Age old debate: Mac VS Microsoft PC

[StrikingViper69]

I use my 7 year old iMac for everything, including a lot of music stuff and it runs just as good as when I bought it.

My girlfriend's 4 year old windows laptop blue screens, runs slow and spends more time contemplating existence than buddha.

Macs do have some annoying quirks as others have mentioned, but I've always found a work around for the off thing that doesn't work.

 

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[ryanbleau]

Take some time and look into the actual security of a mac. Currently the Iphone, Ipad and mac computers are the main targets for Mossad and other intelligence agencies due to their standard hardware and software suites. Saw a report a year or so ago that it was easier to figure out how to accesss and gain control of those devices due to their homogeneous environment and forced updates. They were saying that there's like 17 variations they have to code for with all apple devices as opposed to android or windows devices that variations are incalculable. Theres a company in Canada that will provide you access to almost anyone's iphone because their software is that predictable.

 

[blulemming]

If you're a business (power) user then there's nothing else than Windows (11). Why?

• You can snap and arrange multiple windows as you want (and sent custom sizes).
• You can use the toolbar to create your own, customized menus with software and document shortcuts.
• You can use portable software (portableapps.com) - too many advantages to list.
• Multiple desktop setup works extremely well and is stable.
• In the past there was a ton of software that wasn't available for Mac's. Now the situation is much better, tho.
• You can customize and repair your own PC (if you use a desktop computer).
• The UI/UX is way more intuitive (OK, that's a subjective opinion, but I didn't know how to use MacOS at all).
• The File Exploerer is way easier to use.

I could go on for a while.

There are a few simple facts and one of them is that if you know how to use a Windows computer, it simply won't break. In my whole life I've only had issues with Windows 95/98. After that, I don't remember a single virus or a blue screen of death.

The trick is to buy a high-end customized PC or a workstation from Lenovo (maybe there are some other good brands out there nowadays, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing can beat Lenovo).

I worked in IT for 9 years (I ended in 2013) with Windows and Linux (server versions as well) OS's and I had experience with every single PC brand on this planet.

For me it's only Windows + Lenovo ThinkPad or ThinkStation series.

EDIT: Formula 1, MotoGP, NASA, the military, etc. - no engineer walks around with a MacBook. I always thought that MacBooks are mostly used by influencers and mom bloggers.

 

[Fr33zerPop]

I had been on mac for 20+ years (Mac Quadra 660AV). Two years ago, due to prices of the new "cheese-grater" mac, I switched to PC. (I also felt like their support heart is no longer in it for pro users like me. They're pretty focused on iPhone)

I'd say I've been 80% happy with both. They both have frustrating quirks/problems, but for the most part have been solid machines. If you go with PC, I'd recommend Puget Systems to have it built for you. I think doing that saved me from at least introducing my own set of problems. And, I saved thousands for the same power machine. (I'm an animation specialist).

 

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[basedzoomer]

Mac is good if you have money to spare. And don't mind apple's walled garden.

Windows is good for gaming & support for general software that isn't niche. They have forced automatic updates that may break your system, but you can disable it by installing W10Privacy & ticking the option to disable automatic updates. If you're concerned about telemetry, Windows 10 LTSC + W10Privacy with all the options ticked is more telemetry-free & faster than any other Windows edition.

Linux is good if you're bored & want to try another os. It also gives you better privacy & more control of your system. Now you can also play windows exclusive games on linux, thanks to proton. And if you learn how to configure & use window managers with minimalist software, you can make your linux os faster (wayyy faster), simpler, eleganter than a mac os. Linux is how you make it.

 

[theolreverend]

Nothing like a Windows computer... Leave it working totally fine, come back to zero way to connect it to the internet. Just what I wanted to do this afternoon, reinstall Windows from scratch.

How are the M1 Mac laptops? Anyone have one?

Depends on your needs.

If you need a machine just for writing, browsing, email — low hardware requirements, the M1 Macbook Air will be pretty great. You'll get solid battery life and a well-built laptop.

Then again, you can have mostly the same with a Windows 11 machine if you pick up a proper one: Asus Zephyrus G14 2022, Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 and other high-end laptops. You can't go cheap on a Windows laptop and then complain about poor performance.

If you also game, you'll be best served by a big ol' gaming PC that you build yourself.

 

[Seth G.]

linux on a thinkpad. Specifically PopOS by System76. they are inexpensive, tough as nails, and just wonderful little things.

Otherwise, if you're stuck in monopoly land and afraid of your machine, I lean linux because windows is a nightmare to program on or for

 

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[Thinh]

There's no real debate.

It's like "which is better, blue or red?"
Depends on whom you ask, their life, level of knowledge, what they value, etc.

Mac = Get the job done without having to mess around with tech stuff.
Windows = Easy to use machines for the masses, at the cost of having to do some maintenance every now and then (although since Windows 10 and probably even more with Windows 11, the OS seems to be gaining in stability)
Linux: Oh I need to use a printer. Let's hack the mainframe and compile 8 C++ libraries so I can customize the printer's driver's UI just to my taste.

