pcs v. macs

Parent Cafe
61

<p>“I never hear of anyone loving there PC like Mac owners love their Macs.”</p>

<p>That is because 98% of the population does not need to sing the praises of a … piece of equipment. On the other hand, Mac owners usually feel compelled to say their “stuff” works better. Apple enjoys a very vocal and loyal following. While it works better in the specialized graphic world, for individuals, it is really a matter of personal choice and price. The Mac is more expensive, has a “weird” feel for most people, and only has a fraction of the applications available. For instance, you’d be hard pressed to find some of the VERY popular online games for the Mac. New editions of software tend to come out much later. Depending on your preferences, this may matter or not matter to you. </p>

<p>As far as “working” on computers, I don’t know how many of you would think about opening their VCR or video camera to repair or upgrade it. Computers have become commodities and suffer from planned obsolescence. If you like to have the latest thing, you will spend less money with a PC. If you like to toy around the inside and replace video cards, fans, upgrade memory, you’ll be happier with a PC. On the other hand, if owning something for 5-6 years is important to you, you’ll be happy with a Mac. Just do not expect that all your files will work when sharing with others. </p>

<p>For me, the way Apple works is illustrated by their IPOD. What happens when the battery fails (and it will) or dies? You can’t open it up and are forced to send it to them for replacement. As a reaction, entrepeneurs started to offer a “secondary” market, only to be fought by Apple. In the end customers had to take Apple to court to allow the practice of replacing your own darn battery. I betcha that old Apple lovers did NOT mind sending their Ipod back to the alma mater. After all, they used to have to deal with the authorized shop, even it is to replace a sticky key on a keyboard. </p>

<p>I have used both and I do not find the Mac more enjoyable. Dysfunctional or not, I find EVERYTHING I need on a PC without any problems. On the other hand I find the basic menu system of the Mac to be a pain and the mouse use underwhelming. But that is because I spent a LOT more time on the PC. </p>

<p>When it comes to computers, the quality of an operating system is mostly trivial. What do 99.99% of the people do all day? Surf the net, pay bills, use a word processor or a spreadsheet, and exchange emails. </p>

<p>FWIW, my first computer was a Commodore Amiga and it could run circles around the PC. You could do multitasking on a Amiga when Apple and Microsoft still had to learn how to spell the word. The graphics were simply unbelievable and the computer’s memory could be upgraded to reach the stratosphere. Hovever, the computer lacked business applications and never emerged from a hard core group of addicts. </p>

<p>In the end, de gustibus …</p>

62

<p>I am in 100% agreement with the above, xiggi. As I said, as long as no one is forcing anyone in my family to use a Mac, we’re happy. (I guess we’d be happier with universal file exchange, but you can’t have everything: where would you put it?)</p>

<p>In terms of the OP’s question, we have had excellent success with IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads, in terms of being well-built and reliable. Any service we couldn’t do ourselves was lightning-fast.</p>

63

<p>I admit I have never had to change my ipod battery, but there are lots of ways to do that your self with free instructions on web
I would also say that I also know people who have taken their ipods in to have battery checked and gotten a free replacement ipod instead
Of course this doesn’t happen if you have the free engraving ( which I recommend) as they don’t do that at the genius bar.</p>

<p>My daughter who has had her ibook since 6th grade ( which has seen some rough use) had it serviced for a logic board recall ( free)
they not only replaced the logic board but they replaced the optical ( CD) drive ( which was a big improvment since new one was faster), they replaced the modem plug which had been damaged ,and since the new logic board was for the newest system software, they gave her a free update to that as well.
( and a new keyboard)
so just for getting a recall issue taken care of - it was practically like she got a new computer for free!
Its fine if people don’t want to switch to mac- but I just wanted to say that I have always had very good service and support
the worst things have been when I was having internet connection issues ( which ended up to be with provider not computer) and since I had dial up and no cell phone, I had to try something, then call them back, then call them back again, …tedious</p>

64

<p>I didn’t feel compelled to say my “stuff works better”. I felt compelled to say that I have more problems with my PC than my mac - I only commented because I’ve used both. My comment about PC’s comes from my observation of people that complain about their computers and have been through at least two in the time I’ve had one. Loyalty comes from making a reliable product that works well - If you don’t like it that’s your choice.</p>

<p>I would second the recommendation of the IBM thinkpad - it is or was one of the priciest PC’s, though.</p>

65

<p>“I admit I have never had to change my ipod battery, but there are lots of ways to do that your self with free instructions on web”</p>

<p>That was not the way Apple planned it, to say the least. The fact that batteries and instructions are available on the web is a direct result of customers’ reaction to Apple predatory pricing policies on the change of batteries. You can love a product and still dislike the practices of a company. Soldering a battery is not exactly a sign of love, and selling it at five to times its value is high way robbery. </p>

<p>“I would also say that I also know people who have taken their ipods in to have battery checked and gotten a free replacement ipod instead”</p>

<p>They must be thrilled with the new hard drive as well … with all that free space on a blank drive. Good luck to them to transfer their lists to the new one with the anti-piracy protections installed by Apple.</p>

66

<p>

My sister’s ipod battery died and they sent her a replacement ipod. but, she had no problem with the clearing of all of her songs, b/c when the battery died the songs were deleted anyway. i am not sure if that is the case with all of the ipods, but that was our experience. </p>

<p>back to the Op, though, i have also used both macs and pcs and i find macs to be more user-friendly than pcs.</p>

67

<p>OP here</p>

<p>Thanks to all for weighing in on what is obviously a topic about which people have definite opinions - and differing experience. </p>

<p>Happy to say that, whether or not it was the best choice in the first place, the existing computer (pc) was repaired under warranty so for now, which is the better platform is not as of pressing concern as at the time of my original post.</p>

<p>However, I know that the purchase of the next computer is on the horizon and thanks to all this discussion we will certainly be making a more informed choice between platforms. For what it is worth, D’s experience on campus is that Dells crash frequently and early in life, Macs do not. (And my personal experience is also that for pcs, the Thinkpad is a great choice - unfortunatley it was never an option) </p>

<p>Many thanks.</p>

68

<p>well bob… that’s because HP makes crap. So does emachines. and gateway. and dell. and compaq. the only PC i would ever buy would be a Sony, or one i’d build myself.</p>

<hr>

<p>well the new apple is $400 more than a comparable sony laptop with the core duo.</p>