SRL Archive - News and General

Pc or mac
When is comes down to it, it depends on what your going to be doing.
Both have PROS and CONS. I'm not going to go into any detail

From: rjj95
Pc or mac

I heard Mac isn't good for gaming, but its your choice. I never owned a Mac, but my opinion is a PC.

From: [PRO]metheus
I heard Mac isn't good for gaming, but its your choice. I never owned a Mac, but my opinion is a PC.

nkn owns a mac, don't know if he games but he certainly bots.

macs are personal computers
Linux runs on a "PC" most of the time, same with unix, BSD, and everything else you want to add here
Linux is far better at games, even the games steam has ported over, that have problems.. run better on Linux

DirectX is the for dummies GPU API< that is why it's used.. hopefully openCL changes that (openGL will never take over directX.. most game developers are lazy/stupid so they will never figure out how to work most stuff in openGL [it's too hard for them])

so basically, I hate this type of poll - OS X vs windows is what the poll should be.. and in that case they're both better and worse at different things.. and both of them suck vs *input random linux distro here* @ everything

the end

I've used a PC all my life, but currently I'm thinking of buying 6x apple laptops for my business and employees, I heard from another business owner in the same field as me that it's so much easier to use photoshop/creative media software on macs these days

From: Mr[S]
I've used a PC all my life, but currently I'm thinking of buying 6x apple laptops for my business and employees, I heard from another business owner in the same field as me that it's so much easier to use photoshop/creative media software on macs these days

I prefer photoshop on OS X… hands down, it runs WAY better

From: grats
I prefer photoshop on OS X… hands down, it runs WAY better

Everyone in the creative media sector uses a mac to do all their editing or designing I am like the only one who hasn't invested in them because personally I feel like it's too much of a sudden change but lately I've been weighing out my pros an cons and deciding whether to change to mac

I use a Mac for gaming and all this.
Runs great. :)

From: Mr[S]
Everyone in the creative media sector uses a mac to do all their editing or designing I am like the only one who hasn't invested in them because personally I feel like it's too much of a sudden change but lately I've been weighing out my pros an cons and deciding whether to change to mac

even to the computer illiterate, it should take maybe a few hours at most to get used to it… learning an operating system is a joke imo, you shouldn't have any problems especially with something like OS X

my brother for example, has no idea how do to anything other than write papers for college & browse the internet, he's familiar with linux fedora, debian, ubuntu & knows OS X and windows xp / windows 7.. because he's used extra computers I have / a computer I built for him.. his entire life, and he still doesn't know much other than opening up the program and using it

basically what I mean is, sure everything on the inside is different everywhere, but it doesn't matter.. because the basic user doesn't know what the hell any of it means whether or not they've used it 1 hour or 1 decade.. and opening up firefox or photoshop is the same no matter what you use

From: NKN
I use a Mac for gaming and all this.
Runs great. :)

You sure you're playing those games on OSX? Or did you bootcamp windows on that thing?

Iunno. I've had both OSX, Windows, and both at the same time (Hackintosh).. OSX is nice for graphic design and sometimes music making. Other than that, I never found a real use for it other than developing for apple products.

On the other hand, Windows is more widely used than OSX. I tend to develop more on windows than on Lion.

I often find my friends having to bootcamp to windows to do particular tasks. Whether it be using the .Net framework, Visual Studio, Running Steam games, etc.. In engineering class, Pro E was a windows only program. As well as Autocad. Not sure if that has changed by now but yeah..

There's just too many things that are specifically Windows to make Osx useful.

Another point is that often you will find a plain laptop or ultra book with twice as good hardware for half the price. Even building one can be cheaper. Still, I find myself liking the design of the macbookpro and yeah.. It's good for editing and designing stuff but not for everyday use depending on what you do/use it for.

For this reason, I will vote Windows. Both are pretty good though. Just not sure that Macs are all the way there yet. Also I tend to hate using alternatives than what I already have experience with. One such alternative was Open Office vs. MS Office. Was quite annoying. It's just not the same. Oh and if you do mess around with stuff like I tend to do on a daily basis, a blue screen is much easier to handle than a Kernel Panic unless you're into the command line sorta stuff ;).

