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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 1:51:23 AM | My display on my DELL laptop went last weekend.
Of course DELL told me the price to replace the display on my laptop, but you know the story ......... it is cheaper to get a new system! .... my DELL laptop is not a great PC and I have had it for about 3.5 years now.
I purchased a flat screen monitor for now, with the plan to purchase another laptop.
I am contemplating purchasing a MAC for the first time .... later today actually .....
so I thought I'd ask for your opinions and experiences.
I was planning to get a MAC Notebook and have Windows installed on it as well, since I need to keep in synch with the school board I am in since I use a lot of technology when I teach and prep a lot at home. The school board is using Windows.
Here are things I am wondering about. Your input would be great!
1. I have heard that you don't need virus protection on a MAC since the operating system is more robust and secure. I am wondering if it is not necessarily that, but that it is more that Mr. Gates has a higher market share, and the hackers are targeting the Windows systems since they get a higher impact that way since they will affect more systems! It was suggested that when I access the internet that I should access it through the MAC side. Then I would not need a virus checker. How true is this? I am skeptical of this.
2. How reliable is Windows running on a MAC? What are the issues? Will I be able to install the Windows updates? Is the speed faster or slower than when it is run on a PC?
3. Can I load any software that runs in Windows on my MAC when I use the Windows operating System running on my MAC?
4. Is MAC gaining market share over Windows?
5. AM I wise to purchase a MAC when I need to run some applications that run in Windows?
6. What are the advantages versus disadvantages of running Windows on a MAC? | |
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- don
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Joined: 4/23/2009
Msg: 2 | |
| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 2:23:16 AM |
Macs are nice if you have a couple thousand dollars laying around...well I guess they range from around $1,000 and up.
Very Stable
More Secure (by default)
Very Fast...depending on your hardware (makes good use of resources)
Is MAC gaining market share over Windows?
don't think so but haven't researched it
Macs are UNIX/BSD based (unlike Windows) so they are more stable and you probably won't ever need to buy antivirus software again if you go with a Mac.
(Viruses for UNIX/Linux/BSD/.... are rare ant the chances of getting one are slim to none, but malware does exist for mac)
For running Winndows OS inside your Mac:
http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/ <---Very Reliable, no disadvantages I can think of besides sharing resources between 2 OSes & buying another copy of Windows and the software for the App...and Yes, Windows Update will work just fine if you are connected to the Internet and your connection is as fast as your connection b/c shared network adapter(can be bridged -or- whatever type you prefer).
(This makes a virtual instance of Windows inside your Mac and it acts just like a real physical machine without the physical part)
(non-free)
For running Windows Apps on Mac:
http://wiki.winehq.org/MacOSX <---Can run some Windows software on Mac
(free)
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/
(non-free)
More Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800670
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- don
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Joined: 4/23/2009
Msg: 3 | |
| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 3:12:06 AM |
1. I have heard that you don't need virus protection on a MAC since the operating system is more robust and secure. I am wondering if it is not necessarily that, but that it is more that Mr. Gates has a higher market share, and the hackers are targeting the Windows systems since they get a higher impact that way since they will affect more systems! It was suggested that when I access the internet that I should access it through the MAC side. Then I would not need a virus checker. How true is this? I am skeptical of this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware (same applies to mac)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware
In the above post I mentioned installing Windows in a Virtual Machine (run Mac & Windows at the same time), If you prefer to dual-boot Mac & Windows here is a how-to guide:
http://lifehacker.com/384256/have-your-mac-and-windows-too-with-boot-camp
I think running it in a virtual machine will be easier and safer because it is just installing a program (vmware fusion) as opposed to dual-booting where you install a bootloader, manually partition your disk, and install windows next to your mac installation....a lot more can go wrong when you dual-boot.
