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Is it true that Macs are not "serious" computers?

No, it's not true, and it's ridiculous.

Both Windows and OS X have certain advantages and disadvantages.

It's true that Windows is generally the preferred install on most business/enterprise boxes. For some reason, this leads people who work in such environments to assume that Windows=serious!work! because it's their work, so clearly Macs are toys.

This blatantly ignores other professions and work conditions under the false presumption that enterprise office work (or other areas where Windows is preferred) is the only kind of "serious" work.

You even mentioned one area, e.g., graphics design, where Macs are big. Does that mean graphics work isn't "serious" work? :confused: Sucks for them, I guess. :rolleyes:

FluJunkie said:
It all depends on your arena I suppose. For a lot of scientific computing tasks, the UNIX backing in Mac OS is starting to make it the preferred platform (generally "Use Linux or a Mac") over Windows.
Click to expand...

This is definitely a big one.

If I want to run serious code on my department's serious Linux servers, I can ssh in from any default OS X or Linux install. Not so much from a default Windows install, and the programs that allow it just aren't as elegant as working in *nix natively.

I'm tempted to find a joker.jpg for this serious post, but I'm too lazy.
 
Apple has a huge share of the professional market, consumer market not so much. Macs are just as serious as anything, just depends on what software you have to use with your hardware. Apple always comes with good hardware
 
They're always good for a laugh, my macs. Hey, hey mister I'm done! Whaddya mean yer done? I'm done rendering your vid! Really? Holy crappola! And no crashes? Are ya pulling a quick one? Never that quick with Windows! Hahahahahah!

Our usual banter ;)
 
I was once told that Macs are toys compared to a Windows based computer. I asked why and the reply was they can't do serious computing stuff. So I asked for an example.
The example? You can't unlock mobile phones using a Mac.
:rolleyes:
 
kuwisdelu said:
No, it's not true, and it's ridiculous.

Both Windows and OS X have certain advantages and disadvantages.

It's true that Windows is generally the preferred install on most business/enterprise boxes. For some reason, this leads people who work in such environments to assume that Windows=serious!work! because it's their work, so clearly Macs are toys.

This blatantly ignores other professions and work conditions under the false presumption that enterprise office work (or other areas where Windows is preferred) is the only kind of "serious" work.

You even mentioned one area, e.g., graphics design, where Macs are big. Does that mean graphics work isn't "serious" work? :confused: Sucks for them, I guess. :rolleyes:



This is definitely a big one.

If I want to run serious code on my department's serious Linux servers, I can ssh in from any default OS X or Linux install. Not so much from a default Windows install, and the programs that allow it just aren't as elegant as working in *nix natively.

I'm tempted to find a joker.jpg for this serious post, but I'm too lazy.
Click to expand...

I honestly believe that when businesses buy their computers, very little thought actually goes into the OS, they just go with what every other business uses for compatibility and "to be on the same page".

Cost is another factor, as well as software compatibility, but I think it's mostly what I said above.

I think very few business owners think outside the box (or have enough money) to fill up their work space with Macs, even if it means a better computing experience for its employees.
 
kuwisdelu said:
No, it's not true, and it's ridiculous.

Both Windows and OS X have certain advantages and disadvantages.

It's true that Windows is generally the preferred install on most business/enterprise boxes. For some reason, this leads people who work in such environments to assume that Windows=serious!work! because it's their work, so clearly Macs are toys.

This blatantly ignores other professions and work conditions under the false presumption that enterprise office work (or other areas where Windows is preferred) is the only kind of "serious" work.

You even mentioned one area, e.g., graphics design, where Macs are big. Does that mean graphics work isn't "serious" work? :confused: Sucks for them, I guess. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Great points.

I used to service the computers for graphics people in different companies. They all used Macs and worked very hard. They hated their work as much as the accountants and sales force upstairs.

I heard so many stories about graphic designers saying how they got into the field to do something remotely related to "art", but then found their work is endless inbox, outbox, and cubicles with micromanagers bugging you every minute as happens in accounting and sales. They were as worn out as any underpaid, under-appreciated, burnt out office worker, and believe me, they worked as hard as anybody else. When the graphic designers came into work, it was nose to the grindstone, and that particular grindstone was a Power Mac G3, G4, or G5 back in the day. And when you made a design, the uglier the better. Corporate hates anything too artistic or pretty.

