Apple Mac

[Jamesino]

Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me out with this, as I like to think of myself as a computer buff however I have never been able to answer the question, and that is.. What are the differences between a Apple Mac computer and a Windows computer..

At my school, we are making a radio station and are soon to put it 'into the air waves' if you like, and at the media studio where we edit and make adverts and things for it, and all the computers there are Apple Mac, and there is a sweet G4 notebook (is it? I'm not sure of the name) it is the one with the big screen and it is in a sorta silver colour. We are all starting to say 'oh yer I'm getting a mac' and 'yer I've just ordered my mac' and all this. I have also fallen into it, and now discovering all of this freebie business, I might sell on my gifts and put it towards a new mac.. maybe? Maybe one of those well nice laptop ones? I'm just really not sure if I should do that, as I have sorta mastered windows really, however I dont know the differences with mac, if its any good, am I right in wanting one? If anyone could give me any advice on this, then I would be very greatful.

Thanks again, James.

[rockykabir]

I guess cos you gave a kinda long question, I thought it deserves a long answer

Its a different OS...built upon a variant of Unix/BSD and is seen to be very stable.

Until recently (well, two weeks ago), OS X (the OS that Mac uses) was exclusively compatible with PowerPC processors based on the RISC architecture - whereas Windows used intel x86 processors. Due to this, as well as other things, Mac applications were incompatible with Windows systems without an emulator (which usually was quite slow). They were also a bit more expensive as it only served a niche market compared the dominate Windows userbase.

As mentioned previously, Apple have begun to move onto Intel. Although the macs now are great for about 1-2 years, they will soon be outdated when companies start to produce Intel only compatible programs.

I have used OSX quite a bit and I loved it. Its a lot more stable than Windows (as well as being quite nice to look at ). Even the new update to Windows, Windows Vista have..ahem..borrowed a lot of features which are available on OSX today.

Also, as it hasn't got much of a userbase compared to Windows, there aren't that many virii or spyware floating about on the net. However, because of this, there aren't that many programs available for it...and its a big no-no for games! (I don't play games on the PC anyway so its not a factor)

However, having said all this, I'm currently using Windows and I'm loving this as well. As long as you are sensible and don't install any silly programs/spyware/viruses, you won't have any stability problems. Throughout my many years of using Windows, I've only had 3 instances of the BSOD (Blue screen of death) but they happened on the pile of junk known as Windows ME.

[Jamesino]

Hi, thanks for the long answer man, really appreciate it. Now I did say I was a computer buff... however I only picked up a few things from that lol

In the 'edit suite' of our school, the guys there are ultimate masters of the computer, and one in particular to all of them. They are well ahead of me really in terms of knowledge.

So.. just as a matter of interest, why is it that their computers are all macs? Is it because they are better for editing and things? The 'edit suite' isnt much of a suite at all lol, its more like a big room made a small room due to all the awards, pictures, wires, computers (obviously) and those little external hard drives, everywhere! lol

So back to my question, why is it that they use the macs?

[DiscoDJChris]

blue screen of death *shudders*

Im still getting that quite a bit

[rockykabir]

James,

There are several reasons why designers/journalists mainly use Macs.

The first is the simplicity. Macs are extremely user friendly - or they definitely seem to give the impression that they are. I also think that cos it looks nice with all their swirly graphics, it'll probably appeal to designers more than the Windows.

Stability is another important issue here. With a bit of RAM, you'll hardly find the Mac crashing - especially with the CPU intensive work that designers have to do occasionally. A cool thing I found - which displayed how the OS was constructed - was how other programs continued to run even tho something else has crashed/not responding. We all know how impatient designers and journalists are, so I guess Macs for them will be perfect - Bear in mind that 3D animation designers will actually use other OS's other than Macs or Windows anyway.

Finally is the compatibility. The graphic and video editing software seem to be made for Apple when you use them (although, I have to say the gap is being reduced by Windows nowadays). Another useful feature is the true size display which basically displays the image/text as it would be in reality - ideal for Posters/Newspapers. Additionally, you have Firewire, which is a standard on Macs. This is essential for video editing.

[Jamesino]

Ok cheers...

So would I be able to run programs I normally use, which at the minute, are:

P2P Programs
MSN 8 BETA (or any other MSN Messenger)
ImTOO DVD Ripper Platinum 4
Jasc Paint Shop Pro (might start learning Photoshop though...)
Microsoft Word (and all the other 2005 Office programs)
Power DVD

Would I be able to use these programs on a mac, if not, why not?