Basically, it's a scale of how much time do you want to spend on the technical stuff: Mac -> Windows -> Linux

 

[CrimsonNight]

Any OS is good, doesn't really matter unless your business relies on some proprietary software that only runs on that specific OS.

But in my personal opinion, Linux is the best for a techie. I don't have to deal with the limitations of Windows or Mac. Plus if you are a gamer it will probably force you to think twice if you want to spend that much effort trying to install games on Linux. (I don't personally play any games so that's a non-issue for me.)

 

[basedzoomer]

Linux is for normal people & advanced users alike.

 

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[André Casal]

I've been a software engineer and entrepreneur for 15+ years and I regularly use Windows, Linux, and macOS as part of my job.

I use a 2019 MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM.

For productivity, macOS is the best.
For design, macOS is the best.
For development, macOS is the best.
For games, Windows is the best.
Apple's hardware is considerably more reliable than PCs.

The Apple ecosystem has too many advantages over PCs to count. My favorite one is being able to copy something on my computer and paste it on my phone (or vice-versa).

 

[silent]

My favorite one is being able to copy something on my computer and paste it on my phone (or vice-versa).

Yes! This is also one of my favourite features.

I started using Mac back in 2009 when I was getting into programming and wanted to learn Ruby programming language. Windows support at the time was a complete shit show. Nowadays, it's much better but I haven't looked back since. Whatever works for you will be the best choice for you

 

[Kak]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2JdZ5rgVIR4


This guy was using a MacBook Air M1 with 8GB of Ram to edit 4K video in raw codecs. Evidently that is a big deal.

Based on this, I’m pretty confident in the audio processing abilities of a MacBook Air, which is the most demanding thing I do. I also run a 4K external monitor, which is something he is doing in the video as well.

That computer starts at only a grand. I paid more than that for my phone. I’d get some more storage and ram though.

 

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[Guest-5ty5s4]

My ideal setup would be a beefy Windows desktop at home, and a Macbook Pro for travel.

My buddy who's a programmer for a startup only runs Linux and his machine is constantly breaking for the most basic reasons, lol

 

[Kak]

Linux is for normal people & advanced users alike.

Any time I have tried Linux out of spite for privacy violating puppet masters, I deleted the partition in a few days and went back to Windows.

 

[Kak]

My ideal setup would be a beefy Windows desktop at home, and a Macbook Pro for travel.

My buddy who's a programmer for a startup only runs Linux and his machine is constantly breaking for the most basic reasons, lol

Lol want to install a basic program? It might take 10 seconds, or it might take hours of screwing around.

 

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[Thinh]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2JdZ5rgVIR4


This guy was using a MacBook Air M1 with 8GB of Ram to edit 4K video in raw codecs. Evidently that is a big deal.

Based on this, I’m pretty confident in the audio processing abilities of a MacBook Air, which is the most demanding thing I do. I also run a 4K external monitor, which is something he is doing in the video as well.

That computer starts at only a grand. I paid more than that for my phone. I’d get some more storage and ram though.

MacBook Air M1 is the best laptop in the world anyone can get right now, in terms of pure price-to-value ratio, and this by far. Insane processing power, sound quality, weight, slim, silent, fanless design... There's just no other laptop that can come even close.
It also invalidates the age-old criticism of Apple computers "you pay 2x the price for half the performance."
With this machine, you pay half than any other Windows laptop that does not even offer similar performance.

 

[basedzoomer]

Any time I have tried Linux out of spite for privacy violating puppet masters, I deleted the partition in a few days and went back to Windows.

I did the same.

Later, I found out about dwm & liked it. Tried out dwm. That was the starting point. Some learning & tinkering later, I switched to linux.

Lol want to install a basic program? It might take 10 seconds, or it might take hours of screwing around.

Likely a newbie. Not a problem if you do it the linux way & use free & open source software. Linux isn't win or mac. You use a new os, learn it.

 

[MitchC]

MacBook Air M1 is the best laptop in the world anyone can get right now, in terms of pure price-to-value ratio, and this by far. Insane processing power, sound quality, weight, slim, silent, fanless design... There's just no other laptop that can come even close.
It also invalidates the age-old criticism of Apple computers "you pay 2x the price for half the performance."
With this machine, you pay half than any other Windows laptop that does not even offer similar performance.

All that and you still forgot the best part. Retina display.

 

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[nothingness]

If you're a business (power) user then there's nothing else than Windows (11). Why?

• You can snap and arrange multiple windows as you want (and sent custom sizes).
• You can use the toolbar to create your own, customized menus with software and document shortcuts.
• You can use portable software (portableapps.com) - too many advantages to list.
• Multiple desktop setup works extremely well and is stable.
• In the past there was a ton of software that wasn't available for Mac's. Now the situation is much better, tho.
• You can customize and repair your own PC (if you use a desktop computer).
• The UI/UX is way more intuitive (OK, that's a subjective opinion, but I didn't know how to use MacOS at all).
• The File Exploerer is way easier to use.

