Mac vs, PC

[JesseLactin]

I was wondering about all the hype around Apple products. I looked on their website and realized that they were pretty much a slim Intel SB (1155)-based PC. I think this is where some of the myths come from. I think that the Mac vs. PC debate is really an Intel vs. AMD debate. Am I wrong?

 

[hmmblah]

Mac vs PC is about OS and elitism. There's also no arguing that the build quality of Apple's products is top notch. The best thing they do though is advertising.

BTW, rumors have been circulating for awhile now about Apple using AMD in their next round of products.

 

[KaraMurat]

All you are paying for with a mac is the brand, you pay extra-ordinary amounts of money and you don't even get the latest kit of hardware, which is also limited and hardly changeable like a console.

If what you're after is OSX and Apple software then make a Hackintosh (basically a mac running on normal non-apple verified pc parts).

Fun-Fact: I used to go on apple's build a Mac website (or whatever it was called) and spec out the best built I could, I distinctly remember getting up to £16k for a fully-fledged badass mac with all the best hardware selected and the hardware wasn't even the latest out, what a joke.

 

[hmmblah]

You're paying for the build quality and the engineering behind it. I'm not a Mac guy, but I'm continually impressed by their design and lack of plastic. Aluminum body ftw.

 

[dipzy]

I use my imac as a everyday machine and my pc for games and movies

 

[JesseLactin]

I use my imac as a everyday machine and my pc for games and movies

What are your iMac's specs?

This question is more about fanboys, but why do you think people say Macs are better at video editing? (probably poorly worded, not calling you a fanboy)

 

[JesseLactin]

forgot to mention. Apple is 4th on the list for low failure rates. Asus is 1st(lowest). I found an article that said 75% of iMacs (I think) have HDD issues. The article also said that Mac users are still satisfied with their product, even though failure rates are high (expect a inversely related relationship).

Does it really come down to the uninformed "elites"? I'm kinda wondering.

Now that Hackintosh has been mentioned, how do you define a "PC"? Is it a computer that runs some version of Windows? Is it limited to OEM products? Or do our custom builds count too? If they do, LOL at Apple. For the price of a high end Mac, I could do much better.

There is a few things that a PC can do that a Mac can't: SLI/CF and right click (LOL)

dipsy, can you benchmark your iMac? I'm curious as to the results (compared to a Windows-based rig)

I don't doubt that Apple will use AMD in the next gen Macs. They already use AMD graphics cards (mobile versions of the 6950, 6970 and 6990).

 

[hmmblah]

What are your iMac's specs?

This question is more about fanboys, but why do you think people say Macs are better at video editing? (probably poorly worded, not calling you a fanboy)

That was true back in the day when Macs used PowerPC. Popular software for video and image editing was better optimized for that platform. It's not true any longer though.

 

[Lollipop]

PC = Personal Computer? So a mac isn't your personal computer or what?

 

[KaraMurat]

You're paying for the build quality and the engineering behind it. I'm not a Mac guy, but I'm continually impressed by their design and lack of plastic. Aluminum body ftw.

I like the look of their cases but that doesn't justify the costs, it's not like they design hardware from ground up, all they do is 'verify' a component change the drivers and stick a Apple logo on it, you could say they use cherry-picked components but that also doesn't justify the price.

What are your iMac's specs?

This question is more about fanboys, but why do you think people say Macs are better at video editing? (probably poorly worded, not calling you a fanboy)

It's more to do with the software and tools available on Mac's more than the actual hardware, well now anyway. Back in the day Macs used PowerPC IBM cpus which were more arithmetically powerful (not to sure about this though).

forgot to mention. Apple is 4th on the list for low failure rates. Asus is 1st(lowest). I found an article that said 75% of iMacs (I think) have HDD issues. The article also said that Mac users are still satisfied with their product, even though failure rates are high (expect a inversely related relationship).

Does it really come down to the uninformed "elites"? I'm kinda wondering.

Now that Hackintosh has been mentioned, how do you define a "PC"? Is it a computer that runs some version of Windows? Is it limited to OEM products? Or do our custom builds count too? If they do, LOL at Apple. For the price of a high end Mac, I could do much better.

