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anti on Apr 25, 2007

I also use a PC. The way I understand it, Macs are more reliable because the same company makes all the software, hardware and accessories and therefore everything is designed to work every time. Many Windows problems crop up because there are so many options and it is impossible to prepare for anything a person might try to run.

Once again, this is just what I have read in various places, but at one time Macs had a lot more colors and were the obvious choice for professional designers. I understand that the reputation holds on but I think the main advantage to using a Mac is because that is what you are used to.

Hope I didn't say anything offensive, no edit button ya know...here goes. :)

tamashii on Apr 25, 2007

Well… my mom is a huge techno-dweeb (I mean that in the nicest way possible). If it has electricity flowing to it, she will likely (1) not understand how it works and/or (2) break it.

I got her one of the first iMacs to replace her old PC when it was time to upgrade. She has since upgraded again to one of the new Intel iMacs.

Mostly, I find it to be less buggy. I have three machines in my office – two of them are Macs, one is a Windows-based PC. I have experienced more issues on the PC than I have had on the two Macs, collectively.

It really is just a preference thing. I like the look and feel that OS X has vs Windows. Ironically, both XP and Vista’s system icons were designed by IconFactory.

Lastly: frenzic

gswd on Apr 25, 2007

I don't know if there is any real "gain" from it. As long as you keep your PC running and security patched. My PC is down right now (and for the past few weeks - darn those confusing post code errors). But I got a Mac Mini a Christmas time. I also have a Linux machine (which may become a WinDoze machine soon). My reasoning is to have multiple browsers, across multiple OS's to test websites on to ensure a good visit by almost everyone. The only people I can't test for at this time Text Only or screen readers for the visually challenged.

Most of the major software is available for both platforms, like I said, I don't think there is a real "advantage" to the Mac over PC. The PC still rocks when gaming, but that gets into the whole PC vs Console vs Portable controversy.

anti on Apr 25, 2007

@gswd You can use Lynx. It is available with most Linux distros I have tried. You can also download it for Windows.

JoshuaJarman on Apr 25, 2007

I just recently made the switch, and love both the power and the ease of the mac. so far i've really enjoyed the experience and found the transition easy.

i had vista for a month and was not wowed, it is what finally convinced me to switch.

I've owned a lot of machines over the past 13 years, many neat specialty machines as well, a motion tablet pc, etc. I develop software and websites and work on the computer a lot of hours. I don't remember enjoying a computer and working on that computer as I have been enjoying my mac lately.

you should only get a mac if you think you'd enjoy using one.

the design and engineering of apple + the power of bsd unix + the ability to still run windows apps if you want using parallels. i haven't found the need except for platform testing, but it is there.

what you'd gain by purchasing a mac is a nice new mac.

josh on Apr 25, 2007

You should use a Mac because that's what we all use at IconBuffet! : ) I know, real compelling eh?

gswd on Apr 25, 2007

Of course one thing that I recall reading is that the next OS version (10.5) is supposed to come with bootstrap (bootcamp, something like that) so that you can boot your Mac into Windows (as long as you have an Intel Mac and a copy of Windows to install). However, the current boot software requires an XP SP2 version - no upgrade disks or addons. That could be hard to come by now with Vista launched. My XP was an SP1 and then I have an SP2 disk.

iconmaster on Apr 25, 2007

Because the world needs less mediocre.

miklb on Apr 25, 2007

^ what he said ^

soprano on Apr 25, 2007

Because they're cool.

mik on Apr 25, 2007

If you consider your computer(s) as you would a co-worker, both PCs and Macs can be moderately to extremely useful, but Macs are also nice to have around - great to work with, fun to have around, reliable etc. Just as with real personalities, some people are going to get along with one or another better, but this is where I *could* suggest something about good taste... ;)

redwolf on Apr 25, 2007

I have a somewhat crochety Windows desktop (some of the problems are due to age, the others are entirely my own fault) and a MacBook.

I needed the Mac as a testing platform, but that was just an excuse to get its shiny black goodness.

My biggest concern was how my technically clueless partner would handle it. But I soon discovered that he doesn't give a toss about the OS, all he cares about is that he has a browser and the ability to print stuff.

Software-wise, I've been able to find Mac replacements for all of my Windows software except my web editor (Coda, while cute, still doesn't cut it) and that I run out of Parallels.

miklb on Apr 25, 2007

redwolf, have you looked at Textmate? Can't imagine how it couldn't replace anything on the windows platform.

