Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
is there even a point to this thread?
you can buy a mac if the whim takes you, no one here is going to convince you if you dont want to be convinced are they
QUOTE]
That' one big assumption, the "point" of this thread was to find out if there is some good reasons for paying the extra for a Mac, over a PC. If you read above, there are some good and bad reasons.

Im seriously weighing up the options.. the amount of time i've spent over the last two days on this thread should speak for itself that im not asking this question to waste time.

Thanks
 
Why should i be buying a Mac over a "normal" PC?

What makes these machine better?

Except for the design and some nice details (which are usually just "nice to haves" but not essential) - nothing. And that design thing only works when you share Apple's design taste.

Oh, and, of course, you'll get a machine that supports OS X. If that's important for you. If you don't need OS X, this point is moot.

Buy a PC. Install Linux on it. Be free.
 
ood processor etc for £600.00, and that would run Logic for instance fine. Why would i be better for me to spend £1200(ish) on a Mac Book pro that would do the same thing?

You shouldn't. That is, if OS X isn't a good enough reason.

Apple isn't for everyone.
 
I bought a mac because of stability. I work in IT fixing windows computers and windows servers and everything I thought was "just normal computer problems" I soon found out was "just normal windows problems".

I was sick of computing because things I needed to do couldn't be done on the windows OS with confidence (extremely large data transfers, tons of graphic work, sound composition (I make games in my spare time) etc.

When Vista came out it was the nail in the coffin. When my eeePC could transfer data faster then my new vista machine (3 hours for the eeePC, 28 HOURS for the Vista machine!) I had it. I sold my vista machine and ordered my first mac.

And I have never EVER looked back. I bought my parents a mac, and my sister a mac, and have bought 2 macs for myself. It was the best move I ever made.

Now I just sit and laugh in my office when coworkers get new machines and have this problem or that problem or have to install daemon tools just to mount ISOs and other software to burn etc etc. I look at them, pet my mac and say "We don't have those problems now do we!"

If you want to use your computer to get work done, get a mac.
 
Two examples of frustration avoidance

I find I complete a task in less time on a Mac I do on a Windows computer. Here are two examples that I ran to only last week.

1: "Moving programs"
I needed to use Photoshop, unfortunately the computer on which it was loaded was in use by another user. I found that moving the Photoshop application to my computer over the network (even I was surprised at the 75 MByte(600 MBit) per second transfer speed) was much faster than loading it from CD and then applying updates. Being able to move applications from one system the other without having to reinstall is highly convenient. And yes, I did have to have the user release the license key so that I can activate it on my system. But that only took two minutes.

2:" Booting from external devices"
I find I've become used to being able to duplicate the internal drive to an external drive and then being able to boot that system on any other Mac.
Last week I loaded OSX and a demo program onto a 16 MB USB flash stick. This took under an hour. When I tried to to accomplish the same feat using Windows XP it took me over six hours and I still do not have a high degree of confidence that it will work at the remote site.

While I'll admit these are not normal day-to-day activities, weird things like this do crop up once or twice a week and over the course of a year I find that the Mac saves a lot of time and frustration
 
I find I complete a task in less time on a Mac I do on a Windows computer. Here are two examples that I ran to only last week.

1: "Moving programs"
I needed to use Photoshop, unfortunately the computer on which it was loaded was in use by another user. I found that moving the Photoshop application to my computer over the network (even I was surprised at the 75 MByte(600 MBit) per second transfer speed) was much faster than loading it from CD and then applying updates. Being able to move applications from one system the other without having to reinstall is highly convenient. And yes, I did have to have the user release the license key so that I can activate it on my system. But that only took two minutes.

2:" Booting from external devices"
I find I've become used to being able to duplicate the internal drive to an external drive and then being able to boot that system on any other Mac.
Last week I loaded OSX and a demo program onto a 16 MB USB flash stick. This took under an hour. When I tried to to accomplish the same feat using Windows XP it took me over six hours and I still do not have a high degree of confidence that it will work at the remote site.

While I'll admit these are not normal day-to-day activities, weird things like this do crop up once or twice a week and over the course of a year I find that the Mac saves a lot of time and frustration

i don't really get it, windows can definitely move programs pretty easily. i think you might just be more used to osx so it takes less time
 
Here's why you buy:


My Windows computer tonight was just attacked by a virus. While I can fix it, it is going to take me an untold amount of time to do so. Mind you, I had anti-virus software, via Norton, and it still got through.

I am going to waste HOURS getting my machine right.

Since the virus threat to Macs is so small, I would probably NEVER have to deal with such utter crap if I owned an Apple machine.

and so I shall...

I have been on the fence for about a month, and just purchased my first Mac, having pressed the "submit purchase" button on-line just a few minutes ago...

to hell with Windows...there HAS to be a better way!!
 
Here's why you buy:


My Windows computer tonight was just attacked by a virus. While I can fix it, it is going to take me an untold amount of time to do so. Mind you, I had anti-virus software, via Norton, and it still got through.

I am going to waste HOURS getting my machine right.