There is a few things that a PC can do that a Mac can't: SLI/CF and right click (LOL)

dipsy, can you benchmark your iMac? I'm curious as to the results (compared to a Windows-based rig)

I don't doubt that Apple will use AMD in the next gen Macs. They already use AMD graphics cards (mobile versions of the 6950, 6970 and 6990).

A Mac is a PC. However instead of calling a Mac what it is - a 'Personal Computer', people call it by its operating system. It would be like calling PCs Windows for running a Windows based OS or Linux if it was running a Linux based OS, I don't know why, it's ridiculous but anyway.

A personal computer is basically a computer owned by someone for personal use (simple right?) The operating system used is a variant of Windows / Mac OS / Unix (Linux). So all a Mac really is, is a PC with Mac OS.

So Apple, build their custom PC put in their verified hardware (which they get from various sources), their own software (which they make) and sell it off for a nice profit.

BTW about the Mac HDD failure rate, I think Macs use Hitachi/Maxtor/Seagate (can't remember) HDDs which are pretty dodgy and sometimes they are positioned vertically which doesn't help the HDD at all.

 

[Youngie1337]

PC = Personal Computer? So a mac isn't your personal computer or what?

No it's called an EC, Expensive Computer.

 

[JesseLactin]

I was thinking in terms of the whole "Mac vs. PC" ads. It seems to be Apple marketing buzz words. (they imply that Macs are better than PCs in all the ads). The whole "it just works" is also BS, considering a 75% HDD failure rate. Macs used to be "better" at video editing because they used PowerPC CPUs, but that is a myth based on outdated information (SW side of things is still good I hear). OK. I get it now.

I always thought that Macs were overpriced crap. Now I have some proof. I still hear the "Macs are good for video editing" myth going around. I was thinking that it may be because the person's computer at home runs an AMD chip, in a generic OEM box (like Dell's Inspiron line up)

 

[Youngie1337]

Had Mac's, had PC's, I'm still with PC's... says it all

.

You pay for the look of a Mac... the hardware inside is impressive, quality stuff, but still overpriced by 50-60%.

 

[ionicle]

i have:

a macbook pro

a imac

a ipad 2

a iphone 4

and an ipod

the only reason i purchased these over the alternatives, ...well ,there's a few

the 'it just works' is very true, its a lot less faffing about than some pc items, no drivers.... no odd software...

unless you want somthing particually rare...

the ipod is a product leading sector of the market...its worth the money, i have the ipod touch ...

the iphone, i got because i like ios from my ipod touch, same for my ipad

i use my ipad as a remote for my imac, and for various apps that simplify my life, such as stocks, calculator, camera, ...saves me having multiple items around for that...

admitadly, i bought that more because i had a spare 400 quid lying around than for needing it, it is just a toy, its a bonus, its not a life-needed product, it has not made itself invaluable in my life, i could sell it on and continue just fine

the same could be said of all my mac products however

my macbook pro on the other hand, never have i owned a sturdier laptop, its well built, its solid, it has a 10 hour battery life, it does everything i need of it, and more...that was worth every penny i paid for it....

the imac, has its uses, it has not replaced my desktop pc, more like it runs along side it...just as my macbook pro has not replaced my dell insprion 1525 ....it runs along side it, yes i am 1 person with 2 laptops, 2 pc's and an ipod, ipad, and iphone 4 ....

im interested in getting a mac mini next for a possible pc replacement...to replace windows computers in my house all together...

vista was the last good version of windows, i never liked 7, never got along with it, and its pushed me over to mac...

i do like linux, but even linux has its flaws

im not for a second sugesting mac doesnt have its flaws, it does....not closing programs down when i click the red button is somthing that bugs me ...

but i can happily live with that, knowing that my wireless printer, all i have to do is search, it knows what it is, where it is, how to send documents, and print, and scan, without me having to install drivers...

also knowing that all i have to do is plug my iphone/ipod/ipad in, and not have to install itunes...its already there, is quite nice...

another flaw with macs is apple's annoying tendency to say that disk drives arnt needed anymore, yes, they are, and they need to be blu-ray at that...

same with usb ports, 4 on an imac is not enough, it needs 6 or 8, and they need to be usb 3 with 2 compatability...

