<p>sorry uclari but ATA is the most widely used format in computers today... IDE is the standard and has been. not many people by SCSI or SATA because they cost more. any computer you buy from a store commonly has an IDE Hard Drive. The current standard for IDE is ATA133 usually SCSI are run in server settings because of their abilities</p>
<p>also Ubuntu Contains OpenOffice.org which runs Spreadsheet, Word, Database, and Presentation.</p>
<p>Almost anything reasonably well-built today will run on SATA. IDE/ATA is dead, and the mobo manufacturers signaled this a long time ago. Check out even the MOST barebones Dell, and it has SATA: Dimension</a> C521.</p>
<p>lfeqlbrm,</p>
<p>Spreadsheet, at least 6 months ago, lacked many features that Excel has, including a solver add-on. </p>
<p>But I think you kind of glossed over my most salient point. If something goes wrong with my Mac OS, and I don't want to fix it, I just take it to the Apple Store, and it gets fixed.</p>
<p>Who fixes Ubuntu for me if it goes wonky?</p>
<p>thats just the thing it does not go "wonky" you set it up. everything you do can be switched. Linux is completely flexible why wait weeks instead of a few lousy minutes? apple and microsoft have monoploized on the point of critical software linux is completely free and is developed and tested by a HUGE online community. approved updates have been proven to work and work without problems on all versions of ubuntu. making the most secure and stable OS, i have yet to crash with linux. Windows has had a horrable time and in my book is not worth it, but this is all my opinion and you have your right to one also. Ubuntu also can run modern games and apps with a windows emulator called WINE</p>
<p>The Mac vs PC Debate, handled by a guy who has used computers for 18 years:</p>
<p>I feel that both have their niche. If you are going to be doing some video editing, the Mac will probably be your best choice. iMovie is a great low-end program that comes free with all Macs as part of iLife and runs circles around Windows Movie Maker (unless it has really improved in the Vista release, and it would have to improve a ton to even come close to iMovie). Although basic when compared to other suites, iMovie is very powerful and should suit most people. Advanced editors can pick up Final Cut for the Mac, which most video people will tell you is the best choice for heavy duty video editing out there.</p>
<p>Macs can run Microsoft Office as well as iWork, which contains a word processor/publishing hybrid called Pages and a PowerPoint type program known as Keynote. Keynote is far superior to PowerPoint.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Macs also have some shortcomings. Web browsing is not always easy on a Mac--Safari is a poor browser and IE hasn't been developed for the platform since 2003. Firefox is available but feels sluggish at times. There is no longer a good basic paint program that comes with a Mac since AppleWorks stopped shipping with them (to my knowledge, it no longer does) and OS X lacks customization--you cannot turn off virtual memory, pick a scroll bar color other than blue or gray, and have limited flexibility elsewhere.</p>
<p>Windows also has its ups and downs. The amount of software for Windows is much higher, although iWork and iLife do not exist. Vista has been a disaster so far and XP is getting harder to find on new computers (last I checked IBM/Lenovo still had XP, so act fast). I would say that there are more games for the PC, but more and more developers seem to be abandoning it in favor of the Nintendo and PlayStation type machines. There is no MLB game for the PC anymore, for example. PC users tend to get MS Office updates quicker, although the lastest version supposedly is Vista only (I haven't gotten my hands on either Vista or the new Office yet so I'm still picking up on the details). On the negative side, Windows is way more prone to viruses, spyware, and whatnot. Windows runs on Macs thanks to Boot Camp, but you need to supply your own (expsensive) copy of Windows. (Alternatives do exist for this)</p>
<p>It depends on your application of useage. I find that I can still do most things very well on a Mac OS 9 machine and stick with it more than most users would stick to a 7 year old iBook (the old orange kind). I do have newer computers, Mac and PC, at my disposal, for when I need to do something more advanced.</p>
<p>My top picks: the iMac desktop for a Mac, the IBM/Lenovo ThinkCentre for a PC, and a ThinkPad for a laptop. The newer Apple laptops have had problems, especially in quality control and reliability. I have an iBook that is two years old and already has had more trouble than my past three Macs I have bought new (an iMac G4, an iBook G3, and an old Macintosh LC) combined. IBM/Lenovo seems to be the least repair prone, at least in terms of what I get to fix. The least reliable laptops are Dell and HP, and Dell seems to lead the way in the desktop department as well. Their quality has fallen off a cliff--eight years ago I was recommending Dells for everyone and owned one myself. I've always been high on IBM though--I've got one that's 14 years old and still running. I also have a 21 year old Mac that works fine and a 20 year old Toshiba laptop that is good.</p>
<p>EDIT: I forgot to mention in the Mac department--even if you don't get Office be sure to get Excel. I've used Excel from the time it was version 1.5 for Mac and it has always been the premier spreadsheet title for both platforms. Excel was originally a Mac product when it first came out!</p>
<p>Yes, you can use WINE, but it is not perfect.</p>