*Even if you virtualize, you need to treat Windows like like a real machine (Update, patch, malware scans, ......)
and another nice thing about virtualizing, you can take a snapshot of Windows when it works well and revert back to it if anything ever happens. You can also save/clone/back-up virtual machines. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 8:23:51 AM | Mac marketshare is going up for a reason. Generally, you'll still hear from guys telling you that:
- Macs have no software (this is a lie, stemming from the 90s)
- Macs are more expensive (true, if you're looking for bargain machines only)
- Macs have no games (true, most GAMES will be Windows only, with a port eventually coming over)
- Mac mice only have 1-button (not true - Macs come with multi-sensored mice, allowing for right-clicking and more. Also, Macs have supported multi-button mice, such as Microsoft and Logitech, since OS 8.x)
- Macs have too little marketshare to write malware for (This is quite untrue. First, Mac has 7-8% marketshare, which equates to hundreds of millions of computers. Malware writers are already writing trojans - installation requires user admin rights. There are ZERO viruses for Mac OS X to date.)
The guys that try to dissuade you from Mac are generally geeks who do support on the side, and only Windows requires a LOT of support. That's not to say that you may not have Mac support needs occasionally, but all these MCSE-types need people to buy Windows lest their side support-business disappears.
I see Windows boxes on a daily basis that are loaded with malware. The same cannot be said for Mac, despite the pwn2own contests and such, because those require special set ups, including setting up the website beforehand and then having admin rights to the Mac to make it get compromised. You will find NO real-world problems for Mac that don't require admin rights to your machine. BTW, admin rights means you, personally, had to type in your admin username and password. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 8:29:21 AM | The advantages/disadvantages of running Windows on a Mac are the same as running Windows anywhere else. Windows is Windows, meaning it is still susceptible to all the malware. The physical box doesn't protect it.
At the end of the day, I'm not trying to dissuade you from going Windows. However, there is a reason why Mac users stay with Mac. We've used Windows. Some of us support Windows regularly. At the end of the day, however, who wants to support Windows at home? Some do; I don't. All that said, I have Windows XP and Windows 7 running on Virtual Box for occasional work-related stuff (http://www.virtualbox.org). | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 9:49:07 AM | Personally I dont go for all the looks that mac users seem to go for, a white boiled sweet look really isnt my thing at all, and for me, knowing what goes on under the surface thats all a mac is.
A "pretty" looking box.
So if you really dont care about the looks then you can go for any PC you like in all honesty, the hardware is the same these days after apple realised their way of building hardware was a dead loss they ditched it and went with the way everybody else makes it and of course it was at that point the two markets became closer, and "a mac" was nothing more than a PC with a difference OS.
First off I dont intend to bash OS X at all, it is a good OS, I dont like it myself for my own reasons but I can see why others would like it.
My reasons for not wanting it probably wouldnt make any difference to you buying it because I dont you would ever need application spercific Quadro drivers, and you probably wouldnt want the very latest hardware either... games you may want though...
OS X is good, its based on BSD [my favorite OS] but its only based on it, apple have added their own kinks to it and that the part I dont like.
If you want to play some of the newest games, or even some older games then the largest catalogue of games is on Windows.
And because of the way games work and the way virtual PCs work you will need to have Windows as your main "host" OS.
ALL OSs suffer from Viruses, even OS X, there are few and far between but they do exist and so do Mac Anti Virus programs.
If I wanted to run a mac I would run it as a VM and use a Windows based OS as my main OS, these days Mac offers no real advantages over Windows in all honesty, if you run Mac OS as a virtual PC then you get all the advantages of all and none or very few disadvantages of them all too.
If its run as a Virtual PC you can play games on Windows, and use the Virtual Mac to do everything else, the Mac will run faster as a VM then it will as the host [and the same goes the other way round, Windows runs faster as a guest than it does as a host].
If you do it the other way round, run Mac as the host and Windows as a guest you will not be able to run games.
Either way round you get what you want from you Mac of course, the Mac will not suffer either way, but you will lose certain advantages.
Macs have no software (this is a lie, stemming from the 90s)
This is not strictly true, Mac does have software, of course it does, but it doesnt have even half the amount of software Windows has... Windows has more support.
Macs are more expensive (true, if you're looking for bargain machines only)
Macs are more expensive when you take two identical systems hardware wise, you will pay extra for the "looks" of a Mac. go to any store and look at the specs and you will see it.
Macs have no games (true, most GAMES will be Windows only, with a port eventually coming over)
Ive alredy said this, there is a way out these days though! Run Windows as yout main OS and Mac as a guest OS and you have the best of both worlds.
