The Mac vs. PC debate

[Cyc]

Is anyone else confused by this? Without trying to be intentionally thick, it's always been my understanding that a PC is a "personal computer" ... literally. So, unless someone copyrighted the acronym "PC" without telling me, doesn't Mac qualify as a PC?

Furthermore, when they're characterizing PC's, like they do in the commercials, they portray like viruses, and slow speeds... which can all be attributed to Windows.

The fact that most PC's run Windows doesn't make PC the culprit. PC's are capable of loading whatever OS you put on it. The fact that Mac's proprietary OS(X) has less users, and therefore, less people write viruses for it, is purely circumstantial. Even if it is more secure than Windows, we're talking an OS, and not the PC itself.

It seems to me, like Mac is intentionally confusing the issue, and exploiting, what they believe to be a common end-user misconception - which is PC = Windows.

It would sound ridiculous if Dell came out and said, "Don't buy a PC, buy a Dell!"

Mac is a logo. It's a design. It's a marketing campaign. It's a piece of software... But at the end of the day, it's still a PC.

 

[aanallein]

No. Mac used to be different because they developed every part of their hardware themselves so they had to have their own OS in order to run everything. Then they started outsourcing video cards (couldn't keep up with Nvidia and ATI), then ram, then CPUs and now its basically just a PC with a different brand. They aren't exploiting anything and it definately isnt a piece of software. Its been a gradual process and the distinction between Mac and PC has become fuzzier with time so the name has held.

Further, the entire mac line has traditionally been more suited towards schools and small offices in my opinion than personal computing. The integration with the Mac OS and Macintosh's work with companies like Cad and other graphical design software seemed more of a priority than things like video games and such so they had an entirely different user type they marketed to.

Now with the Ipod Macintosh doesn't even need to make computers anymore to be honest. They make far more from Ipod/accessory sales if I remember correctly. But hell, even Ipods' parts are outsourced now. Its just not possible for a single company to produce everything when you need insane levels of RnD to keep up with the competition.

 

[Cyc]

Right, I acknowledge that the Macintosh paradigm is large, and has a coloured history.

But that doesn't change the fact that their current marketing campaign is riddled with misleading generalizations, and (if what you say is true) hypocrisy.

 

[Jackal]

^
Last year some crackpot finally managed to successfully modify windows XP to run on a mac- i think??

Furthermore, when they're characterizing PC's, like they do in the commercials, they portray like viruses, and slow speeds... which can all be attributed to Windows.

Just got me some Suse to solve that problem, no more "thinking about it" PC

 

[9mmCensor]

^
Last year some crackpot finally managed to successfully modify windows XP to run on a mac- i think??

Actually apple provides a bootloaded called bootcamp to allow people to install windows in conjunction with os x on Intel Macs.

 

[ShaDDoW]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZQ_It0weI

 

[AuraithX]

Technicalities. A PC is considered to be any machine that runs windows. If you install Linux/BSD on a PC it is no longer considered a PC.

The reasons macs have no viruses is not only because a small amount of people use it. It's because it's a lot more secure.

Macs > PCs.

 

[Cyc]

Technicalities. A PC is considered to be any machine that runs windows. If you install Linux/BSD on a PC it is no longer considered a PC.

Says who? You? Let's see some sources.

The reasons macs have no viruses is not only because a small amount of people use it. It's because it's a lot more secure.

Again, I'm not a Mac guy - but I sure as hell not going to take your word for it, either. Show some evidence.

Macs > PCs.

Macs ARE PC's until someone proves otherwise.

 

[aanallein]

Or you could call it a computer or a workstation. PC means what exactly and who gives a shit? I think this thread is retarded.

 

[Lane]

what's even funnier, Kyk...

...is that Apple was the company that popularized the "PC" acronym/term when they released the Apple II.


IMO Apple/Mac is nothing but elitest, hipster sh!t.
I'll never consider buying one of their products.

 

[AuraithX]

Says who? You? Let's see some sources.

Define: pc - A microcomputer with its own processor and hard drive. Although technically this refers to all such computers, including Macs, the term PC is nearly synonymous with only the IBM-compatible microcomputers.

