Mac or Windows?

[sanjiv]

You answered your own question, but it's funny how Mac users don't like to admit it up front.

Of course there are alternatives, but its the alternatives worth choosing that's important, and in this regard, Windows has a catalogue of software hard to beat. Anyone interested in SMB to Enterprise level software is in many cases long past caring what the machine looks like, it's bought to do a job.

I agree at enterprise level but a lot of SMB's may still choose to use Mac and will still be able to. I personally find Mac a lot more productive however I do also need to run virtualisation software for accounting software.

 

[DotNetWebs]

I'll give you examples..

SCADA Control systems from Allen Bradley, or Rockwell Automation - virtually all integrate with Windows.
Electronics Design Software is heavily Windows based - try MultiSim - although NI have made Labview for Mac!
Advanced 3D Modeling software - try Autodesk Maya, Proconcrete..
Network Security Software - Look at GFI's software, IBM AppScan, Acunetix
Accounting/Payroll - Virtually all Sage software is Windows only.
CNC Software - like Mach3, it's all very heavily windows based...

The other point here is that some of these examples are very processor-intensive.

So even IF you can run it on a Mac via dual-boot or virtualised it makes more sense to go for a PC which will give you a lot more power for the same money.

IMO the choice of Hardware / OS should be made to suit the main task in hand - sometimes a Mac may be the best tool for the job but it is nonsense to say it will ALWAYS be better than Windows.

Regards

Dotty

 

[Subbynet]

Well, you're using hypothetical situations, and they "may" decide too, but "who" are you talking about? Why do you think using a Mac is the deciding factor? The trouble is you're only as productive as the software you're running, regardless of the OS - WinXP/Win7/Mac OSX, are all mature stable OS's.

You can find Windows everywhere.. but when you speak of Mac's, in virtually all cases it's a profession around an individual, a programmer, a graphic designer, an animator... You get the picture... But Windows runs in places you sometimes don't expect, from POS systems, Cash Points, to Nuclear Submarines.

That's real productivity.

 

[cjd]

The Newhaven/Dieppe car ferry was using DOS 6 upto 2006 at least - probably still is.
(I used to enjoy seeing the multimedia kiosks in Victoria Station displaying 'missing DLL' too)

 

[shugied]

I actually love everything about Macs, and I can only say that the OS is brilliant, the computer simply works.

Given your line of business, it's quite fortunate that you hold Apple products in such high esteem. Not sure I'd agree with the "simply works" though, I've managed to crash my iMac more than once, but not quite as often as my Windoze 7 machine.

 

[That Guy]

Just switched from Windows 7 to OSX Lion (Mac) and find it amazing!

The best way to describe it is "It Just Works"

Using the following Apps:

- Twitter for Mac
- Google Chrome
- Adobe Master Collection CS5
- Microsoft Office
- VLC Player
- FileZilla
- Burn
- Standard OSX Mail App

Not sure if that list will help you in any way but thought I would share anyway

 

[Jamie.80]

My advice is to buy a Mac (Macbook Pro or iMac). Even Macbook white is absolutely ok, fast enough. You still can install windows on Mac and have both operating systems to be running in same time, so if you will have troubleshooting with blackberry synchronizing, you can simply open windows and synchronize it in there. If you buy a win laptop, you never can install OS X on it, so go for Mac.

 

[Subbynet]

My advice is to buy a Mac (Macbook Pro or iMac). Even Macbook white is absolutely ok, fast enough. You still can install windows on Mac and have both operating systems to be running in same time, so if you will have troubleshooting with blackberry synchronizing, you can simply open windows and synchronize it in there. If you buy a win laptop, you never can install OS X on it, so go for Mac.

Many Mac users have said you can run Windows on Macs. You hardly ever hear of anyone on Windows needing to boot to OSX to do something that really shouldn't have been a problem anyway.

I'm just astonished that Mac's ability to run Windows is touted as a "feature".

 

[PatriciaApple-Bay]

The only software that doesn't run on Mac would be a branded software that you might give an example of. I haven't come across anything a Mac can't do that Windows can yet and been with Mac about 3 months.

The real question is, the person who doesn't want to use a Mac is because of pre-concepts or is just because is afraid of using something new/different?,... I mean, using a Mac give you a virus-free enviroment to work with, your computer won't be full of unwanted small programs (everytime you need an updated the Apple Mac will ask your permission) so, you KNOW when o what to install. So, Windows or Mac? go for a Mac!

