Mac or PC

[Commentor1]

I need to get a new computer.. Should I jump ship and try out a Mac or just keep it standard and go with a WIndows 7 PC?

 

[Harvey]

Start by asking yourself what you want to do with the machine and understanding that a computer is a tool. If the majority of what you want to do with your machine is related to your work, choose the machine that the majority of users in your field for the same reason that, if a particular job requires a phillips screwdriver, you can't insist on using a hammer.

Once you're past that, some consider the Mac OS to be more elegant. However, you'll find more hardware and software available for less money for the PC over the Mac, simply because the number of PC users is vastly larger than the number of Mac users, and the basic computer hardware is not constrained to one propietary manufacturer.

What do your friends have? If part of your interest involves sharing with your friends, you'll want hardware that's compatible with their activities.

Hope that helps.

 

[oynaz]

Harvey gives sound advice.

May I add that I have both PCs and a Macbook Pro. In my opinion, the Macbook Pro is great, but not worth the price premium.

I would still consider a Mac for a laptop, especially if I could get it at a discount.

For desktops, the performance advantage of PCs are so great that I wouldn't consider a Mac.

 

[spacetoilet]

I myself really enjoy the MAC OS for day to day crap. So I run a fully funcional Hacintosh.
It's a PC that I put together solely to dual boot Snow Leopard and Windows 7 ultimate.
I use W7 strictly for gaming, and the HAC for everyday computing.

 

[Socratesx]

I myself really enjoy the MAC OS for day to day crap. So I run a fully funcional Hacintosh.
It's a PC that I put together solely to dual boot Snow Leopard and Windows 7 ultimate.
I use W7 strictly for gaming, and the HAC for everyday computing.

This is the best thing you can do and have both OSes to the same machine. I also want to try this some day but I don't know what is going to happen with the different file systems. I mean Windows 7 use NTFS but MAC OS X use another file system right? So when running MAC what happens with the HDDs that are formatted as NTFS. Can you see the files on them , write or delete?

 

[TheStu]

This is the best thing you can do and have both OSes to the same machine. I also want to try this some day but I don't know what is going to happen with the different file systems. I mean Windows 7 use NTFS but MAC OS X use another file system right? So when running MAC what happens with the HDDs that are formatted as NTFS. Can you see the files on them , write or delete?

OS X uses HFS+, but can read NTFS. Windows cannot read NTFS. If you use Paragon in OS X, you can read/write to NTFS and it includes a driver that lets you read/write HFS+ in Windows.

If you use MacDrive in Windows, you can read/write HFS+, and it includes a driver for HFS+ for OS X. I have only ever used MacDrive for Windows and Paragon for OS X, so I can't speak to their abilities in the other OSes.

 

[llee]

IMO, Apple makes some of the most aesthetically pleasing and common sense laptops today. Too often do I see HP notebook rage like a vacuum because some idiot decided to put a fan exhaust on the bottom. Dell notebooks feel plasticky and week, and many other brands simply feel jumbled together rather than carved. If you're an average user who doesn't need to use any PC-specific applications, I'd recommend getting a Mac for a laptop. For desktops, look to PCs.

 

[daniel49]

OS X uses HFS+, but can read NTFS. Windows cannot read NTFS. If you use Paragon in OS X, you can read/write to NTFS and it includes a driver that lets you read/write HFS+ in Windows.

If you use MacDrive in Windows, you can read/write HFS+, and it includes a driver for HFS+ for OS X. I have only ever used MacDrive for Windows and Paragon for OS X, so I can't speak to their abilities in the other OSes.

I think you meant to say windows cannot read HFS+
Same with linux it easily reads ntfs but windows does not return the favor on reading linux drives. I think that should be a standard part of the windows OS.

 

[rudder]

If there is some software package you plan on making extensive use of and that shines on the mac .. get a mac. Otherwise you will pay a premium for the hardware.

 

[TheStu]

I think you meant to say windows cannot read HFS+
Same with linux it easily reads ntfs but windows does not return the favor on reading linux drives. I think that should be a standard part of the windows OS.

You are correct. Windows cannot read HFS+. It would be embarrassing if Windows couldn't read NTFS