I'm thinking of getting a mac. But a PC is much cheaper. I want to be able to use my computer for music. I love music and the garage band application on the mac is definitely a plus. I also need the computer for high school stuff. But my main concern is the software. If someone could give me the pros and cons of mac software i would appreciated it.
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
For what you pay for a Mac with lower specs, you can buy PC software that you want.. (and for not much money) there are equivalents to garage band on Windows and Linux. (And Open Office is free for Linux and Windows too.. In matter of fact it was on Linux and Windows before it was on the Mac)
Reasons not to get a Mac.
1) Mac uses a subset of PC hardware but you pay significantly more for it.
http://blogs.eweek.com/applewatch/content/channel/should_you_pay_twice_as_much_for_a_mac.html
2) Mac OS X less secure than either Windows Vista or Linux. Mac OS X was hacked in 30 min., 2. min, in 2006, 2008, 10 seconds in 2009.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html
http://www.osnews.com/story/13886
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/pwn-2-own-over-macbook-air-gets-seized-in-2-minutes-flat/
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/181/1049181/mac-hacked-two-minutes-flat
3) Although Mac currently does not have as many Spyware/Viruses they are on the rise.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/26/more_mac_malware/
http://blog.absolute.com/mac-malware-on-the-rise/
http://www.techchuck.com/2009/01/26/mac-malware-tide-on-the-rise/
4) Linux has more cool effects than Mac OS X and can do every effect Mac can do..
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=compiz+fusion&emb=0&aq=0&oq=compiz+f#
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=compiz+fusion&emb=0&aq=0&oq=compiz+f#q=cairo+dock&emb=0
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=compiz+fusion&emb=0&aq=0&oq=compiz+f#q=awn+dock&emb=0
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=compiz+fusion&emb=0&aq=0&oq=compiz+f#q=linux+look+like+mac&emb=0
5) For graphics/video production PC is equally as good. Each company has it's preferences but Dreamworks Animation uses PCs
http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ (under studio- Technology of Animation)..
6) All computer manufacturers have problems but there are plenty of problems with Mac.
Sample problem with battery reveals truth http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2007/04/apple-acknowledges-macbook-battery-problems.ars
http://www.appledefects.com
7) Follow the logic:
Facts...
A) XP and Linux are faster than Vista, Mac
B) OS X runs faster with more memory,
C) Vista runs faster than OS X on Mac with 2+gb http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/vista-runs-faster-on-mac-pro-than-apples-os-x/
logical deduction from facts above (
- CONCLUSION: A PC with Vista 2+gb runs faster than Mac OS X with lower specs but even with higher specs since a Mac uses the same components (so if B AND C are true this is a true statement, AND A would be even faster) as a PC .., remember Linux and XP run faster than Vista..
ANOTHER OPTION: Dual boot with LINUX - You don't need to choose Windows or Linux... have both at no extra cost..
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing
General Information About Linux:
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi
8) Apple advises people using macs to purchase Antivirus software due to the significant rise in viruses.
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
So any mac fan cannot claim "no need for antivirus software" for mac. Not only that, as there are really good free anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware programs for the PC such as Avira Antivir. Which means you will shelling out more even more $$$ for the Mac.
Comodo Free Software
http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
IoBit has a free System Care and excellent defragger program
http://www.iobit.com/
CCleaner is an excellent junk cleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/
ANTI-VIRUS
Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by consumer reports 2009.
http://www.free-av.com/
Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/
ANTI-MALWARE
Windows Defender (FREE)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation - No Realtime protection on free version.
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol
Spyware Terminator (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/Spyware-Terminator/3000-8022_4-10468541.html?tag=mncol
AD-Spyware Terminator (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Spyware-Terminator/3000-8022_4-63631.html?tag=mncol
ANTI-SPAM
SPAMFIGHTER STANDARD (FREE)
http://www.spamfighter.com/Download_download.asp
FREE TO TRY (15 days) Vipre (rated excellent) http://download.cnet.com/Vipre-Antivirus-Antispyware/3000-8022_4-10870576.html?tag=mncol
SPYWARE BLOCKER
Spyware Blaster (FREE) http://download.cnet.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022_4-10196637.html?tag=mncol
Software to prevent Bad Websites
WOT (FREE) http://www.mywot.com/
SiteAdvisor (FREE) http://www.siteadvisor.com/
Anonymous
1
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Pros for Mac: Fewer viruses are geared toward Mac's in general. Macs have an image of being cool (got to love good advertising agencies and the susceptibility of young folks to get reeled in by flashy commercials).
Pros for PC: Cheaper... Everything (and I do mean everything) is cheaper. Cheaper software, more computing power per $ than mac by 2 to 3 times. Software compatibility - Most computer programs are written for the PC. Only when Mac's started using the Intel processor did a lot more software titles become available for Mac. Even now, it is difficult to get common software programs for the Mac sometimes.
charm_k
Its a well known fact that PCs crash more often than Mac.
and in my personal experience if you work while multiple programs running at the same time, PC performs poorly. You won't notice the difference in Mac.
And Mac comes with all the essential software and hardware no need to look for additional drivers and stuffs and headaches associated with it.
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-pc-and-mac/
Jessica Queller
What software does your high school use?
If you just need a word processor, you can buy Microsoft Office for Mac or you can get OpenOffice for Mac for free.
But if you need specialized Windows-only software, you should get a Windows-preinstalled computer. Windows-only software includes OneNote and AutoCAD.
It really comes down to what software you plan to use. A lot of software is cross-platform, especially if you're talking about Mac and Windows (and not Linux).