Losing my Faith

[TennisandMusic]

Maybe Apple doesn't need "superior hardware" for a "superior product"?

Just a thought...

Ever try building a PC and having it "just work" - I used to all the time, never again (I just buy HP all built/configured and be done with it).

Most consumers just give Dell a call (or run to the local Wal-Mart).

Yup, for ten years. I've built tons of machines. Only one that had a problem was a dual processor AMD server board from Tyan. All the intel based stuff has worked until it was just behind the times.

All of my personally built stuff has "just worked" and has been way more rock solid than any Apple machine I've ever had. I'm at about a 75% repair rate for the Mac's I've owned. Every laptop has had problems, iMac's were broken, had a problem with my first Mac mini etc. In fact the ONLY machine that hasn't had a problem is my current mac mini, and it's relatively new so we will see.

All of my friends who have macs have had problems, I have one photog. friend who is getting rid of his macbook pro because the battery has failed three times. Girlfriends mac mini totally died in the past. It goes on.

Honestly the "it just works" stuff has only applied to my personally built Windows machines.

 

[jodelli]

I can't help noticing many of you pointing out "losing faith? It's just a tool, it's just a computer".

Well, I believe that when you decide to take the big leap and switch to Apple, faith plays its role. Like it or not, Apple's higher cost is not only initial (when you decide to switch, and buy a underpowered machine compared to a same price PC), but down the road as well; Apple will cost you more when you purchase the Applecare support, when your machine needs service after the warranty expiration, when you purchase an Apple laptop as well, etc. So, faith is needed when you decide that you will be dependent on Apple from now on, meaning you are the target for all Apple's overpriced line of products.

Why exactly would you be dependent on Apple for now on? And what's the big leap?
Maybe it's a little scary when all you've ever used Windows, which not being the epitome of portable and open code has no real place in the world of ix.

Honestly the "it just works" stuff has only applied to my personally built Windows machines.

And mine also, although personally built machines haven't been limited to just Windows OSs.


JMHO.

 

[gvdv]

This is a very interesting thread with, overall, some very good and balanced, unbiased advice.

One thing that puzzles me though, is the Mac vs. PC tangent that most people here continue to perpetuate.

I think that getting caught up in that 'debate' distracts from the main points that several people here have made, viz., to look at one's needs and choose accordingly. But choice does not necessarily mean plumping for *either* Mac or PC.

Some in this thread have said that they use both; I am one among those number (in my case I bought a Mac for a specialized use - multitracking digital audio - and I use PC's for everything else). I could spend a lot of time describing the reasons I like one platform and some of its programs over the other, but in the end what that means - for me - is that I use the computers to do what I want them to do.

And it doesn't have to be expensive to use both platforms.

 

[panamajack]

Ok the faith comment is a little much. Getting ready to upgrade older MBP and doing a comparison. It has served me well in the 4 years I have had it, I am just saying that using Windows 7 it seems MS has maybe gotten their stuff together and value may be found elsewhere and having a tough time making a decision.

I have a die-hard Window's fanboy friend who swears by his setup of Win 7 running on a 2008 MBP. He laughs at Apple's tower offerings (especially with regards to graphics) but for a mobile device he claims the build quality is best of breed and cost competitive.

 

[bjb.butler]

Maybe its just me but I am starting to lose my faith in the superiority of Apple product.

Maybe just use the device(s) that best suit your needs...

 

[Andy348]

The only thing that keeps me, and probably quite a few others, with Apple is their laptops. They're thin, light and have amazing battery life. They pack decent power without overheating. I'd jump ship if I could find a 15" PC with Windows 7, 5 hr battery life, doesn't overheat and decently thin. Once a PC manufacturer has made this in the $1100 range, I think they're good as gold.

 

[alejandro1938]

The only thing that keeps me, and probably quite a few others, with Apple is their laptops. They're thin, light and have amazing battery life. They pack decent power without overheating. I'd jump ship if I could find a 15" PC with Windows 7, 5 hr battery life, doesn't overheat and decently thin. Once a PC manufacturer has made this in the $1100 range, I think they're good as gold.

Hmm I dont know about macbooks running cool. This has been my personal experience with them.

http://lopezgabe.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/pennyarcade.jpg

But seriously, I love my macbook pro, but the thing is a thermonuclear heater. Running smc fan control at full blast (6000rpm) the thing reaches 70C. Right now all I'm doing is typing this and I have a ms word doc open and at full blast it runs at 47C.

But yeah, thats been my only real problem with my macbook. I bought it 4 years ago and I like it a lot, it everything I need it to do. Would I buy a current macbook pro? Not really, no significant gains for me, would wait for an update or until I get steady work editing video and such.

 

[Andy348]

Hmm I dont know about macbooks running cool. This has been my personal experience with them.

http://lopezgabe.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/pennyarcade.jpg

But seriously, I love my macbook pro, but the thing is a thermonuclear heater. Running smc fan control at full blast (6000rpm) the thing reaches 70C. Right now all I'm doing is typing this and I have a ms word doc open and at full blast it runs at 47C.

But yeah, thats been my only real problem with my macbook. I bought it 4 years ago and I like it a lot, it everything I need it to do. Would I buy a current macbook pro? Not really, no significant gains for me, would wait for an update or until I get steady work editing video and such.

Mine runs decently hot too, but I've got friend with PCs that will hit 80C daily depending on what they're doing (miniclip, for example).

I'm waiting for facial recognition + finger print readers + backlit keyboard + 512MB VRAM for $1300 until I upgrade.

Meanwhile, my MacBook is running like a champ.

 

[alejandro1938]

Yeah, I have a couple of friends who love building their own riggs and overclocking them. Many poor boards have been fried over the years. The highest I've gotten on my mbp was like 85-90 processing video. But, in its defense, it was the hottest day ever and my AC was broken. I think it was like 110 or something. But I did get the job done

As to all the features your waiting for(facial recognition + finger print readers) well, considering apple's track record I'm happy your macbook is a champ. Don't they have backlit keyboards? At least mine does, but its pro. I know the 13 pro does and its around that price.

 

[nigameash]

Oh well they were waiting for Blue-ray to catch up and now that it is catching up, we should see it on the macs sometime soon But again the external BL players for the macs are available at present for fairly cheap If not, oh well I'll still be happy wit the macs I mean there are alot more reasons to love macs than dislike it