Macs have too little marketshare to write malware for (This is quite untrue. First, Mac has 7-8% marketshare, which equates to hundreds of millions of computers. Malware writers are already writing trojans - installation requires user admin rights. There are ZERO viruses for Mac OS X to date.)
This simply isnt true, it is a fact that is beyond debate that Mac OS X suffers from malware, Viruses, Worms and Trojan horses.
The guys that try to dissuade you from Mac are generally geeks who do support on the side, and only Windows requires a LOT of support. That's not to say that you may not have Mac support needs occasionally, but all these MCSE-types need people to buy Windows lest their side support-business disappears.
I see Windows boxes on a daily basis that are loaded with malware. The same cannot be said for Mac, despite the pwn2own contests and such, because those require special set ups, including setting up the website beforehand and then having admin rights to the Mac to make it get compromised. You will find NO real-world problems for Mac that don't require admin rights to your machine. BTW, admin rights means you, personally, had to type in your admin username and password.
There is a simple and easy way out of this and it is really painfully simple.
Buy a PC loaded with Windows, set it up however you want, set it up to play games, run certain software, thats where Windows is king!
Run Mac OS X as a guest OS in a Virtual PC, and when ever you want to do something that isnt playing a game, or using your Windows software use OS X.
Surf the web etc in your Virtual PC.
In one easy step you have just removed all the disadvantages of using Windows, because you do not expose it to all the dangers that face a Windows PC. so you get only its strengths, and of course you get none of the disadvantages of OS X because you can play games and run a wider catalogue of software, but have all the security of OS X
Windows PC + software + Games + Virtual OS X = one of the best performing computers. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 9:59:37 AM | This would be a phenomenal idea EXCEPT, running OS X in a virtual machine or non-Apple hardware is not supported by Apple, so.... you'll still need an IT guy/gal friend to help you support OS X running on a non-Mac, whereas the opposite is fine. MS doesn't care where you run Windows as long as you're running it.
For people that are not hardcore gamers...
Mac + Software + Virtual Windows XP/Vista/7 == one of the best performing computers. In this instance, if the virtual machine gets a virus, who cares.
In the earlier example, if the Windows box gets a virus and you have to start over, you lose your Mac virtual machine. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 10:01:55 AM | This simply isnt true, it is a fact that is beyond debate that Mac OS X suffers from malware, Viruses, Worms and Trojan horses.
Please provide a link to an OS X virus in the wild. Proof-of-concept viruses touted by antivirus companies don't count. This is false. Macs suffer from trojans only. And remember, it only takes finding ONE legitimate article regarding infections of Macs by a virus (and please don't send a link regarding OS 9 and earlier - obviously doesn't count) to prove me wrong. Ok... waiting. Anyone? I didn't think so. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 10:06:12 AM | I have had a Mac Powerbook for several years and ran a Windows emulation. It was functional, but not perfect. However, I decided it would be more convenient to purchase a Windows machine and spent the extra money on that rather than deal with a dual OS Mac That's called voting with your wallet!
I bought a Gateway MX6956 and have been quite happy with it for the 3 years that I have had it. Relative to the still newish looking 5-year-old Mac, the 3-year-old Gateway looks worn and shabby, although it has performed perfectly, in contrast to the Mac which has had a few problems.
Customer service / repair-wise, the Mac screen went out within a year of purchase and it was a fight to get it replaced under warranty because of a slight (unrelated) ding in the case. The quoted repair price was almost as much as a new computer and significantly more than the cost of the Windows machine. Eventually, Apple replaced it when I complained that 2 of the main-street Apple stores had reneged on the warranty. The motherboard went out in the second year and again, attempts to get it repaired under the extended 'warranty' were met with refusals due to the same ding. These hassles really turned me off Mac. The power supply to the Gateway went out some time ago and a telephone call to the company confirmed that I could just walk into the store and get a replacement. I've been using both Macs and PCs since they first came out and have always been unimpressed with the extremely variable standards of Mac customer care. The very best customer care came from IBM, but I believe they have now sold their small computer division. Another 'strike' against Mac is the much smaller group of repair facilities available. It's not as easy to find one for the Mac - and that creates real problems when the ones yu find don't even want to do the repair! This issue becomes even more of an issue if you travel and use your computer. It's hard to find a Mac repair shop in many foreign locations.
