mac or pc purchase

[adventurepants_]

ive also bought and setup probably 50 inspiron laptops at this point. the latitudes are definately a much better build, and i agree they are more on par with the MPB in terms of build quality. ...

Welp, there you go. If it works for you, use it. What's the debate here?
You use Dell because you have a good track record with them and like the service. I use Apple because I love OSX and the various extra features make it a good value to me. See? We're all the same! We just have different preferences.

Ahhhh...thanks for clarifying! I love it when I make redundant argument to posts that have already made my point.

Heh, yeah. Mac vs. PC is a silly debate because everyone argues the same points but in different ways.

i was never arguing about which is better. ive used and supported every mac since the Performa 580! they both have their place. im just wondering wether the difference is worth the price differential vs performance when talking about the Macbooks. Im glad we're having a good old chat about this though without too much hysteria! When a noob asks what the best computer is and folk chime in with "get a mac" "no get a pc" i think we can be a bit more helpful with some real info, based on facts not just preferences.

[Machinesworking]

mac users are the last people on earth that should be giving computer advice.

Just wanted to say your full of shit, arrogant, and an idiot.
YOU are defining yourself by the computer you use to at least the degree that the stereotype you have of people using macs are. Therefore you're a fucking hypocrite.

Nothing less interesting than a person who defines themselves by their supposed superior choices in clothes, cars, computers, wine, whatever, doesn't matter... if you think your shit smells like roses because you can debug Windows, and saved money on your laptop......... well bad news buddy, your breath still stinks.

What really surprises me is how often on forums some guy comes up with a gem like this, and how often attacks on character, (not the OS, but the person themselves), comes from some guy who thinks PC's are superior...... yet it's the mac crowd that are 'zealots'???

Whatever, both sides have idiots, Adventurepants, congratulations for being a perfect example of a typical PC idiot.

No thank you for demonstrating that some mac users are humourless and thin skinned about their lack of knowledge. you must have missed the part where i talked about apples 'superior build quality' and 'better, more modern OS', but you probably missed that in your rush to sneer at anyone with a different opinion. and in your little screed you made many more personal insults to me personally than i did to anyone.

on this board there are many many incorrect statements about pc computing made by mac users that dont really know anything about computing except that their personal choice is somehow better (same comment, reverse it for some pc users) . I like to offer a balanced view, with real world experience.

for the record ive fixed macs professionally since OS7, and Pcs since Dos 5. I dont have any real preferences, just the right tool for the job and the person.

Didn't miss any of that. None of your praise for the OS, or excuses or supposed "humor" makes you any less of a hypocrite. You are making blanket statements about people, and acting like any attack back is proof. ""OMG? somebody thought I came across like an ass because I made blanket statements based on something as insignificant as choice of OS!" Say whatever you want to, but it's BS, nothing you said here was "funny". You're a hypocrite and in your blindness to that fact, you act superior,

I like to offer a balanced view, with real world experience

You seriously think you're the only person to use both PCs and Macs extensively here? Do you really believe that statements such as yours offer balance?

Just a little secret you might not be in on, you aren't offering a 'balanced' view. You're just stroking your ego like most people do when some poor sap asks this question.

[pabloaugustus]

ive also bought and setup probably 50 inspiron laptops at this point. the latitudes are definately a much better build, and i agree they are more on par with the MPB in terms of build quality. ...

Welp, there you go. If it works for you, use it. What's the debate here?
You use Dell because you have a good track record with them and like the service. I use Apple because I love OSX and the various extra features make it a good value to me. See? We're all the same! We just have different preferences.

Ahhhh...thanks for clarifying! I love it when I make redundant argument to posts that have already made my point.

Heh, yeah. Mac vs. PC is a silly debate because everyone argues the same points but in different ways.

i was never arguing about which is better. ive used and supported every mac since the Performa 580! they both have their place. im just wondering wether the difference is worth the price differential vs performance when talking about the Macbooks. Im glad we're having a good old chat about this though without too much hysteria! When a noob asks what the best computer is and folk chime in with "get a mac" "no get a pc" i think we can be a bit more helpful with some real info, based on facts not just preferences.

True dat, I always love this topic...and your previous point about a benchmark is well put and I would love to see a thread comparing performance with detailed notes on overall reliability of the comps in question.

