<p>a) desktops aren't just slightly more powerful than laptops. yeah maybe if you're comparing an $1800 laptop to a $1100 desktop.</p>
<p>b)</p>
<p>"A Mac is generally known for being a creative powerhouse. It's a fantastic OS for anyone in a creative field(i.e.: Music, Video, Art)"</p>
<p>No. PCs are just as good as Macs for that kind of thing, especially nowadays with affordable Quad-Core CPUs. Try to match up a Mac to the specs of a PC for that kind of PC and it's at least $1000 more expensive. You could easily build another cheap PC for that $1000 and setup a render farm making it even better.</p>
<p>"For me, Windows is a very messy OS. It lacks, should I say, the polish that OS X has. Additionally, there is 0(and I literally mean 0) Viruses for the Mac. While there is thousands and thousands for the PC(none of which can be run on a Mac)."</p>
<p>Lol, 0 viruses for Mac. Of course the viruses are mostly for Windows. Why would a programmer waste his time on 5% of the market?</p>
<p>"With a Mac, you can run both Mac OS X and Windows. This is near impossible to do with a PC(legally). So a Mac is the only computer in the world that can run all of the mainstream OS's."</p>
<p>If Windows sucks so much, why do you want to run it on a Mac?</p>
<p>"I do think you should mention iLife suite. iTunes/iPhoto/iMovie/iDVD/GarageBand all bundled into every Mac for free; the easiest and best photo manager, movie maker, DVD maker, music maker all working together."</p>
<p>hahaha, sorry FCP pro is FAR better than iMovie, and Audacity/Adobe Audition are FAR better than Garageband. Adobe Encore > iDVD. there's a reason apple gives it for "free" ;)</p>
<p>And if you're just talking about the OS argument, then why not mention Linux? Linux is open source. I.e., if you don't like a feature/don't see one, you can edit/write the code yourself.</p>
<p>"I'm just not interested in spending money on aesthetics. (that is what you're paying for with Apple hardware)"</p>
<p>Aesthetics and propriety.</p>
<p>"Generally, a PC is Windows. I clearly mentioned that was the context I was speaking in so Mac vs PC; Mac vs Windows, it's all the same."</p>
<p>PC = Personal Computer, including Macs. But for practical purposes, we can assume PCs are Windows (or Linux) machines.</p>
<p>"Please, Linux? This is a for college thread. Most college students have no idea what Linux is. You have to admit Mac and Windows are the two main players, and the ones worth comparing."</p>
<p>Are you trying to insult the general intelligence of the members of this forum? I'm sure plenty here are CS majors-to-be.</p>
<p>"Yes, Windows XP has tons of viruses that install itself."</p>
<p>Yeah, if you visit all kinds of spammy, pr0n-ridden websites and don't know anything about protecting/managing your computer.</p>
<p>"I will be damed to find a Dell with an iSight/iChat AV built in equivalent. I just really don't see why so many hate Macs here. Mac OS X (and Macs in general) is not that big of a deal... people treat it like it's the devil or something."</p>
<p>You can build your own PC (desktop at least). I've heard of doing so with Macs, but it was only a G4, and very limited parts. With building PCs, you save tons of money and your choice is limited to the entire PC market.</p>
<p>"As for the Apple haters claiming that there is nothing special about an Apple Computer ... You've never owned a Mac, obviously. Apple Computers are designed specifically for Mac OS X. What this means is you get the thing KNOWING that it will work perfectly, and run smoothly. Can you say the same about your Windows Notebook? Not unless Microsoft starts making them, and that ain't going to happen folks."</p>
<p>I have owned a Mac. And I didn't like it. My family has owned several, and I don't like any of them. I know EXACTLY what I'm getting when I know about my Q6600, my GTS8800 640MB, my Seagate 320GB HDD's, etc. I know it will run perfectly and smoothly.</p>
<p>"Again, this is a college board. No-one here is going to need a computer with unlimited access of parts. Even if they did, a Mac Pro would be just as fast(not as advanced in hardware, but just as fast all the same) as any PC you could build, they come with 8 core CPUs now."</p>
<p>For absurd prices. Have you checked the pricing on them? And why wouldn't they need it? Of course not for some random student who doesn't know anything about computers and wants to e-mail and watch DVDs.</p>
<p>"Unless you are a motion picture or animation studio, who needs 8 cores? Who needs unlimited access to parts? Sure, you're locked down to the hardware you get with your Mac, but that hardware will always run well with OS X. So what's the point in upgrading? RAM? There's a door on every Mac that allows this to be very easily upgraded."</p>
<p>Yeah, and I thought my 64MB Geforce3 would be good back in 2002. Now how does it compare? A college computer should be built to last long and be upgradable. 5-6 years. Through college and then some until you have a stable enough job or whatever to finance a new computer.</p>
<p>"When posting, please remember the context of this thread. It's meant toward college students, not l33t ubber animators that need a machine that can render two hour scenes."</p>
<p>They use render farms for that.</p>
<p>"Want to kill yourself trying to get your computer run smoothly? Want to spend hours a month making sure Windows is clean and tidy? Want to loose some brain cells? A PC is for you!"</p>
<p>Haha, losing brain cells. Oh god, please don't make me actually LEARN about how computers work :( It's PATHETIC how many people use computers so often, yet don't even know a thing about them or how they work. And the machines run fine if you actually know what you're doing.</p>
<p>"Mac OS X:</p>
<p>Don't want to have any options for future modification? Don't want to have to think when choosing/setting up your computer? Don't feel like ever having to use your brain at all? Then a Mac is the computer for you.</p>
<p>I'll take a Mac, thanks."</p>
<p>Haha, really speaks to your character.</p>
<p>"What is the mac fanboy's solution? Get an extended warranty and/or take it to the apple store. Maybe I don't want to go to a store every time something goes wrong."</p>
<p>Haha, I know someone who works at an Apple store... the last story I heard there was someone who had a broken PC who didn't realize there were cockroaches dwelling inside the laptop. Really shows the level of computer knowledge XD</p>
<p>"I know a lot of people that own Macs, none of which have any serious problems. I've owned my Mac for 8 months and haven't had a single problem."</p>
<p>No problems? Those who I know who have macs... they don't have any problems... except for the distinct lack of speed for how much money they paid for it.</p>
<p>"Um windows is the most unstable system I've ever seen. XP is a complete failure that should never have been released. How does Microsoft sleep after having released a product that is supposedly perfect when they know damn well that it's not? I used to have a crash about twice a week, sometimes three times. I have had to reinstall windows about a dozen times, and programs crash all the time."</p>
<p>I've never had this problem. Generally speaking, most of these errors are induced by novice users.</p>
<p>I know you'll all probably hate me for bringing this back to OSX vs. Windows, but what is the point of this thread anyway? It doesn't have distinguishable facts that are enough to make a decision with. Why, it seems that there is a peculiar agenda to suggest Mac to everyone. And that might be OK for some random thread, but this is a featured thread, and as such, it should probably be cleaned up to reflect its status.</p>