Comments on: What the recession means for the Mac

By: Jim. Tallahassee FL

Jim. Tallahassee FL — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:35:52 +0000

Use both and have used them since 1984. PCs are best for corporate networks because configuration is uniform and straightforward. Macs are easier to use and more effective due to graphics and ease-of-use especially among the scientific community. Apple sets the price for this convenience and does not budge.

For my part, networking Macs is more difficult because of the multiple OS's which you must deal with Motorola 68000's (pre 8), Power PC's (9 and X) and Intel based Macs (X 10.5). This is a pain even when doing the latest Macs. Apple prefers that you "dump the old products" but not all do. (Home is a Mac graveward with System 7 and 8 era Macs and the appropriate applications. Also have PCs with XPpro, Vista).

Networking Mac/Win documentation is hard to find on Apple's web site because the intention is to focus on Mac-Mac and Mac->Apple products.

When networking in an academic environment one must deal with cross-platform compatability which a pain. It is generally easier to stick with one platform or the other. Choice of platform is dictated by what applications you need.

Think of it this way. Apple has rationalized product lines and focuses on the top end. Focusing on Unix (10.x) and iApps has led it to abandon its earlier users and build huge reserves. MS has to deal with backward compatability and the need to support an infinity of platforms.

When Jobs is gone, Apple will have a tough road to hoe and it may need to survive through acquisition.

By: Cam, San Antonio, TX

Cam, San Antonio, TX — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:52:42 +0000

I use both but prefer PC. Not saying it is better or anything. I think it is similiar to automatic vs manual transmissions: while an automatic is more expensive, it really takes care of all the small things for you. On the other hand, if you know what you are doing with a stick shift, you will end up getting more power and better effeciency.

By: Kelly Patrick, San Clemente, CA

Kelly Patrick, San Clemente, CA — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:07:01 +0000

Wow, cant believe the bickering that is going on in here. Seriously? There is no comparison. One was built for design, graphics…the other for word processing, tasks, personal scheduling, comprehensive projects, and personal communications. I have been building PCs for over 10 years, And I love them. However, I also use a mac for my media developement. Love what it can do. But thats where I stop. I have a iPhone, LOVE IT! What I dont love about my Mac is the "other " software that you get stuck with. Safari…sucks. Leopard….sucks *ss. No substancial word processing programs for mac. When running safari and opening leopard as well..FREEZE!!! Every time I try to do more than one task at a time it boggs down and quite frequently gets stuck on stupid. My mac I have through my work. My PC….is mine. I had a choice to buy either one 6 months ago, price not a issue, I battled it out in my head and eventually decided that PC was for me. Brand new Dell, built to my specs and needs. The thing blazes. No viruses, no program hickups, no FREEZING or getting "STUCK" on stupid. Im a pc kinda girl…with a little spot in my heart for my MAC and iPhone. CAUSE THE pc IS PERSONAL AGAIN.. :0)

By: CaptDD San Diego CA

CaptDD San Diego CA — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:34:43 +0000

Apple also has started doing something that the others have not done; provide an ever increasing number of quality tutorials that help insure both new and long time owners that they can easily use the power of their Mac's to do things themselves that PC folks can only dream of!

I call this Apple Magic; when you see users scroll with just their fingers, put together a movie and post it on Mobile Me, sort & tweak photos like a pro in Aperture 2 or just stare into their 24" iMac "personal drive-in movie screen", then you'll realize that Mac users are "one with their Mac" and for them, PC's are now just part of history…

By: Jon, Kent, Ohio

Jon, Kent, Ohio — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:17:23 +0000

Nearly half the laptops that I see students at my state university purchase are macs. I'd make the arguement that the demographic is much lower than 40.

By: Dennis, Redmond WA

Dennis, Redmond WA — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:02:58 +0000

Has anyone done an age demographic on Mac buyers? I do have a suspicion many of them are older (say, over 40) and that Mac will eventually die as it's constituent population dies off.

I use PC's at home and they're great. I use Macs at school (I have 30 laptops in my classroom, and one for me) and they freeze up a lot. You get used to that spinning color wheel a lot (and having to remove and replace the battery when it really freezes up).

Mac is not an ironclad product, nor is a PC. What I like about a PC is that if something goes odd, you can find multiple ways to go in and find a way to get it to work. Not so with Mac.

By: OAKHURST NJ

OAKHURST NJ — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:58:28 +0000

I DONT THNK A BAD ECONOMY CAN EFFECT THE PURCHASE WHEN YOUR COMPUTER BREAKS YOU NEED A NEW ONE ITS LIKE BUYING RICE GALLERY84.COM

By: Doug, Albuquerque, NM

Doug, Albuquerque, NM — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:11:42 +0000

let me throw this into the mix…

What if the apple Macintosh Operating System were opened up (i.e. sold to) other computer hardware manufacturers?

Do not say it will never happen, most said Mac would NEVER go to Intel. Well?

http://dougitdesign.com/blog.html

By: Paul, Glenview, IL

Paul, Glenview, IL — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:13:49 +0000

I am most likely on a track like millions. Used to hate the Mac concept. (for 20 years) Resented Apple pushing it in schools. Then I bought an iPod. Impressed that it never broke. simply did what it was suppose to. so i bought an iphone. Same. So I bought a mac book. no more frustration. so I bought aapl. Get it? the ipod spurred phone sale buy-in which will spurr lap top sales. Huge growth will come. My only problem is with software selection for work for a small office. Is there anyhting mac has that is as good as outlook for email etc AND tasks?

By: Erick Tamarac, FL

Erick Tamarac, FL — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:21:50 +0000

It's amazing how Apple owners act like their **** don't stink. My coworker was braging about her $1,500 purchase last month and her HD crashed within 4 weeks of her purchase. When she tried to bring it back to Best Buy – they said she needs to visit the MAC store as they only have a 2 week warranty on the machine. 2 weeks!!

I've had my PC for 2 years now and no problems. I guess shelling out the additional $600 for looks isn't what it's cracked up to be!