Mac vs Windows

[RexyRex]

Windows, please. :)

[RockyNguyen]

I've seen on a lot of TV shows that the pros use Macs for graphics. Like Bert Monroy. That guy is really good at Photoshop and he uses a Mac, but I think Windows is better for gaming.

[meow]

well, MAC of coz! :D
MAC RULES!!! YaY!! :D

edit: alrite, here are my reasons:
1. mac is the best os for designing
2. security reasons
3. beautiful, user friendly, warm interface
4. most things that can be done on a pc can be done on mac as well
5. there are many games that cant be played on mac platforms. but i dun care, a good designing environment is more important to me. i can play games on ps2/ xbox/ game cube/ n64 if i want to!
6. YES, i'm just a pathetic GRAPHIC WHORE! cant resist this whole powerful graphic supportive system!
7. i love Steve Jobs & Al Gore
8. i've been using mac ever since i was 8 (i'm 20), and i've never had any single prob with it
9. i'm a proud mac user

hmm... i guess thats fair enough rite? ;)

[Sage Tech]

How about saying why you prefer each one. I'll happily post the statistics of what our readers are currently using but I'll wait until we get a few more poll votes (with reasons :))

[makeinu]

I prefer the Macintosh and use it exclusively, save when at work (standardized on Windows 2000). Nothing, and I mean literally nothing, could ever bring Windows into my home. Why?

1. Security -> Sophos reports 82,870, as of June 2003, able to infect Windows systems. Obviously, not all of these are for Windows XP, but then roughly half of Windows installs are earlier versions, and reports of total numbers vary widely, depending upon how vendors classify a new virus. Current virus counts for Mac OS X? Zero. And that doesn't include spyware.

Why is this so? Many would have you believe that it's the Mac's relatively low market share. The problem with this argument is that market share is not the same as installed user base, which is estimated at roughly 10%, by some experts, for the Mac. Frankly, the real reason is the security mindset difference at Apple and Microsoft. OS X, being based on FreeBSD Unix, has all of the security advantages of an open-source operating system, designed from conception as a secure, stable, protected multi-user OS, which has been picked over by thousands of talented programmers and security experts for over 30 years. Windows, OTOH, was never designed to be in a networked environment, and it shows even still.

2. Ease of Use -> Too many reasons, really, to log them all, so I'll use application installs as my example. My estimate, based on my own experience, is that roughly 75% or more of Macintosh software installation is simply drag and drop, meaning that the application is completely self contained, with all of the necessary components integral to the application and not scattered willy nilly in super secret (shhhhhh!!!) locations about the file system. Why is this cool? It makes experimenting with new shareware and such a breeze. If I find I don't like it, then poof! to the trash it goes. The inverse is typically true on Windows, with an installer roughly the equivalent of setting off a software bomb on your HDD, and often Windows will allow new software to overwrite critical components of the OS (the dreaded DLL Hell, which XP somewhat corrects).

3. Stability -> Stability I think goes hand in hand with the security and ease of use.

4. Power -> Unix, plus Apple's excellent focus on design. Nuff said.

As for the advantages oft quoted for using Windows? Hardware compatability is a moot issue, for the most part, as Apple builds with industry stock parts anymore (the notable exception being graphics cards). Software compatability is also moot, as there are either exact equivalents or excellent replacements for most any Windows task you can name (two exceptions: games, natch, and CAD, which is sorely lacking on the Mac). That pretty much covers the spectrum. For me, those issues are non-starters. I play games mostly on consoles, with the exception of first person shooters, which there are plenty of on the Mac side of the house, which also takes care of the graphics card issue, and I don't do CAD, so...

Besides, how many Wintel PCs can you actually say are nice enough to display as a piece of modern art, while still being powerful enough to serve as a personal supercomputer, almost literally? I, personally, happen to think that industrial design is very important.

That's not all of the reasons I have, but I think it's enough to make my point.

[Sage Tech]

Originally posted by makeinu@Feb 15 2005, 11:27 PM
I prefer the Macintosh and use it exclusively, save when at work (standardized on Windows 2000). Nothing, and I mean literally nothing, could ever bring Windows into my home. Why?

1. Security -> Sophos reports 82,870, as of June 2003, able to infect Windows systems. Obviously, not all of these are for Windows XP, but then roughly half of Windows installs are earlier versions, and reports of total numbers vary widely, depending upon how vendors classify a new virus. Current virus counts for Mac OS X? Zero. And that doesn't include spyware.