PC, some of the things i dont like about macs:

Program compatability issues of macs,
Apple charge double the base price of their components just because its in a sleek silver case,
Apple limit so many things because they dont want you using something that is not their own product,
You cant upgrade macs/repair them easily because apple do filthy things like solder RAM to motherboards

But hey, i have and always will be a PC kinda guy (until intel start soldering CPU's to MB's then i might change my position)

As long as you don't go on dodgy sites, and act sensibly on internet, the chances of you getting a virus is very low. As long as you install some basic AntiVirus (MSE, Malwaware Bytes) you should be fine on a Windows machine.

From: Brandon
You sure you're playing those games on OSX? Or did you bootcamp windows on that thing?

Iunno. I've had both OSX, Windows, and both at the same time (Hackintosh).. OSX is nice for graphic design and sometimes music making. Other than that, I never found a real use for it other than developing for apple products.

On the other hand, Windows is more widely used than OSX. I tend to develop more on windows than on Lion.

I often find my friends having to bootcamp to windows to do particular tasks. Whether it be using the .Net framework, Visual Studio, Running Steam games, etc.. In engineering class, Pro E was a windows only program. As well as Autocad. Not sure if that has changed by now but yeah..

There's just too many things that are specifically Windows to make Osx useful.

Another point is that often you will find a plain laptop or ultra book with twice as good hardware for half the price. Even building one can be cheaper. Still, I find myself liking the design of the macbookpro and yeah.. It's good for editing and designing stuff but not for everyday use depending on what you do/use it for.

For this reason, I will vote Windows. Both are pretty good though. Just not sure that Macs are all the way there yet. Also I tend to hate using alternatives than what I already have experience with. One such alternative was Open Office vs. MS Office. Was quite annoying. It's just not the same. Oh and if you do mess around with stuff like I tend to do on a daily basis, a blue screen is much easier to handle than a Kernel Panic unless you're into the command line sorta stuff ;).

Played those Blizzard games, and HoN on it.

From: NKN
Played those Blizzard games, and HoN on it.

and man do they run better, had like 1/4th the specs on an imac that handled blizz games better than a machine with ridiculous hardware.. also quicktimes screen recording will never be matched on windows.. glad blizz embeds them in games

Besides for the price, I would say Macs > PC
—

This coming from someone who has never owned a mac, no not because of price but because I actually like the way windows is laid out farrr better. It is simply easier for me as I have been using it for ages, but if I was a kid again and had the opportunity to choose between the two I would of opted for Macs.

Reason being they have been coming out with the "new" world for the past decade, rather than Windows which is still trying to catch them (no not in sales, but in innovation)

From: [XoL]
Besides for the price, I would say Macs > PC
—

This coming from someone who has never owned a mac, no not because of price but because I actually like the way windows is laid out farrr better. It is simply easier for me as I have been using it for ages, but if I was a kid again and had the opportunity to choose between the two I would of opted for Macs.

Reason being they have been coming out with the "new" world for the past decade, rather than Windows which is still trying to catch them (no not in sales, but in innovation)

I'm not going to put your opinion down but I wouldn't exactly call a Ram upgrade and processor upgrade innovation. Even with their iPods and iPhones, and other iProducts, they change one small feature and sell it as a brand new product.. IOS 4-6 has nothing that "Wow's" anyone but fanboys.

Infact, they got so greedy that they decided to dump google maps, put their own and now what? They ended up going back to google maps because it's that much better than theirs.. Not only that, they decided to dump samsung, for a taiwan company. Expect cheap shitty parts in the future Macbooks and iProducts. Even facebook started posting ads all around their company HQ urging users to switch to android.

The new macbook pro has NOTHING "new" or innovative about it. What is innovative though is their advertising and their skill at grabbing new computer users' attention. To buy a macbook pro or and apple product at this point in time is a huge waste of money.

Microsoft doesn't seem to be aiming at catching up to them at all.. They seem to be aiming to hit the tablet market hard as you can tell with the Windows 8 Tablets.

Tip: If you really want performance and osx at the same time, buy intel parts, build a desktop, put OSX on it. Then again, you still have shitty software compatibility. Nothing beats MS Office and a lot of MS products.


