Mac or PC?

[swedguy]

The age old question

The last couple of weeks my laptop has been acting up so it might be time to replace it. My first thought was to just replace with a PC laptop, but came to think of Mac. Why would I want to get a Mac instead of a PC? Is there any good reasons?

[cd34]

I run linux on my laptop. The only program that I need that runs on windows is quickbooks. There is a quickbooks version that runs on mac, and, rumors that Wine will run on the Intel mac's as well.

As far as a machine goes, the mac is pretty darn well integrated. Its interface is well thought out and the machine is really laid out well. And, Mac OS/X is bsd unix. So, you can do all the stuff you would do on your webserver on the laptop in a development platform. That's the only reason I run linux on my laptop -- to have a development platform at my fingertips without having to have a spare machine sitting at the house to develop on.

With Mac, you get no viruses, etc and their interface takes a little bit to get used to, but, wouldn't take you long to get accustomed to.

When I replace this laptop, I am giving serious thought to replacing it with an Intel mac laptop. It is similar enough to the unix/linux webservers that there are few conversion woes when moving from mac os/x to linux or freebsd. Developing on windows to port to linux/freebsd would be a nightmare.

[swedguy]

I didn't think of the development part, that's a huge benefit

It's so sleek looking too http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

[Cleo]

I think all my competition should use Windows.

If you run Adobe stuff you my want to get a G4 Powerbook since Adobe is saying it will not be until late this year that their stuff is ported over.
http://www.apple.com/powerbook/
I have the older version of the 17" and love it. When I'm home I plugin a mouse, keyboard, and a 23" display for a two monitor setup plus a couple of FireWire drives for plenty of storage.

Close the lid and it goes to sleep. Open the lid and you are ready to pickup where you left off within a few seconds. I never shut down my computer and it has been over a month since my last restart since the only time I restart is if Apple releases an update that requires it.

I have spent zero time in the last year doing any kind of maintenance and it has been years since I've had a crash that took my system down.

Mac multitask really well and I just leave everything open and switch around.

[MeatPounder]

I think we will be finding many more exploits directed at Macs with the move to intel processors

[Cleo]

Only if for some insane reason you load Windows on it and then boot into Windows.

Intel Macs are still Macs still Running Mac X.

[swedguy]

How much memory do you have in your Powerbook?

[Cleo]

One gig. It has two slots and can hold 2 gigs but I really don't feel a need to add more.

I also have two other user accounts that I leave open all the time. A non admin Guest account for when my friends want to use my Mac and a Testing account that I keep set to factory defaults.

My laptop is the original 17 Powerbook. The newer ones are a lot faster but I've never really felt the need to upgrade.

Here I ran Top and took a screen grab.
http://cleoslinks.com/crap/top.png

[Cleo]

Also Macs have a few features not found on other OSs.

Things like Labels that can be used to label files without renaming them or moving them. Very useful for keeping track of what I'm working on, what has been submitted, what is a template, etc.

Also Column view has to be one of the best file manager that I've ever used.

Screen shot showing that I have two folders marked with Labels letting me know that they are my active jobs.

[Cleo]

You can set the labels to say anything you want.

[Cleo]

Then you right mouse click on any folder or file to set its label.

[swedguy]

hmmm, lots of interesting features. I looked at the comparison between the PowerPC processor and the Intel and the Intel was quite a lot faster.
But one problem is that it could take a while before all software is ported to the Intel. And if the PowerPC is fast enough for you, it should definitely be enough for me

$2,299 for a 15" PowerBook G4 with 1GB ram and a 7200rpm harddrive. It's pretty much the same price as a decent PC.

[swedguy]

My bad about the PowerPC->Intel porting. Rosetta seems to take care of that.

[Cleo]

That is a fine laptop, way faster then what I'm using actually. Has all the features that my 17" Powerbook has like dual monitor support and a PC card slot. The keyboard lights up which is really sweet for using in the dark.

This is where I buy much of my stuff from. Not sure if non US people can buy through them or not.
http://www.clubmac.com/clubmac/

Another good reason to go with the older G4 Powerbook is it is a refined mature design that has had the bugs worked out.

Lots of good info about what is working and what isn't with the Intel Macs.
http://www.macintouch.com/readerrepo...tel/index.html

[swedguy]

They have some pretty good deals on add-ons. It's bookmarked

I love the cinema displays... they're dead sexy

[GunnCat]

I'm glad to see this isn't a flaming post

[Cleo]

This is another good Mac place to buy.
http://www.macmall.com/

And for add ons.
http://macsales.com/

For finding Mac software updates and software.
http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/

Macs run much of the Unix and Open Source software.
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/unix_open_source/
Fink Commander gives you easy access to obtaining it and installing it.
http://finkcommander.sourceforge.net/about/#screenshots

Gimp runs very nicely under Mac X. If I didn't already know and use Photoshop/ImageReady I would consider using Gimp. It has some really kewl filters and effects.
http://www.gimp.org/screenshots/
You can also download it as a clickable Mac application.
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macos...e/gimpapp.html

I've got tons of Mac links.

[swedguy]

Originally Posted by GunnCat

I'm glad to see this isn't a flaming post

There's enough of that in the other threads


If I decide to go with the Mac, I'll hit you up Cleo so we can trade some bookmarks

[cd34]

My avatar was created with Gimp on linux -- a powerful demonstration of its capabilities.

[Cleo]

You should submit how to make an avatar to the Gimp tutorial site.
http://gug.sunsite.dk/?page=tutorials

Even someone that thinks ImageMagick is user friendly can use Gimp to create an avatar.


Some kewl work that I found while looking for the Gimp tutorial page. It is said that this stuff was done using Gimp.
http://message.sk/abstractarium/index.html

[virgohippy]

I don't know how relevant it is for what you're looking for, but macs don't have the bottlenecks that PC's have when it comes to processing graphics. The Mac hardware is designed to work with higher resolutions/bit-rate graphics - very helpful if you're doing any work with video's, or doing any kind of graphic manipulation.

There's also the color. I don't know what it is, but I've never worked on a PC that was as color accurate, or as vivid as the Mac's I've worked on.

Plus, having a Mac just makes you cooler.

[digifan]

I'm cool then having a Mac mini

[DJilla]

"Apple, hmmm, didn't they used to make computers"? (tee he)

The above was an overheard conversation between two people at the bus stop on the corner of Hines & Wilshire Ave in the year 2009.

[swedguy]

I think iPod has done a LOT for Apple and their computers. I believe they will sell more and more in the future.

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by swedguy

I think iPod has done a LOT for Apple and their computers. I believe they will sell more and more in the future.

They've very clearly identified exactly who their products are for, and have done very well to create a sense of culture surrounding the Apple mystique.