Why is this so? Many would have you believe that it's the Mac's relatively low market share. The problem with this argument is that market share is not the same as installed user base, which is estimated at roughly 10%, by some experts, for the Mac. Frankly, the real reason is the security mindset difference at Apple and Microsoft. OS X, being based on FreeBSD Unix, has all of the security advantages of an open-source operating system, designed from conception as a secure, stable, protected multi-user OS, which has been picked over by thousands of talented programmers and security experts for over 30 years. Windows, OTOH, was never designed to be in a networked environment, and it shows even still.

2. Ease of Use -> Too many reasons, really, to log them all, so I'll use application installs as my example. My estimate, based on my own experience, is that roughly 75% or more of Macintosh software installation is simply drag and drop, meaning that the application is completely self contained, with all of the necessary components integral to the application and not scattered willy nilly in super secret (shhhhhh!!!) locations about the file system. Why is this cool? It makes experimenting with new shareware and such a breeze. If I find I don't like it, then poof! to the trash it goes. The inverse is typically true on Windows, with an installer roughly the equivalent of setting off a software bomb on your HDD, and often Windows will allow new software to overwrite critical components of the OS (the dreaded DLL Hell, which XP somewhat corrects).

3. Stability -> Stability I think goes hand in hand with the security and ease of use.

4. Power -> Unix, plus Apple's excellent focus on design. Nuff said.

As for the advantages oft quoted for using Windows? Hardware compatability is a moot issue, for the most part, as Apple builds with industry stock parts anymore (the notable exception being graphics cards). Software compatability is also moot, as there are either exact equivalents or excellent replacements for most any Windows task you can name (two exceptions: games, natch, and CAD, which is sorely lacking on the Mac). That pretty much covers the spectrum. For me, those issues are non-starters. I play games mostly on consoles, with the exception of first person shooters, which there are plenty of on the Mac side of the house, which also takes care of the graphics card issue, and I don't do CAD, so...

Besides, how many Wintel PCs can you actually say are nice enough to display as a piece of modern art, while still being powerful enough to serve as a personal supercomputer, almost literally? I, personally, happen to think that industrial design is very important.

That's not all of the reasons I have, but I think it's enough to make my point.
27385


makeinu

Thanks for your excellent response (OTT I don't think so :)) I may not agree with you but I have to respect your opiion :D

[meow]

Originally posted by makeinu@Feb 16 2005, 07:27 AM
I prefer the Macintosh and use it exclusively, save when at work (standardized on Windows 2000). Nothing, and I mean literally nothing, could ever bring Windows into my home. Why?

1. Security -> Sophos reports 82,870, as of June 2003, able to infect Windows systems. Obviously, not all of these are for Windows XP, but then roughly half of Windows installs are earlier versions, and reports of total numbers vary widely, depending upon how vendors classify a new virus. Current virus counts for Mac OS X? Zero. And that doesn't include spyware.

Why is this so? Many would have you believe that it's the Mac's relatively low market share. The problem with this argument is that market share is not the same as installed user base, which is estimated at roughly 10%, by some experts, for the Mac. Frankly, the real reason is the security mindset difference at Apple and Microsoft. OS X, being based on FreeBSD Unix, has all of the security advantages of an open-source operating system, designed from conception as a secure, stable, protected multi-user OS, which has been picked over by thousands of talented programmers and security experts for over 30 years. Windows, OTOH, was never designed to be in a networked environment, and it shows even still.

2. Ease of Use -> Too many reasons, really, to log them all, so I'll use application installs as my example. My estimate, based on my own experience, is that roughly 75% or more of Macintosh software installation is simply drag and drop, meaning that the application is completely self contained, with all of the necessary components integral to the application and not scattered willy nilly in super secret (shhhhhh!!!) locations about the file system. Why is this cool? It makes experimenting with new shareware and such a breeze. If I find I don't like it, then poof! to the trash it goes. The inverse is typically true on Windows, with an installer roughly the equivalent of setting off a software bomb on your HDD, and often Windows will allow new software to overwrite critical components of the OS (the dreaded DLL Hell, which XP somewhat corrects).