There are ZERO viruses for Mac OS X to date.) No longer true!
http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/02/macosxleap.html
Macs have too little marketshare to write malware for That's one reason I do all my secure internet transactions on the Mac Even with a 10% marketshare, anyone writing Mac malware are reducing their chances of getting a hit to only 10% of what they may get on a Windows machine. It's a no-brainer to go for Windows machines. If you need to use the computer for secure transactions, this may be a consideration. I suspect if I didn't have the Mac, I wouldn't use this as the reason to purchase one. I'd just pay more attention to security issues. I have anti-virus software for Windows and don't seem to encounter too many problems. But that could easily be because the software (Sophos, Spybot) don't detect them.
If I understand correctly, current Macs use very similar hardware to Windows machnes and can pretty much run Windows as a native OS rather than emulation. It is my fervent hope that Mac will therefore provide an OS competitor for Windows machines and therefor force Microsoft into providing a decent OS instead of a monopolistic not-so-effective cash-cow for their shareholders. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 10:14:06 AM | I understand why people use Windows, but for me, I don't want to have to worry about one company making hardware while another makes software. Then... I have to become my own support person while MS blames the hardware and the hardware blames MS. I support others for money, but I'd have to support me for time only. My time is worth something.
I disagree with the thought that virus writers not going after Mac. Besides, for one thing, having a lower marketshare simply means there would be less viruses for Mac, not zero, which is where we are (don't confuse "virus" with "trojan"). If a virus writer went after Macs, he'd get at least 70% of them, since almost nobody runs antivirus software for Mac. In enterprises, antivirus is run on Macs to help catch Windows viruses. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 10:19:01 AM | No longer true!
http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/02/macosxleap.html
I'll accept that as proof of a worm. I'll also state that I wanted to hear about viruses running rampant "in the wild," not simply an alert by an antivirus company, which this clearly is. Only Sophos tries to clarify it as a virus to make a sale.
I will counter your link, an obvious attempt to sell antivirus software, with this one:
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/49427/mac-os-x-virus-is-a-leap-into-misunderstanding.html (Nice to see this coming from an independent Windows community site as well - THESE guys are intelligent).
I've been on porn sites, and many other sites. I do banking and stock trading. I've never run any anti-malware software and I have had no hacks to me or my financial accounts. No Windows user could ever claim the same.
It's cool to like Windows, but let's not pretend that Windows is just as safe as Mac. Detroit is not as safe as Beverly Hills, even though both areas have crime. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 10:50:18 AM | Well, smell, I'm not into the 'my wotsit is better than yours' games. I use computers to make a living, not an impression - and was offering my comments to someone who wanted feedback and comparisons on what I assume to be considerations of a cost-effective purchase.
Frankly, I'm not particularly impressed with either vendor and I hope that was clear in my post. My choice for the lesser of 2 evils comes down to an investment in about 50 Windows machines, versus one (I think) Mac for one valuable individual who refuses to use Windows. (And we use anti-virus software). Perhaps I should also add that the current situation evolved from a completely Mac inventory for the first few years when Mac was way ahead in the desktop computing game.
I preferred computers where I could control installations and edit startup files to determine how the computer ran. These days I can't even figure out what 90% of the programs are doing on my computer. That philosophy just seems like a recipe for disaster. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 12:23:59 PM | I have a MacBook Pro and LOVE IT! Had it for about 2 yrs now and have NEVER had a single hick-up!
1. I never ran antivirus or anything until just a few months ago when I found a good free one to run on my Mac. You can not even tell it is scanning! Does not slow down the system at all unlike a Windows Machine! Since I have been running the software, I still have yet to find a single issue.