@OP, remove that "Less likely to get viruses" from your post.. Have you heard of the Java 7 exploit in OSX? Oh man.. I wouldn't say less likely when 750k users got hit by Java. Windows was better protected because it had antivirus.. Mac's aren't invincible. No one wants to program for them because they don't wanna take the time to learn Objective-C which I might add, has no advantages over any other language. I'd definitely choose Java over it.

Pc because more programs while Mac, umm you might need to get a new one if you want the recent OS.

I have a PC at home, and the computer lab at my school has new imacs. I prefer my pc because it runs smoothly, and runs any program I need. Also the imacs have way too many problems like occasionally not logging into my account, just logging me into a default account that no programs work on. And I hate how apple sacrifices usability for looks. For example, the power button is on the back, and barely presses down. There should be a light to tell you it's turning on at least. And usb ports only on the back suck. And the mighty mouse's tiny clickwheel is broken in one direction on half the mice.

Mac

There are a lot of incorrect stereo types stated in this thread.

Less Programs:
Most programs you can now get for mac, and if there isn't, you can get parallels and it has coherence mode so it runs any windows or linux program but acts like a native mac program. There is no silly VM window, all you see is the program info.

Customization:
It is actually far easier to customize mac than it is PC. There are also more customizations our there for mac than there are for PC.

Over Simplified:
Taken a look at windows 8 yet…?
Also some things may be over simplified, but it still lets you have full control if you really want it. And it simplifies things that windows over complicates. I had a ubuntu server on my home network and installed the desktop environment over top of the server and set up VNC. I spent hours messing around trying to get a windows VNC client to connect to it properly and in the end, never did get it working properly. I go to my mac and what do I see in finder? Its already found the VNC server on my network and all I had to do was enter my password. No fiddling with downloading software, configuring junk, it worked on its own.

Many people are changing to mac once they decide to ignore what they think they know about mac and give it a chance. Ever since switching to mac, my research projects have also become easier. Its great because I have to interact with many linux environments and because mac is based on Unix, it plays much nicer than windows does, but mac still plays nice with windows. Mac is like a nice bridge between the two.

Yes there are things that are better done on windows, but that list is quickly dwindling. Pretty much all windows has left that its "superior" at is games, but with steam on mac, that is ever starting to shift away from windows' favour.


@BMWxi
That sounds like an issue with your school's network admins more than it is an issue with apple.

I do not like apple products seeing as in some of their laptops they actually solder the RAM to the motherboard.

No company never, ever has to do this and there is no reason for it at all. Because of stupid things like this(And the fact that their products are ridiculously overpriced) I don't like Apple and their products.

From: Hobbit
Mac

There are a lot of incorrect stereo types stated in this thread.

Less Programs:
Most programs you can now get for mac, and if there isn't, you can get parallels and it has coherence mode so it runs any windows or linux program but acts like a native mac program. There is no silly VM window, all you see is the program info.

Why buy a mac to run Windows in the first place? Oh yeah.. forgot, you need those windows programs that mac does NOT have.. "Most programs you can now get for mac".. Oh really? I highly doubt that. I also have a Mac. Notepad++ can never get replaced! Office Pro 13 can never be replaced, as well as many others! Those are just probably the most popular listed. Most IDE's are for windows. Some do have Mac versions as well but.. To program C# on a mac, well.. good luck with that. C++? Oh yeah.. gotta install a load of bs..

They lie to the naive in their ads.. Currently, on the Apple site it says it's the most advanced notebook ever.. I'd definitely call bs on that. It's also not the most advanced OS either.

Everything for a Mac requires an adapter. If you haven't tried hooking up your TV to it yet, you should try that. Who solders their RAM to the MB? Oh yeah.. Apple. Why? So you can buy a whole new MODEL!

Apple is all about selling Models. They do the same shit with the 4, 4s, 5 and the 5S due in January.

Really now? The features that was in the 4S could have been in the 4 already. It's already been done with a "Jail" break. Apple is jail.

I hook my mac up to my TV quite frequently, never had an issue at all. :p

Currently the only programs I need windows to run are Simba and cain
Everything else I need I have found a equal if not better alternative (In my opinion for my uses)

PC > Mac in all ways
Cheaper, Anywhere for fixing, Free Alternatives for pretty much every single software, Cracked software available everywhere & literally you can run anything on it(as long as you have compatible hardware).