Heck, smultron, a free text editor, is quite handy text editor.

fuseunderground on Apr 25, 2007

Thanks for all the responses :-)

dyar on Apr 25, 2007

You'll have a lot more time to spend on Icon Buffet because:

1. Clear Cache and Reboot will be a thing of the past.

2. You won't have to spend an hour a day updating and running Anti Virus and Spyware programs.

Hoshichan on Apr 25, 2007

I have successfully web designed on both. I have always owned Macs. I will always own Macs.

Why? VIRUSES. My dad's PCs flip out on a regular basis. And with OS X being UNIX-based, I can a) run as many dang fonts as I WANT TO, b) recover instantly from a program crash, without having to restart and c) generally go days without any programs crashing in the first place.

I find Macs have a refined feel, right down to how they package their products (opening my first-gen U2 iPod box was a real treat, I even blogged about it) and this appeals to my designer nature. [shrug] iconmaster said it well, as well. :D

But I also say, use what you feel comfortable using, and if all you do is use Microsoft Word, or surf the internet, it really doesn't matter what platform you do it on. (I'm not one of those hot-headed ALL MUST CONVERT OR DIE Mac users, lol.)

Lunac on Apr 25, 2007

I think you're asking the wrong question here.... with suprior graphics, easy to use gui, unix under pinnings, fewer bugs and viruses so that you can spend your time *iLifing* ... why would one use a PC.

Trust me. I've taught both platforms. It's a no contest deal for me.

oh and btw, Photoshop does not run the same on both platforms.

MacManX on Apr 25, 2007

gswd, the current beta release of Boot Camp (v1.2 beta) supports Windows Vista.

fuseunderground, if I added my opinion to this thread, I'd just be repeating most of what everyone else has already said, so get a Mac now! You won't regret it.

redwolf on Apr 26, 2007

@miklb: I've heard everyone rave about TextMate, so was expecting something amazing, but was left underwhelmed. Same with BBedit.

Luckybeitia on Apr 26, 2007

Because they're awesome!!

deaf258 on Apr 26, 2007

You shall be assimilated! Get a Mac! ;)

I have one, too.

LoopyMind on Apr 26, 2007

I don't get the whole "windows is unstable etc" thing... as with a mac (because you CAN get your mac completely fuckedup if you really want), be nice to it and it will be nice to you... sure, the PC a better target for virusses.. Don't install weird shit, sure, PC's are better target for spyware again, don't install funky shit or visit funky sites unless you know what you are doing... or be smart and install Firefox for the love of god already. As for the looks, sure having brushed metal case or shiny milky plastic one is cool, but then again, the extra cash that costs you, is better spend on internal power. i mean, the appache helicopter looks absolute crap! but it packs such a mean punch, it doesn't matter...and besides the looks of my computer case are wasted anyway, it sits under my desk... what else, okay okay, the GUI of the mac, hands down, wins even I must admit to that... As you might have guessed, i'm a PC kinda guy.. mine runs stable, fast and runs my Flash8, Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2 juuust fine... and remember kids "It's not the tools you use that make you a great artist"...

Dave on Apr 26, 2007

I'm a windows user, and I find that as long as you treat it right you never get viruses / spyware / etc. Being really careful when you first set it up can even prevent it slowing to a crawl after a few months.

Having said that, I'm still looking to change to a mac as soon as the new OSX is released. Why? because I've seen macs and they are just.. right. There's how they look of course, but the software and hardware also have those nice little touches that make them far more usable (i.e. a remote that can be stuck to the monitor using internal magnets, the entire computer is in the monitor, much more efficient cooling than most PCs, software that can sometimes spookily tell what you meant to do instead of what you accidentally did, that cool programs bar with the icons that change size, the ability to zoom the entire screen in on the mouse to show something to people that are further away, the fact that most have a webCam built in (and Apple recently filed a patent for putting small cameras into the screen itself to avoid that always-looking-down problem. Won't happen for a long time yet but when it does, macs will be the first to do it), fewer restarts needed, built-in search (which vista then copied), the CD slot that you just put any CD/DVD in and it works out what to do with it, on the laptops: a power cable that will pop out without dragging the computer across the room (again: magnets), workspaces included as part of the OS (and with a much better organiser than any of the things I've seen for windows / linux), screen gamma correction - anything on the screen (supposedly) matches what will be printed, and I think I'll have to stop or I could be here all day)

Some of that is based on what the (as yet) unreleased OS 10.5 will do, but that's less than a year away now (was less than 2 months away but then Apple decided to push the iPhone instead :( )

Oh, and the main reason: macs are a major fashion accessory :P

Dave on Apr 26, 2007

wow, that was a lot longer than I expected. Seems I just couldn't stop myself :D

smfh25 on Apr 26, 2007

Wow, I've been debating with my husband about getting a MAC and I guess he just Won!!!! :)

bcarneiro on Apr 26, 2007

I WANT A MAC!!!

