mac vs pc?
Feb 2, 2010 at 8:44 PM Post #16 of 103
Quote:

Originally Posted by pne /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Thanks for the responses guys.

The biggest reason I was considering the mac was because I can learn all the ins/outs of windows, but I don't enjoy it. I'm at a point in my life where I want my computer to be efficient and help me do the stuff I need, instead of taking up my free time to learn how to work around issues. One example of this is microsoft office. I've been using the 03-07 format for years, every single day at work. Suddenly we changed over to the newer version and it was a disaster. I was so frustrated trying to do simple tasks like putting borders around tables or adding labels to my graphs. The program itself might be more powerful than the old version, but the designers have made no consideration for ease of crossing over. Instead they buttoned it all up with a nice looking skin/graphical interface, completely changed the layout, and dropped it into the consumers lap. Basically saying "here, figure it out yourself"

I know how to overclock my cpu/graphics card, I know how to install drivers, troubleshoot, etc. But it's feeling like I'm bending and contorting to suit the technology, rather than the technology making my life easier. I guess that's the bottom line about not minding a system that is ultimately slower or poorer performing, as long as the software is more intuitive and efficient to use.


I can draw a pretty simple analogy from my home audio stuff. I've gone through room tuning, plotting frequency response measurements, changing the axis/position of my speakers dozens of times, playing with absorbers, diffusers, equalizers, etc. But all that was such a headache compared to plugging in my headphones and just enjoying my music. That's what I'm trying to achieve with a mac, because in the end I get no satisfaction knowing my system scored xxxx on 3dmark or puts out xxx fps on crysis.


It sounds like you have your fair share of experience with what Windows has to offer, and are not that happy with it. If I were you I would give OSX a try, I definitely think that it is more intuitive and easier to use.
 
Feb 2, 2010 at 9:00 PM Post #17 of 103
I still say go PC and save yourself a whole lot of money. You don't need to tweak or overclock or get the current "sweet spot" video card. You can get yourself a nice setup for not a whole lot of money.

As for programs updating to new interfaces, that's how things work =b. Software companies will update the GUI's and features and they'll have to be relearned.

But you seem set on a Mac, so go for it. I get frustrated when I'm using a mac, and they get frustrated back on me. I am always stuck staring at that spinning color wheel while it tries to unfreeze itself (it happens all the damned time, and I don't know why, maybe the network at school isn't helping matters).
 
Feb 2, 2010 at 9:44 PM Post #19 of 103
From an IT guy perspective. I am a long time PC/Windows user and still use Windows at work. However at home I have an iMac. The reason I went to the Mac side was to alleviate ongoing problems I was having with audio and some software that was only available on OSX. I do a fair bit of home recording and the I/Os I used was problematic. Latency was a common issue as were IRQ conflicts.

After much research I bought an MacBook and never looked back. From a recording perspective I bought Logic for the more intricate stuff I do and use Garageband as a sketching tool.

For listening I primarily use iTunes but picked up a product called Neutrino that lets me do a whole bunch of other things from a player perspective (such as pitch and speed adjustments).

I could have got a PC for less and could have been built one for even less but I have been there and done that and it doesn't interest me anymore.

OS X has its quirks and I would be lying if I said it never locked up on me but I do prefer it over Windows. And I do have VMWare Fusion and windows installed for the few apps I still like to use that are not available on the Mac.
 
Feb 2, 2010 at 10:27 PM Post #20 of 103
Quote:

Originally Posted by Redo /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I get frustrated when I'm using a mac, and they get frustrated back on me. I am always stuck staring at that spinning color wheel while it tries to unfreeze itself (it happens all the damned time, and I don't know why, maybe the network at school isn't helping matters).


I think I located the problem. If you treat it well it will treat you well in return.
regular_smile .gif

The best you can do is to personalize your relationship by giving it a name. My first iBook was called 'Vera', had no issues with her.

pne, Have you any former experience with Macintosh? Going from a long experience with PCs to Mac can be a frustrating affair for some. Surely it has a lot to do with attitude, but operating a Mac demands a pretty different mindset.
 
Feb 2, 2010 at 10:39 PM Post #21 of 103
Quote:

Originally Posted by pne /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Thanks for the responses guys.

The biggest reason I was considering the mac was because I can learn all the ins/outs of windows, but I don't enjoy it. I'm at a point in my life where I want my computer to be efficient and help me do the stuff I need, instead of taking up my free time to learn how to work around issues. One example of this is microsoft office. I've been using the 03-07 format for years, every single day at work. Suddenly we changed over to the newer version and it was a disaster. I was so frustrated trying to do simple tasks like putting borders around tables or adding labels to my graphs. The program itself might be more powerful than the old version, but the designers have made no consideration for ease of crossing over. Instead they buttoned it all up with a nice looking skin/graphical interface, completely changed the layout, and dropped it into the consumers lap. Basically saying "here, figure it out yourself"

I know how to overclock my cpu/graphics card, I know how to install drivers, troubleshoot, etc. But it's feeling like I'm bending and contorting to suit the technology, rather than the technology making my life easier. I guess that's the bottom line about not minding a system that is ultimately slower or poorer performing, as long as the software is more intuitive and efficient to use.