Since the virus threat to Macs is so small, I would probably NEVER have to deal with such utter crap if I owned an Apple machine.

and so I shall...

I have been on the fence for about a month, and just purchased my first Mac, having pressed the "submit purchase" button on-line just a few minutes ago...

to hell with Windows...there HAS to be a better way!!


haha sweet :)

What have you gone for?

:apple::apple:
 
The operating system. Duh.
Exactly, OSX is leagues better than Windows. I buy a Mac so I can run OSX.

The only downside is dealing with the smarmy hipster doofuses at the Apple store. I love Mac's. Can't stand "mac people" though.
 
Wow.... lol So much information and helpful.
Im in the same situation. PC guy for a long time and now wanting to buy MBP 13.3''
I say a change never hurts, just the cost do so.
 
I bought a mac because of stability. I work in IT fixing windows computers and windows servers and everything I thought was "just normal computer problems" I soon found out was "just normal windows problems".

Amen. I also work in IT and got tired of fixing PC's all day and then having to come home and fix my windows PC's too. So I got a Mac and it's been great. I can actually spend time being productive instead of figuring out how to keep the OS running smoothly.

Mind you I still have PC's but I love my Mac.
 
haha sweet :)

What have you gone for?

:apple::apple:


I purchased the 21.5" base model iMac.
I've had it for three days now...I'm already a true believer!

why did I wait so long to get a Mac? I could kick myself!! It's fantastic! Very intuitive, everything's ready to go right out of the box, and the graphics and speed on this thing are very nice (and it's just the 9400M integrated GPU). I'm loving Front Row and the easy Time Machine backup.

I knew positive things were about to occur when I was able to hookup my bluetooth wireless headphones in about 30 seconds. Because of drivers, it took me 30 minutes on my old PC!!

The only thing I don't care for is the placement of the USB ports. They need a couple on the side for easy access. The keyboard is a bit small, BUT
I LOVE THE MAGIC MOUSE!

For years I've heard from Mac Lovers about their machines and their dedication to all things Apple. Now I know why.

I'm already planning on buying a Mac Mini for my home theater setup, and want a MacBook for the road....

I regret that I have to use Windows at work already......
 
I choose my words carefully this time,

And i'm not having a pop! Just so we are clear.....:)

Why should i be buying a Mac over a "normal" PC?

What makes these machine better?

For example, i could buy a decent machine with 4GB ram, good processor etc for £600.00, and that would run Logic for instance fine. Why would i be better for me to spend £1200(ish) on a Mac Book pro that would do the same thing?

Thanks

feed Back Welcome :D

As a former Mac fan, now only a "Mac OS" fan, I would say your concerns are valid. Furthermore, Apple charges for an extended warranty fairly standard in the PC industry. Macs are no more than overpriced PCs:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1562733/apple-machines-reliable

It is interesting Mac publications and sites do not report these news. The fanboys are failing to keep Apple honest.

In my opinion, the way to go is to build a Hackintosh.
 
If your looking to go into music. Just look around mate. 95% of the pro music studios are using macs. This is cos they are simple, not intrusive on your work ethic-once your set the os just let's you get on it.

Installing applications n drivers on osx is a dabble. For the most part a drag n drop operation.

The computers themselves are amazingly beautiful! Apple obviously care abot aesthetics n the look of the machine. The ease of use in the hardware/os intergration is brilliant :) that's what is brilliant about macs and osx. And that's a fact!

My opinion is that these features are worth the money.

Really though you should do some research yourself. Go to a store have a fiddle with a machine. See if you can get used to the workflow :D
 
http://apcmag.com/15_reasons_macs_are_still_better_than_windows.htm

That speaks volumes...

I came from Windows - a 20 year veteran. Windows Vista 64-bit ran slower on "superior technology" while OS X runs visibly faster on "inferior technology".

Specs:

iMac:
2.93GHz CPU (2.66MHz bus, dual core)
4GB DRAM
7200RPM HD (640GZB)
nVidia GTX 120

Vista:
Asus P5Q Deluxe mobo
nVidia GTX 260 o/c to match GTX 280
SB Titanium Fatal1ty (PCIe bus)
Intel Q9650 quad core CPU (o/c from 9x333MHz to 9x400MHz = 3.6GHz and that extra MHz bus bandwidth made Vista perform almost at a proper speed)
Western Digital 300GB Velociraptor (10000RPM, near-SSD performance)
Vista 64-bit Ultimate (ripoff) edition


No way should OS X be tangibly faster ON LESSER HARDWARE.

If I were to clinch a book deal, then I'd go into worthy amounts of detail. Time is valuable, too...
 
As a former Mac fan, now only a "Mac OS" fan, I would say your concerns are valid. Furthermore, Apple charges for an extended warranty fairly standard in the PC industry. Macs are no more than overpriced PCs:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1562733/apple-machines-reliable

It is interesting Mac publications and sites do not report these news. The fanboys are failing to keep Apple honest.

In my opinion, the way to go is to build a Hackintosh.

Advocating illegal activities? That's pretty low. (never mind people have had as many troubles piddle-playing with that as those dumb enough to buy Win7 Upgrade edition and attempt to install that...)
 
