I can go out and build a pc for $300-400

I can install Windows on it

I can dualboot Windows and Linux on it

I can’t tripleboot Windows/Linux/Ubuntu on it without an illegally hacked version of MACOSX.

I would need to buy a rather expensive MAC computer, which means I can’t even custom-build it with my choice of hardware or place ot shop for hardware, and install Windows and Linux on THAT.

Windows
OS X
Linux

All of them have different flaws, all of them have different functions, NONE of them are perfect.

I’ve been using ALL of them for more than most of you have been alive and i need them ALL to work every day.

Use windows for daily stuff, office work, etc
Use linux as server OS
Use OS X to run Protools, Final Cut, Logic Pro, etc

Now, many will say you can switch software on each platform and achieve the same results. NO you cannot.
Why? Because most of the companies out there are already using each product as a standard of the industry i work in.
So even if you could run Avid, even if you could run Cubase or Nuendo, even if you could use windows as a server OS, even if you could use linux for office tasks, the reality is, there is a reason for each.
But as always, people can’t see the big picture and instead choose to take the ruler out and start measuring..

Actually, if you do a total cost of ownership for the two, you may find Macs come out pretty close, if not cheaper than a similarly-spec’d Windows PC. Sure, Macs are more expensive upon purchase, but consider this:
- the useable life-span of a Mac is longer than the average PC (older Macs can more easily run newer versions of Mac OS X)
- on average, Mac users pay less for technical support and repairs
- Mac users do not require anti-virus or anti-spyware software or support (at least for now)
- the value of the bundled software (sure, you could get similar free or PC-bundled software, but to match the quality and features of the iLife suite, you would probably have to pay for it.)

There have been a number of studies done along these lines, from biased and un-biased organizations, which back this up (Google it). I’ve worked on both and I much prefer Macs. I’ve installed Mac 10.4 (Tiger) on ‘ancient’ Macs (G4s, Cube) and seen an *increase* in performance! Try loading Vista on an 8-year-old PC.

Oh yeah, if you buy the operating system separately, you can even run Windows on any fairly recent Mac. That’s like a two-for-one deal, which definitely makes the Mac look like a better deal ; )

Just how long have you been using Windows? 10 minutes?

Those “harrashments” are self-learning, you shoulden’t be getting any after a day or two unless you manually misconfigured something.

“from the beta experience of window 7, it blows too”

So everybody on the planet and their grandmother is loving Windows 7, INCLUDING THE CREATOR OF UBUNTU, yet you somehow magically know that “it blows” but provide no reasons why?

I am seriously starting to doubt you were EVER anti-apple or even touched a Windows system at this point.

and yes. vista blows. from the beta experience of window 7, it blows too. to rephrase my opinion of the new non-iphone smartphones out there “it’s still not a mac”…

people aren’t calling mac’s “dell killers” or iphones “windows mobile killers”…… i’ll bet you can guess… uhh.. maybe it’s the other way around.

There is a difference between being different and being innovative.

Newsflash, Apple is DIFFERENT, not innovative.

This is like somebody who has only eaten Spanish food for his entire life then one day goes to Japan and claiming their food in innovative.

Its just a different mentality.

Funny how you claim that Microsoft is “over” when Apple dosen’t even have 10% marketshare and Windows clearly dominates, even in homes.

3.11 to 95

98 to 2000

XP to Vista

Vista ot Windows 7

What exactly qualifies as a reinvention for you? The GUI and especially the inner-workings have been massively retooled in every one of these significant released.

Apple releases the equivelent of service packs as an entirely new OS, and that is innovative?

How is Microsoft “ripping off” the competition exactly?

Except its highly debatable which OS is better, even Vista and Windows 7 look pretty fancy, hell, even some distros of LINUX look fancy, where does a “Luxry free car” fit into that similie?

People use Windows because it can be installed on just about any PC, including cheap $300 workstations, I can’t go out and buy MACOSX and install it on my Dell without hacking it first. The fact that I don’t need to buy a $1000-5000 computer in order to use the OS helps.

Finally, you complain about MICROSOFT rehashing their operating systems? Windows 2000 is a VERY far departure from 95 and 98, Vista is very different from XP and Windows 7 also changes quite a bit of workings under the hood, not just makes the GUI look flashy.

You want to talk about rehashing? Try Apple, who puts different names of cats on what should be free service packs and releases them as if they are a fully new operating system.

“Apple has the innovation, talent, and intelligence to make BOTH the hardware and software.”

1. Please stop using brainwashed buzzwords like “innovative!”

2. You realize that Macs have THE SAME DAMN HARDWARE that PCs have right?

Same PSU, same 3d cards, same harddrives, same RAM, SAME FREAKING CPU!

Apple is a software and gadget company, they don’t make their own computers any more than Dell makes their own computers.

You are only paying an extra $1000 for a flashy OS that can’t run 90% of the software out there and a fancy case…. and the mental delusion that you are part of the “Apple family” and part of something that is supposedly better but in reality is no different than the competition with a smiley face painted over it.

The PC is more for the average that just need a machine. It’s like comparing a Mercedes Benz to a Ford Truck, both will get you to point B, but one does it in style and luxury.

Second, MS only has a dominate market share because of their Gestapo tatics with the OEM’s that required them to carry only Windows on their machines – consumers are only beginning to have a choice of different OS.

Microsoft rehashes an Operating System that they originally purchased from someone else – they do not make the PC. Apple has the innovation, talent, and intelligence to make BOTH the hardware and software.

But i have to say at least apple are being innovative these days, with the changes to Mac OS and the new designed macs and even the iphone.

It seems to me Microsoft is just relying on windows 7 (and continued xBox 360 sales) to bring them out of the vista nightmare. I’ve used the beta of windows 7 (i admit not for long) and i have to say its as not as revolutionary as i’d hoped.

I think Microsoft need to focus on doing stuff better and not rip the competition.

To me, i see Apple is like Dyson, they market as a different product to their counterparts and i think people will always consider alternative, for some the extra price won’t matter.

How long can Microsoft keep reinventing windows, surly its time for a new os??

Apple PCs are expensive compared to Windows-based systems. That’s a fact. In a rough economy people are going to be more conservative with spending. This is common sense.

Apple’s marketing campaign is almost entirely based on lying about Windows and exaggerating FUD about Vista. Microsoft’s most recent advertising has been all about the benefits and popularity of Windows (’I'm a PC’ for example).

But MS should ignore Apple. Apple has such a small marketshare they are irrelevant to Microsoft. Worldwide the marketshare is about 4% Mac 95% Windows.

…

You’re basically saying that its ok for Apple to insult, ridicule, and flat-out LIE about Microsoft, but that its not OK for Microsoft to fight back?

Most of the “free” software you mentioend also has a free equirelent for Windows, most of them from Microsoft themselves.

I really don’t think MACOSX is worth the $1000+ an Apple compter is priced at compared to a Windows computer with similar specs. I mean, they have the EXACT same hardware, same PSU, harddrives, 3D cards, soundards, cpu, ram, you are paying $1000 for MACOS and a fancy white plastic case.

Ballmer – “GET IN MY BELLY!!!”