Apple?

[chaska]

I'm basically a Luddite. I know not much about 'puters. I know that Bill Gates' little deally has a lot of problems: viruses, etc. So what about Apple? The people who have them seem to love them. Somebody edutain me on this.

[HuckleB]

1. I go Apple.

It suits me best. But, really, spend some time working on both of the latest operating systems. See which one you like to work on best, and go with that. It is true that there are fewer virus issues with Apple, and I find the Apple OS to be easier and faster to use, more organic, if you will. But that's just me. You might find things to be the opposite. In truth, I wish there were more choices than the three basic ones that exist, but at least there are three and not just one.

[wtmusic]

2. You won't look back

GD people are tired of hearing me extolling the Mac's praises. I have programmed on both platforms extensively and Mac OS is superior, albeit more expensive.

The time you will save not dealing with crashes and viruses will make the extra dough well worth it.

[Ready4Change]

3. I use both...

... and both are fine. They both have software available to meet the generic categories of needs. If you just want to do generic computer stuff, like word processing or web surfing and email, then either system will meet your needs.

If you have a specific software package in mind then check which system(s) it works on. Same deal with any specific hardware you might want to use.

To me the real difference is if you are a "pack" person or a go it on your own type. There are just plain a LOT more Windows machines than Apples out there, so the stores you go to and the people you meet are more likely to be Windows based than Apple based. Owning an Apple can often make one feel "left out."

On the other hand, the plethora of Windows based software and hardware means there is also a lot of substandard stuff for them as well. Stuff for Apples tends to be better behaved, and Apple users often get amusement listening to the routine complaints that Windows users have.

Not sure if all that helps. Basically you can't go wrong with either. But the more specific your needs are, the more likely one might be better for you than the other.

[billbuckhead]

4. Apple is a premium product like Porsche or Sony.

Apple seems to want to innovate vs Windows dragging it's feet. The software often works together more readily than Windows. Home multi media stuff works fairly easy. They also upgrade the whole damn thing every year and half. OS X is very crash proof and secure vs Windows. The actual computers are more functional and elegant. No sharp edges or geegaws. G4's make almost no noise.
Personally, I think the iMac G4 is one of the greatest industrial designs in history.

[Vitruvius]

5. And, since MacOS 10 is UNIX underneath, you can run all kinds of

scientific software. Thus -- in many areas of science, there is more software available for the Mac than for Windows.

The best desktop alternative to MacOS is Linux, not Windows.

[ProudGerman]

6. More like Ford vs Chevy

C'mon, Sony a premium product? Premium price does not a premium product make.

Damn near all the knocks against Windows can be attributed to market share. If Apple was the overwhelming dominant force in the computer market, it would have all the same problems Windows does now.

[billbuckhead]

9. Who makes a better TV than Sony?

Some products clearly are better than others and deserve to cost more. German cars are better than American cars, Michelin makes better tires than anyone else and Apple is a noticably better product than Windows.

[chaska]

7. So what's the catch?

Why doesn't everybody use Apple/mac whatever? Is it more expensive? Appreciate all the responses, ya'll.

[Deja Q]

8. It's more expensive is a big reason...

No cloning of Apple hardware is allowed. I mean, Apple losing out on some o' them profits? Perish that thought!!

The programming industry sees a lesser profit in Apple, and that drives them away. Few people go broke supporting Windows. In a society driven by the acquisition of wealth above all else, you have to expect people to avoid platforms that won't make 'em rich.

Also, ignore the zealots who say their platform has no risk of viruses. Should the Mac ever get accepted, you can bet your bippy the virus writers will target it more regularly. Duh. Given the low cost of Linux and the ultra-high cost to switch to the Mac platform, the only thing Apple's got left is to pander to those who think the color of a computer's case is important... :eyes:

I'm a Linux user, I've found it to be different. Not difficult. Oh well.