The Thing About Macs

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>This is more or less of a rant. I've read a lot of the threads here and didn't bother replying to a lot of them. But seriously, some people here who are advocating for Macs have their facts wrong. </p>

<p>Allow me to quote from other threads

Is that why Macs run at such a high temperature (aka overheating problems)? </p>

<p>

uhhh...compared to what? emachines? I would hope so. Thinkpads? I'll drop my Thinkpad from a 3 meter height if you are willing to do that with your Mac.</p>

<p>I think I have quoted enough.
I'm not bashing the Mac, it is a great OS and computer, but Windows is a great OS too. My advice, do some research on your own instead of asking on this forum. Only a handful of people knows what they are talking about.</p>

<p>Also to those "should I switch to a Mac even though Windows have been working fine for me?"
Why would you want to change? To be "cool" and "in style?" If so, sure, but do consider the following.
You need to buy windows OS for gaming and do bootcamp/vmware. A lot of programs aren't compatible with Mac, relatively speaking (you can always tun them via vmware/bootcamp). Macs are more expensive, this is not even debatable, it is a FACT. That being said graphics designer/ artsy people usually like Mac because it fits their need.</p>

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<p>I don’t think there are many laptops that would survive being dropped from 10 feet…</p>

<p>Regardless, I just bought a Mac for college. I didn’t buy it because I had to have it to feel in style, or because I believe it’s vastly superior to a windows laptop, I bought it because I felt it would serve me well in college. I planned on spending a little over a grand on a laptop, and got the 2.4 gHz macbook aluminum for 1299, which is a great deal compared to the original price. Yes, I could have gotten a more powerful computer for the same amount, but I like Apple products. I’ve owned two iPods and an iPhone, and I’ve been extremely happy with them, and wanted to give their computers a try. I’ve had Dells, Compaqs, Gateways, you name it, PC’s and haven’t been extremely satisfied with any of them. If I hate my MacBook, then I’ll buy a PC when it dies, but it’s time for a change, and it’s what I wanted to do, and I’m willing to pay a little extra to try one out.</p>

<p>I’m not saying they’re better than PC’s in every way, because they’re not, but from the criteria I had, the MacBook was one of the best options.</p>

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<p>I agree, Macs are largely overrated. They may be marginally better for beginners or for those who are inexperienced, but on the whole they’re simply overpriced. If you know what you’re doing Windows (or Linux) is just as good or better than Mac OS. Most of differences, especially hardware-wise, are simply cosmetic.</p>

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<p>@Zfanatic
In your case, you were not satisfy with PCs with Windows and apparently Mac suited your need.</p>

<p>Let me say this again. MACS ARE NOT BAD. It’s just that fanboys and fangirls need to do some research before they tell people wrong info.</p>

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<p>Actually, there are LED screens. But to my knowledge they are not used in Macbooks.</p>

<p>Anyway, I think this could be expanded to just about any product. One size really does not fit all. Some people love their OS X or Vista or Fedora or whatever. Others don’t. Some people love Apple, while I have found their customer service the stuff of nightmares and their products poorly executed and unreliable. What works for one person may or may not work for others.</p>

<p>EDIT: A bit of research reveals that Apple does in fact employ LED-backlit displays in some of their monitors.</p>

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<p>@noimagination
Did you read my original post? I said LEDs are backlights…not displays…
There are LCD, OLED, CRT, Plasma, etc displays.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>That’s probably the most reasonable thing I’ve ever heard in a Mac v PC debate. </p>

<p>Props.</p>

<p>And I agree about the fanboy thing, they need to chill. I’m not going to say a mac is better than every PC, because it’s not. It’s better than many, but at the same time, I’m sure there are many PC’s that are better than Mac’s.</p>

<p>For me, I prefer Mac laptops, but I like PC desktops. It’s just how I am.</p>

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<p>From the Apple site, on the MacBook Pro: “The 15-inch MacBook Pro
The ultrathin LED-backlit display is flat-out spectacular.” </p>

<p>And from the 13" aluminum MacBook: “Ultrathin 13.3-inch LED-backlit display.”</p>

<p>I don’t believe the iconic white MacBook has the LED-backlit display. As for overheating, the new aluminum/“green” MacBooks don’t have this problem and in many ways are an improvement on the MacBooks they were producing a few years ago. They run much, much cooler (barely perceptible heat even after several hours) and have improved battery life.</p>

<p>My D will be getting a new laptop at the end of the summer, and she will be purchasing another Mac for several reasons beyond the cool factor:</p>

<p>– It comes preloaded with great software as part of the iLife suite – iMovie, GarageBand, iDVD, iPhoto, etc. She would have to buy additional software to do the same stuff she does now.</p>

<p>– Her lab at college uses MacBooks. Her first choice grad school in the biomedical sciences uses Mac G4s. </p>

<p>– Her friends at college have had more issues with their PCs than she has with her MacBook.</p>

<p>– She loves the operating system. </p>

<p>The price is an issue, to be sure, but I figure you get what you pay for. I have both a cheaper PC laptop and a 13" older, white MacBook, and I much prefer using my MacBook.</p>

<p>But if you do a lot of gaming, do NOT buy a Mac. Although the MacBook Pros have better video cards than they used to, I’m not sure they can compete with some of the more expensive PCs. I have VMware Fusion, which runs Windows on the Mac (but, of course, you have to purchase Windows), but it definitely has issues with the Windows-only program with a lot of video.</p>

