever with it.

[scooteraz]

I have now bought 3 Mac laptops in the last 2 years. 2 MacBooks for my kids, and my MacBook Pro (for ME) is about a month old. I have used (and continue to use) a bunch of different and arcane systems over time. These really do just seem to work with the minimum of hassle. Not completely immune to hassle, but really good. Heck, in VM, my windows seem to work with less hassle (go figure) for the online things for my work that just demand Internet Explorer.

Love the ads.

[fattybrisket]

Worked in Windows IT and was always a PC fan. I switched over mainly for Final Cut Studio (a truly amazing video editing program) and was pleased that Mac had gone Intel. I installed XP on the Mac (using Parallels) assuming there would be a bunch of Windows programs I would run.

Honestly, I almost never boot into XP. There was one program I needed for work that required XP but even that has changed recently. Mac is my top choice now but I never understand the flame threads (which thankfully this hasn't become).

[David Barnett]

Originally Posted by petebradt

I'd never use windows voluntarily. I have a T43 Stinkpad from work. I use it for e-mail. The actual work gets done on my MBP. One app takes 10 minutes to launch on my T43. it takes about 15 sec on the MBP.

Just curious, what app is that?

I don't have anything that doesn't work well on my T42 Thinkpad.

[Geoff738]

I gotta say - bought a Mac a year or two ago after being hectored by a friend.

And we've disowned him ( or should've).

Some things are easier than on a PC, but a lot of things that were effortless on a PC are a gigantic pain in the arse on the Mac. For us, I think the next machine will probably be a PC. We just didn't find the Mac to be an improvement. Just different. And with a learning curve we just didn't have time for.

Which is not to say that Vista don't suck. It may well.

Just that they both have their strengths and weaknesses, but also familiarity with one system is important for those with little time and/or inclination to learn new computer tricks. For those with small children (ie no time) this is really important.

Cheers,
Geoff

[tuuur]

Originally Posted by Boubou

Really, started with a Mac, then had 3 PC's, my girlfriend 2 Macs.
Personally i dont want to go back to Mac, but then again I am not looking forward to Vista, XP works for me, I dont feel the need to change OS! damn it

Changing OS is the thing indeed. On a PC with Windows, they pretty much force you to use an entirely different OS every few years. Mac feels more the same, Apple doesn't change the interface as dramatically as Microsoft does with windows.

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Just curious, what app is that?

I don't have anything that doesn't work well on my T42 Thinkpad.

Dreamweaver 8. It's a huge site and the site cache has to load, but on the MPB it takes seconds. On the T43 it takes forever. But everything is slow on that POS.

I'd rather stop using computers than be forced to use Windoz all the time.

[RumorsofsurF]

At the risk of starting an argument I'm going to state my opinion....


I don't like the all too often pretentious "my Mac is sooo much better than your PC" attitude that's so prevalent among Apple folks. If you like the product, by all means, use it. Don't try to talk down to me because I like PCs. `(Obviously this doesn't apply to all Mac users. It's just something I've witnessed.)

The commercials just confirm my views. They are annoying and smug.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but that's how I feel. If you like Macs, that's cool. Use them, that's your choice. Just don't try to sell me on them.




I honestly don't have anything against Macs, either. I just don't like to be looked down upon because of my preference in computers.


[/end rant]

[Bswailes]

I finally bit the bullet. Yesterday I bought a Mac Mini. I'm just tired of all the Microsoft market machinations re its bloated Vista. I quail at the Win XP downgrade from Vista. The prospect of yet one more of the same ilk, Windows 7, just makes me ill.

I'll do music on the Mac. I have owned Apple prods in the past, and it's just that time again. My daughter, at college is making the switch, as well.

[Bswailes]

Duplicate, sorry.

[Big John]

Originally Posted by RumorsofsurF

...I don't like the all too often pretentious "my Mac is sooo much better than your PC" attitude that's so prevalent among Apple folks.

I know what you mean !, and as a Mac user that makes my blood boil too, but the fact that i am constantly portrayed as smug, elitist and pretentious because of my choice of computer is kind of annoying too !

[StuH]

Originally Posted by Big John

but the fact that i am constantly portrayed as smug, elitist and pretentious because of my choice of computer is kind of annoying too !

John I always thought you were an elitist because of your mink g strings and Goochie shoes. LOL

[Big John]

Originally Posted by StuH

John I always thought you were an elitist because of your mink g strings and Goochie shoes. LOL

Well yeah, there is THAT i suppose ........ and my far superior computer platform !!! (thats the thing it stands on !) :-)

[CrazyManAndy]

I'm using XP and have never had any OS related issues that I can think of. ME was a *****, but we didn't have that for long. I've tried a Mac, it didn't seem too bad. I wish I understood how it's file system works. I mean, where are all the files, and what happens to them when you delete something? Kinda weird. But I haven't really had the time to fully familiarize myself with Mac.

CMA