[Jamesino]

Anyone? lol

[rockykabir]

P2P...some...but this depends whether the developer has made a mac version of it or not..
MSN8 no (its crap anyway) - but I think other versions of MSN works. If not, there are other progs which can do the same thing.
ImToo....there are other convertors that are compatible.

For the rest and all your other progs, you'll need a Mac version. Most will not be compatible.

[Jamesino]

Hmm ok... But can you get converters for every programs?

[rockykabir]

an emulator....but its very slow

[Jamesino]

Very slow? as in it would convert it over night or something?

Or are you saying the program would be very slow?

[Simon]

That emulator is Virtual PC, which basically means you can run all your old programs and even keep to the windows OS. However as mentioned it is very slow and really kinda pointless unless you want a mac simply because of looks...even though "Dam they look good!!"

[Jamesino]

Hmm.... you see I use my laptop for 'rectrational' purposes... such as playing/ripping DVDs, surfing the internet, eBay, freebie sites, MSN, however I do take it to skool and use it for work such as using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft excel....

Still a good idea?

[rockykabir]

To be perfectly honest with you, I think you'll be better off with windows laptop.

I was trying to justify myself buying the iBook but when it came down to it, I was buying it more due to the looks of the OS. There were so many things I needed in Windows and it seemed like a lot of hassle. It was also quite expensive - I mean, with that price (if you want) you can buy a rather nice looking alienware laptop.

[Jamesino]

Originally Posted by rockykabir

To be perfectly honest with you, I think you'll be better off with windows laptop.

I was trying to justify myself buying the iBook but when it came down to it, I was buying it more due to the looks of the OS. There were so many things I needed in Windows and it seemed like a lot of hassle. It was also quite expensive - I mean, with that price (if you want) you can buy a rather nice looking alienware laptop.

Hmm... sorta brings me onto my next question, alienware.. is it just Windows? or is it a different Operating System than windows? or is it windows and massive RAM?

Also, going back to Apple, would it be a good to have an Apple laptop and a Windows laptop? or would that be pointless too? (probs way too expensive aswell) Thanks again for all the answers guys. James.

[rockykabir]

alienware is just windows. Only Apple make OS X computers

[Jamesino]

Originally Posted by rockykabir

alienware is just windows. Only Apple make OS X computers

Ok thanks...

Just been looking at some of the Apple Powerbooks, and I dont think I would get the 12" one, probs the 15", and definetly the 17" (only in dreamland though lol).

I mean I am assuming that I am going to get money for selling the free gifts I get from various freebie sites and put it towards a new mac.. however would that work? Have any of you done that before?

[rockykabir]

I'm gonna sell most of my freebies to pay for my ticket to travel around Asia with friends after my finals

It is possible...as long as you work hard it and stick with the reliable sites

[Jamesino]

Originally Posted by rockykabir

I'm gonna sell most of my freebies to pay for my ticket to travel around Asia with friends after my finals

It is possible...as long as you work hard it and stick with the reliable sites

Ok sure.. the new paypal euro site is a good site to start off with!

[silvah]

Hi mate,

Steer clear of Macs... Apple are nothing but rip-off merchants who know how to make stuff look good. On every Mac you buy, you're paying £300 or so more than you need to for what they give you, (sometimes as much as £1000) and then you find there's loads of software you can't use, and you're locked into buying Mac compatible hardware sold by Apple. Possibly the worst thing about them is when your Mac breaks (which it will, especially if you're buying an ibook) you pay through the nose to get it fixed. You'll have to send it away and pay at least £200 for the privelege; often more. Even a keyboard key falling off... that'll be £200, mate.

Some of the new PCs are looking just as sweet as the Macs... witness the lovely Sony VAIO laptops which are VERY cute. And you can get them fixed on pretty much any high street, or you can get the parts yourself on the internet and do it yourself. Try doing that with a Mac

Sorry for the mad rant!! But I have seen so many friends get ripped off by Apple - paying literally thousands of pounds more than they need to for a decent computer.

Don't be hypnotised by the look of the Mac! Looks is all it's got in its favour. I challenge anybody to find something the Mac does that the PC can't do just as well. Including the 'wow' factor. Wherever I take my VAIO, people start ooooohing and aaaaahing over it.

Hope that helps

Cheers