Thread

Either is just a tool, either will only be as good as the person using it.

Macs have a better operating system (unix based etc etc) bit PC’s are a lot easier and cheaper to repair and buy in the first place.

Design studios use macs mainly for the following
1) Unis have historically taught on macs as the software was originally aimed at macs GUI rather than PC’s original command line interface. This has simply carried through.

2) Kudos, macs are perceived as trendy and different, if everyone had/used a mac the uber trendy would have to find something else.

It really depends what our going to do on it…

For games macs are next to useless, for viruses (so far) they are far more secure, at least until hackers get round to bothering to write a mac virus.
For office admin tasks PC’s are probably more accesible, accounts packages, contact management systems, office suites (open office is free and very very powerful if no one has already mentioned it) etc.
For design, very little in it, maccs probably just have it for traditional print based tasks and for mid range video but for web it is about equal. We run Adobe CS3 (webdesign premium)and experience no problems with any of the elements.

As we are historically PC based (not from a traditional design background) the cost of changing all the machines and licenses makes no sense… would I like a mac yes, it has that indefinable something, but it is a like not a need.

As I said for most of us there really is little either machine will not do, hence both sides aggressive marketing campaigns, both probably know this.

I don’t have to put up with people telling me I’m an idiot for preferring a Mac.

tempting… ;] (just kidding!)

though its a non issue for me as I don’t play games

What games?

The ‘this is better’ argument is really mental masturbation. Either product will be plenty capable of doing what a person is wanting to do.

The problem with these conversations (which I’ve already seen on both sides) is fanboys of PCs and Macs take points from other sides personally and it becomes a ridiculous battle of nothing.

I had a good laugh at this, JT. So true.

I kind of think we’re missing the real point of this whole thread. Efraín was asking for advice on which to buy. I think we needed to ask Efraín what his needs are. This whole post became about “me me me” - which usually happens, as fanboys on both side certainly do tend to take things personally.

This might help the debate…

btw: I’m an admitted fanboy of all things Apple.

ADD:  I’m not sure if the article mentioned this or not, but one must consider the resale value of a Mac.  I consistently resell my Macs online for a very high dollar value.  Sometimes, I retrieve $800 to $1100 for 2-3 year old Macs.  PC’s aren’t even considered to be sold as used goods.

Let me summarize all of the above for you and narrow your choice down to one simple decision.

My background: I did Windows hardware and software support for 3 years, I’ve built over 100 windows machines in my day, and then switched to the Mac 4 years ago and haven’t looked back. But, I’m not anti-Windows or anti-Microsoft by any means. I am anti-Internet Explorer (spit spit).

Here is how you can easily decide:

1. If you are the type of person that is a “build-it-yourself”, “fix it yourself” person, getting PC Hardware is the way to go. I used to build computers for a living and I loved going to the computer fair and hand-picking all my parts from the various vendors and buying the cheapest, yet best PC I could put together.

This is the one and only experience on PC-based hardware that you cannot replicate on a Mac.

2. There is a PC hardware only thing that you absolutely must have. I don’t know what this would be as most of the major graphic card companies also supply Mac drivers but I’m willing to say there are exceptions for very specialized cases.

If neither of the above are true for you, buy a Mac. Other’s have already mentioned this but its true. If you buy a Mac you can run Windows Vista natively just like you had purchased a Dell or something. This means any games or software that are Windows only are not an issue, because you can run them on your intel-based Mac just fine. If you compare a Mac running Windows to a Dell running Windows 99% of the time you’ll find that the Mac hardware runs just as well if not better.

This essentially means you are getting two computers for the price of one. So if a Mac is a couple hundred more expensive, so what. Its like having a Windows Machine and a OS X machine. It means you’re not limited to Mac software or WIndows software but rather for a couple hundred you are giving yourself the ability to run just about all existing software on the planet.

This means If you are a web professional you should be on a Mac, no question about it. The Mac is the only platform where you can test every browser in every OS, on the same machine without rebooting. This, by itself, is such a time-saving efficient thing that it will quickly pay for itself in the development time you save within a couple months.

And when you’re done with your work day, reboot into Vista and fire-up that Windows only Game and have a blast.