Again, I'm not a Mac guy - but I sure as hell not going to take your word for it, either. Show some evidence.

Without going into to much detail, Macs are more secure because they're based upon UNIX. the same reason Linux OS's are more secure, also.. Apple puts out regular software updates that fix bugs.

Read this article if you're interested
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/4136/937/

Macs ARE PC's until someone proves otherwise.

PC's was a term coined by IBM. Macs was a term coined by Apple. No one needs to "prove" otherwise because only a retard would care about why a mac is not classified as a "PC"

---

Seriously, I agree this thread is retarded and you could find most of this information by using google.

 

[kyanite]

The whole mac>pc argument is pointless to me. sure having a mac book would be cool, but on the other hand, I have a computer that I got for 75 bucks. It runs xp, internet works, word processes, runs ableton, photoshop, and a bunch of other shit and runs cs better than or on par with my friends(mostly because i keep it in tip top shape) but the point is I can't get a functional mac for 75 bucks.
I used to run linux too back when I programmed but I wasn't pro. Then XP came out and I just went for controllable simplicity. Yean the unix kernel is inherently more stable, but you've got to make a compromise with the rest of the world.

 

[hebb22]

Mac's are just over priced. With the money it costs to buy a Mac, you could build a PC 50 times better.

 

[DG]

since mac's are x86 now.. and can run windows and many do run windows and you can ever BUY them running windows
that would make it a pc too by your definition, no?

I just bought a macbook pro, but it doesnt come with windows. you have to buy special software to have it run both systems.

 

[AuraithX]

^ No you don't, download BootCamp from the mac site. It's free

My Dad just got back from America and he brought the $3k MacBook Pro back and a HP comp that was similar in price. (slightly cheaper). I've played about with both for a few hours and the Mac is by far the best

 

[DG]

oooh i thought i had to buy it! *off to search the apple site* thanks!

 

[go-ee]

Haha, I would like to see anyone build a computer as powerful as the current mac pros for the price. Quad xeon (and soon to be 2x quad = 8 cores!). The build quality is exceptional, everything works, it is quiet as a mouse. I own a Quad Xeon 2.66ghz, 4 gig ram and while I have both windows and mac installed (bootcamp). I sure as hell never boot into windows unless its to play a game or use certain software only for windows. Sure mac is just a pretty version of unix/linux but hey..everything works..its incredibly easy to use (none of the nitty gritty of unix)...all the software I want is available (and if it isn't I just boot into windows). The only quad xeon machines I can find other than those by Mac are from Dell. Here's the crunch...they are more expensive than the macs!

The best things about macs are that you are buying a fully finished product. None of this half-arsed job microsoft does, where it's crashing..driver errors..spyware..FAROUT. Windows just gives me the shivers after being a mac user for a few months. I admit I was like many of you and thought they were overpriced..and for graphics designers trying to be hip and trendy. But oh how that has changed.

I must admit mac don't really accommodate to the middle-range users..they have the lower end.. imacs. Which personally I think are brilliant and well worth the money. Once again it is just the quality of the product and ease of use you are getting. It comes with a remote..so u can watch movies/photos/music/etc. They have huge screens - up to 24 inch. With the whole computer built in so it doesn't take up much space. However, once you get past the imacs you immediately move up to the mac pros which are considerably more expensive (and powerful!). There seems to be no sort of middle ground.

With all that said, windows is load of shit. It is unbelievable microsoft can sell a product that unreliable and with so many errors.

Use linux or mac.

 

[rumpled]

Windows frustrates me a hell lot. To put it this way, I'm willing to switch to Linux/Mac just so those damn irritants go away. Besides, the Leopard OS is coming out

 

[Kilgore]

I have always used windows but as soon as the mac tablet is out I am coping that shit. Or I'll just get the macbook.

 

[frizzantik]

Regarding PCs and 'personal computers'

The term "personal computer" was common currency before 1981, and was used as early as 1972 to characterize Xerox PARC's Alto. However, because of the success of the IBM PC, what had been a generic term came to mean specifically a microcomputer compatible with IBM's specification.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PC