 

[Subbynet]

The real question is, the person who doesn't want to use a Mac is because of pre-concepts or is just because is afraid of using something new/different?,... I mean, using a Mac give you a virus-free enviroment to work with, your computer won't be full of unwanted small programs (everytime you need an updated the Apple Mac will ask your permission) so, you KNOW when o what to install. So, Windows or Mac? go for a Mac!

Long gone are those days.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4650

You guys, the ones supporting Mac users, should be telling them its time to install Anti-Virus/Malware systems.

 

[MaxDaniel]

I don't agree with you. If your PC have full requirements as saying by Microsoft then their is no problem at all. I am using Windows XP and I am facing no problem at all.

 

[ETCSports]

Mac - Fashion / Hardware / Usability
Windows - Software / Flexibility / mainstream

Simples

 

[DotNetWebs]

The real question is, the person who doesn't want to use a Mac is because of pre-concepts or is just because is afraid of using something new/different?,... I mean, using a Mac give you a virus-free enviroment to work with, your computer won't be full of unwanted small programs (everytime you need an updated the Apple Mac will ask your permission) so, you KNOW when o what to install. So, Windows or Mac? go for a Mac!

I have just had a look at your website - I some of the keys on your Mac are broken..

Regards

Dotty

 

[RevaxMedia]

Mac vs Windows / Windows will win but with any large population there are the minority who use Mac (Myself included)

 

[Davek0974]

I don't agree with you. If your PC have full requirements as saying by Microsoft then their is no problem at all. I am using Windows XP and I am facing no problem at all.

Maybe but XP is dead now. Have you tried Vista onwards?? Its not a nice experience, especially when it comes to networking etc.

I run win XP network at work but only use Mac at home - safe, reliable, intuitive.

Got an iMac desktop for accounts and other heavy work, iPad for armchair surfing, apple TV for watching films and music, iPod for car music and it all plays happily together.

Oh and the iMac runs OS/X and WinXP so i have the best of both when it comes to software.

 

[Subbynet]

Maybe but XP is dead now. Have you tried Vista onwards?? Its not a nice experience, especially when it comes to networking etc.

Have you tried anything after Vista?

Vista was a pile of **** I think everyone will agree... But Windows 7 is a good looking, stable, feature rich OS.

 

[DotNetWebs]

Interesting comments and responses today from Tim O'Reilly about Mac OS X

https://plus.google.com/107033731246200681024/posts/g9WdNt6yVgR

Regards

Dotty

 

[MancunianCreative]

Ahem.......

 

[Subbynet]

Ahem.......

Apple's presentation of facts has always been skewed! It's all about making a fan fair at the big conferences.

It's very simple to have high growth numbers when you're starting from such a small position. (Compared to the whole PC market)

It's also a bit misleading to show Mac vs. Everyone else - as the poor performance of some vendors will drag down the numbers.

Lenevo seen a 23% growth too... Samsung up by 31.3%, Acer DOWN by 20%.

HP is still beat everyone else on shipments, but posted a 2.3% growth on last year.

http://www.isuppli.com/Home-and-Con...Q2;-Apple-and-Samsung-Post-Strong-Growth.aspx

Lets strip away the vendor part, and focus on what you actually use.

OS Desktop usage statistics for Aug 11.

Windows XP (35.21%)
Windows 7 (31.21%)
Windows Vista (11.27%)
Mac OS X (7.31%)
iOS (3.38%)
Android (1.30%)
Linux (1.11%)

Linux is very low, but these stats are taken from Stat Counters on the web.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems#Estimates_for_2011

In related news -

Steve Jobs' reality distortion takes its toll on truth

Apple twisted facts and used an erroneous quotation to try to convince crowds that all other tablets had no shot at de-throning the iPad in 2011.
In what seems like a ritual at this point, I watched Apple's iPad 2 keynote in disbelief, noting the factual errors that kept coming up minute after minute.

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/03/steve-jobs-reality-distortion-takes-its-toll-on-truth/

 

[DotNetWebs]

There is now surprise there. I could show you a similar graph of Android vs iPhone activations.