Great thread!
As a hardcore Mac guy I have very little to add to all of the above except this: yes the hardware may still be marginally more expensive than a comparable PC but the 2 biggest reasons for buying a Mac are:

1. OS X = elegant stable OS that lets you get on with your work instead of treating you like an idiot (I’m looking at you Vista). Plus you can run Linux and Windows on the same machine either natively (bootcamp) or via virtualization (parallels).

2. The great software that is standard on your Mac (all the iApps) and the insane amount of high quality Mac-only shareware and software. (Textmate, BBEdit, CSSEdit, MAMP, Coda, Transmit, Neo Office etc… etc.. the list is endless)

Hmm, go on then…

(I’m looking at you Vista)

The thing isn’t perfect, agreed, but UAC can be turned off without issue - so long as you don’t ‘suck at the internet’ :]

I can certainly vouch that Vista is a very stable O/S.

It’s easier to be stable when you don’t have drivers for silly things like large numbers of printers, scanners, etc.

Also, there’s a lovely little ATI driver bug that gives hackers direct access to the kernel now. Fun.

This means If you are a web professional you should be on a Mac, no question about it

In your opinion, and like all opinions over matters subjective there are no absolutes.

As I said before it is the designer that is paramount not the tools, and it is comments like the above that alienates so many people when mac users adopt the holier than thou attitude that macs are the best for everyone in all circumstances.

Diversity of opinion and abilities (and tools for that matter) make for a varied and interesting life, or should we all just dress the same, live in the same type of house, drive the same model car etc etc?

Why when threads like this appear we end with the same old entrenched drivel and prejudices being spouted? Use/buy what you believe will suit you and your particular needs based upon your own gut feeling, it is often the best course in life in a lot more than a simple computer purchase.

The reason he gave for:

This means if you are a web professional you should be on a Mac, no question about it

was actually well-reasoned and pretty objective. The ability to test windows, mac and linux browsers on a single machine without rebooting is a vast advantage that has nothing to do with the designer or any “holier-than-thou” attitude. The mac simply has a function (the aforementioned ability to run all three major OS’s and their browsers side-by-side) that the PC does not, and is therefore a better tool for the job of professional web development.

As I said before it is the designer that is paramount not the tools, and it is comments like the above that alienates so many people when mac users adopt the holier than thou attitude that macs are the best for everyone in all circumstances.

I don’t see it that way at all.  It’s not holier than though, and many equations do have answers.  That parts of the equation are subjective does not negate the fact of Les’s point that if you are a web professional, the Mac is the obvious choice because you are choosing Mac, Windows, and Linux with that single machine.  By saying that you are a web professional you are already saying that you care about sites being viewable on all platforms and browsers.  If you don’t care about that, then perhaps the topic needs to change to discuss what it means to be a web professional, heh.

it is also very insulting to professionals who do use PC’s (many of whom are presumably buying your product).. the inference is we are somehow a lesser species or less professional.. anyway enough said, i am well used to mac bigots. Is this an official EE view by the way?

it is also very insulting to professionals who d use PC’s… the inferrance is we are somehow a lesser species or less professional.. anyway enough said, i am well used to mac bigots. Is this an official EE view by the way?

69, just out of curiosity: how do you test your sites then for Safari and Konqueror?

I’d agree with Derek here… you certainly don’t have to use a Mac for webwork, if you don’t care about cross-platform sites.  And there’s many web designers who still think designing only for IE is the proper way to go. 

However, there’s people who do stupid things all over(and yeah, I’ll say designing solely for IE is stupid).  Let’s face it: to properly design a website today, you need to check ALL platforms and the major browsers: IE (versions 6 and 7, at least), Firefox (PC and Mac), Safari (Mac).  Opera, too.  So you have to have access to a Mac anyway.  Therefore, unless you really really want to buy two computers, might as well only buy the one that is designed to run both Windows and Mac.  Oh, and linux too.  That’s the Mac.

To the original question in the thread, about what to buy for music: I honestly think you could be perfectly happy with either.  Mac’s have historically been better at music, because in the early 90’s/late 80’s Macintosh was far superior in the music department.  Much of that has remained; with lots of the premier music oriented programs on the Mac.  But there’s certainly options on the PC as well. 

In other words, I don’t think music per se gives an answer, so you can decide on other things, like virus/spyware, looks, what have you.  Personally, I’m a Mac guy.