LoopyMind on Apr 26, 2007

about them slot loding drives, carefull with those 8cm cd/dvd's ..or it's a trip to the mac store...

iconmaster on Apr 26, 2007

More good reasons to get a Mac:

Panic

Bare Bones

Omni Group

TextMate

miklb on Apr 26, 2007

@redwolf - I find Textmate a bit like Photoshop. You start using it, and really are only scratching the surface as to what it can do. After awhile, you really start to see its power, and ultimately, you realize you can't do your job without it.
I'm not sure what would be underwhelming however. I mean, it's not going to write the code for you, if that's what you were expecting ;-)

cry187 on Apr 26, 2007

I just bought my mac a week ago (it's a macbook) since my PC died on me and destroyed all my files. It has been my dream ever since I've first used mac in 1999in my first job(Mac OS 9.1). It is so easy to use and I was hook up instantly.

I've been a PC user all my life and I never really gripe about it but I got really tired of the maintenance, the paranoia of viruses, spywares and dealing with hardware problem. What I really love about the PC is the ability to build your own machine from scratch so I know a lot and repairs most of my friends software/hardware problem. It wasn't really a bother since I'm using a mac at work so it keeps me sane a work.

What really drives me nuts is when I decided to work at home on my pc (working on a company outside the country). I got tired of making sure my machine is running in optimum performance, making sure I won't bump into any viruses, etc. I got really annoyed that the easy steps I could easily do in mac takes about 3-4 more steps. When I want to work on something, I don't want any annoyances with the OS. I don't want to think about technical problems on my OS or hardware.

What is great about mac is everything is complete in the box, not too many drivers to install and you could just work without having to bother about anything else. Anyway, I would still resurrect my pc but not with windows; it will be Ubuntu :D

LoopyMind on Apr 26, 2007

okay, i've had it...fek the massive HP laptop on my list, i'll buy a MacBook Pro already... give in to the hype why don't I

justG on Apr 26, 2007

I used a variety of unMacs (DOS, Win 3.1-XP, X Windows, etc.) for over 20 years. I never had a problem with lost data (except data lost through user error), serious oh-my-god-my-computer-died crashes, viruses, or spyware, and I've been online since '93. We're also talking about kludged-together computers here, not Dells or Alienwares or anything of the sort. So yeah, the stability and performance of a Windows machine has everything to do with how its maintained and very little to do with the operating system's vulnerability.

That said, I switched to OS X last year. I'd been wanting to switch ever since I first saw OS X. I have thought every iteration of Windows hideous (including XP, and Vista is even uglier!), and had been using LiteStep (and other shell replacements) in the mid- to late-90s and Object Desktop later on to alter my desktop/GUI. The moment I saw OS X, I was in love.

Other, more practical reasons:
- I like the *NIX (FreeBSD, whatever) under the hood. I was a computer lab consultant years ago, and it's just kinda nice to brush up on those command-line skills with a command-line that, y'know, matters (unlike the DOS prompt).
- It's gor-- oh, right, practical. I didn't see why I should have to choose an OS. As a developer, it's important to me to have a variety of platforms and browsers 'n' things at my disposal, and I didn't see why I should choose to run one or two OSses when I could easily run at least three (OS X, XP, Linux).

Every OS has its annoyances, and OS X has its fair share (given how vital a component Finder is and just how FUBAR'd it is, one might argue that it has more than its fair share); but there is no part of me that regrets making the switch.

miklb on Apr 26, 2007

one more word, quicksilver...

llh63 on Apr 26, 2007

once you've had a mac there is no going back.

It has been the best for graphics since it came out. Intuitive user friendly.

justG on Apr 26, 2007

@llh63: Sorry, but I've got to disagree with you. Saying that any platform is the best for any particular thing is really misleading, and blatantly inaccurate. It's just reiterating stereotypes that should've been dead long ago, if user communities (and Apple advertising) would allow them to die.

