Am I a Mac or a PC (btw we own several PCs)?

Am I a mac or a pc? (btw we own several PCs!)?





I am debating mac vs pc... would love to hear your thoughts...





Here's my family's history with computers:





we currently own several Windows computers (plus many that have long been deceased):





1. Windows XP - desktop - Compaq





2. Windows XP - desktop - HP (newest of all desktops but crashes and has to be set back to factory status every two months...





3. Windows XP - laptop - Dell - my son's who writes constantly and saves pictures from the internet to use in his stories, which not only have completely filled his memory up, but also has now completely locked up and isn't working - guess it will need to be taken to a technician because it's beyond my knowledge of how to fit it...





plus -





4. Windows Vista - laptop - HP - Home Premium edition - it's mine and I like it but it's constantly locking up and having issues... can't get internet explorer to stay connected...





5. Windows Vista - laptop - Compaq - Home Basic edition - it's one we got for school work for teenager in family - can't get it to connect to internet at all... it's newest of the bunch - but have heard we shouldn't have bought one with Home Basic on it - that we'd regret it...





ok...





Here's my question... (sorry it took so long but wanted everyone to know where I am coming from..)





Should we just put back the money to buy a Mac (and still keep maybe one or two pcs)?





I've heard macs don't crash as much - and plus, I'd like to get my oldest something really nice for Christmas (if I can afford it)...





Since it's for beginners... Is there a nice mac that we can buy for a decent price just to get started?





which mac is best if you are just starting and have limited to budget to begin?





is it even worth it just to ';test the waters'; - and ';see what a mac is like';...





we own 5 PCs - and I'm just fed up with them crashing and freezing up...





my oldest son loves - absolutely constantly writes... (stories)... and uses a lot of memory saving pictures from the internet - which is probably the main reason his computer no longer works ! - ha ha -





Oh - and I love to take lots of pictures, make videos, and dabble in websites... we love iTunes of course, as well!...





thanks so much for your time...





Any input - positive or negative is greatly appreciated..





I have no idea what I'm looking at when I research and see details as to what's in these computers/macs/etc...





Additional Question:


also - if you don't mind - what are your thoughts on operating systems for these computers?





1. pc operating systems pros and cons?


2. mac OS pros and cons?





~thanks a million!~Am I a Mac or a PC (btw we own several PCs)?
I would stick with a PC for the following reasons.. (The mac pro's are going away IE: less viruses, etc..) and actually there are a lot more cons. Also, people will tell you what they think without facts.. Look at the facts below...





PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support


Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..





Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..





Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.





A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en%26amp;q=os+鈥?/a> as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,





If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.








Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?





I say: NO... for the following reasons...





QUALITY/PROBLEMS


Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to ';lower the price'; and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.





Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.


http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-100202鈥?/a>


http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-qu鈥?/a>


http://www.appledefects.com/


http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-op鈥?/a>


http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploa鈥?/a>





Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.


With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.


IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.





VIRUSES


Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think ';they are safe';.


http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005


http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives鈥?/a>


http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/ar鈥?/a>





SECURITY


Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.


Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.


Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.


http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/so鈥?/a>


http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/2鈥?/a>


http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/1鈥?/a>


http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft鈥?/a>





PRICE


A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)





**(LAPTOP)


Dell Inspiron Laptop Starting Price: $500


Ending Price: $500


15'; Screen


CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower]


Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD [Not as good/fine for general use[


Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram)


Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (same)


http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/c鈥?/a>





Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-2900 Starting Price: $755


Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860


15'; Screen


CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$100) [FASTER]


Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9600-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD]


Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY]


Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE]


http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplor鈥?/a>





Macbook Starting laptop Price: $1000


Ending Price After Upgrades: $1200


13'; Screen (SMALLER)


CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER)


Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9400 256MB


Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME)


Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)


http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC24鈥?/a>








**(DESKTOP)





PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.





PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac ';look different';, if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.





Dell: ($700)


CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE


SCREEN: 20inch Screen


MEMORY: 4GB Ram


HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive


OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer


GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB


http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/c鈥?/a>





The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.





IMac ($1300)


CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)


SCREEN: 20inch Screen


MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME)


HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE)


OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)


GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS)


http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB41鈥?/a>





ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :


Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.


1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows.


2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).


3) More business software/games


4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.


5) Used by businesses.