...

so to sum up, i am very much in favor of apple products, i am willing to spend the extra out of hatred of windows 7, and microsofts annoying removal of vista from sale

long post i know, but i am a mac fanboy, however, the difference is, i am willing to admit to the flaws

 

[JesseLactin]

your're not a fanboy then. a fanboy will never admit that their favoured product has flaws, no matter how small. I actually love iPods. The interface is great. heard probs with the touch screen on some of them (iPod touch I think). I like windows 7 and hate Vista. I think my opinion is biased against Vista though. I'm using an HP Pavillion dv9000 right now. From the ground up, this laptop is crap.(bad drivers - installing SP2 causes audio issues, overheating, etc). Setting up things like printers is easy, I don't even think about drivers. My dad got a Toshiba laptop with a AMD 2.4GHz dual core CPU and a 500GB HDD for $400.

I prefer PC because the HW is cheaper. $1249.00 is too much for me for a dual core i5 @ 2.2GHz and a 320GB HDD.

 

[dipzy]

What are your iMac's specs?

This question is more about fanboys, but why do you think people say Macs are better at video editing? (probably poorly worded, not calling you a fanboy)

my imac specs are:

intel core duo 2.0ghz

2gb ram maxed out

250gb hard drive

ati x1600 graphics card

bought it for £170, i woundnt buy a new one, too expensive.

I think it has alot to do with the osx and its interface also. They hardly ever freeze and some say the video editting software is better optimised for mac

 

[ionicle]

i think the software runs a lot smoother on a mac, theres no stuttering, no stalling, no random pauses

installing and uninstalling programs is far easier, you just drag and drop and its done, none of that next next next, little bar that wastes time installing malware, next next, i agree to sign my lifes posessions over, next next, finish, then restart

just drag, drop, installed, works streight away without a restart.

 

[FragTek]

I'm definitely a self proclaimed Apple fanboy, and proud to admit it.

Apple products are top notch. I do agree, they are expensive, too expensive.

But there's nothing like the buttery smoothness and sexiness of a Mac. Not to mention OS X kicks balls compared to anything MS puts out.

Simply put, Apple products just work, and they look darn good while they're doing it too. Might I mention customer service and product support are amazing as well, especially if you have an Apple store nearby.

 

[dipzy]

I'm definitely a self proclaimed Apple fanboy, and proud to admit it.

Apple products are top notch. I do agree, they are expensive, too expensive.

But there's nothing like the buttery smoothness and sexiness of a Mac. Not to mention OS X kicks balls compared to anything MS puts out.

Simply put, Apple products just work, and they look darn good while they're doing it too. Might I mention customer service and product support are amazing as well, especially if you have an Apple store nearby.

yep i completely agree, i live 10mins away from my nearest Apple store and i if want to ask anything i just pop in and they sort everything out for me. In a month or so, im going to buy the iphone 5 and i am going to be spending the £620 (around $968) or what ever it maybe to get one, i will even queue up for one two days before. The quality is the best i have ever seen on a piece of tech.

I will admit, that not too long ago, i didn't know much about apple apart from the fact that they sell expensive tech. But after owning, my first imac a few months and i was blown away it, the looks, performance, it worked out of the box, just plug in mouse n keyboard and your away.

Alot of my friends say why are you paying so much for something that you get cheaper elsewhere and i'll take em to an apple store and they play with the macs, then do they realize what i have been on about and they don't say nothing more

Ever since then i have become a massive fan of apple products and i wouldn't mind paying the price. When the next imac refresh comes out in 2012, i'll be getting my first brand new imac which will cost me £2890 including apple care and other accessories.

 

[JesseLactin]

2890? Wow. That's a lot. I'll spare you the conversion to Canadian dollars. It comes close to $5000 (SR2 anyone). I don't know if it is possible to optimize video editing SW for a Mac. It usu. comes down to the hardware. I wonder if Apple would be crazy enough to write optimizations in Assembly. Without seeing the Mac SDK (for C++), I couldn't tell you much. Maybe the OS is light on resources. I like the interfaces Apple offers, but I'm not will to pay that much for mainstream-level hardware. Enthusiast socket (1366) for sure, but not 1155.

Question I've wanted to ask but forgot about: Do they run hot? SB's TDP is only 95W, but I'm curious.