There's nothing inherently better about the Mac for graphics (at least, not anymore). Ten years ago, the tools on a Mac were more varied, robust and stable, in general (I believe). That's simply no longer the case. In fact, there are now quality tools that remain (for the time-being) unavailable for OS X (off the top of my head, Autodesk 3ds max, Caligari trueSpace, mudbox). From freeware to shareware to commercial solutions, there's a greater variety of quality applications now for Windows than there is for OS X.

cry187 on Apr 26, 2007

@justG

I agree with you. For me, mac is the right choice since most design/ad agency uses mac and it really is best for graphics. Apparently, if I am a programmer for windows environment/application, an AutoCAD user, a technician for pc hardware, it's best that I keep my pc.

Although, I'm a macuser, I'm not really a fanboy hating microsoft kinda guy.It really depends on what you need to do and accomplish.

stephneal on Apr 26, 2007

At work, I'm on a PC. At a quarter until 5, it's all tuckered out - right when I need it the most. It freezes, makes noises, and shuts off on its own. Every 3rd day I have to re-install my printer b/c it can't find it.

I go home to my Macs and they purrr, they love me, they appreciate me. They are friendly, they love large files. They are pretty, sleek, classy. Not to mention is comes with all of the fun toys for multi-media... ones I would have to purchase for PC use. boo.

But, what do I know. If you open up my mac, I couldnt tell you a thing about it's insides. lol.

Shpigford on Apr 26, 2007

Because I use one...and I'm awesome. Really really awesome.

grrmoose on May 02, 2007

PC are awesomes, but MAC are just superfriggindelicious. The moment I got my Mac laptop, I've never stopped using it. I've abandoned my PC. I used my PC only when I needed to check things or do things that only available on a PC with XP installation. :)

gswd on May 02, 2007

@MacManX

Will it let you install Vista from an Upgrade, or do you have to have a "Full" version? I have heard some pretty funky things about the install process for the Vista Upgrade on clean hard drives.

MacManX on May 02, 2007

You shouldn't have a problem upgrading to Vista if you already have XP installed. But, as with any OS installation, unwanted surprises may occur at any moment, so don't sue me if anything goes wrong.

redwolf on May 03, 2007

@miklb: My issue with all the Mac text editors (and the other Windows ones too, for that matter) is that I have a piece of software now that I can code fast with because every shortcut is second nature.

Tooling around with most of the others, they either do awful things to code or I've been unable to find or configure shortcuts to do what I want them to do before my limited attention span was distracted by something shinier.

My current editor may be hideously old and missing a lot of features, but it's worth it for the shortcuts alone.

bcarneiro on May 03, 2007

One question for designers using a mac. Do you have to spend a lot of money to buy the design software you need (photoshop, corel draw, dreamweaver, flash, etc.) or does mac offer alternatives?

My only concern now is my budget, because I don't need just the computer, but my designing tools.

justG on May 03, 2007

@barb: There are freeware and shareware alternatives to commercial software on the Mac just as there are on Windows.

gswd on May 03, 2007

I found a review article on ZDNet UK about putting together your own creative suite.
Roll Your Own Creative Suite

emirem on May 03, 2007

because of their awesome commercials ?!?

Stratification on May 03, 2007

@barb, if you've already got the programs Adobe is pretty good about allowing you to transfer licenses from one platform to another. I just got a Macbook and transfered my license over, it took a call, and faxing a few things over. Cost is pretty minimal, so that's no reason to stick to one platform or the tother.

LoopyMind on May 03, 2007

that is, if you already own those programs...i think Barb is talking about making a fresh start (either way, PC or Mac, time to fork over the cash...) or you could go with the one word solution: bittorrent

justG on May 03, 2007

Probably not the best place to advocate piracy.

disdatmac on May 03, 2007

I work on both PCs and Mac, and the maintenance on the PC is draining. The Mac requires very little maintenance, and the OS interface is poetry. Very intuitive and easy to use. I hate when I am forced to use a PC. I love my Mac.

PaulC on May 03, 2007

I just got my first Mac. Absolutely love it. I will be avoiding PCs as much as possible going forward.

LoopyMind on May 04, 2007

or get trial versions and work REALLY hard in 30 days so you can buy the full versions :)

LoopyMind on May 04, 2007

what's all this talk about maintenance ... i don't get it, seriously i don't