[Frog]

I've always been curious about this one. I never knew that this debate was even a thing. It all started when my sister purchased a Mac, and I asked about it and started a conversation with a friend of mine on Battlefield. He snickered at it and I was confused. Skip later, I asked my Dad about it. He scoffed and said " Mac's are better. ". Now I know he's not saying that out of bias because our family simply has owned WAYYY more PC's then a Mac. But my Dad said that they just perform better and are better designed, if I remember right. So if that's true then that means that all Mac haters just like PC out of.. Nostalgia? I don't get it. Can someone please tell me both sides of the argument?

[John]

It depends on what you are using it for. Generally macs tend to cost more for some reason. The operating system on macs has way more security and no fun for independent application developers, also contributes to macs being less susceptible to viruses. I hear macs are better for editing videos and photos, but I don't know if that's relevant anymore. If you are a one of those 4k graphics-high performance gamers, then I doubt you will get a mac. PC's(desktops, not most laptops mind you) can be upgraded with new graphics cards, RAM, processors, motherboards, etc. Maybe macs can be upgraded too-I haven't checked, but I bet it cost more. Macs run pretty smooth, given that all the components and hardware were literally made for each other. From experience, I've noticed macs are pretty hard to navigate around in depth, like finding specific files and folder within the hard drive, but I guess I could get used to it within a year of practice. I may be off on some of my points.

I think it depends on what you are looking for in a computer. If you want something that's pretty, expensive, and runs smooth then a mac may work well for you. If you want something that's going to get the same job done for half the price and support individual freedom and rights-oh wait, windows 10 came out, then a PC could be for you.

[Frog]

Ah, I see. I ought to make a whole separate topic for Windows 8 and 10 thanks John though

[Buffy's Shadow]

In my experience, Mac has better video-editing software. Other than that, I prefer Windows for everything else. It helps that Windows is the largest used method when it comes to the majority of businesses and such world-wide.

[Thunderbird]

As I used to be a Windows User for 13 years, turned mac-user for about 5 years. I can definitely repeat what john said. The question is about what you want in a computer. As I am not a huge gamer myself and an amateur musician, the Garageband tool in Macbook Pro helps me a lot to record pieces and songs. Windows is probably more adapted for gaming. I might be wrong.

[Fluffy]

As I used to be a Windows User for 13 years, turned mac-user for about 5 years. I can definitely repeat what john said. The question is about what you want in a computer. As I am not a huge gamer myself and an amateur musician, the Garageband tool in Macbook Pro helps me a lot to record pieces and songs. Windows is probably more adapted for gaming. I might be wrong.

Thirded, but also wanted to add a few things.

1) Mac does not inherently have better security. In fact I'd wager it has worse. From what I understand the install base for osx is smaller, hence it's a less lucrative business for malware. Security through obscurity (ask Jawfin about this).

2) Mac's cost more because Apple has determined that is the price people are willing to pay for it.

3) Mac vs PC is just nerdrage. Just like sports fanrage, nothing more. Different strokes for different folks.

So really Frog, the fact you were unaware of the Mac vs PC debate doesn't make you ignorant, you're actually one step ahead of the pack.

[MasterM]

Yeah like others have said, it all depends on what you want to do with it really. I've had a mac laptop for several years (had a windows one before too), and have been very happy with it. I've generally found that the mac hardware is more durable and it's nice and easy to use. I also use bootcamp though, so I can dual boot into either mac osx or windows. I use windows primarily for gaming and the mac side for work. It's a nice balance and I would definitely recommend it to anyone on the fence. You get the best of both worlds.

[Sam]

you can get a windows plugin for mac although macs are pretty expensive so get a PC but if you have the money to buy a mac buy one or if you do have the money to buy a mac and you buy a PC instead you save lots of money

[Sam]

PCs are also expensive but it doesn't cost lots of money like a mac does

[Raz0r]

1) Mac does not inherently have better security. In fact I'd wager it has worse.

