PC vs. Mac

-or- the suit vs. the slacker

Published on May 23, 2006 By BlueDev In OS Wars

By now, I am sure most of us have seen the new round of Mac vs. PC commercials. You know, the one with the middle age, sort of uptight looking, fuddy-duddy dude in a suit representing a PC, and the young, hip, cool, laid-back dude in old jeans and a T-shirt representing a Mac.

I have seen a couple of variations, but they all focus on the same thing. They all are trying to convey the same message: Macs are just cool and "work", whereas PCs are out of touch, laborious and problematic. Of course, I find it odd that so much of the advertising lately is on the hardware (considering I am typing this entry on my Windows laptop with Intel Core Duo processors, an pretty nice ATI graphics card, more RAM than a Mac Book and a larger HD than a Mac Book, at easily a few hundred dollars lower cost).

Nevertheless, I am not a Mac hater. In fact, I fully anticipate owning a Mac someday, when I can afford to have one IN ADDITION to my Windows computers. But I have to admit, I really don't care for these new ads. They just seem like such a faulty use of details, that honestly, I think they are embarrassing. In that spirit I share the following (sorry, can't paste the image myself as it is not mine and I don't have permission to be pasting it):

An alternative comparison between PC dude and Mac dude.

I found this quite entertaining.

Comments (Page 5)

Tominated

on Jun 01, 2006

I must admit, mac is so much better for firt time computer users and multimedia, but pc is good for officework and getting all sorts of spyware, virusus, etc..

Dr Guy

on Jun 01, 2006

#60 by lolapoa
Thu, June 01, 2006 2:43 PM Reply

Quote Watch

aaaa

Quoting is a bitch, aint it?

Jafo

on Jun 01, 2006

lolapoa ...do you really HAVE to quote entire posts by others?

....and please refrain from typing in all caps. It is considered shouting and therefore rude in conversation....

EllieJane

on Jun 01, 2006

Snobbery is one thing, but the proof is in the sales figures and general usage. If you were to ask a company like PCWorld how many PCs they sold in a month compared to MAC, I wonder what the answer would be (I think we can all guess that 1)

For many years I worked at a company called TRANSCO who transport gas through the national pipeline for commercial and domestic customers, I was with them when they brought the UKLINK database online which is the 5 largest live environment database in the world, was it designed to run on MAC systems ... NO of course not, it was designed to be windows based. If MAC is "so superior" they would use it, but they dont. I have worked for many different companies over the years an all have used Windows.

I have been using Windows since Windows 3.1 came into existance and would certainly not consider changing. All of the most popular software currently available is designed for Windows systems and the reason for that is quite simple, Windows is the most popular OS on the market and therefore there is more money to be made in creating Windows compatible software.

You can have all the flashy advertising that money can buy but nothing compares to "word of mouth" advertising and if MACs were so superior and so efficient there would be one in every home and office by now ... I dont think that's the case is it.

If I had to use a comparison I'd probably go for this one:

PC = VHS MAC = Betamax

Just because something is bright, shiney an expensive it doesn't mean it's good

Jafo

on Jun 01, 2006

PC = VHS MAC = Betamax

'unfortunate' analogy, probably...as Betamax was/is an infinitely superior format. Unfortunately it lost the sales/promotional/advertising race, that's all...

Corky_O

on Jun 01, 2006

I think having two machines - one PC with Windows and associated programs, and one Mac with the OS X and associated programs would be fun.

One could learn both platforms and associated programs, and would therefore be able to benefit from both worlds (or sides of the fence).

They are both just machines (or an OS and programs on a machine) and of course, you get what you pay for in machines - whether it be a car, an appliance, a shop tool, or a computer. If you keep your tools in good shape, they can last quite some time.

"There is no accounting for taste" as they say, so to each his / her own, and celebrate the differences.

For my part, I currently run a notebook with Windows, and plan to invest (at some point) in a Mac. I do like the iMac design utilizing the monitor housing to hold the MoBo and associated hardwares. This is very nice for someone who needs or wants to conserve space.

The hard part - IMO - is the application expenses after purchasing a machine with an OS. This makes investing in any machine a significant financial burden if you run professional level office, graphic, and / or design software. It would be really nice if you would purchase a piece of software that has a Windows based disc, and a Mac based disc included and a license for installing one copy on each platform - all for the current price of one platform.