Nothing else is needed to say since it already can run anything, so what is the point of owning a mac? Oh right I forgot… because it looks cute :P

Buy a mac and donate it to me for Simba mac support development =)

lol, I'd go with PC!

@Brandon - I have Office '11 for Mac :), and it is nice. A down side of it though is it doesn't have the full suite for Mac only word,excel,powerpoint and outlook, but I don't need much more than that.

To install C++, download XCode and install, just need the compiler…that isn't too much to ask is it? Also, hooking up to the TV isn't bad, I have a thunderbolt display that works nicely.

Having to get adapters does suck for several things, and also I agree with their releases being "stupid" to say the least at times.

From: Brandon
Most IDE's are for windows. Some do have Mac versions as well but.. To program C# on a mac, well.. good luck with that. C++? Oh yeah.. gotta install a load of bs..

Apple is all about selling Models. They do the same shit with the 4, 4s, 5 and the 5S due in January.

Really now? The features that was in the 4S could have been in the 4 already. It's already been done with a "Jail" break. Apple is jail.

Before I start rambling I'd like to say that I've been proud user of only PC's and owner of two Dells. For years now I've been supporting PC all the way, but ever since I got an old MacBook as my work PC I've changed my mind on quite a few things. The model is ancient, but it works flawlessly apart from taking a while to start/shut down so I don't see how Mac is forcing new models on customers (Yes, with the iPhone etc.., but I feel no need whatsoever to upgrade to a better model. My phone is an old Nokia that's more than 10 years old by the way.).
The thing is, this Mac, even though it is so old, is just perfect in terms of heating. I've broken 2 graphic cards on previous Dells I owned due to overheating - even while using a cooler!. So hey, I prefer this old-timer MacBook over my Intel7Core Windows 7 PC, which just ends up getting on my nerves with the constant overheating. I had the fan fixed just recently and nothing has changed. Macs just come over as quieter to me and all I need for programming is a nice quiet environment not some rustling laptop fan.
As for updates, Mac seems much more stable than Windows, as I'm not constantly asked to restart my PC and harassed with windows that pop up out of nowhere.

Finally, to the programming side. Not being able to program on a Mac is a common misconception.
C++ compilers for Mac:
GCC, Clang, Intel-C++ can be downloaded as open source programs. Xcode uses the backend of the LLVM-Compiler (clang is the frontend).
IDE's for Mac:
NetBeans, Eclipse, Qt Creator IDE, Code::Blocks, C++ Builder XE2, KDevelop, Xcode

Where everything except for C++ Builder XE2 and Xcode is FREE open source!
In newer models Xcode and other IDE's come with Mac so there are plenty of programming environments already at hand when you get it.
The same can't be said for PC.

EDIT: Just downloaded Xcode for free on the AppStore. Thought it costs so I stuck with Eclipse before. Sweet… :)

EDIT2: Currently reading 700 pages of C++ book and the mastermind author (its stated at the beginning in German) - translated: "…is currently worshipping a Mac". The OS doesn't matter and you don't have to use a VM to program on a Mac. A VM is useful for testing out programs on other OSX without having the need to buy a new PC, but the OS itself has no disadvantage over PC when it comes to programming.

The only thing I dislike is the Mac GUI - well I'm not very used to it - but I love how smooth and silent everything is.
It's Mac > PC for me even though I've been using PC for the better part of my life (and still do).

People still comparing windows to OS X and not pc to mac :crying:
:duh:

From: grats
People still comparing windows to OS X and not pc to mac :crying:
:duh:

Haha..You said yourself at one point that you hate this poll and it should be OSX vs Win. :p

