PC vs. Mac: Common misconceptions

[Rayquaza]

Bibliography:
[1]http://lowendmac.com/musings/08mm/the-mac-is-not-a-pc.html
[2]http://whynotmac.net76.net/reason09.html
[3]http://www.geek.com/forums/topic/is-a-mac-better-than-pc-for-heavy-high-end-gaming
[4]http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/guide/windows
[5]http://www.applemacbook.com/answers/how-do-you-right-click-in-windows-xp-running-boot-camp-on-a-macbook

The reason for this thread is not to bash or cause dispute towards PatLovesMacintosh's thread. It seems that a lot of mac users and windows users have very different ideas towards the two operating systems, we need some sort of fair argument to be backed up with sources, so I guess it was up to me to create this, and I do warn you now, my opinion of some topics will appear in this thread too. If you have not seen PatLovesMacintosh's thread, I advise you to go to it first: Mac vs. PC: Common misconceptions (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=135767)

OK, so first things first. A mac is a personal computer. However, a mac is not a PC. A PC runs Windows, and is a trademarked name. PC. PC may stand for personal computer, however, the mac itself is a personal computer, NOT a PC.[1]

When it comes to gaming, the OS simply does not matter. Well, at least that is what I thought. I was browsing a website called WhyNotMac, and this mac-loving website actually says that because of the Macintosh in built hardware, it cannot run incredibly hertz-hungry games[2]
Now, let's be frank. Macs have upgraded massively since that article was written in 2011, but gaming depends on the CPU- processor and the RAM, therefore to be honest, the Operating System should make no impact on gaming, depending on how demanding the operating system is.
When it comes to which game is being installed, things can get complicated. If a game is not designed for mac, which many are not, more effort is needed to install a PC game to mac.[3]

This links back to another topic of the past post, 'There isn't enough compatible software for Mac OS'. PC's have so much software available to them, whereas if you are a Windows User looking for Mac Software, either an alternative has been already made for Windows, or there is a Windows version available already. The reason I mention alternative is because of the tiny percentage of Mac Software available for download, there are not many alternatives for Mac from Windows applications. Apple state that you need to either install Windows via BootCamp, or buy additional Virtualization software.[4]. The problem with this is firstly, not all virtualization software is not 100% compatible with all macs, whether it be VMWare Fusion or CrossOver.

'Mac computers are pretty easy to upgrade.'
-> This is the wrong attitude. It's not about just upgrading your system or buying more stuff, or even upgrading to a new system, it's about how long you can keep the current system until modern technology demands more from it.

There was also a statement that mac's dont have right click. This is not a misconception, they clearly DO NOT. Does this look like it has a right click button?
http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/mac/macbookair/review/trackpad.jpg
And to make things worse, it's not like Apple have actually attempted putting right click in, and instead of thinking about the usability here, they have thought completely about the look of the mac, so the alternatives may do the trick, but it's incredibly ineffective when you're running windows[5]

I've done my research. Though this article may seem opinionated, most facts I have stated are backed up by their sources. If you find anything wrong with it, please provide some source of information. I'm not against mac, or PC for that matter.
In conclusion, both operating systems are as good as each other when it comes to PCs being useful for businesses and macs being ideal for families and aesthetic GUI. When mac users think that Windows users are against them, not many Windows users really care. Both operating systems can work hand-in-hand with each other at times, such as being able to read a lot of file formats, iTunes being available to Windows, and Microsoft Office being available to Mac. It's up to the customer whether they would either like a Mac or a Windows operating system.



But.
Windows will change some of it's GUI. And that, my friends, is a completely different story.
http://regmedia.co.uk/2012/02/29/windows_8_metro_screen.png

[Magus]

Fuck'em both. I got Linux.

Configure. Make. Make Install.

[TheMatrix]

Fuck'em both. I got Linux.

Configure. Make. Make Install.
Yeah, man. *highfive*
That's the way to go. :cool:

[MattVon]

Very interesting read, although I disagree with Macs ideal suitable for families. Since both OSes can be ideal for families, just a matter of opinion and in some cases how snobby they are.