Even though raw performance is just small part of the total package when buying a comp, you always get more performance for the dollar with the PC.
PCs are an open architecture where builders compete with each other in the market place....MACs are a patented piece of hardware that traditionally has been the only offering in its marketplace, although increasingly in head to head competition with PC builders due to the recent changes in hardware architecture and software compatibility, but you still pay that premium.

Ok let me post this so I can read that somebody else has just said the same thing....if we keep this up maybe we can have the first entirely circular thread.

[pabloaugustus]

You're just stroking your ego like most people do when some poor sap asks this question.

speaking of ego, ahemm, let it go bro....in case you didn't notice we just pulled this topic out of the gutter.

[adventurepants_]

Just wanted to say your full of shit, arrogant, and an idiot.
YOU are defining yourself by the computer you use to at least the degree that the stereotype you have of people using macs are. Therefore you're a fucking hypocrite.

Nothing less interesting than a person who defines themselves by their supposed superior choices in clothes, cars, computers, wine, whatever, doesn't matter... if you think your shit smells like roses because you can debug Windows, and saved money on your laptop......... well bad news buddy, your breath still stinks.

What really surprises me is how often on forums some guy comes up with a gem like this, and how often attacks on character, (not the OS, but the person themselves), comes from some guy who thinks PC's are superior...... yet it's the mac crowd that are 'zealots'???

Whatever, both sides have idiots, Adventurepants, congratulations for being a perfect example of a typical PC idiot.

No thank you for demonstrating that some mac users are humourless and thin skinned about their lack of knowledge. you must have missed the part where i talked about apples 'superior build quality' and 'better, more modern OS', but you probably missed that in your rush to sneer at anyone with a different opinion. and in your little screed you made many more personal insults to me personally than i did to anyone.

on this board there are many many incorrect statements about pc computing made by mac users that dont really know anything about computing except that their personal choice is somehow better (same comment, reverse it for some pc users) . I like to offer a balanced view, with real world experience.

for the record ive fixed macs professionally since OS7, and Pcs since Dos 5. I dont have any real preferences, just the right tool for the job and the person.

Didn't miss any of that. None of your praise for the OS, or excuses or supposed "humor" makes you any less of a hypocrite. You are making blanket statements about people, and acting like any attack back is proof. ""OMG? somebody thought I came across like an ass because I made blanket statements based on something as insignificant as choice of OS!" Say whatever you want to, but it's BS, nothing you said here was "funny". You're a hypocrite and in your blindness to that fact, you act superior,

I like to offer a balanced view, with real world experience

You seriously think you're the only person to use both PCs and Macs extensively here? Do you really believe that statements such as yours offer balance?

Just a little secret you might not be in on, you aren't offering a 'balanced' view. You're just stroking your ego like most people do when some poor sap asks this question.

you seem desperate to fight with someone, but im not interested.

[adventurepants_]

Ok let me post this so I can read that somebody else has just said the same thing....if we keep this up maybe we can have the first entirely circular thread.

so should the OP buy a mac or PC?

[hacktheplanet]

so should the OP buy a mac or PC?

Well here is a list of things I like about my Macbook:
-Powered firewire port (a lot of PC laptops don't have a powered FW port)
-Magsafe port (without this, my computer would be broken by now)
-Small AC adapter (a lot of PC laptop adapters are bricks)
-Built-in webcam/microphone (mic makes it easy to record ideas into Live)
-Magnetic lid (no latches to get caught and break)
-Slot-load CD drive (no tray to break off)
-Multi-touch trackpad
-Nicely sized keyboard
-Multi-video port (instead of three different ports on the back)
-Brightness and volume controls on the keyboard
-It's lightweight, and there aren't any tabs/clips/doors to break off
-Excellent battery life

About OSX:
-Audio Midi setup makes it insanely easy to configure audio and midi devices
-iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, and Dashboard are all incredibly useful
-It's insanely easy to switch wireless networks and battery settings
-There is no add/remove programs or registry voodoo to deal with
-Upgrading system software is insanely easy
-It wakes from sleep in a few seconds
-It cold boots in less than 30 seconds

(And yes, I believe I'm qualified to give advice. I used PCs extensively for 15 years, and I'm on the computer 6-8 hours per day. I'm a horrible nerd!)

[Machinesworking]

Just a little secret you might not be in on, you aren't offering a 'balanced' view. You're just stroking your ego like most people do when some poor sap asks this question.

you seem desperate to fight with someone, but im not interested.