Generally untrue. Mac is built on a BSD kernel with an approach of keeping most things locked down, certainly at-least behind a super-user password.
That certainly doesn't make it unbreakable, and there are many vulnerabilities for Mac.
If someone manages to exploit a program on Mac, it will have the privilege of the user who started that process. This is inherent from the BSD-based kernel.
From there, the exploit could target the Mac kernel and achieve privilege escalation and from there you are as screwed as screwed can get.
Windows on the other hand has historically had more relaxed privileges with less parts of the system locked behind super-user privileges.

For reference, there are multiple known exploits in JA. People already run JA as administrator/super-user without considering the risks

Windows Vista was an attempted step in the right direction, improved upon by 7, 8 and 10.
Everything is vulnerable, and often the lowest hanging fruit is the user. If a program you opened asks to do something, are you likely to click yes or no


Here are some key points people argue about with Mac vs Windows:
1. Mac has better graphics
No. It doesn't. It's not unique for image or video editing by virtue of being a Mac device (of which there are many). It's not "better" for gaming.
Typically what any claims about better graphics should be attributed to are:
a) The physical display devices/monitors when using a Mac.
Compared to typical hardware used with Windows, the displays are much better quality.
Mac typically uses glossy IPS panels (vs cheaper TN panels) with higher pixel density (aka DPI)
b) Font hinting / sub-pixel rendering
Font hinting/sub-pixel rendering is how the text renderer aligns each character on a per-pixel basis.
Mac attempts to match how the text would look if printed out (historically Apple was a strong contender in the typography / printing industries)
Windows attempts to improve readability at the cost of printing reproduction
More information on this here

2. Mac has less viruses / is more secure
See above. Also see this list of top 50 products by number of "distinct" vulnerabilities.
Apple holds the top 2 spots. The first Windows product is IE at 7th, then Windows 8 at 12th

3. Mac is easier to use
Largely opinion. I've used several version of Windows, Mac and Linux over many years.
I would order them: Windows, Linux, Mac.
Recent versions of Windows have moved to a more "mobile" inspired interface. I don't know anyone who genuinely prefers this.



...but I have never used a better laptop than a Macbook Air. Battery life, weight, size, display are great. I just pretend it's running Linux.

[Sam]

vista sucked

[John]

That's what happens when you dump a 64 bit operating system on world that isn't ready.

[Sam]

mac also had garage band imovie etc basically everything that is not featured with a PC

[MasterM]

Mac vs PC is just nerdrage.

Even worse is when you ask someone what their favorite linux text editor is

[jawfin]

Even worse is when you ask someone what their favorite linux text editor is

Vi obviously

[Raz0r]

Even worse is when you ask someone what their favorite linux text editor is

Vi obviously

nano for terminal, geany for gtk, butterflies for everything else.

[MasterM]

Even worse is when you ask someone what their favorite linux text editor is

Vi obviously

Just Vi? Not Vim?

I've always been partial to emacs and gedit >.<

[Fluffy]

MSWord, guys!!

[Clank]

Apple are strict on their software including their iphones, if you want to make an app for applestore, you need to pay $100 and send the app to apple for their programers to review it if its a good written application, if they think its not they deny you. With PC and android you have far more freedom to do what you want with it but that means that there is room to make mistakes there , make your system buggy, slow and so on. Thats why if you download too many apps on your android it will become slow, since most apps on the google play store are poorly written

In short apple is strict with who touches their products since they are good. For example when someone that knows how to cook good, they wont let you touch their meal unless they think you are good enough of a chef, as for PC its whatever...

My boss spent a lot of money for his macbook pro or whatever it was, but he told me his productivity jumped thanks to it, because its fast and made for it and the money that he spent on buying it, he will remake it easy now.

But then again you have far less freedom on what you can do on macs...

[Buffy's Shadow]

MSWord, guys!!

This. I despise the Mac version of this with a passion. Word/Office programs alone win PC over Mac for me.