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 9)

121

messybuu

on Jun 06, 2006

I just realized something. How could the Mac be a slacker if Macs are more expensive than PCs? Would a slacker be able to afford the outrageous premium?

As one person said, Macs will be more expensive, especially if you're migrating from Windows and need to purchase Office and whatnot. However, if I were to migrate back to Windows, I'd also have to purchase Windows XP Professional (I'm not just going to use Home), Office 2003 Professional, and similar applications to ones I've already bought for my Mac, etc. etc. Therefore, when I compare a Dell to a Mac, I have to add at least an additional 2,000 dollars to the Dell (Photoshop, and the like). Therefore, when it comes down to my OBJECTIVE (YEAH RIGHT!) price comparison, the Mac is cheaper. At least 1,750 dollars cheaper.

One thing I have noticed from this thread is Macs' keyboards tend to be missing a caps lock and several vital letter keys, and the O/S itself desperately needs a spellchecker...

Is this sarcasm? OS X has a universal spellcheck (with cocoa applications) and every keyboard I've had has had a caps lock key.

122

Jafo

on Jun 06, 2006

Is this sarcasm? OS X has a universal spellcheck (with cocoa applications) and every keyboard I've had has had a caps lock key.

No...it just appears there's a deficit amongst the Mac proponents when it comes to communicative skills aka good typing practise....

123

Corky_O

on Jun 06, 2006

Therefore, when I compare a Dell to a Mac, I have to add at least an additional 2,000 dollars to the Dell (Photoshop, and the like). Therefore, when it comes down to my OBJECTIVE (YEAH RIGHT!) price comparison, the Mac is cheaper. At least 1,750 dollars cheaper.

This does not sound correct.

You would need to spend about $100 to upgrade to XP Pro (it comes with Home or Media Center depending on the machine). None of the Mac's I looked at when in the local Apple store had Photoshop or Office installed, so the pricing is the same for the Adobe products, and the Office (which had Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Entourage) was the about the same price as Office standard for PC (which has Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook).

I believe that if one were to look into purchasing a Dell notebook and a Mac notebook with similar processor, memory, hard drive, monitor size - the Mac would not be less expensive. Mac does seem to price their packages higher than the PC platform.

124

PurrBall

on Jun 06, 2006

Starkers:Link

I do have a valid copy of Tiger, so...

125

TasT

on Jun 06, 2006

I did the math several time and the Mac systems generally came out higher when you all in the necessary software. I ended up with a Compaq notebook and I'm very happy with it.

126

paulpearl

on Jun 06, 2006

when i work in InterContinetal hotels group as an agent, that's hotel reservation for the guest, i have my first time to used MAC there , Since the booking system is based on the Macintosh V8.0 (maybe), but as to me , that Mac OS is not so stable and convinet as windows xp, maybe we have get used to windows. but it has been changed since i saw Mac tiger X . it is beatiful.

127

starkers

on Jun 06, 2006

Thanks for the link, Meowy!! There's a lot to read there, but that's okay 'cause since this discussion began, I've become a bit of a sponge for info on all things Mac.

I do have a valid copy of Tiger, so..

Naturally I'd be looking to use a legit copy of Tiger/Leopard so I'm able to receive updates and support, etc. I don't know that you can just purchase the OS separately, so while I've been considering an Intel based Mac at around $2600 (Aus) for my desktop, I've also been looking at an Intel based mini-Mac with Tiger or Leopard loaded as an introduction to Apple Macs....

More research is required, but I need to know if I can use my current monitor, keyboard and mouse, etc...whether or not I can connect my PC and Mac at the same time via dual adaptors, because if not, I may as well purchase the complete Mac system to begin with....and then, to save having two systems functioning on the same desktop, to have XP and Tiger/Leopard dual booting on one or the other or both.

It's not an immediate thing, but it's a project I'd like to undertake in the nearish future....I probably need to buy a new TV before getting around to it.

128

sa33od

on Jun 06, 2006

If Microsoft releases Windows Vista on time and with all the functions they were talking about, then 2007 is going to be a "Live" hell for Mac.

For some reason, Microsoft team started, finally, responding to what people want; I have never seen this much listening from Microsoft since I can remember, and based on how much improvements I've seen between Vista Beta 1 and Beta 2, I must admit that Bill Gates is ready to rumble and win the next match by flying colors. The amount of testing and developing in Vista is unbelievable, and if Microsoft keeps working on this phase (without the delays), then we all should kiss MAC's good bye in the next 2 years.