Not at all, just tired of reading BS, then having someone try to wrangle their way out of it when you call them on it. Again, you posted bullshit, and you still have done nothing but try to paint, the "attacker" as the aggressor.

mac users are the last people on earth that should be giving computer advice.

You don't want people jumping on you, don't post bullshit.

If you really in any way believe there to be anything positive about posting that, then your emotional IQ is not very high.

[pabloaugustus]

so should the OP buy a mac or PC?

Well here is a list of things I like about my Macbook:
-Powered firewire port (a lot of PC laptops don't have a powered FW port)
-Magsafe port (without this, my computer would be broken by now)
-Small AC adapter (a lot of PC laptop adapters are bricks)
-Built-in webcam/microphone (mic makes it easy to record ideas into Live)
-Magnetic lid (no latches to get caught and break)
-Slot-load CD drive (no tray to break off)
-Multi-touch trackpad
-Nicely sized keyboard
-Multi-video port (instead of three different ports on the back)
-Brightness and volume controls on the keyboard
-It's lightweight, and there aren't any tabs/clips/doors to break off
-Excellent battery life

About OSX:
-Audio Midi setup makes it insanely easy to configure audio and midi devices
-iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, and Dashboard are all incredibly useful
-It's insanely easy to switch wireless networks and battery settings
-There is no add/remove programs or registry voodoo to deal with
-Upgrading system software is insanely easy
-It wakes from sleep in a few seconds
-It cold boots in less than 30 seconds

(And yes, I believe I'm qualified to give advice. I used PCs extensively for 15 years, and I'm on the computer 6-8 hours per day. I'm a horrible nerd!)

dude...we had the perfectly recursive thread...now we have to do it again....ok, here we go....

<BFG>!!!!

[gjm]

Well here is a list of things I like about my Macbook:
-Powered firewire port (a lot of PC laptops don't have a powered FW port)
-Magsafe port (without this, my computer would be broken by now)
-Small AC adapter (a lot of PC laptop adapters are bricks)
-Built-in webcam/microphone (mic makes it easy to record ideas into Live)
-Magnetic lid (no latches to get caught and break)
-Slot-load CD drive (no tray to break off)
-Multi-touch trackpad
-Nicely sized keyboard
-Multi-video port (instead of three different ports on the back)
-Brightness and volume controls on the keyboard
-It's lightweight, and there aren't any tabs/clips/doors to break off
-Excellent battery life

About OSX:
-Audio Midi setup makes it insanely easy to configure audio and midi devices
-iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, and Dashboard are all incredibly useful
-It's insanely easy to switch wireless networks and battery settings
-There is no add/remove programs or registry voodoo to deal with
-Upgrading system software is insanely easy
-It wakes from sleep in a few seconds
-It cold boots in less than 30 seconds

Well, does someone have the counter to this? ^^^^^

I am not a PC nerd. You could say that I am consumer level. In the last 5 months since I have had my first ever DAW Live 6LE, I have spent more time sorting out how to set up and use my aging PC laptop than I have using Live. Simple as that. Its one thing getting to grips with new software, its another thing trying to wade through all of the extra setup and maintainence. I have never actually touched a mac in my life. To be fair, could I have loaded Live 6LE onto a 3-4 year old mac and expected it to just work? I know its not going to be a race car. Is that a good comparison? Or does this whole ping pong still apply to that line of thinking. Just curious.

[Olga]

so should the OP buy a mac or PC?

-There is no add/remove programs or registry voodoo to deal with


(And yes, I believe I'm qualified to give advice. I used PCs extensively for 15 years, and I'm on the computer 6-8 hours per day. I'm a horrible nerd!)

Question here just out of curiosity. When running XP on boot camp on a Mac is all the same registry voodoo bs still there to deal with?

[pabloaugustus]

Well here is a list of things I like about my Macbook:
-Powered firewire port (a lot of PC laptops don't have a powered FW port)
-Magsafe port (without this, my computer would be broken by now)
-Small AC adapter (a lot of PC laptop adapters are bricks)
-Built-in webcam/microphone (mic makes it easy to record ideas into Live)
-Magnetic lid (no latches to get caught and break)
-Slot-load CD drive (no tray to break off)
-Multi-touch trackpad
-Nicely sized keyboard
-Multi-video port (instead of three different ports on the back)
-Brightness and volume controls on the keyboard
-It's lightweight, and there aren't any tabs/clips/doors to break off
-Excellent battery life

