PC or Mac.... which do you use?

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Mac or PC?

  • PC (Windows, Linux, Unix, etc..)

  • Mac (OS X)


Results are only viewable after voting.

suse920

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2005
6,889
0
0
OSX for both work and home use now. I rarely use a Windows 7 VM on my personal Macbook pro.

I transitioned to Apple in 2009 when I bought my second laptop, and haven't looked back.
My previous job supplied me with a standard Windows 7 workstation, so I'd say I'm comfortable in both environments - Windows 8 notwithstanding
 

Meractik

Golden Member
Jul 8, 2003
1,752
0
0
A "both" option on the poll would be good.

Windows desktop at home, and a Mac laptop for on the road (half my life) or in the living room. It's a good combo, and Dropbox is a lifesaver keeping my active stuff in sync.


if you use both, pick the one you utilize the most often. I want to formulate a clear consensus.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,361
10,762
126
again, why?

It's a different culture. If we accept that they're all PCs, I think *nix, Windows, and Apple have different user types and philosophies. It wouldn't change the outcome of the poll much, but it's an interesting and relevant data point.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,742
13,855
126
www.anyf.ca
PC. I like the open architecture and the ability to install any OS I want (without "jail breaking" or doing other stuff out of spec)

If I was heavy into video editing though, I'd possibly consider a mac as I hear they are better for that stuff (better software) but not sure if that still holds true now or not. I do know every windows video editing app I've used is very buggy. Have not tried in Linux yet. My main OS is Linux but I do have a Windows drive I boot too if I want to play any Windows games.
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0

Difference in culture. Relatively speaking what we have now is:

OS-X: Everyday people who don't require much out of their computers and want them to look nice, and graphic designers/artists.
Windows: Gamers and everyday people who are cheaper than Mac buyers.
Linux/Unix: Programmers and power users.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule (especially in the case of required software that's only available on one platform), but that's where the rough lines fall at this point IMO.
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Home : Mac since 2007
Work: Windows XP and Unix

Koing
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
81
OSX is unix...

screenshot20130127at105.png
 

Meractik

Golden Member
Jul 8, 2003
1,752
0
0
It's a different culture. If we accept that they're all PCs, I think *nix, Windows, and Apple have different user types and philosophies. It wouldn't change the outcome of the poll much, but it's an interesting and relevant data point.

It is a different culture but to me regardless of how people may think they're superior or in ways better for utilizing one piece of hardware over the other I think is silly. ultimately they all use the same underlying technologies for functionality and that is what it all boils down too... inter-operability, therefore neither is greater than the other except for the social culture crap people associate with it, hence my reason for the poll I want to statistically see some hard facts about how often its either one or the other.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
73,127
34,430
136
Another one of these, seriously?
Oddly enough, mac/pc threads don't come up that often in ATOT (unless the mods have been felling them so fast I don't see them). In the Win and Apple forums they come up a lot, but not in ATOT.

With that in mind, and in keeping with our high standards of conduct here in ATOT...

Who is more likely to be an America-hating atheist, a Mac user or a Windows user?*







*We already know that all Unix and Unix-like users are heathens so no point in asking.
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
81
PC. I like the open architecture and the ability to install any OS I want (without "jail breaking" or doing other stuff out of spec)

If I was heavy into video editing though, I'd possibly consider a mac as I hear they are better for that stuff (better software) but not sure if that still holds true now or not. I do know every windows video editing app I've used is very buggy. Have not tried in Linux yet. My main OS is Linux but I do have a Windows drive I boot too if I want to play any Windows games.

Err you can load just about any OS on apple hardware, no jailbreaking needed.
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
It is a different culture but to me regardless of how people may think they're superior or in ways better for utilizing one piece of hardware over the other I think is silly. ultimately they all use the same underlying technologies for functionality and that is what it all boils down too... inter-operability, therefore neither is greater than the other except for the social culture crap people associate with it, hence my reason for the poll I want to statistically see some hard facts about how often its either one or the other.

So you think it's silly to prefer a mouse with 2 buttons as opposed to a mouse with one? There are very practical arguments that can be made for the MANY differences between operating systems. A lot of people make purchasing decisions based on these differences without even knowing it. I know people who bought a Mac because "it just feels better". They didn't know how to phrase it any more specifically, even though the sensation they were describing was a combination of complex technical, tactile, and visual features that were specifically designed to appeal to them.

Programmers didn't just slam these operating systems together off known formulae. Decades of experience and engineering have gone into their designs. To insinuate that they're effectively the same thing with different skins, and its only the surrounding social culture that makes them different, is pretty naive. Although it is a testament to the quality of their construction that such naivete is possible.
 

Meractik

Golden Member
Jul 8, 2003
1,752
0
0
So you think it's silly to prefer a mouse with 2 buttons as opposed to a mouse with one? There are very practical arguments that can be made for the MANY differences between operating systems. A lot of people make purchasing decisions based on these differences without even knowing it. I know people who bought a Mac because "it just feels better". They didn't know how to phrase it any more specifically, even though the sensation they were describing was a combination of complex technical, tactile, and visual features that were specifically designed to appeal to them.

Programmers didn't just slam these operating systems together off known formulae. Decades of experience and engineering have gone into their designs. To insinuate that they're effectively the same thing with different skins, and its only the surrounding social culture that makes them different, is pretty naive. Although it is a testament to the quality of their construction that such naivete is possible.

I never said anything about a mouse, and I do not think either is superior its up to user preference whether you want 1 or 2 buttons. What I am focusing on is the fact that its still a piece of hardware which ultimately controls a cursor on the screen. at its lowest point its the same, Windows or OS X you're still browsing the web using HTTP/HTTPS and HTML5, PHP, ASP etc.... its all made to inter-operate meshed together regardless of platform, that is what makes it great. I understand there is a culture surrounding the adoption of one or the other, but breaking either down into their most simplest of elements they are very similar so I am looking for the social interpretation of a general consensus of who uses which systems. If i wanted to dive into the technical behind it all I would of posted elsewhere other then ATOT. I am not looking to start a riot - I am looking for a general consensus answer to the question, and am interested in hearing peoples opinions as to why they choose what they do.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Right now I'm exclusively OSX. Typing this post on a Retina MBP; I'm comfortable with it and don't need to use Windows for anything.
 

CA19100

Senior member
Jun 29, 2012
634
13
76
if games + office weren't just on windows, i would leave in no time flat

Games no question, but Office really hasn't been an issue since Office 2011 for Mac came out. Outlook works great, and all the other productivity apps have given me zero issues with file compatibility. Everything just works as it should. (I bought a 2-license pack for my Macbook and my wife's, and used the Home Use Program to get Office 2010 on my Windows desktop. Everything plays nicely together.)
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Right now I'm exclusively OSX. Typing this post on a Retina MBP; I'm comfortable with it and don't need to use Windows for anything.

Same here. Switched to OSX in 2009 and haven't looked back since.
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
Poll is missing "both" option. I use Macs at work, and have a Mini at home as a workstation for working at home. I also have a decent PC at home for gaming. If I didn't play games I'd probably ditch the PC, since I could download porn on my Mac if I wanted to. It would be kinda creepy tho...