It still doesn't mean that any single platform / device is going to be the best in ALL circumstances does it? :|

Regards

Dotty

 

[MancunianCreative]

I can't believe how quickly you reply slagging it off. What has Apple ever done to you?

 

[Subbynet]

I can't believe how quickly you reply slagging it off. What has Apple ever done to you?

You, by way of believing Apple, have tried posting statements bordering on blatant lies. It's a common tactic of Apple WWDC conferences.

You must of heard of the "reality distortion field".

The RDF was said by Andy Hertzfeld to be Steve Jobs' ability to convince himself and others to believe almost anything with a mix of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, marketing, appeasement, and persistence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field

Also, I have to say, it's a childish to end with "What has Apple ever done to you"..

 

[MancunianCreative]

You, by way of believing Apple, have tried posting statements bordering on blatant lies. It's a common tactic of Apple WWDC conferences.

You must of heard of the "reality distortion field".

The RDF was said by Andy Hertzfeld to be Steve Jobs' ability to convince himself and others to believe almost anything with a mix of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, marketing, appeasement, and persistence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field

Also, I have to say, it's a childish to end with "What has Apple ever done to you"..

What have I posted that is lies?

Yes I have heard of the RDF, I've read the Jobs autobiography. I find it interesting that you have spent so much time to really learn up on a company you dislike.

I'm interested in Apple because I like their products. But if you don't like the products why spend time researching it?

 

[Nala]

I can't believe how quickly you reply slagging it off. What has Apple ever done to you?

It's because they are worried about their jobs and positions. They don't like it because of that. If they were clever enough they could do the high-end IT stuff, but many are not - simples

The 'IT industry' forget that many everyday users don't want to be bogged down in all the computer guff, they don't use computers because that is their job, they use computers to do their job and just want to get on with it. Whilst the 'IT industry' will lose all those lovely service calls of defrags and re-installs and other useless by products forced on us by MS

I'm off now byeee

 

[Subbynet]

What have I posted that is lies?

Yes I have heard of the RDF, I've read the Jobs autobiography. I find it interesting that you have spent so much time to really learn up on a company you dislike.

I'm interested in Apple because I like their products. But if you don't like the products why spend time researching it?

Sorry, it's not about disliking Apple or their products, it's actually more about Mac users who don't really understand computers but wish to speak on a technical level about which OS/Computer is best - based on which is more shiny.

I hear so many things from Apple users which make me cringe - Use a Mac and you don't need AV... Use a Mac - it just works... etc etc etc...

Wait until you start supporting the people who have malware infesting their machine, or when they come to you saying "It's broke I don't know why"...

People who like Apple products, who liked Steve Jobs, buy into their advertising and marketing 100%... But you should be gracious enough to admit where it doesn't live up to expectations, and you shouldn't give others false hopes.

In this area, Windows users are much more on the level, but some mac user's are up there with Linux Zealots.

 

[Nuno]

Adore the fanbois bleat: "whats Apple ever done to you"?

Well, there's Original Sin.

 

[MancunianCreative]

I have only ever spoken about my experience with them, I've allowed family and friends to use my equipment and to a man (or woman) they've said how much they prefer it to windows.

My father, never got on with his PC, he was forever getting viruses, registry problems, he got a Mac 18 month ago and has never looked back. I've only ever had to set his mail up for him. So for him it just works.

For me, I've said why I prefer them. More than once.

So I will ask again, where have I BLATANTLY lied?

 

[Subbynet]

My father, never got on with his PC, he was forever getting viruses, registry problems, he got a Mac 18 month ago and has never looked back. I've only ever had to set his mail up for him. So for him it just works.

What was he doing with it? .... My Father - who has no idea about computers and prefers pen & paper, manages to use his PC and laptop with hardly any support - the odd occasion he asks how to do something, but I can't remember the last time he broke anything.

Registry problems? I mean honestly... If you have these problems on Windows, you won't just find everything works on a Mac - you just won't. It's so simple to fix registry errors (That rarely happen anyway!) that this is a joke to bring up.

If you get viruses and malware on Windows (the vast majority is malware - not viruses), the chances are you'll get them on Mac's, the only difference is you probably won't ever know, because you don't have AV installed.

So I will ask again, where have I BLATANTLY lied?

Here is what I said.

"You, by way of believing Apple, have tried posting statements bordering on blatant lies. It's a common tactic of Apple WWDC conferences."

