<p>"Windows because it’s apt to fail at key moments, and the Mac because you can never get passed the user interface and get to the good stuff.</p>
<p>Agreed. I am just now realizing I can’t get to any of the good s— on my mac. It’s kinda annoying.</p>
<p>But I’d take mac over windows any day.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=AeroEngineer3141]
Or you can just get a free OS like Linux and save $800+. </p>
<p>I personally hate both Windows and the Mac. Windows because it’s apt to fail at key moments, and the Mac because you can never get passed the user interface and get to the good stuff.</p>
<p>If I had to buy a laptop, I’d get a Lenovo, because ThinkPads have been used on missions involving the International Space Station. Absolutely no Dells. I’d buy a Mac for the small stuff, but then it wouldn’t be worth paying the exorbitant price tag.</p>
<p>I’d rather build my own computer and run it on my own specifications.
[/quote]
This.</p>
<p>Windows has so many stability problems, while Macs are totally locked down so you can’t do anything that His Highness the Jobsmeister hasn’t personally approved.</p>
<p>For laptops, Linux + ThinkPad == epic win. For desktops, Linux + custom built machine all the way.</p>
<p>Do you guys know how to unlock what His Highness the Jobsmeister doesn’t want you to see?</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=comiclover]
Do you guys know how to unlock what His Highness the Jobsmeister doesn’t want you to see?
[/quote]
Sorry, I used a fully decked out Mac Pro for two summers for 10 hours a day for 5 days a week and never managed to…but if you figure out how to use a case-sensitive filesystem or replace the window manager or properly maximize the windows or theme OS X or move the menu bar to each individual window without administrator access or modifying the OS in such a way that doesn’t void support, let me know. Because I can do that in Linux without any problems.</p>
<p>Yeah the closest I’ve got to theming is the dock, icons and other little things but it’s barely made a dent and now I’m working on the windows and stuff but Leopard apparently is incompatible with any sort of themes already out there. I might have to try to write/create my own. </p>
<p>Is Linux only for PC computers?</p>
<p>No, it can run on pretty much anything, including your toaster. Yes, it can run on your Mac. Besides, Macs have been "PC"s ever since Apple switched to Intel processors in 2006. Not that Linux can’t run on PPC Macs as well.</p>
<p>Well you know what I mean by PC. xD</p>
<p>
Just wanted to say that this has been my setup for 4+ years now and has worked awesome, but I don’t recommend Linux lightly.</p>
<p>Too many people are not willing to deal with WINE and too much specialized software gives people trouble (heck, I can’t even run STATA). Now, while I have no problem using Linux 100% of the time for my own stuff at home, the unfortunate reality is I do go to the computer labs to do some work. Doesn’t bug me at all, in fact, I rather enjoy working on a library computer. However this would drive some people nuts.</p>
<p>Macs are too expensive. I like my computer…I’ve had it for a 15 months and it works great (Gateway). I’ve had no problems - I just use my computer for typing stuff, watching movies, and checking email. I use free virus protection and still haven’t gotten a virus…</p>
<p>Programmer/gamer here…got a Sager 8662 laptop (15") w/ upgraded processor + cooler for $1500. It runs games and modeling programs (Maya, Blender, etc) nicely and I set up an Ubuntu VM for programming (apt-get makes it really easy to install compilers and libraries). Also, no bloatware like you get from Dell and HP. Of course with performance laptops comes poor battery life- I can squeeze out 2.5 hours on powersaving mode + I’m not planning on being far from an outlet (urban college), so that works out for me.</p>
<p>For doing just word processing, powerpoints, emails, etc. without squinting at a netbook screen, Thinkpads are pretty nice PCs. I had a T23 throughout high school and even though it was pretty slow initially, I added some RAM and it got the job done. They’re pretty durable as well.</p>
<p>Macs are reliable and tend to stay clean and efficient with less user maintenance required, but as someone else pointed out you tend to pay more for that stability (and the Mac-exclusive features). In terms of pure specs, you can usually find a comparable PC for a few hundred bucks cheaper.</p>
<p>If you do a lot of graphic editing/music stuff, than yeah getting a Mac makes sense. However I’d have to agree that most people just get Mac’s to be “cool”. I hate this virus argument too. I really can’t remember the last time I had a virus, getting a Mac to keep yourself safe while you download shady porn and 20kb “songs” off Limewire seems pretty ■■■■■■■■ to me.</p>
<p>I also don’t understand why people would want a Mac when they are so expensive, as someone else in this thread has already mentioned, you can get a PC with better specs than a Mac for hundreds of dollars cheaper… Choice seems pretty obvious to me</p>
<p>And to stay on topic…</p>
<p>I bought a MSI GX620 a few months ago, have had no problems with it yet, and got it for a good price off newegg.com</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=modestmelody]
Too many people are not willing to deal with WINE and too much specialized software gives people trouble (heck, I can’t even run STATA). Now, while I have no problem using Linux 100% of the time for my own stuff at home, the unfortunate reality is I do go to the computer labs to do some work. Doesn’t bug me at all, in fact, I rather enjoy working on a library computer. However this would drive some people nuts.
[/quote]
Have you tried running Windows in VirtualBox? You can run all apps flawlessly (except 3D games). And by the way, STATA’s got a Linux version (according to Wikipedia).</p>
<p>I’d rather not steal the software, srunni. And running a VirtualBox isn’t too bad, but it’s beyond what many people are willing to do. To not acknowledge that and blindly recommend Linux to someone going beyond netbook style tasks who still knows little about computers is not really helpful to advancing Linux or FOSS, IMO. It’s just a guaranteed way to get people frustrated when they really could be opened to how wonderful it is to be free of crapware under better circumstances.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=modestmelody]
I’d rather not steal the software, srunni.
[/quote]
Huh? Linux is legitimately supported, AFAIK.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=modestmelody]
And running a VirtualBox isn’t too bad, but it’s beyond what many people are willing to do. To not acknowledge that and blindly recommend Linux to someone going beyond netbook style tasks who still knows little about computers is not really helpful to advancing Linux or FOSS, IMO. It’s just a guaranteed way to get people frustrated when they really could be opened to how wonderful it is to be free of crapware under better circumstances.
[/quote]
I was recommending that you use it, not that it should be recommended to all new users. Since you said you’ve been using Linux for a few years, I don’t think the same applies to you.</p>
<p>my friend got a macbook and it broke down on her 2 times… first time it was covered by the apple care but then the 2nd time around… uh.</p>
<p>Personally I need to run alot of programs and they only work in PCs so that’s what I have. And it’s cheaper. I also use macs alot though but I just feel at home with a pc.</p>
<p>
Yah, but I don’t have the money for STATA. My school supplies it for Windows.
Agreed. However, I meant in the context of this thread. I’m very happy with my two Linux machines, and I’ve never tackled an issue I haven’t solved, however, I’m not the average user and I’m not the person asking in this thread.</p>
<p>i am an apple fangirl, ish, so i bought a macbook but upped the hard drive… i think it’s 200-something gigs? i can’t remember. but anyways, i have to have vista for engineering, so i run parallels now and i lovee the coherence mode where i can use the mac and windows toolbars seamlessly. it’s so convenient/cool looking.</p>