I could go on for a while.

There are a few simple facts and one of them is that if you know how to use a Windows computer, it simply won't break. In my whole life I've only had issues with Windows 95/98. After that, I don't remember a single virus or a blue screen of death.

The trick is to buy a high-end customized PC or a workstation from Lenovo (maybe there are some other good brands out there nowadays, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing can beat Lenovo).

I worked in IT for 9 years (I ended in 2013) with Windows and Linux (server versions as well) OS's and I had experience with every single PC brand on this planet.

For me it's only Windows + Lenovo ThinkPad or ThinkStation series.

EDIT: Formula 1, MotoGP, NASA, the military, etc. - no engineer walks around with a MacBook. I always thought that MacBooks are mostly used by influencers and mom bloggers.

What..... I don't even know how to reply to this without coming across rude.

 

[basedzoomer]

Just found out mac users can use bootcamp to install windows on their mac lol

 

[OverByte]

My unbiased opinion:
Pretty sure it has been scientifically proven that MacOS is better than Windows.

Unless you want to deal with headaches having access to MacOS unfortunately means you have to pay for the overpriced hardware. My main complaint is that apple seems to value RAM as if it were forged from unicorn horns.

 

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[TonyStark]

Ok I also use it to open Excel sheets. So there $5k well spent.

Google sheets lol

 

[biggeemac]

MacBook Air M1 is the best laptop in the world anyone can get right now, in terms of pure price-to-value ratio, and this by far. Insane processing power, sound quality, weight, slim, silent, fanless design... There's just no other laptop that can come even close.
It also invalidates the age-old criticism of Apple computers "you pay 2x the price for half the performance."
With this machine, you pay half than any other Windows laptop that does not even offer similar performance.

Unless you want to connect two or more external monitors. Definitely a step backwards to some degree, but it is a great laptop. Fantastic battery life, good processor......good bang for the buck. The processing capabilities of this laptop are on par with what you needed on a higher end macbook pro years ago.

You will need some additional (fairly expensive) hardware if you want more than one external monitor.

 

[AceVentures]

If you're just shitposting on web-based applications - then any OS will do. Go with Mac if it's easier and more intuitive. Or if you work serverless and blindly trust your sensitive data across communist corporations' cloud servers, then you might choose to optimize for device interoperability, making Mac a more suitable choice.

If you want to have full customization of your experience, then Linux OS will help you manage and control every aspect of how your system operates.

If you're doing some heavy compute work, your OS needs GPU APIs and Windows will give you multiple choices for APIs here.

In my experience, having exposure to each system is beneficial in enabling me to mix and match the best tool for the job.

For example, I can have an iPhone because I want the LIDAR sensor on the latest iPhones that's not available elsewhere. I can use Windows for most of the programming I do because it supports the GPU APIs and development environments I need (it also is the only OS that has manufacturer drivers for the million RGB lighting elements scattered across my hardware). When I switch over to Neo mode and need strong security measures, I'll pop in a live-USB Kodachi Linux Distro to tightly control my footprint.

Jack of all systems > Master of one

 

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[nothingness]

Unless you want to connect two or more external monitors. Definitely a step backwards to some degree, but it is a great laptop. Fantastic battery life, good processor......good bang for the buck. The processing capabilities of this laptop are on par with what you needed on a higher end macbook pro years ago.

You will need some additional (fairly expensive) hardware if you want more than one external monitor.

All you need is a $50 dock from Amazon and DisplayLink software. Those docks will run 3 monitors.

 

[basedzoomer]

HELP!!!!
All this talk of Linux and Mac V Microsoft makes me wish I knew something about the subject.

My big problem is that every time Microsoft force an update on me, I dread opening up my laptop to see what damage they have done.

For over 2 years they have been sabotaging my Office 2010 program little by little, so that after each update I find that there are features that no longer exist. They make so many other changes, such as access to apps etc., etc., that it's like using a new machine.

I like Office 2010. I have been using it for over 11 years, as all the bright ones among you can no doubt work out. I am very quick with all the typing that I have to do - I know how to do all the fancy layout that I want - can make corrections in a flash, but they are trying to force me to change to Office 365.

If anyone could guide me on how to install a different OS such as Linux I would appreciate it. I have tried using my daughter's Mac and am not keen on making a change to Mac.

Walter
P.S. I looked up the link provide by @nothingness: Microsoft's Software Is Malware and I am a believer.

Found just the video for you.

 

[Walter Hay]

@ basedzoomer Thanks for that. I will study it carefully before I take the plunge.

Walter

 

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[biggeemac]

All you need is a $50 dock from Amazon and DisplayLink software. Those docks will run 3 monitors.

Yeah, I couldnt get that to work. I have a Startech DisplayLink adapter heading my way now to see if I can get anywhere.

 

[basedzoomer]

easy peasy tutorial for people who want to make their linux look like mac (no programming skills required)