Here's why you buy:


My Windows computer tonight was just attacked by a virus. While I can fix it, it is going to take me an untold amount of time to do so. Mind you, I had anti-virus software, via Norton, and it still got through.

I am going to waste HOURS getting my machine right.

Since the virus threat to Macs is so small, I would probably NEVER have to deal with such utter crap if I owned an Apple machine.

and so I shall...

I have been on the fence for about a month, and just purchased my first Mac, having pressed the "submit purchase" button on-line just a few minutes ago...

to hell with Windows...there HAS to be a better way!!

No platform is immune, otherwise I wouldn't have purchased Intego's anti-virus and firewall apps... but despite that, Macs are still far more secure. As much inherently as being due to fewer hackers out there, right now.

I suspect more will be going after open source anyway, which includes Hackintosh (those hackers are not doing what they are doing out of the niceties of their hearts. If they can bypass Apple's security mechanisms, they can do all sorts of things. Do they deserve such trust, keeping in mind what they are doing is not legal to begin with?)...
 
That' one big assumption, the "point" of this thread was to find out if there is some good reasons for paying the extra for a Mac, over a PC. If you read above, there are some good and bad reasons.

Im seriously weighing up the options.. the amount of time i've spent over the last two days on this thread should speak for itself that im not asking this question to waste time.

For me the line about 'the "point" of this thread annoys me somewhat. If you used search you'd know the point to this tread has been discussed so many times it's trivial.

Neither system is better than the other, they're just different approaches towards the same goal. Ultimately it's end-user preference.

Me I love Mac's (notice how I didn't use all capitals!) because I'm able to keep myself better organised with Finder. Plus Color is the only 'cheap' grading system around, with the only Windows alternative being Autodesk Lustre.
 
Advocating illegal activities? That's pretty low. (never mind people have had as many troubles piddle-playing with that as those dumb enough to buy Win7 Upgrade edition and attempt to install that...)

Why don't you focus on addressing my points and the linked article?

As I said, I am still a Mac OS fan, not a Mac (hardware) fan. Apple is no better than Microsoft when it comes to ripping off its customers. In fact, as of late it has shown it is worst.

You call it illegal. I question the legality of such a closed system when there are no advantages whatsoever to buying Apple hardware. Long gone are the days when Apple developed and built its own Macs. They are just pretty PCs, no more. However, I would still buy a Mac computer, if only Apple were not so greedy.
 
You call it illegal. I question the legality of such a closed system when there are no advantages whatsoever to buying Apple hardware. Long gone are the days when Apple developed and built its own Macs. They are just pretty PCs, no more. However, I would still buy a Mac computer, if only Apple were not so greedy.

you havent proved it isnt illegal. which it obviously is. but hey! i have no problem with hackintosh's... i have a problem with hackintosh's complaining when apple try and stop them.
 
you havent proved it isnt illegal. which it obviously is. but hey! i have no problem with hackintosh's... i have a problem with hackintosh's complaining when apple try and stop them.

Hum...you also chose to ignore and not respond to my initial comments and linked article.
 
When people who are looking to switch like yourself ask me on why they should, i honestly believe they should already know the answer to that question and maybe do abit of research before they go onto a MacRumors QUOTE]
This is the research, i'm a realist.. the video's on Apples website will tell me how fantastic there MAC's are...Because they are at the end of the day a company wanting to make sales. Im not having a pop, the same style would be used for any company selling there products.

The best way to get an answer is to ask people who have got the products... Maybe slightly biased on here but in general know what's what.

First off, its not MAC! It's Mac. like iMac, not IMAC! 2nd you spelled it wrong. I bolded the text that you spelled wrong. It should be their Macs are.
 
Here are some everyday instances that I use my mac for that a pc could not do:
Dont know what a word means? Hover your mouse over the word and press control-command-d and a definition appears.
Need to remember something? Highlight it and control-command-y will make a note of it for you.
Dont feel like reading? highlight the text right- speech-start speaking and the mac reads it to you.
I don't have to deal with viruses.
When you call Apple they help you with hardware and software. No "You need to speak with your OEM about that"
It looks better. Os and hardware. Superficial but true.
Just the way people envy you.
Its more consistent than windows. Once you learn one app you are better at the others.
Multitouch=heaven.
Hope I helped you with some of the little things that make me love my mac!
 
Here are some everyday instances that I use my mac for that a pc could not do:
Dont know what a word means? Hover your mouse over the word and press control-command-d and a definition appears.
Need to remember something? Highlight it and control-command-y will make a note of it for you.
Dont feel like reading? highlight the text right- speech-start speaking and the mac reads it to you.

I don't have to deal with viruses.
When you call Apple they help you with hardware and software. No "You need to speak with your OEM about that"
It looks better. Os and hardware. Superficial but true.
Just the way people envy you.
Its more consistent than windows. Once you learn one app you are better at the others.
Multitouch=heaven.
Hope I helped you with some of the little things that make me love my mac!

I didnt know those 3 things there! thats awesome cool :D

PTP
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.