Apple vs. Windows

[nikon90s]

I am thinking about trashing my Compaq for a newer computer. I have always own Windows based PC but with all the spywere and viruses and that apple is better (from what I have heard) for photo editing I am thinking about getting an apple for my next computer. What should I know about apple before I get my self into a whole new set of problems? I know the software I have now will not work but that is no big deal. How is the photo software on apple I don't even know it PS makes one for apple. Anyway I thought this might be a good thread to start up some Good old :angry1: :taped sh: :scratch: :blackeye:

 

[talonop]

Apples are good, but compatability is always an issue. If you want a sleek, sexy computer that is still windows based, a Sony VAIO is the way to go.

 

[Goofup]

Agreed. I have had a Sony RZ22G for the last year or so and its one of the best I've ever owned- just as good, if not better, as the 4 Dells I had before.

 

[StvShoop]

for viruses, norton.
for spyware, get ad-aware, spybot, cwshredder, and hijackthis. (they're all freeware 8) )
run ad-aware first, then run the other ones. they seem to pick up everything ad-aware misses.
also, they're all automatic except for hijackthis. for that one, you kind of have to know what to look for, but anything that looks like "sexdialerpornhere!" is probably something you'll want to get rid of

 

[Digital Matt]

Simple answer to spyware is don't use Internet Explorer. All the viruses and spyware capitalize on it's security holes. I use Mozilla Firefox, and as StvShoop said, I run Adware and Spybot every few days and I have no problems. You can also build a better, faster pc cheaper than you'll buy from a company, and tons cheaper than a Mac.

 

[Karalee]

Yep I dont use IE anymore either - its so unsafe security wise. And I also own a vaio thats been a pain in the nether regions. The AI on the things are so annoying that when I tried to download mozilla for it it freaked out.

 

[Harpper]

IMO Compaq is a horrible company. My brother and cousin both had one and they literally feel apart on them. The computer was just falling apart piece by piece.

I'm currently using a Mac but I'm a long time PC user and still have my old PC. I was forced to use a Mac because of my career choice but I can tell you from experience that they aren't that much different if you use either Windows XP or Mac OS X on a well built computer. That last part is the important factor. Many PC buyers buy those dirt cheap computers that fall apart on them and have low performance parts. I recommend either Dell, IBM, or Sony but if you can build your own that's the better choice.

If you equip your PC with the right specifications then it can handle graphics just as well as a Mac. People in the computer graphics/art industry are very loyal to Macs so you'll hear them rave about Macs and trash talk about PCs, but they don't have some unnatural advantage when it comes to graphics editing. My PC can handle everything my Mac can and vice versa. Most people choose one over the other because they like the interface of one over the other or they hate PC/Mac. The decision is yours. They are actually both good platforms.

And to answer your question, yes Photoshop is available on Macs but software selection as a whole isn't as great as it is on PCs. It just depends on if that's an issue for you.


p.s. I agree with the others. Don't use IE. It has too many security holes and like the others have mentioned that's can be part of the reason why you are getting spyware. For viruses just get an anti-virus program and practice "safe internet use". Out of my 15 years of PC use I've only gotten 2 viruses. Macs do get viruses, but it's true that not many programmers write any for Macs because there still aren't that many Mac users. They would rather infect 90% of the population rather than 10%. When Macs become more popular they'll have the same virus problems as PCs.

 

[mkieff]

I am a System Administrator by trade, and a photo enthusiast by hobby. If you want the ability to use your new computer on a corporate network, you will want to go with windows. The majority of office programs run on Windows and are a pain to get to work on a MAC.

But I do know a lot of Marketing types that swear that a MAC is the way to go if you want powerful digital imaging ability. But the Windows arena has come a long ways in the past few years and that argument is becoming less and less true.

Windows PCs have always and will always be easier to upgrade and to buy off the self parts for if you have problems.

No one likes sending a sad MAC back to the store to get fixed.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[StvShoop]

I recommend either Dell, IBM, or Sony but if you can build your own that's the better choice.

definitely. i've got a good friend who knows all about hardware, and i would never dream of buying one of those readymade comps.
if you build it yourself, it will definitely be cheaper and (assuming you have good communication with the person ordering the parts for you) it will be a much better matchup for your needs.
the downside to building it yourself is there's no corporate tech support. i think the companies Harpper mentioned are very good at tech support.

 

[santino]

If I were you, I would by a Mac, Photoshop, Corel Draw etc. exist and you can even run The Gimp. It's Unix based so I wouldn't try to compare it to Windows. Os X 10.3 is really bug-free and forget about viruses, spyware and system crashes. If you'll a buy a mac + monitor you'll get a very nice "composition", only thing I don't like is the price
but try to get a "Hassie" for 200 bucks

 

[Harpper]

Os X 10.3 is really bug-free and forget about viruses, spyware and system crashes.

Haven't used 10.3 yet but 10.2.8 has crashed on me twice. My XP machine has crashed 3 times in comparision. I do agree that older versions of Windows tend to crash more often.

Viruses and spyware have more impact when they are made for the majority, which are PC users. I've actually heard some Mac users say their Macs are immune to viruses and spyware. That's completely untrue. Right now it is a Mac perk but it won't be when there are more Mac users.

 

[Chase]

The bottom line for me is when you look at price, compatibility, and availability of products (software, hardware upgrades, etc.), PC is the way to go.

I have nothing bad to say about Mac systems, other than that they are too pricey. If you can do the same things for less money, why pay the extra?

 

[santino]

Os X 10.3 is really bug-free and forget about viruses, spyware and system crashes.

Haven't used 10.3 yet but 10.2.8 has crashed on me twice. My XP machine has crashed 3 times in comparision. I do agree that older versions of Windows tend to crash more often.

Viruses and spyware have more impact when they are made for the majority, which are PC users. I've actually heard some Mac users say their Macs are immune to viruses and spyware. That's completely untrue. Right now it is a Mac perk but it won't be when there are more Mac users.

Yeah, that's true, Os X 10.2.8 wasn't that bug-free but I recommend everybody 10.3.

And you're right about the majority-stuff, but it's much harder too develop spyware (viruses etc.) for a Unix based Os, it's saver cause it has strict owner rules and so on. Off course there are mac viruses, but like I have mentioned, it's much harder.

Mac Os X has been developed on Free BSD which is bug-free since it's "day one", and that day was about 6 years ago. It's kinda similar to Linux, but there are no possibilities to compile new kernels etc. which makes it more bug-free and error resistant.

To all Windows fanatics: Ever seen a win server? (except of 2000, which would be nearly every admin's last choice).

But I agree, Windows is the most compatible system of all, it's hardware is "cheap" and 90% (or even more) of all computers are windows formatted

 

[Bosscat]

How is the photo software on apple I don't even know it PS makes one for apple.

www.kenrockwell.com

that should answer all your questions

 

[Scurra]

Vaio's are evil.... sony try and screw you over every opportunity they get. I had a vaio laptop that for starters wasn't specced as well as it should have been but when you go to upgrade it you have to buy sony specific parts which (of course) are horrendously overpriced.

My honest opinion is don't trust anyone that sells full PC packages, either build your own or go to a company that will build you up an exact spec.