[Cognizant]

Control Click, Corner trackpad touch, right click, all 3 of those are available in macs :P
The Mighty Mouse, and possibly even the Magic mouse do have a right click button, it has to be configured within the OS. You'd be suprised how little the right click is used in the OS though. If using native Apple programs, 99.9% of the actions can be found in the left click interface.

As far as making it last, mac's are very durable. I have a late 2006 Mac, and about 5 and a half years later, it's still just barely starting to die out with no upgrades to the unit whatsoever. Compared to my e-machines, which lasted 3 years at most before it completely died out. But regardless, Have fun with this thread.


Fuck'em both. I got Linux.

Configure. Make. Make Install.
Mac OS X has a FreeBSD foundation ;)
(Freebsd= distro of Linux)

[TheMatrix]

Mac OS X has a FreeBSD foundation ;)
Not FreeBSD. Then MacOS would be open source, which it is not ;)
MaOS uses standard BSD, which is closed source. Common misconception, though.

(Freebsd= distro of Linux)
Another common misconception: FreeBSD is not Linux. Even though they do have a lot in common, FreeBSD is Unix and Linux is Linux.

[Rayquaza]

Very interesting read, although I disagree with Macs ideal suitable for families. Since both OSes can be ideal for families, just a matter of opinion and in some cases how snobby they are.

I didn't say that Windows were not suitable for families, hell no! My whole family runs a network of Windows 7 computers, all our documents being backed up to our mini server, it's brilliant. The reason I said its useful for families is because of how easy and appealing the GUI of a mac is, considering their main focus is around the letter "i", showing that it is all about the user, which Windows has not done.

As far as making it last, mac's are very durable. I have a late 2006 Mac, and about 5 and a half years later, it's still just barely starting to die out with no upgrades to the unit whatsoever. Compared to my e-machines, which lasted 3 years at most before it completely died out. But regardless, Have fun with this thread.


But can you back this up with a source? There are so many manufacturers making durable Windows computers as well. How can you base the durability of a computer compared to an emachines, when you have not considered other brands such as Samsung, Dell or Alienware?

[Skyhawk]

I do agree that Macs are quite durable. I think Macs are better because it seems like the software is made for the hardware, instead of the hardware being made for the software.

But that's my opinion, there are lots of opinions out there. Can't change all of them.

My 4 month old Windows laptop is already dying (With new Sandy Bridge hardware too. :[ )

[Magus]

I do agree that Macs are quite durable. I think Macs are better because it seems like the software is made for the hardware, instead of the hardware being made for the software.

This is basically the same for every other kind of Computers.

It's the software made for hardware, not the way around.
But can a mac software work on an old machine? I doubt it. No. For Mac, the tiring software is made for the Mac hardware.

But Linux is made for that.

My computer feels young again when I made a fresh Linux installation.

[ImCoolBeans]

If you put two fingers down on the trackpad and click it's a right click ;)

[Jupiter]

If you put two fingers down on the trackpad and click it's a right click ;)

that's what i was thinking. or you can go to the system preferences and do a secondary click. ;)

[Skyhawk]

I don't really see a need for right click in Mac OS, I can do almost anything with keyboard commands on Mac OS. Probably the only time I use right click is to play around with alpha Firefox. :3

[MattVon]

The reason I said its useful for families is because of how easy and appealing the GUI of a mac is, considering their main focus is around the letter "i", showing that it is all about the user, which Windows has not done.I wouldn't really consider their GUI to be amazing, and the whole "i" thing I just considered it as a market thing for their products. And if it was about the user.. Why isn't it called "MyMac" or "MyPod"..

[Magus]

I wouldn't really consider their GUI to be amazing, and the whole "i" thing I just considered it as a market thing for their products. And if it was about the user.. Why isn't it called "MyMac" or "MyPod"..


Windows gui is user and family friendly and at the same professional.

Saying Mac having the better gui is like saying acrylic is better than oil paint.

[Rayquaza]

I wouldn't really consider their GUI to be amazing, and the whole "i" thing I just considered it as a market thing for their products. And if it was about the user.. Why isn't it called "MyMac" or "MyPod"..

OK,
1) I didn't say it was "amazing"
2) You're reading too much into this. The reason for this thread was to settle disputes between some things said in a previous thread, not start another dispute.