2. I also run Windows XP on my system with BootCamp (preinstalled on a Mac) and I use VMware Fusion to run Windows side by side with Mac! The Windows runs better on the Mac than it ever ran on any of the dozen PC's I owned! I use the Windows only for stuff like QuickBooks Pro, AutoCAD, and some of the old PC programs I had purchased and don't want to spend the money on again for Mac. Since the Windows runs on it's own partition, if it gets a virus, it will not affect the Mac! But then again, I NEVER get on the internet (where Virus' reside and where you get them from) with the Windows side of my laptop... I always surf and get email with the Mac side!
3. Yes, you can load PC software onto the Windows side of your Mac. There are no issues either with running Windows on my Mac that I have come across yet. I even use Remote Assistance on the Windows Side to fix other peoples PC's all the time! It's a NICE income for me since Windows Screws up so much and gets so many virus', spyware, malware and adware!!! Windows keeps me making money off of the idiots running windows on a PC!!!
Email me if you want me to fix your PC/Windows!!! I have NEVER been asked to fix a Mac! Mac JUST WORKS!!!!!! Works ALL THE TIME TOO!!!!
4. I believe Mac is gaining market share fast upon Windows. It is obvious in the Windows commercials.... Windows sells based on PRICE ONLY! Not on reliability, stability and ease of use like you find with a Mac! Everything you can do on a Windows PC, you can do on a Mac and MORE! Mac is just so much easier to use and has so many more features than Windows. No complicated settings to deal with!
5. Wise to purchase a Mac???? In my opinion, YES. When I look at the fact that I use my computer for business, and look at ALL the down time I had with all the PC's I owned running Windows, the money it cost me to keep maintaining and fixing my PC's, the constant slowing of the PC's as you use them, I say, YES, it is wise and a much better choice to spend a little more money for the Mac and be safer and more secure and more reliable than the PC's.
6. I think I answered those questions in 1-5 above, but if you would like, feel free to contact me and I will send you my phone number and be glad to tell you more about the differences and benefits of owning a Mac. I would even be glad to demo my MacBook Pro for you running the Windows on it and show you how to do it and even how to set it all up.
The only reason many had to buy Windows was because the business markets primarily use Windows and programs such as Microsoft Office. Today, Mac's can read, open and save documents in Microsoft formats for all to use. There are NO issues with integrating your Mac to be used on a Window's Network and share PC Type Documents.
Programs such as iWork (the equal to MS Office) is a mere $79 versus Microsofts $400+ . iWork can save, open, and share in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats with ease! No Need for the expensive MS Office anymore!
My Mac runs just as fast 2 years later as it did the day I bought it! | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 12:48:59 PM |
There are NO issues with integrating your Mac to be used on a Window's Network and share PC Type Documents How about cross-platform compatibility for desktop publishing? This used to be a major problem (for publisher / artists) a few years ago. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 3:49:47 PM |
This would be a phenomenal idea EXCEPT, running OS X in a virtual machine or non-Apple hardware is not supported by Apple, so.... you'll still need an IT guy/gal friend to help you support OS X running on a non-Mac, whereas the opposite is fine. MS doesn't care where you run Windows as long as you're running it.
You missed the point completely
You can not run a game in a VM, the OS needs direct uninterupted access to the hardware, if its a VM it doesnt get that.
You cant game in a VM, but you can do almost everything else.
I know apple dont support it.
If OS X is as good as you say apple wont need to support it will they?
After all its the prefect OS, so your point is rather pointless ;)
For people that are not hardcore gamers...
Mac + Software + Virtual Windows XP/Vista/7 == one of the best performing computers. In this instance, if the virtual machine gets a virus, who cares.
In the earlier example, if the Windows box gets a virus and you have to start over, you lose your Mac virtual machine.
You dont need to be a hardcore gamer, just have a desire to play any DX game!
DX of any version is simulated, it is not real in a VM and a game needs it to be real because it really uses it.
If you run it in the right way the Windows PC would never get a virus...
The theory is simple, if you control what your PC does then you cant get infected.
Please provide a link to an OS X virus in the wild. Proof-of-concept viruses touted by antivirus companies don't count. This is false. Macs suffer from trojans only. And remember, it only takes finding ONE legitimate article regarding infections of Macs by a virus (and please don't send a link regarding OS 9 and earlier - obviously doesn't count) to prove me wrong. Ok... waiting. Anyone? I didn't think so.
http://www.securemac.com/
Apple admit that OS X is vulnerable to Virus and trojan horse attacks and have added av protection.