Heck, if I were those designers, I would come home to a PC or X-box and just play games if I were to engage in any high tech on my free time. Any Mac in my house would give me nightmares of work. I don't keep anything in my house that I can associate with work. I keep diplomas, industry certifications, any techie or programming related work either completely out of sight deep in the closet or out in the garage. It simply does not pollute my living space (or castle).
 
ozred said:
The truth, which seems to be excruciating for Mac lovers to accept, is that Apple Pays Big Bucks for "Product Placement Ads & Exposure"

If you watch very closely. Movies often will show a MBP with the camera carefully aimed to show the Apple logo.

If in that same movie there's another computer that's a PC, the shot will be quick and never show a logo or brand. Ever.

Never underestimate the great lengths that Apple will go to for exposure. They spend an endless amount of money and give away a huge number of computers to be seen everywhere.

Apple is the most clever and creative self promoting, Marketing driven company of all.
Click to expand...

ACTUALLY if you want to know the truth, according to many friends of mine who work in film and TV its because thats what they have laying around set.
 
applefan289 said:
I think very few business owners think outside the box (or have enough money) to fill up their work space with Macs, even if it means a better computing experience for its employees.
Click to expand...
And, honestly, it doesn't matter as a lot of companies are doing everything through a web browser now so the cheapest business grade computer is what they buy (Dell or HP terminal).
 
OS X is pleasant to use but it requires you to overlook the hardware attached to the logicboard much more than I would like.

That being said they are fine if you are willing to accept the limitations, write it off as a business expense, or have grant money paying for a Mac Pro.
 
serious? it depends on what you are looking for. you want to game on a laptop? look elsewhere. apple cripples their gpus in their laptops. they sacrifice performance for battery life. battery life is key for most people but for some its not at all. with a mac, you dont get to make that choice for yourself however.
 
chrono1081 said:
ACTUALLY if you want to know the truth, according to many friends of mine who work in film and TV its because thats what they have laying around set.
Click to expand...

Not to mention that — rather than the camera ever focusing on an Apple logo — 95% of the time I can recognize a MacBook Pro on a TV show, the crew has covered up the logo. Usually with a sticker with the logo of one of the fake in-show companies.
 
kuwisdelu said:
Not to mention that — rather than the camera ever focusing on an Apple logo — 95% of the time I can recognize a MacBook Pro on a TV show, the crew has covered up the logo. Usually with a sticker with the logo of one of the fake in-show companies.
Click to expand...

cough...iCarly....cough
 
applefan289 said:
I honestly believe that when businesses buy their computers, very little thought actually goes into the OS, they just go with what every other business uses for compatibility and "to be on the same page".

Cost is another factor, as well as software compatibility, but I think it's mostly what I said above.
Click to expand...

Yep. I worked at a Papa John's a few years ago and all we used were oldschool DOS greenscreen computers. Didn't bother me at all since the software was decent enough. I actually had a bit of fun with it in seeing how many key commands ahead of the computer I could get while taking orders.

The really interesting part was that if you looked at the legal stuff printed on the back of the greenscreen monitors you could see that they were built around 2004 :eek:!
 
spacecowgoesmoo said:
Yep. I worked at a Papa John's a few years ago and all we used were oldschool DOS greenscreen computers. Didn't bother me at all since the software was decent enough. I actually had a bit of fun with it in seeing how many key commands ahead of the computer I could get while taking orders.

The really interesting part was that if you looked at the legal stuff printed on the back of the greenscreen monitors you could see that they were built around 2004 :eek:!
Click to expand...

Yeah, most businesses just want equipment that "gets the job done". I think it would really be cool though if you walk into a Papa John's and they're using an iMac or a Mac Mini as their register. That would be awesome.
 
63dot said:
Great points.

I used to service the computers for graphics people in different companies. They all used Macs and worked very hard. They hated their work as much as the accountants and sales force upstairs.

I heard so many stories about graphic designers saying how they got into the field to do something remotely related to "art", but then found their work is endless inbox, outbox, and cubicles with micromanagers bugging you every minute as happens in accounting and sales. They were as worn out as any underpaid, under-appreciated, burnt out office worker, and believe me, they worked as hard as anybody else. When the graphic designers came into work, it was nose to the grindstone, and that particular grindstone was a Power Mac G3, G4, or G5 back in the day. And when you made a design, the uglier the better. Corporate hates anything too artistic or pretty.