ADVANTAGES LINUX :


1) FREE (most versions are)


2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)


2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk鈥?/a>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDf鈥?/a> (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)


3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_鈥?/a>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2鈥?/a>


4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet


5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)





Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-v鈥?/a>


Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windo鈥?/a>





Equivalents to ILife


http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20鈥?/a>


http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t鈥?/a>





FREE Windows Stuff


http://www.comodo.com/products/free_prod鈥?/a>


http://www.iobit.com/


http://www.ccleaner.com/


ANTI-VIRUS


Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by consumer reports 2009.


http://www.free-av.com/ Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/





ANTI-MALWARE


Windows Defender (FREE)


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/product鈥?/a>


Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation - No Realtime protection on free version.


http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-An鈥?/a>


Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)


http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpywar鈥?/a>





LINUX INFO:


http://distrowatch.com/


http://polishlinux.org/


http://www.desktoplinux.com/


http://polishlinux.org/


http://www.ubuntu.com/Am I a Mac or a PC (btw we own several PCs)?
AGHHHHHH! WALL OF TEXT!!
I've owned both Macs and PCs - you are always going to pay more for a Mac, simply. In terms of ease of use, I would go with a Mac, for it aligns more with the individual's idiosyncratic use more than a Windows-based machine, although, in the last 10-15 years, this has become a closer race. Probably the most significant consideration would be the security vulnerabilitites of PCs - only because there are more of them in the world and hackers don't seem (yet) to be spending a lot of time writing mischievous spam code for Macs, at least to the degree we see with Windows.


Ultimately, one can never get a computer that won't get full, always run perfectly, never crash etc. Why should we expect these to run better than any other device we use? You wrote mostly about a son who writes and uses graphics in his stories. I would lean toward a Mac.


In addition, since you are doing some pretty capacity challenging kinds of things, don't skimp on memory or capacity. Like, get a computer with a minimum of a terrabyte drive and 8 -16 GB memory - I believe that should hold you for awhile. I'm still keen on Windows XP Pro, although I'm starting to warm up to Vista. The new Mac OS is very impressive, but I'm not as familiar with it.





Now get out there and stimulate the economy with the thousands you are about to spend!





Good luck!
Hi,


Macs are brilliant computers.


They rarely get viruses as most of the 'virus makers' aim them at PCs since macs only take up 6% of the population. But many people are now switching to macs or that reason, so 'virus makers' are making more viruses to aim at macs. But all that aside, macs barely slow down over the years, they run smoothly and and very very easy to use.


I bought my first mac, received it on Monday and i am totally happy with it. It is super fast and never crashes. I think if your a first time mac user you should go for the macbook white. Although macbook pros are also an option and they come in different screen sizes.


Some on the people answering this question saying Macs are crap etc are probably only saying that because they can't afford to buy one. I don't see how anyone can call these machines 'crap'. They are amazing.


And for your son, if you purchase your computer on the apple website, you can customise it when you checkout and upgrade the memory 160GB-500GB. So if he needs lots then you can adjust that to suit your needs.


The new macbooks come with an OS called Snow leopard, which by the way is amazing. So fast and has everything you will ever need.


I don't know much about windows OS but Windows 7 is coming out soon and aparently that is also very very good. But don't buy a PC with Windows Vista, it's not just you, windows vista itself is rubbish.





I hope i helped you, I would definately recommend a mac, 100% all bias aside.
The would be longer than your question. Here is some basic info, you have to do the research. Buying Porterhouse steak for the price of a hot dog is impossible. If you want the best, you must pay the extra. The same goes for many things, I know you get it. Now for the commercial, Here's why you should get a Mac:: There are NO CONS. The MacBook does both WinDozzzz and OSX, no other computer can make that statement. You have the best of the best. Apple Stores are popping up all over and you can make an appointment for a time and date, bring your computer there for a quick fix. They will troubleshoot it and fix it if it's a software problem for FREE. What other computer company has stores and can make that statement?, none because there are no company stores. Get the 2.4 GHz or better with 4Gigs Ram and you got a speed machine. Go Mac and Never Go Back.


If you read the questions here you will notice that most problems are about every computer except a Mac. End of commercial.
It sounds like some of the problems you are having are virus related. I have 2 computers running windows, 1 running linux, and 1 mac and I have the most problems with the mac. If you have good virus protection you really should not have those problems. If the person using it is a beginner a mac might be safer since most virus are written for windows but most programs are as well so it is sometimes harder to find specific programs for a mac.





Also if you buy a mac any software you have will most likely need to be purchased again, while you can reuse anything you already have if you get a pc.





It seems like any basic computer will do what you need but if space is a problem you might want to look into getting an external hard drive.