Which is better, Mac or PC?

**Jenna** · 01-21-10, 07:47 PM

I'm using a PC, but I'm thinking of switching to a Mac because I read that the Mac OS is less prone to viruses and crashes than Windows. What do you all think? Which is better, Mac or PC?

**Emily** · 01-21-10, 08:25 PM

I can't give you any "techy" advice, but I think it depends on what you will be using the computer for. When I was in advertising I preferred the Mac for my spreadsheets. The programs worked better. I use a PC now and would probably never go back to a Mac unless I had to.....or took up advertising again.

**Jenna** · 01-21-10, 08:27 PM

Thanks! I'll just be using this computer to access the internet. Nothing fancy.

**KaiGywer** · 01-21-10, 10:03 PM

If all you'll be doing is surfing the net, get a PC. They're cheaper and just as good. Macs have their strong sides, surfing the internet is a wash

**jmur5074** · 01-21-10, 10:25 PM

The only thing I don't like about my PC is Windows Vista. I hate it. I'd like to try Windows 7.

Everyone claims PC's are open to more viruses and spyware, etc....which is probably true. But every computer, PC or Mac should have a good virus/spyware program anyway.

I keep mine up to date and haven't had any problems.

But then again, I'm not a technology wizard by any means..just an average user.

**MacLean** · 01-21-10, 10:27 PM

A PC is always going to win for someone who isn't doing specific tasks the Mac does well, like being a graphics workstation.

**NC Bullseye** · 01-21-10, 10:53 PM

Macs are terrible, they don't let you enjoy the fun of millions of viruses, worms, malware, and back doors on the internet like a PC. With a Mac you will loose all of your command line skills since you don't need them anymore. PC's will enrich your vocabulary with many new and useful words that sailors like when things go as they usually do. Macs will cause you to waste more time since being at the computer doesn't seem like work anymore and last but far from least, Macs are so two faced that you can run either the Mac OS or Windows and both function as well as they do on the native machines.

**Odd** · 01-22-10, 07:44 AM

Same hardware architecture at this point, OS-X and Win7 are both mature and user friendly. Differences are mostly about price, familiarity with software and who you side with in the ever fun Mac/PC war.

There is the Apple Tax and it is steep if you just want to do basic stuff. On the other hand, if you went with say a 27" iMac you'd have a fully capable computer that gives you a lot of screen, but takes very little space. It's ultra quiet and big enough to be quite an enjoyable sit back TV experience for watching movies. There are similar PCs. I don't get the impression you watch a lot of TV, but either way a USB TV tuner makes your new computer a TV set for over the air/cable easy enough. Kinda surprised Apple hasn't just built that in, or maybe they have, haven't paid much attention to their computers.

A lot of it comes down to how you use the computer now. Me, I like having my computer in my den of gadgets and my TV in the other room same as ever - though even there I have it hooked to a computer which feeds it an increasing percentage of the content I watch. Who needs a DVD or Blu-Ray player stacked on top of other toys if a computer will do the role of a few devices?

If you can move some furniture around, throw out (sorry Jenna, recycle) an old TV and computer and whatever one of them was sitting on, and have a great experience with one device, then a pricier computer gets cheaper quick. Eliminating duplicate devices saves floorspace and we pay a lot for the space we live in. Gadget clutter is something I'm terrible about, so just throwing that out as a perspective in your buying decision. If you already don't have a TV, skip the above text. Wait, would have been more useful to say skip the below...well, common flaw for me.

**MacLean** · 01-22-10, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by NC Bullseye

Macs are terrible, they don't let you enjoy the fun of millions of viruses, worms, malware, and back doors on the internet like a PC.

**KaiGywer** · 01-22-10, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

The only thing I don't like about my PC is Windows Vista. I hate it. I'd like to try Windows 7.