Heck, if I were those designers, I would come home to a PC or X-box and just play games if I were to engage in any high tech on my free time. Any Mac in my house would give me nightmares of work. I don't keep anything in my house that I can associate with work. I keep diplomas, industry certifications, any techie or programming related work either completely out of sight deep in the closet or out in the garage. It simply does not pollute my living space (or castle).
Click to expand...

Wow. You described my graphics job, 100%. For me, it's PS3 and Red Dead Redemption. :D
 
waynep said:
I got a MBP (my first Mac ever) about 8 weeks ago. I love it. Until then I have been a Windows users and a DOS user before that. I have never looked hard at Macs until recently. Now that I have one, it's every bit as "serious" as a Windows machine.

I am also a Unix guy at work. With OSX's heritage being BSD (a unix flavor) I find myself at home and easily able to do more than a "DOS" prompt on a Win machine. I am learning Objective C and writing program for that on my MBP as do a lot of people. I found GeekTools to customize my desktop. I am finding it's easier to get "geekier" with my Mac than with my Win machines.

I have become a Mac convert. It's simple in ways, but very capable at the same time.

wayne
Click to expand...
true well said
 
Not a "real computer"?

Being a little older I equate computer power with the level of control you have and that means a command shell. The CMD command shell in Windows is a joke. The Mac's terminal is a really shell.
 
To the OP, I think it all depends on what your needs are. To me the gap between OSX and the current version of Windows has gotten much smaller both are very good to work with, IMHO they're equally as reliable and both have their share of headaches to deal with.

On the consumer side it's always a toss up, you wear Nike, I wear Adidas, you like cake, I like pie. I'll never say what's best for a home machine other than what you feel you can afford and enjoy using the most. Windows 7, OSX... they're both very good systems to work with and work on.

However for gaming, Mac's are never "serious". Macs suck due to lack of or infrequent support for games, this is at the game level and/or driver support. I've done several Mac vs PC shootouts where they used nearly identical hardware on games coded for both platforms and PC's always play better, produce better frame rates, have much less bugs to deal with. I don't see why any diehard gamer would ever want to play serious games on a Mac unless they have to.

For graphics, I'm kind of at a fork in the road. While there's good interoperability with Mac software, PC's have more options with software choices. I've had no issue using either platform, I don't see any clear winner in this area despite what's normally said about Macs. Macs in my experience is no faster/better than PC's unless we're talking about software titles specific to the Mac platform and not offered for Windows.

Business... Windows hands down. A lot of people think Microsoft is just a company that produces only Windows and keyboards/mice. They have a stockpile of very useful tools available to help business manage their systems very effectively at nearly every tier from the SOHO to the large scale Enterprise level. There's no Apple equivalent to Microsoft Intune for example, nothing even remotely close to allowing admins to manage small, medium to very large networks using a very easy to use and readily accessible interface.

As an IT professional, there's a lot more tools and resources for me to anticipate any demand to manage computers on a network using Windows, Apple has nothing on par with Microsoft's offerings, the issues with getting Macs to work on some network configurations were pretty bad back in the day when only Apple cared about Appletalk, however since they got with the program it's gotten systematically easier to integrate them into the network.
 
Depends on the operator.

Its the craftsman that wields the tool.
Not the canvas but the artist.

Pick your preference and create.
 
We run our office on Macs, OSX, and OSX server. People have Mac Pros and iMacs, and Airs for travel.

In our view Macs are superior to Windows and PCs in many respects. Much less downtime (read: almost none), easy to use, no problems. And we save a lot of money on administrators and service calls, because we have none. We can run the network ourselves, haven't had any major problems in years.

Finally, don't believe the old saw that businesses "can't afford" Mac workstations for their employees. Of course they can. Tech is one of the cheapest parts of running any business

Want to know what costs real money? Employees. When you factor in salary, benefits, insurance, and all the rest, each employee is a lot of money per year. A Mac Pro or iMac is absolutely nothing compared to the price of employees. Indeed, for the price of one annual salary for an employee, you could outfit an entire office suite with top-of-the-line machines, and those machines will work for many years (whereas the employee draws a salary year after year).

Anway, Macs are great for business.
 
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