I wonder if adding the av into the OS they are denying fair compertition.
Like Microsoft have with WMP and IE!
disagree with the thought that virus writers not going after Mac. Besides, for one thing, having a lower marketshare simply means there would be less viruses for Mac, not zero, which is where we are (don't confuse "virus" with "trojan"). If a virus writer went after Macs, he'd get at least 70% of them, since almost nobody runs antivirus software for Mac. In enterprises, antivirus is run on Macs to help catch Windows viruses.
I find it quite amusing from Mac fan boys...
Our market share is increasing! well it would have to, I mean it couldnt really go down any from where it was could it!
Of course there is a difference between a virus and a trojan horse...
but why is it that the Mac guys think its ok to have a trojan horse, the big argument of it all is "its not a virus, its a trojan" like that all makes it ok, like there saying its not the OS its the user...
no its simply a problem, and one apple have admitted to to the point where they are now intergrating an Anti Virus scanner into the OS...
or should that be an Anti Trojan scanner.
Either way its a problem, and whats funny is to a Mac user its a problem that either doesnt exist, or a problem thats ok because its not the fault of the OS, only the user
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/whats_the_scoop_with_the_mac_os_x_virus_leapa.html
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=102379
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2006-021614-4006-99 (and I quote: Note: It infects files on the Macintosh OS X version 10.4. The worm will execute on Intel Macs, but cannot spread to other systems from these machines.). Thanks for the info disproving it to be a virus.
Well, it seems I can find many refutes to the first "virus." Ok... bring on the next so-called virus.
Again, I'm not arguing against malware that needs admin privileges to destroy your system locally. I'm talking something like Windows, where things get installed under the radar, steal your stuff, infect other files, and then go on to infect other Windows computers on the internet. MUCH different.
Ar I see, your looking for worst case sinario stuff only.
Nothing else need apply.
Well in that case no, Mac has few if any, though I wont say none, there are a lot of "proof of concept" viruses out there, that havent gotten anywhere becuase of obscureity, but then if you are looking at only worst case, why limit yourself to a Mac, why not just use BSD?
it is after all what OS X is based on, it has more support, it is more secure [to the point where companies like Symantec dont really bother to keep an index [OpenBSD]]
BSD wipes the floor with OS X, in ever way imaginable.
After all OS X is BSD but it has more kinks to exploit!
3. Yes, you can load PC software onto the Windows side of your Mac. There are no issues either with running Windows on my Mac that I have come across yet. I even use Remote Assistance on the Windows Side to fix other peoples PC's all the time! It's a NICE income for me since Windows Screws up so much and gets so many virus', spyware, malware and adware!!! Windows keeps me making money off of the idiots running windows on a PC!!!
Email me if you want me to fix your PC/Windows!!! I have NEVER been asked to fix a Mac! Mac JUST WORKS!!!!!! Works ALL THE TIME TOO!!!!
Ok...
I have a problem with OS X
Ive got a SLI Quadro 3800, I use Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and Photoshop CS4.
under Windows I can use special drivers for my Quadro to use GPU acceleration in both applications.
This is a feature of the hardware the Windows drivers take advantage of it, it is not the OS is a feature of the application that is only present in the Windows version.
How to I use Quadro application acceleration in OS X?
hardware is dual Xeon X5365, 20Gb Fully Buffered PC2-5300 667MHz, dual Quadro FX3800
If you can fix this "problem" then you can fix any mac problem ;)
The only reason many had to buy Windows was because the business markets primarily use Windows and programs such as Microsoft Office. Today, Mac's can read, open and save documents in Microsoft formats for all to use. There are NO issues with integrating your Mac to be used on a Window's Network and share PC Type Documents.
Programs such as iWork (the equal to MS Office) is a mere $79 versus Microsofts $400+ . iWork can save, open, and share in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats with ease! No Need for the expensive MS Office anymore!
Office retails here for £75 [3cal licence] for the CD/DVD & download version while iWork costs £85 [5cal licence] for the download version.
