Week in Windows: PCs vs. Macs for the holidays
If you successfully avoided those questionable Black Friday PC deals, but you're still in the market for a new computer this holiday season, it's worth checking out Rob Pegoraro's no-nonsense "How to Choose a PC" column from the Washington Post -- which starts by breaking down the pros and cons of Macs and Windows PCs. His conclusion: Macs are technically superior, but the price means they're not for everyone.
"It's fair to call a Mac a luxury," he writes. "It's more affordable than many other luxuries, but see what your bank account has to say first."
If your bank account says it's a Mac, check out Macworld's latest Mac buying guide,
explaining the features and differences among Apple notebooks and
desktops. If you decide to go for a Windows 7 PC instead, see
Microsoft's "PC Scout" online utility for some help narrowing down your many choices.
Speaking of Windows vs. Macs, the latest web traffic stats from online research firm Net Applications suggest that Microsoft's new operating system exceeded Macs in overall usage last weekend, at least temporarily, according to a ComputerWorld report. That's largely a function of Windows' larger market share, but the rapid rise is another sign that Windows 7 is doing well.
However, the traffic patterns also suggest that Windows 7 is being adopted more quickly by home users than by businesses, blogger John Lister notes. As industry analyst Roger Kay has noted, that's not as good for Microsoft, because business upgrades are mostly voluntary, driven by a desire for the new operating system, whereas consumer usage is largely a function of PCs preloaded with the new OS at retail.
Here's the type of headache Windows users were hoping to avoid this time around: Reports began to surface this week that Windows Vista machines with a specific type of Intel storage driver were unable to move to Windows 7 because of a problem in the upgrade process. See this Microsoft support document for a detailed description of the symptoms, and a temporary workaround for the problem. Glitches like this were widespread in early days of Windows Vista, but they've proven less common with Windows 7 -- so far.
Despite the best efforts of MacDailyNews
and others, it appears that Microsoft successfully thwarted an attempt
by Mac fans to take over the Windows 7-powered window displays at Saks
Fifth Avenue in New York. Microsoft had invited people to submit
messages to display on screens in the window by using a #holidaywindows
hash tag on Twitter. Hundreds of pro-Mac messages appeared in the raw
Twitter feed, causing the Mac faithful to think they had hijacked the
public displays. But Microsoft says it was filtering the messages all along and none of the Mac-oriented tweets showed up in the windows.
Wired calls Windows 7 and Google's Chrome browser an "excellent" combination on netbooks. "The two together make pretty good use of a netbook’s most limited resources: screen size and processor power," writes Dylan Tweney for Wired.com's GadgetLab. "The result is a surprisingly pleasant combination for browsing, working in GMail and Google Docs, and other lightweight tasks." He notes that it's also a good sign for Google's plan to launch its own Chrome operating system next year, initially targeting netbooks.
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 12:08 PM
TO: All
RE: Heh....
...why wasn't my previous post admited?
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out....]
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 12:09 PM
P.S. Anything to do with the comment about the NSA's involvement in the development of Window 7?
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 12:10 PM
P.P.S. Good thing I capture these comments....
....for future reference, eh?
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 12:14 PM
TO: All
RE: THIS....
Macs are technically superior, but the price means they're not for everyone.
"It's fair to call a Mac a luxury," he writes. "It's more affordable than many other luxuries, but see what your bank account has to say first." -- article (above)
....is indicative.
You want the best? You pay for it.
You want 'cheap s---'? Well....you pay for that too....in the long run.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Ya getz what yaz payz for.]
Mike G on November 29, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Yeah, the Mac is a luxury, if your time is worth nothing.
That said, if Windows has come up with a version that's more Mustang than Pinto for once, that's good news for Mac users too... in a year or two. Real competition is always good.
Also, I'd just as soon not see the government bail Windows out like GM....