DesignCaddy

on Jun 01, 2006

Lifestyle... lifestyle... lifestyle...

nowadays thats all you're getting different. Mac has a great advantage that its well controlled - less bloat. Put yourself in the shoes of someone brand new to computers. A PC user looking to get a computer hears about anti virus programs, spam protection, internet security, the latest virus.. they see advertisements and specials about all this extra crap that you NEED to buy to make your computer just run smoothly. While the security of a mac is taken for granted, there is a lot of scare there for a PC would-be-user. Mac got one thing right: you turn it on and it just works. THere is less worry.

An experienced windows user can keep his machine running in tip top shape without a reboot for months on end. But a normal user can't do that.. a normal user can't even watch DVD's in media player - touted as a one stop shop of music experience - without BUYING the dvd playing ability. So now we have secondary bundled dvd software. We have preloaded everything. And after using your computer for a month, your system tray is weighing your computer down so much it just falls forward on to its face.

I much prefer my PC to a mac, because of its customizable, and fitted to suit me exactly. But a new user? a scary world.

That said - i'm not sure where lolapoa is coming from.. until recently ( the intel mac era ), Macs only did photoshop well. Illustrator and Indesign fall flat on their faces. CAD on a mac? ... what? They just couldn't do the math. Even today, there are several things on a PC that you can not do on a mac with illustrator and indesign. At work i use a Dell Lappy.. 17".. 1.8 gh pentium m. it's SMOKIN fast for design.

What it comes down to is the entertainment package. Macs include the cameras, the remote control, the dvd player, and they wrap it up in one bundle, from one supplier. Windows does 'ilife' too. Movie maker is very capable and easy to use.. digital imaging is built in to the shell. Live/MSN/Windows Messanger has AV capability. But nobody knows! its not advertised. Then, mac design is sexier.. they're smaller. More portable, appealing for the younger generation or students.

I'm a windows fan. I prefer the interface over a macs, and i believe it is better suited to new users. But as for what they can do, and what crashes and what doesn't? Prefernce over which is really better comes down to some very minor things. UNless of course you're a new user.

AS for the ads... its brilliant marketing. But give me 15 minutes wiht a mac and i'll crash it.

EllieJane

on Jun 02, 2006

'unfortunate' analogy, probably...as Betamax was/is an infinitely superior format. Unfortunately it lost the sales/promotional/advertising race, that's all...

I must admit to having a chuckle over that 1 .. I do remember the betamax format and it was about as far from superior as you can get and almost twice the size of VHS

and of course, you get what you pay for in machines - whether it be a car, an appliance, a shop tool, or a computer.

Now that I just have to disagree with .. Just because something has a nice outer appearance and a high price tag it doesn't always make it better ... a perfect example of that is the clothing market aimed at teens, you can have two identical items of clothing, one with a brand label and one without, the one with the "all important" label is always of lower quality and will wear out faster so the fashion concious teen will pester the parent to buy another

The computer market is no different my children have used a MAC before and wouldn't consider even giving them desk space at home and most of their friends are the same, as far as they're concerned PCs are the only real option. As for ease of use, my 12 year old son can, if given the required parts, build a quality PC with total ease, load all the required software on it and have it running as smooth as silk, how much easier does it need to be.

I can honestly say that during the 15 years that I've been using MSN Messenger, I have never spoken to anyone on there that was using a MAC and I know that of the dozens of people that my children speak to on a daily basis there isn't 1 that's using a MAC

I think it's safe to say that the MAC will never be as widely used as the PC

Corky_O

on Jun 02, 2006

Now that I just have to disagree with .. Just because something has a nice outer appearance and a high price tag it doesn't always make it better

Just for the record, I was not referring to looks and price tag, I was speaking about components.

My meaning was that you could build (or purchase) a machine with quality components, or bad components. This was not a statement for either the PC or the Mac, just that one needs to look at purchasing well engineered components to enjoy a high quality machine.

Mac obviously saw something in the Intel product that they liked. Clearly, the PC platform has been using these chips for a long time.

BlueDev

on Jun 02, 2006

Wow, now this thread just erupted overnight.

To lolapoa: I will ignore your posts. Your lack of netiquette prevents me from even bothering to read your comments. Please listen Jafo. No caps, don't quote entire posts, and format.

To others: I had not doubt this would degenerate into a true PC vs. Mac discussion. It is interesting to see the competing views. Thanks for the contributions.