Office also includes OneNote, iWork isnt compatable with OneNote, or at least it doesnt say it is.
My Mac runs just as fast 2 years later as it did the day I bought it!
Peopel can say the same about Windows based PC, Linux based PC, BSD based PCs, it doesnt mean anything at all! | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 4:37:55 PM | I kindly disagree on many points.
Macs are more expensive when you take two identical systems hardware wise, you will pay extra for the "looks" of a Mac. go to any store and look at the specs and you will see it.
Not exactly true a mac with the same hardware specs will run faster, even with a windows os installed.
Macs do have less viruses, however a hacker that hacked into the mac os said it's much easier to hack into mac than a windows machine. In reality I think getting infected with mac os is much less than a windows machine.
Peopel can say the same about Windows based PC, Linux based PC, BSD based PCs, it doesnt mean anything at all!
Not true at all, most windows experts suggest to reformat at least once a year. Most people find windows slows down as time goes by.
From what I read and hear, mac has 2% increase most to the white macs since they are the cheapest.
If you are buying a mac book I highly recommend you getting apple care since repairing a macbook is very expensive. The latest macbook pro has the longest battery life so if that's important to you, you should get it.
I will get a macbook when I decide to upgrade, maybe in 4 years time. I simply don't need to right now. I am happy running linux, I just don't need windows, especially with the activation hassles. | |
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- don
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Joined: 4/23/2009
Msg: 18 | |
| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 5:29:40 PM | As another poster mentioned, Mac can also run Sun's Virtualbox, but this is for Intel-Only Macs (I'm pretty sure VMware runs on both) but if you go with an Intel Mac, Virtualbox is free.
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
* VirtualBox 3.0.6 for OS X hosts Intel Macs
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I personally prefer running Windows inside a Virtual Machine on a UNIX based OS (in your case would be a Mac) mainly because Windows is easy to break/mess up and when it does mess up, I can always revert back to a virtual machine I cloned/backed-up/...
If you run Mac inside a virtual machine on Windows (which is illegal unless run on Mac hardware), if Windows breaks/takes a dump, so does your virtual guest.
To me it makes sense to have your Host (main OS, hosts the vm) be a solid foundation to run the 'Guest' (guest OS runs on host)
And IMO, running Mac inside Windows seems like it would defeat the purpose of getting a Mac to begin with.
& being a teacher/professor, It doesn't sound like you're a hardcore gamer and you mentioned that the only reason you want Windows is for compatibility with the school board. In my opinion, Mac makes sense.
*For virtualization software (sounds more complicated than it really is) VMware Fusion is about $75 and Sun Microsystems' Virtual Box is free...In my experience with both, VMware is better and will have better support with VMware. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 6:42:23 PM | If he doesnt need games then dont bother with Windows at all.
Windows has a larger software catalogue...
If you think of the software you want, or better still think of what you want to do, find the software to do it and then get a computer based on that, rather than based on the OS.
The OS is the vehicle to do a job, its not the tools to do the job with.
Best OS by far is BSD, its what apple chose to base OS X on! | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 10:30:23 PM | | I'll just say this: everyone who I know, who uses Windows, hasn't owned a Mac. Everyone who I know who owned a Mac, even if they used Windows before, wouldn't use Windows now, not unless it's at work, and they don't have a choice, and then at home, they've got a Mac, or nothing. | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/12/2009 11:01:16 PM | Thank you all for your comments and opinions.
What was recommended to me by the sales rep, as kevin28104 stated above, was to install Windows on the MAC using bootcamp. I thought this meant that you have to boot in either MAC or Windows. He also recommended accessing the Internet using the MAC boot. I only intend to use the Windows side when using Windows applications and doing work to be in synch with the school.
Kevin, it sounds like you agree that the MAC operating system is more secure and robust than Windows then.
I also run Windows XP on my system with BootCamp (preinstalled on a Mac) and I use VMware Fusion to run Windows side by side with Mac! The Windows runs better on the Mac than it ever ran on any of the dozen PC's I owned! If Windows is running side by side, is one of them running as a virtual machine? I am not clear what you mean by "side by side". | |
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- don
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Joined: 4/23/2009
Msg: 22 | |
| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/13/2009 2:38:30 AM |
If Windows is running side by side, is one of them running as a virtual machine? I am not clear what you mean by "side by side".
