The Mac Versus PC Debate Rages On

[BOoBOo]

"What drives the purchase of an Apple machine isn't the OS itself -- it's the packaging, the cabinet design, the quality of the graphics. I don't question that Mac OS is an easier operating system, but I don't think that alone drives Apple's sales anymore. A Mac is almost an appliance like a home entertainment center or a big-screen TV," said Charles Tatum II.

The vast majority of Windows users who responded, however, weren't interested in making the switch. The reason most often cited: the lower cost of Windows PCs.

Several readers mentioned that Macs are attractive to some Windows users because, well, they're attractive.

I dont think i can make a switch to apple right now. I think the main reason is cost and softwares. If you use your computer for alot of editing, images, movies, websites etc, you will have a hard time doing all that with apple. Apple softwares cost alot when compared to software for PCs. Also, you will find more freeware versions for PC compared to apple.

[darkmac]

I hate to correct you, but since all new apples are running on intel chips now, and the advent of boot camp, there's no reason to not switch. Designers will almost always use macs due to graphics, 3d acceleration, and all the visual equipment that already ships with them. Thanks to the intel chips, and boot camp, there are no longer ANY software limitations. You've always been able to install linux since the 68k macs were still out, and could run windows through an emulator (virtual pc and the like), but now, all you need is a copy of the OS. As far as freeware, all it takes is someone doing a little research. Thanks to x11, a LOT of open source software can easily be installed and run like open office (before they released an aqua version), gimp (picture photoshop, but free), and the list goes on and on. Now, when it comes to price of software, it's actually not much different. I remember when I bought macromedia studio 8, office 2004, and a handful of others that I needed for my office. The price was actually discounted, AND I got a bunch of windows versions for free. Sadly, I can't really remember the company that I got everything through. I believe it was mac warehouse.
Everyone just needs to remember that jobs and apple have realized that the best way to go isn't a computer completely unlike a standard PC with a MUCH different os, it's in eliminating the OS barrier, which they've quite completely done. Right now I'm on my g4 imac, and I'm looking at my intel imac running windows xp. I also have a newer dell that I bought just before the intel's were announced, and to be honest, the imac is running xp pro much better than the dell.
Please keep in mind, I'm not trying to start a flame war, simply pointing out that things are changing, and they're changing in apple's favor.

Jon
http://www.devilmac.com/

[imac600]

Originally Posted by BOoBOo

If you use your computer for alot of editing, images, movies, websites etc, you will have a hard time doing all that with apple. Apple softwares cost alot when compared to software for PCs.

Apple Macs are built, from the ground up, to professionally handle tasks
such as Editing, Images, Movies and Websites.

$99 for an entire media suite isn't much, especially when you get a High
Definition Movie Editor (iMovie HD), a Photo Toolkit (iPhoto 6), a DVD
Package (iDVD 6), an entire music production centre (GarageBand 3) and
the latest of a personal jukebox (iTunes 7).

Of course, if you don't need all the latest and greatest, and don't want to
spend $99 on these tools, Mac OS X has versions bundled right with the
operating system.