PC users always demand a "goo...
PC users always demand a "good" reason as to why Mac users choose Macs. Mac users rarely know the answer, and often regurgitate explanations that we've all heard over and over. My answer is plainly that I enjoy using a Mac. Whether for the sake of familiarity, or for the fact that they actually are simpler and more intuitive to use I don't know. It doesn't matter. I enjoy using them. Isn't that why we choose anything?
Can you tell me a good reason you like chocolate over vanilla? Why make it more than what it is. A preference.
Good discussion here...
I...
Good discussion here...
I have owned and worked on various PC's since the DOS years in the early nineties. I know that since then, all home computers (PC's mac or otherwise), have always been nearly equal at any given era. When windows 3.1 came out, it was something apple offered a rendition of. Today a 15 year old apple is about as useful as a similar aged windows machine. Both landfill in the end.
I stayed away from apple's because you pay more for something that does less. Why do apple's work better (if at all)? Because they control the software to their liking better. Apples don't get reconfigured as wildly as windows based machines.
I understand the Apple file structure is swifter because they copied the UNIX file structure model. It supposedly accesses files faster. Most computers need tons of RAM nowadays, because of cloud type applications. The UNIX structure doesn't care about flash driven software.
With the advent of plug and play wizards, the hooking up of accessorizes has become much easier in windows.
The workability of a windows PC is about using good, correctly configured software. My dad always falls for bad sucker-software that drags his windows PC performance down. He bought a macbook, (which does him little good) and I rebuilt his dell (with win XP) to actually run good again. He loaded the bad software to it! A clean install of Windows XP is amazing... it booted up in 50 seconds, when I installed a new hard drive in it.
I looked at the pretty Mac desktop above when it came out. I then decided no design software ran on it, and it was just an internet appliance. I watched the Sony stuff progress, and decided I get more for the money. I wish Sony still made a tower like I use, so I buy used ones, and swear they are awesome. These RC210 and RC310 models have TV tuners, ethernet ports, firewire ports, etc... They are cool and quiet.
I think the Apple is a great marketing company, even better at that, then actually making computers.
Uh...
All new Macs can run Windows (and Windows applications), either alone or side-by-side with MacOS.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/guide/windows
there's a lot of...
there's a lot of misinformation and confusion here. Let me try to clarify some matters.
wrt macs and commercial art: the early days of desktop publishing and digital photography were all mac. The core software (quark, photoshop) ran on mac os only. The mac os also took care to keep some level of color management as well as professional tools like postscript support and ethernet/scsi hardware to hook into professional print/storage/networking equipment. This was all standard fare, even on performa (consumer) machines!
in the late 90s, windows versions of these core applications were written/ported, and windows started being used in some locales/sectors.
where we are now: 2d work at the high end is still predominantly done on mac os x, but windows is used more and more, after breaking in through turnkey systems.
3d work has never been done on macs in any significant number. 3d work started out on sgi workstations, and then as commodity pcs started outpacing sgi/mips, the market bifurcated into linux and windows nt/2k based workstations. At the highend, it's still linux and will probably stay that way for the same reasons 2d work at the high end is on mac os x (momentum, proven, familiarity, existing marketshare). Low end work is done on windows (due to perceived low overhead which I would argue is a fallacy), and there is some work on macs. And I'm sure someone is still using an amiga toaster.
as to 'good' looking computer hardware, I'm of this school of thought: hide it or choose apple. Apple takes care with their industrial design, the rest copy. Truly though, it's best out of sight. On my desk, all I want to see is big monitors (matte black with the minimum of shine/crap), and my input devices (keyboard, mouse, tablet). Put the monitors on arms and they float nicely, and put the rest on undertrays so that your real desktop can basically be as clean and sleek as possible.
now, if you want a piece to talk about, choose this pc case designed by bmw design works. It does an adequate job as a case, it's about 800 bucks, and will win over the geek/nerd contingent. Maybe some ladies. I'd rather get a generic box and hide it in a wall recess.
lol 'deep' what did I say?...
lol 'deep' what did I say? it's hard to find a PC hardware manufacturer who doesn't make something that looks like it belongs under the bonnet of a car. that thing you just posted really does look like the engine component of a truck. would you even want a kitchen appliance that looked like that? I sure as hell wouldn't. As for big monitor and nothing else... fortunately that's iMac
The challenge continues: please could somebody post an aesthetically appealing piece of PC hardware. We're waiting!
The case that deep posted is...
The case that deep posted is an awful comparison to anything by Apple. I was fascinated with the technical design when it was introduced by BMW Group's DesignworksUSA some time ago. But that case is absolutely not designed to be a household object. It is designed to be used for serious commercial needs and/or hardcore PC enthusiasts with a focus on the gaming community. It was designed explicitly with "gamers" in mind (not design enthusiasts). That thing has 6 (again, six) hot-swappable SATA bays which are designed to accept both 2.5 and 3.5 inch drives without additional hardware. It contains 3 (!) separate security locks. The reason it looks (IMO) so awful is because all the components are "thermally isolated", or in other words, it is designed for absolute performance, not aesthetics. When one component heats up (say, a HDD) it will not transfer that heat to any other components (for example, the motherboard). The design is ingenious from a technical standpoint but belongs in a server room, NOT a living room. But it is absolutely not designed to be put in a living room. The case is enormous at over a foot wide, 2 feet deep, over 2 feet tall, and weighs almost 50 pounds. This is not an iMac competitor. Visually there is no competition (iMac wins) and technically there is no competition (BMW wins by a longshot).
Lit Up: I'll repeat what I've said previously:
Perhaps those in the design community that feel Apple is the only company producing noteworthy computers should start being more demanding or even innovate designs themselves. Until this happens, apparently we will have a single choice (iMac) for a desktop computer. I hardly see that as a good thing.
I can't imagine the design community would be satisfied if only one company offered beautiful furniture design - and only a handful of designs to choose from, at that.
but dude. are you seriously...
but dude. are you seriously comparing a computer to a piece of furniture? The former requires resources that no one individual or small company has access to. the amount of r and d that apple has done is down to the cash that kind of ubiquitous corporation has
One more
New York Times:
Autodesk Will Reintroduce Its AutoCAD Design Software for Macs
August 30, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO - When it comes to Apple products, the iPad and the iPhone get all the headlines.
But in recent years, the company's Macintosh line of computers has enjoyed a remarkable revival that has been vital to Apple's emergence as the most valued technology company on Wall Street.
In the latest sign of that comeback, Autodesk plans to announce on Tuesday that it is bringing its flagship AutoCAD design and engineering software to the Mac for the first time in nearly two decades.
The return of AutoCAD to the Mac could help Apple sustain its momentum in the competitive market for personal computers, especially with business customers, where Apple has made significant inroads recently. Autodesk estimates that 10 million people use the AutoCAD software around the world, and the company said that its customers had been asking for a Mac version with growing frequency.
"This is an endorsement from our side that design and engineering customers are taking the Macintosh seriously again," said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president for platform solutions at Autodesk.
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