About OSX:
-Audio Midi setup makes it insanely easy to configure audio and midi devices
-iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, and Dashboard are all incredibly useful
-It's insanely easy to switch wireless networks and battery settings
-There is no add/remove programs or registry voodoo to deal with
-Upgrading system software is insanely easy
-It wakes from sleep in a few seconds
-It cold boots in less than 30 seconds

Well, does someone have the counter to this? ^^^^^
I am not a PC nerd. You could say that I am consumer level. In the last 5 months since I have had my first ever DAW Live 6LE, I have spent more time sorting out how to set up and use my aging PC laptop than I have using Live. Simple as that. Its one thing getting to grips with new software, its another thing trying to wade through all of the extra setup and maintainence. I have never actually touched a mac in my life. To be fair, could I have loaded Live 6LE onto a 3-4 year old mac and expected it to just work? I know its not going to be a race car. Is that a good comparison? Or does this whole ping pong still apply to that line of thinking. Just curious.

Why bother? Did you read the rest of the thread? IMHO you need to be a PRO or qualified to be a PRO or related to a PRO to effectively use and maintain a PC for any seroius work. If you aren't or don't want to be, get a MAC. And thats not to imply MAC users are any less savvy...its just not a requirement that you are a hardware and OS expert to use the software you want.

A lot of PC laptops do have the coveted features mentioned above, the firewire thing though is my pet peeve, seriously PC makers, UUUGGHHH. Not a problem for me though since I've given up on trying to do any serious audio work away from an AC outlet.

Network use, audio setup, battery settings, upgrading, keyboard size, multi-touch trackpad, all equal, IMHO, on my laptop to MBP. But this is besides the point. I already mentioned a billion times the superior build quality of the MBP to most PCs. Its all about:

price vs. performance
do you want to be a PC technician?
what OS do you prefer?

It a simple equation, with a different answer for everybody, nothing to argue about here.

[djfm]

wow 5 pages of reply's
thanks for the advice from everyone

i would be using the new laptop for the net photos and video and sketching music ideas out using reason and live then transfering stuff to my pc desktop.
would there be a problem transfering files from one to the other?
i also think with ilife 08 would be ideal for the photos and video so thats 1 to the mac

[hacktheplanet]

wow 5 pages of reply's
thanks for the advice from everyone

i would be using the new laptop for the net photos and video and sketching music ideas out using reason and live then transfering stuff to my pc desktop.
would there be a problem transfering files from one to the other?
i also think with ilife 08 would be ideal for the photos and video so thats 1 to the mac

iPhoto makes it really, really easy to organize and view your photos. You can basically plug your digital camera in and begin transferring files with one click in about 10 seconds. Then you just drag photos around to different albums, resize them if you need, or export them into different formats, web galleries, etc etc.

iMovie makes it easy to do quick editing of movies you've recorded. It's not full featured like FCP, but if you just want to make a quick demo movie here and there and export it to youtube or whatever, it works really well. It's all drag and drop. You record clips into this little matrix, and then drag them to the main edit where you can adjust length, add in effects and audio... It's pretty fun.

Transferring files between Mac and PC... Can be kind of annoying if you don't know what you're doing. The best way would be to have an external hard drive and format it using FAT. Both Mac and Windows can work with that format. Transferring files between two Macs is very easy. You just reboot and hold down "T" to boot into target disk mode. Then connect the two machines via firewire, and the target mode computer will mount on the desktop as an external drive.

Something else to keep in mind... If your MBP is more powerful than your PC desktop, you might find yourself using the MBP more often! When you are at home, just plug in a monitor, mouse, keyboard, audio interface, and whatever else you want to use. I have a PC desktop that I haven't turned on in months. It's just a big storage box for mp3s and stuff. I use it to play old computer games and for the few apps I haven't found OSX alternatives for.

I gig with Live on my non-pro Macbook. I also use it to multitrack my band, and during practice for other stuff. It's plenty of power for me. The only time it's hiccuped is with some of the more complicated audio racks. And then the solution is to just freeze tracks if I need the racks in a live set.

[djfm]

my desktop pc is a quad core 2.4gb
using the macbook more and more is what im afraid of. I havent had my desktop long and really dont want it to go to waste
but i suppose thats up to me
I also wanted to ask about bring stuff back from america. As there are a lot of americans on here. A friend told me i would have to take it out of the box in order to bring it back into the uk. Is this right?
thanks again