3. Stability -> Stability I think goes hand in hand with the security and ease of use.

4. Power -> Unix, plus Apple's excellent focus on design. Nuff said.

As for the advantages oft quoted for using Windows? Hardware compatability is a moot issue, for the most part, as Apple builds with industry stock parts anymore (the notable exception being graphics cards). Software compatability is also moot, as there are either exact equivalents or excellent replacements for most any Windows task you can name (two exceptions: games, natch, and CAD, which is sorely lacking on the Mac). That pretty much covers the spectrum. For me, those issues are non-starters. I play games mostly on consoles, with the exception of first person shooters, which there are plenty of on the Mac side of the house, which also takes care of the graphics card issue, and I don't do CAD, so...

Besides, how many Wintel PCs can you actually say are nice enough to display as a piece of modern art, while still being powerful enough to serve as a personal supercomputer, almost literally? I, personally, happen to think that industrial design is very important.

That's not all of the reasons I have, but I think it's enough to make my point.
27385


awww!! this is great Makeinu!! i bow to your dedication to Mac!!
i'd have typed this long if... if i werent that lazy and if my eng is better @_@;;

anyway, just wanted to add this after reading Makeinu's post:

how often could you find a PC users thats a "Windows lover"?
well, i've never seen any. they may love their OWN pc, but most likely NOT bill gates, windows or microsoft. however, many Mac users are Mac lovers as well.
it is very common that a Mac user* loves not just his/her own Mac, but also Steve Jobs (Apple's CEO), the Mac os, every single product & even the company. oh no of coz not! we didnt born to be like that. just since we get used to our Mac, we know we cant switch over/back to a pc, that simple. Makeinu & i are just 2 out of the thousands & million. users' reactions is the best indication & prove of the quality of a product.

*Mac users: not including those that are just forced to use mac at skool/ work (tho these ppl are very likely to turn out loving it); using mac once in a while or those ppl who just buy mac products bcuz of its pretty outlook in these few years, know nothing about apple, leaving it aside and cont to using his/her pc for games. (oh yeah seriously i know ppl like that)

[RockyNguyen]

I'm using PC right now, but my brother has a Mac so I can use that anytime. Its just that all my stuff is on this computer.

[makeinu]

Hey, you know, Sage, it actually makes me happy that you don't agree with me. I don't mean anything personal by that, just that it's important to understand that nothing is perfect for everyone.

It took me some time to understand that as it applies to computers. Like most, I went through the "Windows losers suck, why don't they see the light" phase. The truth, as always, is much more subtle. The fact that you don't agree with me, and at the same time don't denigrate me for my opinion, shows me that you think for yourself, and that's the best thing of all. I think that if you can't defend your own belief in something, how can you really know what you believe?

[Smoky]

Windows...! (Well actually i prefer Linux but thats not the point..!)

Macs just are not my thing... Sure some have said in this thread that Windows are unsecure but if you know what your doing then you wouldnt be complaining would you..!

You havent learnt how to work a computer correctly till you can secure, tweak and customize it. The reason why Microsoft products have such bad reviews on security is mainly down to the customers it provides for, and for Microsoft thats home users and big businesses with dumb users.

Believe it or not most dont know about updating a antivirus, starting up in safe mode or scanning for adware. For them its just professional talk.

When you come down to it Macs are normally just used for design and the reason why Macs have "more" security is because there not targeted much, not like Windows machines. If loads of people tageted Macs then your find there coding is a open as Microsofts is.

Im not defending Microsoft at all, i like them as any other Linux user :D but im just stating the facts.

Dont be closed minded have a duel OS on your drive :P

[Aerowind]

Hmmmm.... If I have to choose I would have to say Windows (but like Smoky I like Linux so much better but like Smoky said that's a different story)

The one reason I like Windows.... I've never used a Mac ;)

[chilipie]

I'm not sure I agree that Windows is less secure. The reason Windows is seen as being less secure is partly because it has such a big marketshare; hackers often target Windows machines. It's all because of the users. Many Windows users are complete n00bs when it comes to computers. I hardly ever get viruses on my PC, and I'm running Windows. Why? Because I'm not a moron who uses IE, keeps all their ports open, double clicks every attachment and installs dialers. While OS X may be a better OS, you have to remember that they both have different target audiences, and while Macs might be better for graphic design, nothing has as many games as Windows ;) .

[Teelo]

I would have to go with Linux, but since that isn't an option, I have voted for Windoze.

[makeinu]

Originally posted by Smoky+Feb 16 2005, 06:52 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Smoky @ Feb 16 2005, 06:52 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Dont be closed minded have a duel OS on your drive :P
27617
[/b]

I do, actually: Macintosh and Unix ;)

Plus Windows, thanks to Virtual PC (even though I've never found a use for it, at least it's there).