As I said initially, Macs are very nice machines (if a little overpriced). They server their purpose very well. PCs are also very nice machines and server their purpose very well. Ain't it great we live in a world of choice?

But the smug attitude of Mac zealots is what really turns me off. They ought to be embarassed, but of course they won't be.

starkers

on Jun 02, 2006

But the smug attitude of Mac zealots is what really turns me off. They ought to be embarassed, but of course they won't be.

There are PC zealots who should be embarassed as well....but they're not...either.

What annoys me, both ways, is the attitude: 'what's good and works for me must work and be good for everyone else.' That, to me, does not respect the personal needs/choices of others...by pushing their views, opinions down the throats of others.

If a Mac user wishes to share their computing experiences with me, that's fine, but I'd resent being told my PC choice is crap and have the 'greater' virtues of Mac pounded into my head.

I'm not opposed to the idea of owning a Mac...in fact, to broaden my horizons, I will eventually get an Intel based Mac for my desktop. It will not, however, be due to any smug, clever or geeky advertising, but purely for my own wants/needs.

Just hope owning a Mac & a Windows based PC doesn't have a Jeykll & Hyde effect in related forum discussions.

Dr Guy

on Jun 02, 2006

Just hope owning a Mac & a Windows based PC doesn't have a Jeykll & Hyde effect in related forum discussions.

Does that mean you will have to hate yourself?

BlueDev

on Jun 02, 2006

There are PC zealots who should be embarassed as well....but they're not...either.

True. Perhaps it is just my personal experience though, but Mac zealots seem much more vocal and rabid than PC zealots.

Jafo

on Jun 02, 2006

I must admit to having a chuckle over that 1 .. I do remember the betamax format and it was about as far from superior as you can get and almost twice the size of VHS

You might want to research that a wee bit more. Sony's Beta format was used quite extensively within the commercial television industry simply due to its better quality, and, last time I looked the VHS is still a bigger cassette. Have a look at how the 'transport mechanism' works on each [front-loading] and you will quickly see why the Beta was better...

lolapoa

on Jun 02, 2006

Sorry bout the caps...i am getting used to the big caps button next to the A,

anyway, bout the discussion, as some say, of course it will never be as known as windows,its like i said, nothing bout the price, u see more chevys then porsche, what that means is that u see more middle end pc's (as the one they compared to a mac)than high end pc's and macs, hell take the macbook as a chevy (too bad for the integrated video card).
On the other hand, i am amazed how ilustrator was running smoother on a pc than in ur mac, u may have something going on there, cuz as far as i know, all the graph designers which run the adobe suite will certainly not have a pc, that's for a reason, and no it my not run cad, however i wonder what pixar uses to make their animations as we know the guy the co founder, so...i wonder. As i said before, dont get me wrong, windows is kick ass good, but very disorganied, less user friendly, and i dont mind virus, cus it all falls in the users hands,the most awful thing is the registry. There are thousands of programs, but install and uninstall 10, and ur computer just jot a bit slower cus all the registry edit each program made, and the dll's and such, i know some go out clean, but its like 1 in 1000, and in mac few (microsoft app mostly)do that.what is still dont get is, and no one has answered, why ppl make their pc lookalike macs...never seen a mac lookalike pc before LOL, windows graph is plain ugly, in high resolution or big monitors it looks but pixelated ugly ahahah.I have beta 1 of windows vista, and to tell u the truth, i know mac will never be the king, but lots of ppl will get disspointed bout vista,windows interface is starting to be old...its the same thing, nicely disguized, so, the users sooner or later will get tired sometime. Most company's apps run on windows, OK, but i bet there server runs on UNIX and not on Ms-dos, that was what i was reffering, if it wasn't on unix, SUSE, SPARC, or any other safer than ms-dos plattaformed OS, it must not be a important company or carrys not important info, all important companys (exept windows maybe?) trust either sun microsystems OS, or Unix,just cus there all most fail proof, more stable, and have better performance. And as i said, mac zealots get pissed simply becus u compare silly things, as the one that this topic started, comparing a middle hp with a macbook pro is comparing a high en pc with a celeron based one, or even worst, comparing it to a calculator!!!
compare a mac with a alienware or xps, cus that's were it belongs feautre wise, however, mac os is not that harware dependant as mac, as some say macs are all bout harware, a 512 mb mac runs smooth lots of programs, windows vista will need at least 512

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