In relation to you posting Growth Figures without any real context.

 

[Davek0974]

Well it didnt take long to sink to a slanging match, almost as fast as a discussion on immigration in the UK.

As i said, i run pc's at work and have done for many years, they are generally ok but as new OS's come out they get worse and worse, far too many bells and whistles, software is too bloated. I switched to mac at home solely because i was sick of the pc bombing out with blue-screens back in the days of the 486cpu etc. That was the most sensible switch i ever made, NONE of the other apple items i have were bought because i love Steve Jobs OR because they were shiny! They were bought to fill a gap or to perform a task, based on the fact that reliability was a given, i have no negative things to say about them because nothing bad has occurred yet.

Setup is a doddle, using them is intuitive, unlike a pc, where the GUI is clunky and bulky and the security model is a nightmare when it comes to domain networking.

 

[Ammy john]

why so many people still love windows not Mac?

 

[Nala]

Wait until you start supporting the people who have malware infesting their machine, or when they come to you saying "It's broke I don't know why"...

But they wouldn't go to you would they?

They would go to an Apple store or seller like Stormfront etc.

I think I've hit the nail on the head

 

[MancunianCreative]

 

[Subbynet]

But they wouldn't go to you would they?

They would go to an Apple store or seller like Stormfront etc.

I think I've hit the nail on the head

Na, of course not... I've only done it for years - I know nothing. Honestly, what is the point of this post?

Apple's in-store support is very good, but if you think everyone wants to go to an Apple store you're very much mistaken. Not least the fact the nearest store to here is in Milton Keynes - about 25 miles away.

 

[MancunianCreative]

Here's what McDonalds give users trying to set up Wifi

 

[MancunianCreative]

Na, of course not... I've only done it for years - I know nothing. Honestly, what is the point of this post?

Apple's in-store support is very good, but if you think everyone wants to go to an Apple store you're very much mistaken. Not least the fact the nearest store to here is in Milton Keynes - about 25 miles away.

I have 2 within 5/6 miles - that may be the difference.

 

[Nala]

Na, of course not... I've only done it for years - I know nothing. Honestly, what is the point of this post?

Apple's in-store support is very good, but if you think everyone wants to go to an Apple store you're very much mistaken. Not least the fact the nearest store to here is in Milton Keynes - about 25 miles away.

Yup, corner store seller of PC bits and bobs, but can't do Apple stuff and knows the support is not as needed ( some is, they are not perfect ). So they can see their business dwindling if people switch.

Enough said.

Byeee

 

[cjd]

I've just replaced the headset jack in an iPod. I am now a qualified Apple support engineer. (So what if the steel case is now a bit buckled - the spare part only cost £3.99 inc p&P)

I haven't worked out why the iPad's browser keeps crashing with the new 5.0.1 software though. (I didn't get the iPad at first, now you couldn't wrench it from my hands with a crowbar.)

 

[Subbynet]

Yup, corner store seller of PC bits and bobs, but can't do Apple stuff and knows the support is not as needed ( some is, they are not perfect ). So they can see their business dwindling if people switch.

Enough said.

Byeee

lol... Your a joker I'll give you that. But you're factually wrong on all counts. Apple is actually a growing market for support. Also, Apple users are normally willing to pay more than those using Windows... But hey, what do you know? You're just trying to sound clever.

 

[mit74]

wow mancuiancreative you come across as a complete typical fanboy.... 'What has Mac ever done to you?'... really?

The mac vs pc poster is clearly made by a mac fanboy trying to prove how Mac user are trendy and cool and PC users are nerds and the mcdonalds poster does not show the correct procedure for connecting to a wireless network for either winXP or Vista... again clearly made by someone who uses a Mac and doesn't know how to use Windows.
Your comments are quite laughable really and you're the sort of fanboy even Mac users are embarrassed about.

 

[cjd]

lol... Your a joker I'll give you that. But you're factually wrong on all counts. Apple is actually a growing market for support. Also, Apple users are normally willing to pay more than those using Windows... But hey, what do you know? You're just trying to sound clever.

I do a free neighbours tech support service as a hobby but since most of them have now upgraded to windows 7 (new PCs too) I don't get called anymore. Windows 7 mostly 'just works' too - so long as the hardware has enough grunt.