From: Runehack123
Before I start rambling I'd like to say that I've been proud user of only PC's and owner of two Dells. For years now I've been supporting PC all the way, but ever since I got an old MacBook as my work PC I've changed my mind on quite a few things. The model is ancient, but it works flawlessly apart from taking a while to start/shut down so I don't see how Mac is forcing new models on customers (Yes, with the iPhone etc.., but I feel no need whatsoever to upgrade to a better model. My phone is an old Nokia that's more than 10 years old by the way.).
The thing is, this Mac, even though it is so old, is just perfect in terms of heating. I've broken 2 graphic cards on previous Dells I owned due to overheating - even while using a cooler!. So hey, I prefer this old-timer MacBook over my Intel7Core Windows 7 PC, which just ends up getting on my nerves with the constant overheating. I had the fan fixed just recently and nothing has changed. Macs just come over as quieter to me and all I need for programming is a nice quiet environment not some rustling laptop fan.
As for updates, Mac seems much more stable than Windows, as I'm not constantly asked to restart my PC and harassed with windows that pop up out of nowhere.

Finally, to the programming side. Not being able to program on a Mac is a common misconception.
C++ compilers for Mac:
GCC, Clang, Intel-C++ can be downloaded as open source programs. Xcode uses the backend of the LLVM-Compiler (clang is the frontend).
IDE's for Mac:
NetBeans, Eclipse, Qt Creator IDE, Code::Blocks, C++ Builder XE2, KDevelop, Xcode

Where everything except for C++ Builder XE2 and Xcode is FREE open source!
In newer models Xcode and other IDE's come with Mac so there are plenty of programming environments already at hand when you get it.
The same can't be said for PC.

EDIT: Just downloaded Xcode for free on the AppStore. Thought it costs so I stuck with Eclipse before. Sweet… :)

EDIT2: Currently reading 700 pages of C++ book and the mastermind author (its stated at the beginning in German) - translated: "…is currently worshipping a Mac". The OS doesn't matter and you don't have to use a VM to program on a Mac. A VM is useful for testing out programs on other OSX without having the need to buy a new PC, but the OS itself has no disadvantage over PC when it comes to programming.

The only thing I dislike is the Mac GUI - well I'm not very used to it - but I love how smooth and silent everything is.
It's Mac > PC for me even though I've been using PC for the better part of my life (and still do).

++

Also Xcode shows up as free for me on the app store. Are you not a registered developer? I think once you register your apple id as a developer (Even just the free one) xcode should be free.

os wise I prefere os x over windows 7 (havn't used 8 at all, and own windows 7) but hardware wise pc > mac
due to reasons posted already and the biggest one - price.

i cant choose they are both something great… though my experiance is on pc, though mac is a pc… its all the same … i would choose windows over most software :sasmokin:

From: wantonman
i cant choose they are both something great… though my experiance is on pc, though mac is a pc… its all the same … i would choose windows over most software :sasmokin:

They are not the same.

From: rjj95
They are not the same.

Majority of the components are

I like the flexibility that comes with PC's over Mac's I don't want to be tied down to one company.

I use Ubuntu most of the time just because I like the UI and some programming languages are more at home on Linux (Python and Perl for example). I still use Windows for Windows-specific programming and some games though. The last time I used a Mac was for a typing class in middle school, and the computers were ancient :p

Pc ftw

It all comes down to personal preference, Mac looks stylish and as a result is more expensive generally easier to use, more straight foward i guess if you dont know anything about computers.

Pc on the other hand has more compatibility which makes it a better choice in my opinion for gaming, virus wise I just back up all my data on an external hard drive and just reformat when ever i have any problems. Simple easy to do dosn't take more then an hour or 2.

Very valid points

I honestly love windows for everyday items (Just grew up using it) However Macs work better for my graphic design, ps ect.

Bump, I want to re-open this for discussion

Mac Vs. Windows Vs. Linux. Each has their own value. I just see the least amount of value in mac. :p
Photoshop and typical image editing/animation software is only really typically better on Mac because they are developed for Macs. Likewise the same argument can be made towards any Windows based program and I won't argue that much. The major difference I see is how much did I spend on the parts - and Mac hates letting people build their own PCs, so I kinda dislike them much more for that.

Too bad Linux isn't an option, I honestly use Linux far more than I use Mac. But Windows still tops my use list so I'll have to stick with it I suppose.

Besides the price differences, I'd say Macs. IMO they're more versatile, run programs smoother, and heck if you want windows just do dual boot and you can have the best of both worlds. Too bad I have a pc…Macs are just too expensive in comparison :(

I'm on a mac right now, my school has all imacs. They're not bad, but they are kind of annoying sometimes, although I attribute this to them having all of the programs on the network so if a lot of people open say, excel, all at the same time then it tends to freeze.