<!--QuoteBegin-chilipie
While OS X may be a better OS, you have to remember that they both have different target audiences, and while Macs might be better for graphic design, nothing has as many games as Windows.[/quote]

Except my PS2. :P

Seriously, though, guys, the Security Through Obscurity myth has been thoroughly disproven already. That argument holds no water. And, believe it or not, many first time Mac users are complete "n00bs" too.

Anyway, that's all well and good. Use what pleases you, and I'll do likewise. Apple doesn't pay me to proselytize their system, so I don't see as how it does me any good to try to convince anyone either way. The only reason I responded the way I did was because Sage asked for reasons.

[flames]

what a bloody battle, but clearly windows is kicking mac's butt right now in the world. over 97% or the computers had windows installed as their os.

windows goods:
windows is very easy to use, even for beginners
many games support windows (duh!)
and there're much more, but these are the ones i can think of right now...:D

windows bads:
very vulnerable, hackers can intrude very easily
many new virues, spywares

mac goods:
almost no danger from hackers, virues and spywares; no one even bother making them for mac!
loads very quickly, for most computers (i tried 4 computers with mac os installed and all of them boot up quite quickly, according to my standards)
of course, you can transfer songs onto your ipod very quickly, like in seconds, without having to install any program like windows

mac bads:
almost no games, well the good ones are all for windows only (eg:counterstrike, ea games, etc)
pretty complicated to use

[meow]

uhhh i thought this thread was about "which os you prefer".... now its totally become "which os is better"... =_= anyway... its my bad habit i just cant keep silence when i know there're misunderstandings with the things/people i care/love.

Originally posted by flames+Feb 18 2005, 02:58 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(flames @ Feb 18 2005, 02:58 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>what a bloody battle, but clearly windows is kicking mac's butt right now in the world. over 97% or the computers had windows installed as their os.
27815
[/b]
wanna know why there're more pc users than mac users? mac is only been cheaper in these few years. before mac has always been "known" for its price, so the majority chose to use the much cheaper pc. sure it could be cheap in the first place as most of it was borrowed from other os.
for example, windows 95 was totally a rip-off of mac os 7 (but then it lack the functionity).
Using both PCs and Macs (i've only given up pc in these few years) I have seen both operating systems progress and it's SO clearly apple inventing, microsoft copying. Only recently did the SP2 installation on XP introduce 'My recent items' in the file selection sidebar. apple's finest idea since 1985. <_< hey, not to mention they even created files with pirated software (click here (http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/10931)).

Originally posted by flames@Feb 18 2005, 02:58 PM
windows goods:
windows is very easy to use, even for beginners
many games support windows (duh!)
and there're much more, but these are the ones i can think of right now...:D
27815

i guess the main reason why windows users would think that pc is easier to use is that because windows is the first os that they began with. and they have never tried to use mac into any extend.
mac is always been known for its user friendliness, click here (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2003/tc20030122_7027.htm) to read more (in fact you can google for the a list of proves & stats). windows is only invented in 1985, while apple has already got the world's first ever graphical user interface(GUI) designed in 1980, which is praised for its user friendliness. windows is only "borrowing" the GUI from mac. not to mention the points about "borrowing" in the first paragraphs ~_~

tho no mac version for counterstrike, there're still mac versions for most major computer games, eg fallout, diablo, AOE, tehSims (noticed that sims games were first on mac platforms? @_@). uhh anyway i dun really care much about computer games. my computer is not for me to play games. i can use my ps2/ xbox/ gamecube/ n64/ go to arcade when i wanna play games. besides i can play counterstrike on xbox <_<;;

Originally posted by flames@Feb 18 2005, 02:58 PM
windows bads:
very vulnerable, hackers can intrude very easily
many new virues, spywares
27815

one of the reason is that many windows users are just noobs that dunno how to protect their comp, another is bcuz most comp users are pc users. WANNA know the third and MAIN REASON? thats bcuz many ppl hate biil gates, and so his products & company become the main target! believe it or not!

Originally posted by flames@Feb 18 2005, 02:58 PM
mac goods:
almost no danger from hackers, virues and spywares; no one even bother making them for mac!
loads very quickly, for most computers (i tried 4 computers with mac os installed and all of them boot up quite quickly, according to my standards)
of course, you can transfer songs onto your ipod very quickly, like in seconds, without having to install any program like windows
27815

to be honest pcs can be speedy, while macs can be slow as well. thats all depended on the user him/herself.