Bob on November 29, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Sigh! I've been watching this Mac vs. PC thing for years. For heavens sakes guys, some folks drive Ford's and others drive Chevy's. And there are those that can afford Lamborghini's. Get over it!
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 12:33 PM
TO: Bob
RE: So Sorry....
...but this system would not allow me to reply to your comment.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Think about it.....]
PJ on November 29, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I've been running out of the box Windows machines since I had a Mac Plus in college (yes I'm old). I haven't had to do anything too time consuming in the last 3 years.
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 12:43 PM
TO: PJ
RE: Okay
"I've been running out of the box Windows machines since I had a Mac Plus in college (yes I'm old). I haven't had to do anything too time consuming in the last 3 years." -- PJ
If I understand you rightly here....
....tell me when you get to the point you're doing presentations to your local city council. Or perhaps to some state-level organization.
Then again, as I stated in another such thread elsewhere this week, planning the rail-car requirements to move a heavy-brigade across the country as part of a national mobilization effort, i.e., Gulf War I.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[God is alive....and Airborne-Ranger qualified....and so am I.]
hM on November 29, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Aside from the fact that I've never liked the Mac OS, the major reason I refuse to buy into the Mac hype and get a Mac (even though I can certainly afford it) is the overbearing snobbiness of the Mac owners I know. I don't particularly enjoy being told I'm stupid for owning a PC and that I can't complain about people who create and spread viruses because I choose to own a PC over a Mac. Newsflash to Mac owners with superiority complexes: Macs do indeed get viruses. Interestingly enough, as Macs have become more popular there is more news about Mac viruses. So, really, get over yourselves.
I'm sure Macs are great for some people - I own an iPhone for crying out loud. But I'm more than happy to stick with PCs that I can build from scratch myself and customize according to what I want them to do. As a matter of fact, I'm writing this comment from a Windows 7 machine I built myself a few months ago. From the assembly to the software installation to actual use there have been no problems.
If you want a Mac, buy a Mac. But for the love of all that is good and holy keep your preening and snide remarks about PCs to yourself. It only makes you look insecure. And whiny.
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:00 PM
TO: hM
RE: Heh
"Aside from the fact that I've never liked the Mac OS, the major reason I refuse to buy into the Mac hype and get a Mac (even though I can certainly afford it) is the overbearing snobbiness of the Mac owners I know." -- hM
Sounds like 'projection' to me.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
P.S. Either that or an interesting form of 'denial'....
P.P.S. You're welcome to whatever situation you put yourself into....
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:04 PM
TO: All
RE: The Most 'Telling'....
...aspect of this discussion is THIS....
....Mac users can work in BOTH environments. I.e., we get to pick and choose what works best for us.
Whereas those 'stuck' on Windows-based platforms have absolutely NO 'flexibility'. Or, in other words....
....they don't celebrate 'diversity'.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out....one way or another....]
hM on November 29, 2009 at 01:10 PM
I'm not projecting anything. I really don't care what my friends choose to use for their computing needs. I've had "friends" flat-out tell me I'm stupid for choosing a computer. To my face. That's not projection.
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:11 PM
TO: mH
RE: Virus Issues
"Newsflash to Mac owners with superiority complexes: Macs do indeed get viruses." -- mH
Tell US about 'Red Flag'.
I was working the USWest White Pages Computer Lab (WPCL) when that struck.
The IT types were having 'fits' trying to deal with it.
A pair of them rushed into the WPCL, in their effort to limit and control the infection.
They took one look at the array of 12 Macs—responsible for cranking out ALL the White Pages and Government Pages pages for the western third of the United States, heaved a great sigh of relief and rushed out to find OTHER 'Windows-based' platforms that were perpetrating the infection.
Sooooooo....
....please show US an example on that scale involving Macs.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out.....]
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:22 PM
TO: mH
RE: Yeah....Right....