<p>Every OS has problems. Eventually, you will have a problem. Or maybe you'll have a hardware failure. Let's say your hard drive fails. I take it into the Apple Store, they fix it. Easy as pie.</p>
<p>I definitely approve of, and appreciate Ubuntu. In fact, if I had a Wintel I'd probably be running it. But I need a notebook that has tons of support, because I simply don't have the time to play with it if something fails either on the hardware or software end.</p>
<p>"Yeah I heard good things about Asus and Levono. Never used a Dell, but apparently they're crap. Acer is the worst pices of crap on the market. Don't get those. I heard not so good things about Sony and Toshiba as well. HP customer service, for the lack of a better word, sucks ass."</p>
<p>Uhm, I have had an Acer and it's the best computer I've ever had. I've had HPs, Dells, and some other ones that I can't remember off the top of my head. Acers are cheap and I'm very rough on my computers, most don't even last 6 months, but it has withstood everything.</p>
<p>BTW, lfeqlbrm just hates Windows because it's the "popular" thing out there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Unfortunately, the Macs also have some shortcomings. Web browsing is not always easy on a Mac--Safari is a poor browser and IE hasn't been developed for the platform since 2003. Firefox is available but feels sluggish at times. There is no longer a good basic paint program that comes with a Mac since AppleWorks stopped shipping with them (to my knowledge, it no longer does) and OS X lacks customization--you cannot turn off virtual memory, pick a scroll bar color other than blue or gray, and have limited flexibility elsewhere.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Really? I've seen some people do crazy things from the terminal. I've read about some interesting fixes with virtual memory, believe it or not...</p>
<p>In that case you truly are an end-user. [My last post on this topic]</p>
<p>romani... I admit it i hate it for popularity...</p>
<p>
[quote]
In that case you truly are an end-user. [My last post on this topic]
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm both. I'm a person who has rigs I build for fun, and I'm also a person who needs a computer that is reliable and has a lot of support.</p>
<p>If your computer crashes, do you lose money every minute it's not working? I do.</p>
<p>Linux is a free tank. Properly configured, and using commonsense, a Linux system is damn near invincible.</p>
<p>If it goes wonky, find another comp, go to the Ubuntu forums and ask. Problem solved in under 5.</p>
<p>I dualboot Windows XP Media Center and Ubuntu. Ubuntu is just being "test-driven" by me right now, but it's not bad. My issues is smartphone support (t-mobile dash), but other than that, unless you own a Zune (dumbest purchase I ever made), or need the ability to run itunes, there are not a lot of convincing reasons to not use it.</p>
<p>At least over windows. If all you're going to do is "work".</p>
<p>Personally, I'm a fan of OS X, just for how capable it is, but the apple price point and small size turn me off. Until I get a better value for the price, and can get a 15.4' macbook, I'm avoiding mac.</p>
<p>If you already have a comp and want to test drive Linux, look on the web for the Wubi installer. It downloads the LInux .iso partitions about 10-14gb of your HD, and installs Ubuntu so you can boot either Windows or Linux.</p>
<p>UCLAri--I've also heard about some virtual memory mods for OS X. Have yet to try any though.</p>
<p>I might as well take up the language of the terminal--if I could learn DOS when I was 7 there is no reason I can't learn UNIX.</p>
<p>I think that a lot of people jump up and down at the perceived oversimplification of OS X, but forget that it's only the most basic shell that's made completely user friendly. Underneath is a UNIX-based beast that people can do tons of interesting stuff with, if they only putz around a little. I would, but I'm currently without a backup computer, so this thing gets treated like a baby...</p>
<p>...for the most part. :)</p>
<p>do you have spare parts? if so build a backup system and put ubuntu on it and use it for strictly backup or your other computer. its the smartest way to protect your information. ubuntu is the most stable OS and gone2gofish is right linux is invincible when properly configured. It is not hard to setup a linux system. Install->Configure->Learn the basic sudo install command->Have Fun.:. Ubuntu wins for price, stability, flexability, compatability, and versatility.</p>
<p>Ubuntu (IPA pronunciation: /u'buntu/) is a widely used Linux distribution predominantly targeted at personal computers. Based on Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu concentrates on usability, regular releases, ease of installation, and freedom from legal restrictions. Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical Ltd., a private company founded by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth.</p>
<p>The name of the distribution comes from the Zulu and Xhosa concept of ubuntu, which means "I am what I am because of who we all are". Ubuntu’s slogan – “Linux for Human Beings”, encapsulates one of its main goals – making Linux more available and easy to use. - Wikipedia</p>
<p>Ubuntu is nowhere near winning compatibility in any manner.</p>
<p>lfeqlbrm,</p>
<p>I don't get to spend my money on a second computer. That's a boat load of cash that I don't have. I definitely appreciate Ubuntu, don't get me wrong. But when you're in my position, you don't mess with what's working.</p>