<!--QuoteBegin-flames@Feb 18 2005, 02:58 PM
mac bads:
almost no games, well the good ones are all for windows only (eg:counterstrike, ea games, etc)
pretty complicated to use
27815
[/quote]
com'on!!! games arent the main reason for the existance of our computers!! the most important part is to get things done in an efficient and reliable way!

NOTE: i'm not here to despise pc or telling pc users to switch or whatever. however as the topic is MAC VS WINDOWS, of coz i'd speak up & vote for mac as i'm a maclover and i feel lucky & blessed to be one. :D

[Smoky]

Its funny the fact people see Windows being more open and less secure, but to be onist they all have there strenghts and weaknesses. If someone wanted to hack someone no matter how good the security or OS they would get through, this is the way of the world.

Also Linux, Unix & Macs arnt targeted like Windows because the users of Linux, Unix & Macs are the professionals. If Bill Gates wasnt like he is his OS's wouldnt get hammered as much but because he did what he did it means all the professionals who create the finer OS will attack him.

The only attacks that Unix, Linux & Macs get are petty DoS Kiddie Scripters but they still deal with it not like Windows.

Do you know there is only 1 Virus for Linux..! & this can only get onto the computer when the user is logged into root. If anyone is a Linux user and still using root for every day stuff your noob and should make a proper user account (PM me for details).

But saying that i have had Windows XP since it came out and i havent had a single Virus or Trojan yet..! Iv only had problems with how it is coded and stuff which isnt my fault.

Just thought id point that out :P

[Canada1824]

I am using a Windows SP2 XP Professional Edition. I don't like it ONE BIT!!! I want a Mac. Everytime I see a mac, it's envy.
mac bads: almost no games, well the good ones are all for windows

Well, you and I are teenagers. We love games. But for the older, more serious adult, of course it's gonna be MAC. I want a mac for a laptop though. But I got a Toshiba :(

[aznebonix]

too much bs about windows these days. but hey, if u run a firewall, scan for spybots everyweek, and dont download stupid stuff, you'll be fine. i like mac osx, graphically amazing-hey thats wut it was initially intended for right? and windows, afters years of use, its part of me. what if pc's came out with a single click mouse? and macs came with two and a scroll? what would the world be like then? these two operation systems are for their own purposes, so i think theres no reason to compare every aspect against each other.

[KyanVrezpor]

I think this quote from bash.org sums it up nicely :lol: :

< robT> Name ONE thing that your windows comp can do that my MAC cant
< bawss> Right click.

(You can find the link here (http://www.bash.org/?462310).)

[meow]

Originally posted by aznebonix@Feb 20 2005, 06:23 PM
too much bs about windows these days. but hey, if u run a firewall, scan for spybots everyweek, and dont download stupid stuff, you'll be fine. i like mac osx, graphically amazing-hey thats wut it was initially intended for right? and windows, afters years of use, its part of me. what if pc's came out with a single click mouse? and macs came with two and a scroll? what would the world be like then? these two operation systems are for their own purposes, so i think theres no reason to compare every aspect against each other.
28263


hey you know what? you can actually use a double click & scroll mouse for macs, just that apple dun make it, thats it. ;) its fine as long as its a usb mouse

[makeinu]

Originally posted by KyanVrezpor@Feb 20 2005, 05:26 AM
I think this quote from bash.org sums it up nicely :lol: :
(You can find the link here (http://www.bash.org/?462310).)
28266


Funny, I right click all the time! :rolleyes: :lol:

[Canada1824]

I don't care about mouses.for laptops, go for windows. But for desktops, I pefer Mac. Why? think it. This is my idea, don't think it's the bible

[KyanVrezpor]

I wasn't being totally serious :P.

I don't know huge amounts about Macs, what I do know is that for games you need Windows, so I'm keeping it for now.

[MatrixCode]

mac da best!! its graphics and with graphics , performance.........cant compare mac with windows.

[Destined]

Windows is the best os you can get... unlike crappy old macs from a junkyard windows is flexable... It may not be the substancial development tool but its a hell lot good to me.

Really, l`d prefer linux out of all os`s

[accelz]

I prefer Windows for desktop... I never used macs coz I havent seen one yet... lol! ummm Linux is good for setting up a server (eg. web, proxy, dns etc...)