"I'm not projecting anything. I really don't care what my friends choose to use for their computing needs. I've had "friends" flat-out tell me I'm stupid for choosing a computer. To my face. That's not projection." -- mH
....denial is SOOOOOO 'important' to some people.
And, if your REAL 'friends' tell you the 'truth', they're obviously 'lying'.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out....]
hM on November 29, 2009 at 01:22 PM
You know, I've seen you comment on other blogs and thought you were funny (sometimes). Now you just seem incredibly childish.
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:22 PM
P.S. Once again....
....this 'system' wouldn't allow my previous comment through....
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:24 PM
TO: hM
RE: Heh
"You know, I've seen you comment on other blogs and thought you were funny (sometimes). Now you just seem incredibly childish." -- hM
The Truth 'hurts', eh?
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Liar, n., One who tells an unpleasant truth. -- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, c. 19th Century]
George on November 29, 2009 at 01:28 PM
I just helped a friend buy their first Mac. It was a 27" quad-core iMac. It's a killer machine.
Just for hoots, I went to the Dell site and tried to configure a machine with the same specifications. What I could put together actually cost more than the Mac!
Take the challenge yourself. Go to the Dell (or even HP) site and configure a machine with the following specifications:
2.66 GHz Intel quad core processor,
1 TB hard drive
512 MB video graphics
4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 memory
2560 x 1440 pixel, 27" display.
We purchased the iMac on Black Friday for $1900. So that is the price to beat.
If you can meet all of these specifications and beat that price, I'd like to see it.
Arni on November 29, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Meh, Macs are PCs. They've got these nifty little intel processors, can run MS Windows or even a real operating system - although I wouldn't pay Mac prices when I can run Linux on a cheaper PC.
Chuck Pelto on November 29, 2009 at 01:36 PM
TO: George
RE: The 'Price' to Beat
Try a Mac Mini Server with 4 GB RAM, 1 TB HD and the server software for $1K.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
P.S We procured one to replace TWO G4 machines that have served us well for the last 8 years. Including a 10.2 Server machine.
Rich on November 29, 2009 at 01:48 PM
With a PC I can run any Windows OS, Linux/UNIX flavor OS and Macs OS X too...except why would I? They don't make any worthwhile apps for Macs that I haven't had first on a PC...or that have a PC equivalent or better. And if you're a gamer forget it. Have fun playing that puzzle game with the Apple logo or the Sims. lol
"Playing games on a Mac is easy cause you've already played them all on a PC like 10 yrs ago."
"Upgrading a PC is confusing, you have to change jumpers and switches...on a Mac you just pick it up, throw it away and go buy a new one. Thats convenient!."
Kevitivity on November 29, 2009 at 01:49 PM
After spending years cleaning cleaning crap like spy-ware and trojans off of family/friends computers I began advocating Macs for everyone who isn't a Windows security expert. As a result I no longer have to do that kind of tech support for anyone anymore... quality of live has greatly improved.
And yes, Macs are technically superior to most PCs, simply because you can't buy a cheap-o Mac like you can with Dell or other name brands.
But Windows 7 (which I run in Bootcamp on my 8 way MacPro) does seem like the most Mac-like Windows OS yet - a big improvement over XP.
Rich on November 29, 2009 at 02:21 PM
"If you can meet all of these specifications and beat that price, I'd like to see it."
Easy. From Dell.com:
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Lunar Shadow, Alienware Aurora Chassis
Intel® Core™ i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processor
Single 1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260
6GB Triple Channel 1067MHz DDR3
1TB - SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 32MB Cache HDD
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
Plus a 28" Hannspree LCD flat panel from Amazon.com:
Total: $1804
And you get 800MB extra video mem, 2GB more system RAM and an extra inch on the display.
Walsingham on November 29, 2009 at 02:36 PM
I drive a GMC.
If I trolled every comment thread following an article about a Ford product labeling anyone who would buy a Ford over a GMC an idiot I would rightly be called out for the wanker that I am.
Yes, it applies here.