I use windows 7 at home and it works really well, never had any issues with it and I like the GUI more than osx.

From: BMWxi
I'm on a mac right now, my school has all imacs. They're not bad, but they are kind of annoying sometimes, although I attribute this to them having all of the programs on the network so if a lot of people open say, excel, all at the same time then it tends to freeze.

I use windows 7 at home and it works really well, never had any issues with it and I like the GUI more than osx.

Why would a school want to invest money in macs -.- our school dells have got to be around $300, the fact is school computers only need to browse the web and open word. No need to buy anything decent (windows or mac)

From: Officer Barbrady
Why would a school want to invest money in macs -.- our school dells have got to be around $300, the fact is school computers only need to browse the web and open word. No need to buy anything decent (windows or mac)

They're also used for photo and video editing, stuff like that.

^ exactly. My university only had Macs. Never once saw a PC on campus.

My college is a small private college, we have both Macs and PC's available for use, but personally I'm a windows 7 fan. I love building my own PC and with mac that really isn't an option, and of course Linux can go on a PC easy as cake a well because its free :)

PC for life!

Mac is like Alienware, too expensive for what it is

From: denart5
Mac is like Alienware, too expensive for what it is

Love my alienware desktop honestly, Expensive yes, Can you get a better computer? not really.

For those like me who don't have time to build there own, its a very good option, and not a bad deal considering all the comes with it.

Ive ran 26 Bots on it before and only used 45% Cpu and 6.5gb/ram :P Only thing that limits me is my internet connection, cause i live in the middle of no where with shit internet

From: Itankbots
Love my alienware desktop honestly, Expensive yes, Can you get a better computer? not really.

For those like me who don't have time to build there own, its a very good option, and not a bad deal considering all the comes with it.

Ive ran 26 Bots on it before and only used 45% Cpu and 6.5gb/ram :P Only thing that limits me is my internet connection, cause i live in the middle of no where with shit internet

Actually Alienware is about double of what you would pay building your own computer :/

From: blinkblink
PC > Mac in all ways
Cheaper, Anywhere for fixing, Free Alternatives for pretty much every single software, Cracked software available everywhere & literally you can run anything on it(as long as you have compatible hardware).

Nothing else is needed to say since it already can run anything, so what is the point of owning a mac? Oh right I forgot… because it looks cute :P

I Totaly Agree There are so much more free software exploits for the pc and with the mac its slim to none.

From: Itankbots
Love my alienware desktop honestly, Expensive yes, Can you get a better computer? not really.

For those like me who don't have time to build there own, its a very good option, and not a bad deal considering all the comes with it.

Ive ran 26 Bots on it before and only used 45% Cpu and 6.5gb/ram :P Only thing that limits me is my internet connection, cause i live in the middle of no where with shit internet

What kind of Processor and Mobo does it have in it?

From: Officer Barbrady
Actually Alienware is about double of what you would pay building your own computer :/

Not quite double, but yes more expensive, but any put together computer is more expensive.

I got mine when it was on sale, saved like $900 total. Paid like $2900 for the best gaming computer money could buy at the time. Same rig costs like $2100 now cause of drops in price for parts, but yeah, i dont regret it at all. Amazing purchase.

i have both a macbook and a windows 7 desktop..

i love my macbook, although apple is most definitely overpriced, it does have a very nice feel. im a big fan of Xcode and have really come to love the whole of osx just because of Xcode in the last few months!

thinking about it, i would much rather a really nice linux distro except for the certain programs that i absolutely need, so for now at least, fedora will remain my desktop dual boot.

From: Itankbots
Not quite double, but yes more expensive, but any put together computer is more expensive.

I got mine when it was on sale, saved like $900 total. Paid like $2900 for the best gaming computer money could buy at the time. Same rig costs like $2100 now cause of drops in price for parts, but yeah, i dont regret it at all. Amazing purchase.

What I did was find the parts online and have a computer shop build it, as I had neither the time nor the experience to do it myself. It's better than any pc I could buy at futureshop and it cost less than $1000 :)