Networks

Ask something
Discussion Locked

PC vs MAC

0 helpful
8 replies

by daz'n'ash

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Okay, I am not seeking an all out slanging match between M$ lovers and MAC lovers. I want to keep it civil here. What I am seeking is a thorough comparison between the two.

Here we go ...

How different are MS and MAC operating systems?

About the overall working of the MAC.
What about internet connections compared to how we use it in a PC?
What about networking? Can a MAC be networked with a PC?

What about hardware? Is a MAC upgradeable, like adding more RAM or faster CPU etc
Is it as simple as in a PC?

In a MAC O/S, what about chat programs like MSN Messenger or Yahoo messenger? Are there versions of these for a MAC?

I will no doubt add more to this as I think of other things.

8 replies

by techexec2

.
This post covers a lot of it (if I do say so myself! :^0 ):

Some comments about the iMac for Windows PC users
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=101&threadID=203280&messageID=2114362

CPU Upgrades: No. There are none that don't void your warranty. Theoretically, you could upgrade the Intel Core 2 CPU with a faster one. But, only in theory.

Networking with Windows PCs: Mac OS X networks with Windows very well (issues with Vista...this is a Vista problem...Even [u]Windows XP[/u] has a problem networking with Vista).

Internet: Mac OS X has excellent TCP/IP networking and Internet connectability.

Messenger programs: I cannot comment on these. Don't use them.

by mjd420nova

In an internet era the choice is for compatablity. In stand alone machines the MAC holds sway over the market. In the early 80's I worked with a network system by Corvus. It interfaced 6 different type processors to a network and could handle a massive 30 GB download or upload in 12 minutes, so it handled video quite well. Really awesome setups with custom keyboards and displays made it a war game network. It took longer and was more complicated to interface the Apple products to the network than the TI, HEATH, TANDY, IBM, and they made their own PC to control the network. Even today the Apple hardware is supposed to only be serviceable by their people. In a large corporate setting with 50 users and 50 units with servers and all the wired stuff, you accumulate a lot of spare and unserviceable units. Many parts get consolidated and Apple is not exempt from that. If it's broke - - we fix it or replace it. if a loaner is needed or as most users - can't do without it - it needs an 8 hour turn around. Apples will get loaned before we can get them fixed and some users will opt for keeping the loaner when their unit is finally ready. Gimme the M$ or INTEL their logic is a bit more logical.

by mjwx

Mac and Windows are really Diametric opposites, Windows tries to do everything and does nothing well, Mac OS X does one thing and does it well but is pretty poor for everything else.

Simple networking between a PC and a Mac is easy, complex networking (Domains and authentication) become difficult and tiresome. A Mac is not a machine you want to take to work.

Mac's fill a niche in graphic design they aren't general purpose computers. I know that there was an old version of MSN messenger (now windows live messenger) for Mac's but I would not count on Microsoft releasing new versions. I don't know about Yahoo (A quick googling should answer your question). There is not a great deal of software developed for Mac's especially outside the graphic design department. Beyond RAM hardware cannot be upgraded in a Mac (unless you buy the really expensive one AU$5000+) so upgrading (or repairing) a Mac is at best a pain.

Windows XP for all its faults is not a bad OS, it's the best OS Microsoft has been able to produce. Hardware independent so upgrading and repairing is not so much of a hassle. The main issue with windows is that you need to be security conscious but this is true for all platforms.

As I said, Mac's fill the graphic design niche market so if you are after a general purpose computer don't go with the mac.

by daz'n'ash

I use Windows XP Pro, and I find it quite stable, I like how the registry is so easily edited to make things go smoother and even faster. I have never used a MAC and never even seen one in action. Wouldn't mind though. I doubt I would ever do without my PC, but to have a MAC as an extra toy ;)

Do things like torrent downloads still work with a MAC? What about file formats such as .avi etc ... are they still valid on a MAC?

by mjwx

First I'd like to make the distinction known between MAC and Mac, MAC stands for Media Access Control which is a part of any network device, a Mac is a Macintosh computer.

Basic stuff like web browsing, downloads, FTP etc.. will still work but there will only be one or two ways to do it. Mac's are normally very restrictive with what you can do (Apple likes to limit the software they release and there is not a lot of third party development happening for Mac's). Most commonly used windows software will have a Mac equivalent but in most cases will not provide all of the same functionally.

Mac's are very simple to use, for a Windows power user (or Linux admin like me) it's often too simple. Opening an rarely used program on a Mac is tedious as I have to navigate through the file system rather than using the start menu (or command line). Mac's are simple except when you want to do something complex like displaying hidden files which requires you to edit one of the com.apple.finder files (I cant remember the exact name) which is dangerous if you don't know exactly what you are doing.

by daz'n'ash

Thank you for clarifying that distinction between MAC and Mac, mjwx. I appreciate all the feedback everyone here has given on this topic and especially thanks to all for not turning it into an all out slander fest toward Mac or PC.

I think now the only thing to do is get a Mac and see for myself how it goes.

by mjwx

but I also try to answer questions as honestly as possible and not to let my bias get involved (too much :) ). Macs have their uses but as an admin and a gamer they aren't very useful to me.

by daz'n'ash

Thanks for the reply mjws, I am not really into games on PC that much, I really don't have time to sit and work them out. However, since you brought up the subject of gaming. Windows has standard (very boring) games, does Mac have anything like that?

This discussion is closed to new replies.