I can draw a pretty simple analogy from my home audio stuff. I've gone through room tuning, plotting frequency response measurements, changing the axis/position of my speakers dozens of times, playing with absorbers, diffusers, equalizers, etc. But all that was such a headache compared to plugging in my headphones and just enjoying my music. That's what I'm trying to achieve with a mac, because in the end I get no satisfaction knowing my system scored xxxx on 3dmark or puts out xxx fps on crysis.


You indeed sound like you are ready to try a Mac. What the "PCs are cheaper" crowd always forget is that the real power is in the ability to use a machine, something at which Mac OS X, iLife and iWork excel.
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 12:37 AM Post #22 of 103
Quote:

Originally Posted by limpidglitch /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think I located the problem. If you treat it well it will treat you well in return.
regular_smile .gif

The best you can do is to personalize your relationship by giving it a name. My first iBook was called 'Vera', had no issues with her.

pne, Have you any former experience with Macintosh? Going from a long experience with PCs to Mac can be a frustrating affair for some. Surely it has a lot to do with attitude, but operating a Mac demands a pretty different mindset.


I haven't used a mac in many many years. Each time I was presented with a chance to try one out, I've always adopted the snobby PC attitude. "why should I even bother with this toy, my PC is so much faster" kinda stance. Only within the last couple of years am I realizing how much value efficiency and user interface have to me, compared to outright processor speed. I'm heading down to the apple store this weekend to try out snow leopard. I'll probably stop by a big box store to see if they have any systems running windows 7 as well.
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 12:49 AM Post #23 of 103
Mac, if you're willing to give up gaming and overclocking. Macs are obviously better at video/audio editing than a PC and mac doesnt get viruses and is very hard to hack into. You cant really tell a difference between a macbook laptop with 2.2 ghz core 2 duo (2 processors) with an Alienware gaming desktop with 3.0 ghz dual quad (8 processors) if you're NOT playing any games and if you're ONLY watching movies, surfing the web, editing videos and doing 90% of the stuff you're doing every day. Macs are also easier to use and setup than a pc.
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 1:29 AM Post #24 of 103
both will give you similar performance for everything other than gaming (unless you go higher than the i5 for a PC)

it seems you dont care about gaming that much... id choose MAC if you like their OS and can afford the price.

im not sure about the support for media servers for the PS3 though

i personally use PC because of removed by moderator
(that really wasnt removed by a mod, but you get the point ^_^)
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 1:38 AM Post #25 of 103
Quote:

Originally Posted by uraflit /img/forum/go_quote.gif
both will give you similar performance for everything other than gaming (unless you go higher than the i5 for a PC)

it seems you dont care about gaming that much... id choose MAC if you like their OS and can afford the price.

im not sure about the support for media servers for the PS3 though

i personally use PC because of removed by moderator
(that really wasnt removed by a mod, but you get the point ^_^)



I am using Medialink and it works well with the PS3. Occasional lockup on the PS3 but quite infrequent.
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 2:02 AM Post #26 of 103
I use a mac after being a pc user for years and have never looked back. I have win7 on bootcamp for if I ever need to use windows but other then that I am very happy with my computer situation
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 4:10 AM Post #28 of 103
Switched to macs recently, better hardware recognition, minimal to no crashes, and one thing no one mentioned, the real lack of viruses and worms to worry about. And yes it sounds superficial, but I like a nicely designed piece of equipment where some thought went into it.
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 4:40 AM Post #29 of 103
Quote:

Originally Posted by beamthegreat /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Mac, if you're willing to give up gaming and overclocking. "Macs are obviously better at video/audio editing than a PC" and mac doesnt get viruses and is very hard to hack into. You cant really tell a difference between a macbook laptop with 2.2 ghz core 2 duo (2 processors) with an Alienware gaming desktop with 3.0 ghz dual quad (8 processors) if you're NOT playing any games and if you're ONLY watching movies, surfing the web, editing videos and doing 90% of the stuff you're doing every day. Macs are also easier to use and setup than a pc.


A very generalized statement, but in many cases Macs are better for editing. There is a lot more to it than we can afford to discuss in a single thread, so we can let that one go and this thread can retain its dignity
beerchug.gif
 
Feb 3, 2010 at 4:55 AM Post #30 of 103
I used to run OSX and Vista on bootcamp. I can do everything without windows, so I now have a OSX/Linux setup going. As far as how fast it will be, Snow Leopard is ridiculous. The hard disk space is much better managed IMO. I freed up literally 30gigs of space when I installed Snow Leopard. I don't know what sort of witchcraft that is, but it made me very happy(I was down to less than a gig). I have no experience with final cut and the like.

I am very happy living in the reality distortion field, and I think you will enjoy it too.
 
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