My laptop came with Win 7, and I like it. What I miss from XP, is the ability to choose what photos to import from a camera or memory card. With both Vista and 7, it's all or nothing

**Jenna** · 01-22-10, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Odd

If you already don't have a TV, skip the above text. Wait, would have been more useful to say skip the below...well, common flaw for me.

Now that would have been a Mac-like approach....

Originally Posted by maclean

And this from someone with "Mac" in his username....

**2 Blue 4 U** · 01-25-10, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

I'm using a PC, but I'm thinking of switching to a Mac because I read that the Mac OS is less prone to viruses and crashes than Windows. What do you all think? Which is better, Mac or PC?

MAC's are different, I have one for over 6 months now and I have gotten somewhat used to it. I've used a PC for years and miss all the short cuts, yea MAC has them too but now I have to figure them all out. The word processing is different too, called Pages. So if you do decide to change keep that in mind, you can buy a package that still used Word or WordPerfect, Excel and maybe Access. I did transfer all my documents from my PC and can view them in Pages. In my opinion Word was much better, probably because I was more familiar with it. They say Pages is a more simpler approach, more user friendly, but I am not such a friendly user. Luckily I do not have to do many documents. Other subtle differences in commands like copy and paste, only on web pages, and is just a minor annoyance.

Yes MAC may cost a bit more, but when you take in to consideration NOT having to buy Virus Protection and other ware programs it probably evens out. I do find the MAC starts right up, less rubbish while running, rarely if ever, gets hung up.

Originally Posted by NC Bullseye

Macs are terrible, they don't let you enjoy the fun of millions of viruses, worms, malware, and back doors on the internet like a PC. With a Mac you will loose all of your command line skills since you don't need them anymore. PC's will enrich your vocabulary with many new and useful words that sailors like when things go as they usually do. Macs will cause you to waste more time since being at the computer doesn't seem like work anymore and last but far from least, Macs are so two faced that you can run either the Mac OS or Windows and both function as well as they do on the native machines.

That is great, well put!

**NC Bullseye** · 01-25-10, 01:38 PM

One thing about software and the MS Word, Excel, suite. Look into a freeware set called Open Office. It reads Word files and is available in many platforms.

It's pretty impressive and even more so since it's free.

why: Why OpenOffice.org

**Xiphos** · 01-25-10, 03:28 PM

I use Open Office on my PC and love it. I've had some compatibility issues with PowerPoints that were created before in MS but so far it's not bad. Beats paying for MS Office.

**MacLean** · 01-25-10, 05:01 PM

If your employer uses Office, you can buy the whole suite for home use for $30 from Microsoft.

Ask your IT people about the "Home Use" program.

All the sudden, using the real deal becomes easier.

**Xiphos** · 01-25-10, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by maclean

If your employer uses Office, you can buy the whole suite for home use for $30 from Microsoft.

Ask your IT people about the "Home Use" program.

All the sudden, using the real deal becomes easier.

That sounds interesting! I would pay $30 for Office.

**Jenna** · 02-09-10, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I still have to do some more research, but I think I'm leaning toward the Mac just because of its reputation for being virus-resistant and crash-resistant.

**NC Bullseye** · 02-09-10, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I still have to do some more research, but I think I'm leaning toward the Mac just because of its reputation for being virus-resistant and crash-resistant.

If I can help let me know, I'll see if I can still fit my consultant hat.

**Sapper_132** · 02-11-10, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

I'm using a PC, but I'm thinking of switching to a Mac because I read that the Mac OS is less prone to viruses and crashes than Windows. What do you all think? Which is better, Mac or PC?

Macs are just as prone to viruses as a PC, I've seen it far to many times. Macs are good if you are into graphic design, PCs are good if your into gaming other than those two differences they're the same animal.

**Sapper_132** · 02-11-10, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I still have to do some more research, but I think I'm leaning toward the Mac just because of its reputation for being virus-resistant and crash-resistant.

this is not true, they get viruses and crash the same as a PC. buy a pc and get virus protection and save yourself about $500