<p>Everyone wants something different in a computer.</p>

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<p>@Momwaitingfornew
I’m not sure if you are trying to tell me LED display do exist or what by quoting the Apple website…the thing is, LED BACKLIT display does exist, but the display itself is NOT LED. It is probably LCD technology. Admittedly, I am being nick picky here, but that is how you know if someone knows what they are talking about.</p>

<p>Short version
Backlight technology is not the same as display technology.
Apple uses LED BACKLIGHT technology and probably LCD DISPLAY technology.</p>

<p>I hope it is clear now.</p>

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<p>@Linnus,</p>

<p>I understand that. I was trying to clarify by quoting the actual description instead of relying on someone’s interpretation.</p>

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<p>@Linnus: I see what you’re saying now. It was unclear to me at first. However, I don’t really see the relevance. While technically incorrect, that statement wasn’t really an example of fanboyism or overstatement.</p>

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<p>In my original post I stated “But seriously, some people here who are advocating for Macs have their facts wrong.” That was just one example of a macfan getting their facts wrong. Of course PC fans get their facts wrong too.</p>

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<p>What is the point of dumb threads like this? You pick LED’s and ascribe to a person the silly idea that the screen itself is LED when it’s obviously the backlight to an LCD, one that gives somewhat better color and clarity and slightly better battery time. Then you pick something I said and rather than address it you say that Macs overheat. Again, what is the point? You want a PC, then buy one. Who the heck cares? If you can’t keep yourself from getting overheated about a simple issue like a computer, what are you doing with the rest of your life?</p>

<p>BTW, the original MacBook had an overheating problem. 3 years ago. I had one. The problem was solved by a firmware update that changed the fan operation. Now find a manufacturer that hasn’t had issues with its machines. And to bring up the point you didn’t address: have you taken these machines apart? Try it. The Apple insides are tightly designed from an engineering perspective.</p>

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<p>@Lergnom
If you had read the whole thread would have known that this read is the inform fellow CCers that a lot of people don’t know what they are talking about. I have nothing against the Mac, as I have stated it is a good PC/OS. </p>

<p>I can’t keep myself getting overheated? As I stated in some other threads, let people buy what they want. Have I ■■■■■ any threads or flame anyone? =) I surely haven’t called any thread dumb. </p>

<p>To answer your question I have seen the inside of a Mac and I agree the insides are tightly designed. I have also seen comparably designed PCs running windows too.</p>

<p>Lastly, can a mod lock this thread before it becomes a flaming war. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Mac v. PC in general is a pointless argument. Everyone has different needs and everyone wants something different from their computer. There’s no computer that’s right for everyone from any manufacturer, Apple or otherwise.</p>

<p>The best anyone can do is straighten out some misconceptions.</p>

<p>1) PC’s are full of viruses and crash all the time - This is not true. Even if you have no virus protection of any kind, you’re only going to get into trouble if you start visiting the darker corners of the internet, and I’m not talking about porn sites though that’s a start. Windows 7 is actually very stable and quick. I’m a solid mac user but I’m between macs right now so I’m running Win7 Beta on a PC I built and I have to say, I wouldn’t mind switching to Windows 7.</p>

<p>2) Macs are for people who don’t know how to use computers - I never really understood where this one came from, as I can’t really see what would be easier to learn about OS X for a person who’s never used a computer before. There are many differences between Mac OS X and Windows, but I don’t think that it’s fair to say that OS X is dumbed down.</p>

<p>3) PC’s are cheaply made and customer service is poor - Naturally, there are some PC makers that do push out absolute garbage just to make a quick buck. If you go up a level, you’ll find that there are plenty of well made PCs, like Lenovo’s ThinkPads, for example. Macs are pretty well made, but to say that they beat out every PC in that department is highly inaccurate. Customer service is difficult to talk about since it’s highly variable, but there are many PC manufacturers who offer superior service.</p>

<p>4) Macs are not worth the additional cost - Originally, I wrote “macs are expensive”. I then changed it since that’s not a myth, its a fact. There’s no doubt that Apple’s computers have a higher price tag than similar offerings from PC OEM’s. The real question is whether or not the Apple tax is worth it. Macs have a higher resale value than PC’s, and that’s a fact. Macs also tend to have a longer usable life. This can justify a higher price tag if these are factors you care a lot about.</p>

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<p>^ All 4 are well-debunked. Good post.</p>

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<p>It’s all personal preference. This thread won’t inform anybody of anything, nor will it sway anybody either way. If someone wants a Mac, they’re going to get one, and vice versa.</p>

<p>Making an issue out of someone referring to an “LED Display” seems to say you don’t have much of an argument, though. Everyone knows what is meant by “LED Display”, so it’s a bit of a foolish thing to try and bring up as a mistruth. I can say my car is a V8, when in essence, it’s just my engine. Nobody is going to argue with me, nor is anyone going to feel as if I’m lying to them. (Apple even refers to their standalone monitor as a "[LED</a> Cinema Display](<a href="http://www.apple.com/displays/]LED"&gt;http://www.apple.com/displays/)" :wink: )</p>

<p>Just for emphasis - It’s all personal preference. This thread won’t inform anybody of anything, nor will it sway anybody either way. If someone wants a Mac, they’re going to get one, and vice versa.</p>

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<p>LED displays use less power and look marginally better.</p>

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<p>Those studying Computer Science may be able to get Windows for free or for $5 if their department is part of a Microsoft Program to provide free Microsoft Software for students.</p>

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<p>For those that think that Macs are just for users with little to no experience, here’s a picture of a Mozilla developer meeting. I don’t have the picture of the auditorium showing hundreds of Macs handy but if you walked in and didn’t know that it was a Mozilla conference, you might guess that it was a Mac conference.</p>

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