Do many people on the forum use Apple Macs?

[PhilipRJ_UK]

I was just wondering how many TMF members use 'normal' computers and how many of us are using Macs. I swapped from PC to Mac just over two years ago, and although I've had one or two glitches, I can't see myself swapping back again, even after I had to spend nine hours over the weekend downloading the new mountain lion operating system!

What's the verdict? Are PC's still as popular, or is Apple the way that TMF'ers are going these days?

 

[C.A.B.]

MAC since 86

 

[brushtickler]

I use a Mac. I was recommended to do so for my art, of which is has done a great job (handling the applications and whatnot, that is). And after 4+ years... I'm not going back to PCs, haha. It's kind of funny, I even feel a bit lost when put on a PC now, even mildly older ones (all of those new interface changes aside). Guess I've just gotten too used to macs.

Edit/addition: Also, 90-95% of my art student classmates use Macs as well. Go art!

 

[Myriads]

Mac since '82

Myriads

 

[Mane'o]

Mac is the "normal" computer. The others are merely a sophisticated abacus of one sort or another.

 

[ticklishdanny]

I'm hoping to buy an iMac, until then its an Origin PC

 

[Bugman]

I have a Dell PC. I've never really understood the difference between a PC and a Mac. Perhaps someone can enlighten me?

 

[C.A.B.]

...if ya gotta ask... LOL!

 

[Mane'o]

I have a Dell PC. I've never really understood the difference between a PC and a Mac. Perhaps someone can enlighten me?

Imagine a tickle session with someone who reacts and goes through all the right responses and makes all the expected moves and sounds but it is just all a show and fake, albeit a good one. That's the PC.
Now imagine a tickle session with someone who starts to giggle and lose it just hearing the word, let alone actually being tickled. Your wildest tickling dreams realized whichever side - lee or ler - that gets your tickle yaya going. It is the genuine, no bs article. That is the Mac.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

I've used them both. For me it's half of one, six dozen of the other. Although the newer Macs with the "retinal" screen resolution are pretty bitchin.

 

[Sodahead]

I've been using a mac for about a year. I'm loving it

 

[Bothersome]

PC all the way.

 

[arcstudent]

Being in architecture, I have a custom build, beefy, sexy PC. She handles the graphics and processor power I need for all the modeling, drafting, and rendering. Not to mention the thing looks bad-ass

 

[Bothersome]

Being unable to custom build it is part of the reason why I will never go to Macs.

From what I understand, installing the MacOS on anything other than a bona-fide Apple computer is actually illegal, and I do not believe you can separately order any individual parts.

Pre-built PCs are massively cheaper than Macs, and Custom built PCs tend to be much cheaper than their pre-built equivalents.

So, yeah. If I had more money, maybe. Still pretty unlikely.

 

[Bohemianne]

PC and the skill to use it...

 

[C.A.B.]

I'm sure more PC users will comment as soon as they reboot and re-run their virus scans. 😛 😀

 

[arcstudent]

My PC outperforms all Macs I've seen and for 2/3 if not the same cost. Macs are actually able to get viruses and as the user base for them grows, more viruses will be targeting Macs. The trick with PCs is to not be an idiot and know how to use them. If you can't handle it, feel free to spend way more money and be unable to do cost effective repairs.

 

[C.A.B.]

I've never had to repair any of the MACs I've owned since 86 because they never failed... the only reason to buy a new one was to upgrade. And its a common misnomer that a MAC cannot be tinkered with... in fact, its quite easy. And I would argue that all the repairs, virus down-time, Windows Bullshit wasted time on PCs more than exceeds the difference in upfront cost... that is, if you value your time. 😀

 

[Bothersome]

If you know how to use a PC, then there are no repairs and virus down-time.

 

[arcstudent]

Bothersome is right. The less gifted computer users can feel free to waste money upfront. Ill use that money to have twice to four times the computing power; thus creating more free time that I would save over using a less powerful Mac. As far as my PC goes, it has never failed. I merely would upgrade bits and pieces as better graphics cards and processors would come out. But then again, I, as well as my fellow PC enthusiasts, know how to use a computer 😉.

 

[C.A.B.]

Yeah okay. *pats your heads

 

[Bothersome]

PCs are simply a much, much cheaper alternative that require more maintenance. However, that maintenance usually only consumes time, as opposed to money. And the better you are with computers, the less time that maintenance costs.

Viruses and repairs are not an inevitability. If you don't know how to protect yourself on the internet, or if you don't know how to properly care for a PC, then yeah, Macs might be the better alternative. However, if you're capable of taking measures to protect yourself from viruses, and are able to keep your PC in good condition, it's not going to fail you.

And even if it does, you're not going to be paying more than $1,000 to replace whatever broke on anything except the very highest tiers of hardware. As opposed to, you know, the entire computer.

 

[Mane'o]

Macs are BMWs. PCs are Hyundais. Both get you where you are going but the ride is entirely different. Macs like BMWs are engineered. PCs like Hyundais are merely assembled. PC owners are always tinkering under the hood telling you how good the drive Will be...someday. The Mac owners have already made the trip and back and are on to more interesting things.
By the way, I work in the IT world and when I go to the meetings and conferences, the nerd tool of choice is Mac.

 

[C.A.B.]

It has been my experience over the decades that those at the water-cooler disparaging MACs... never touched one. And the inference that "if one were skilled enough with a PC they wouldn't need a MAC" is like saying: if one were skilled enough with a chisel and stone, one wouldn't need a pen and paper. But 90% of what makes a PC suck ass can be summed up in one word: Windows. 😀

 

[Bothersome]

I had a 600 dollar budget on my computer. If I'd gone to an apple store with that budget, they would have laughed at me and handed me a ball and a cup.

The Mac Pro equivalent to my computer would cost me 4 times as much.

So, yeah. I think I'll stick to what I've got. A Mac is just a really expensive, really simplistic PC.