I think that bill gates is becoming old and bored of collecting money, so based on my own prediction I can say "Congratulations Microsoft for winning the Tech war for at least the first 2 decades in the 21 century".

MAC is going to evolve in a small step forward simply because they have already showed there goods last year and this year, in other words, nothing new that they can do, except them joining the Microsoft army, which I can see coming but after few years, Mark my words!

I want everybody including "Windows or MAC" haters to visit this site and see why Vista's new software-built-in ready to use system is going to smash the world of OS!

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_feature_focus.asp

Peace for now; I love this discussion, many thoughts and many good points. Windows is still winning the discussion over here, so show us more of what you have MAC fans other than looks of the MAC!

129

starkers

on Jun 07, 2006

Made a call before to my local Apple Store (Launceston Tasmania) to tentatively enquire about the iMacs/miniMacs. Seems if I get the Intel (1.66mhz duo core, 512 DDR SDRAM) miniMac with an optional extra 120gig HD, I can use my current monitor, other peripherals I have laying around and dual boot XP using BootCamp....total price around $900 (Aus), with DVD/CD player/burner combo.

What's more, at just 6,5" square and 2" high, it could either sit on top my PC tower or in a pigeon hole on my desk top. Either way, it's unobstrusive yet has the functionality of the larger iMac, if not quite the power.

I'm going in next week to test-drive, explore it's possibilities/potential...buying it is another matter (have other priorities), but I'll know what I want, and if I wait a little longer anyhow, I'd be able to get one with the new Leopard OS instead. Sometime after X-Mas I reckon/hope.

130

Jafo

on Jun 07, 2006

Made a call before to my local Apple Store (Launceston Tasmania) to tentatively enquire about the iMacs/miniMacs.

All ya gotta do now is wait till Tassie gets electricity....

131

starkers

on Jun 07, 2006

All ya gotta do now is wait till Tassie gets electricity..

Aha....but I got lotsa mouses in a treadmill generating my own...and the cat handy if they get lazy.

And if i need more power to run another OS, I'll get a rottwieler and put the cat in the treadmill

132

PurrBall

on Jun 07, 2006

My OS X is booting in 8 seconds.. Faster then the new iMac

133

Dr Guy

on Jun 07, 2006

My OS X is booting in 8 seconds.. Faster then the new iMac

Does it still have its clothes on?

134

oldsven

on Jun 07, 2006

I have been running this debate myself for a while now. I am a PC based graphic designer and have been for 10 years. I’ve been thinking about a mac only to satisfy those potential clients who will only hire mac designers (even though they will never know what system their magazine was designed on). Maybe I just fail to understand why owning a mac makes you a better or more skilled designer, or somehow validates your career choice.

Also, I do a lot of GIS and Digital Mapping with ArcGIS, ArcInfo, and ArcMap – something a mac has never been able to do.

135

starkers

on Jun 08, 2006

My OS X is booting in 8 seconds.. Faster then the new iMac

Ahhh! Another pre-intel Mac fanboy, I see....another: "My dad's stronger than your dad." analogy.

So Meowy, what are you running your OS-X on....a G5 quad core Mac with 10 gigs of RAM?

Seriously, though, I am interested....not that I could ever afford such a Mac. I was looking at prices on the Apple site, and a G5 starts at around 5 'n a half grand (Aus). So it seems, to get started with OS-X, I'm only going to be able to afford an Intel based Mac system, most probably the mini iMac at $950 (Aus)

I’ve been thinking about a mac only to satisfy those potential clients who will only hire mac designers (even though they will never know what system their magazine was designed on). Maybe I just fail to understand why owning a mac makes you a better or more skilled designer, or somehow validates your career choice.

There might be some who think that way, revelling in the prestige and fame of owning a Mac (infamy to Windows fanboys

), but each system has its plusses and minuses, and I want a Mac to satisfy my own curiosity/need to learn more about computing, not to big note myself among Windows owner/operators....and I'll never become a fanboy of either system.

Quite simply, I just want to enjoy the best each OS has to offer. After using Windows 95 and 98se for a short while, I find XP Pro a very good and stable OS that I enjoy using. However, when Vista is released, I'll also purchase it to further my Windows experience, while also running OS-X as an alternative OS with different options/possibilities.

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