Not sure what he's doing but sounds like he's dual-booting(w/bootcamp) and running Windows inside a Virtual Machine.
Dual-Booting (bootcamp)= you choose one or the other at the time of boot....2 OSes installed side by side.
Virtualizing (VMware Fusion -or- Virtual Box) = you boot your Mac OS and if you need to use Windows, you can start it up while your Mac OS is running...Run them both at the same time.
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If you use Windows as Virtual Machine (VM), it will run as a contained instance of Windows that you are able to start or stop or even pause.
Virtualizing gives you a lot more flexibility because you can run Mac Only --or-- run Mac & Windows at the same time.
You can be using your Mac and decide that you need Windows, start VMware, and be running Windows while still having your Mac available. If you decide you are done using Windows you can shutdown or even pause Windows and turn off VMware (or your computer) and come back to Windows whenever you want it again.
If anything ever happens to your Windows VM (Virus or whatever), you can revert back to a snapshot of your Windows or start a backup copy/clone of your Windows VM and be running again in minutes instead of hours (hours referring to fixing/reinstalling Windows in a dual-boot environment)
Here is a video from the VMware site that will explain more:
http://download3.vmware.com/demos/fusion/
(it would be like running Windows in a browser window on your desktop...full screen view is also available) | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/13/2009 5:07:21 AM |
I'll just say this: everyone who I know, who uses Windows, hasn't owned a Mac. Everyone who I know who owned a Mac, even if they used Windows before, wouldn't use Windows now, not unless it's at work, and they don't have a choice, and then at home, they've got a Mac, or nothing.
Ive owned a Mac, my computer is a Mac Pro, the componants are what was used in Mac Pros, Ive run OS X on it, and I dont mean just a quick install and a look see, I mean I used it, got some trial software and ran that set it up to use it as my main OS.
Yeah I liked it, it wasnt bad, it really wasnt.
It wasnt as good as BSD but it had a look BSD didnt have, and for a while it had something the others didnt, but then I started to see problems, problems that just didnt have any solutions, even Mac experts didnt have any solutions to the problems I had.
I saw the holes in it, I noticed the problems with it, and the lack of care people have with it, the attitude you get when you notice a problem is unreal, its almost as if people are saying How dare you insult the great OS, you piss ant, its not the OS it must be you, because your the only one to have such a problem...
In the end I ditched OS X and went to Vista Business with Ive found to be a better OS, not without some small problems but none were so big and the best thing is Vista uses all of my hardware to the best of its ability! | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/13/2009 1:43:56 PM | My final decision for this PC will be tomorrow.
I wrecked my knee last Friday, so it has slowed my pace! ... and delayed this decision and purchase.
The rep said that if you run Leopard alongside Windows, that the system will be slower. At this point in time I don't see a reason for really running both at the same time for what I will be doing. I realize that the re-boot will take time ...... but my systems logic seems to lean me towards feeling that the system will run cleaner when booted separately.
He also recommended not to update Windows with any updates, when I inquired about the automatic updates. I shouldn't need the updates since I will be accessing the Internet most of the time through my MAC boot.
... yet I still have my hesitations in believing that Windows will run without a hitch on the MAC .......
I will follow up on the links you have all posted .......
... what I really want to hear as well is the real live experience of any of you who have run Windows on the MAC. Theory is one thing ..... but practical use is another! | |
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| Are more of you purchasing MAC systems over Windows?
Posted: 9/13/2009 1:53:09 PM |
... what I really want to hear as well is the real live experience of any of you who have run Windows on the MAC. Theory is one thing ..... but practical use is another!
I run Windows Vista on a computer that essentially a Mac Pro, if you lifted the hood on a Mac Pro you would see x y z, if you lift the hood on my computer you will see x y z.
I went to Vista because of the support from Apple, it is very constraining for me as a user, but if your uses arnt very demanding then you will have few needs for Windows, if you dont play games, nor want the massive catalogue of software then go for a Mac.
What exactly do you see youself doing on your computer? | |
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