Apple vs. Microsoft, an objective 'debate'...mostly objective

First of all, I'm just going to say, I'll never own a Mac, for four simple reasons: Troubleshooting your own issues on a Mac is harder than on Windows, I like building my own computers from scratch, Windows systems are far less expensive for better specs, and I like computer games that just aren't available on the Mac. That said, you now know where I stand.

Second, there's pretty much no such thing as a Microsoft fanboy/fangirl. Fan, perhaps, but not to the extent of listing your gender. Apple has lots of fanboys. I have yet to meet an Apple fangirl, but I'm sure they exist. In my experience (and I have plenty), anyone who understands the good about Microsoft also understands the bad, and generally they know the good and the bad about Macs. *Most* of the Apple fans I know think that everything Steve Jobs approves of is infallible, that it's from God to Steve to us. I know that Apple is really trying to target the computer-inept people with shiny, pretty new toys that aren't the easiest thing to break, but for that reason I could never like it. They think that if it's shiny it should appeal to everyone, but I'm WAY too technical. Great example: the iPhone. I can't think of a phone that is available in the US and DOESN'T accept MicroSD or at least SOME type of expandable memory, with the exception of the iPhone. How much more versatile the phone could be if it just had a MicroSD slot. Heck, the next generation of XD chips will support a theoretical maximum capacity of 2TB. How easy to just carry with you a couple MicroSD chips, one for music and one for movies, or whatever you want.

Now, Microsoft has, in the past, screwed up royally, often. Security is a major risk for Windows users, but I know someone who's mom got a virus on her Mac within one month of getting it. I haven't gotten a virus that had any noticeable effects effects effects effects (hahaha) in about a year. Granted, I get errors and problems pretty frequently, game crashes and browser crashes (even Chrome, which I rather like), but lately I haven't had too many problems, and most of the ones I've had I knew how to fix without even going online. Also, I don't like the way Apple does their main interface. The idoeverythingandyoucantchangeit bar at the top, and the dock, and the big freaking desktop icons that they paid people too much money to design. You can't even do a real fullscreen window like in Windows. The taskbar at the bottom is so handy, tiny little icons that don't waste space, and separate tabs for each window open makes window switching easy. And the Start menu is just handy, too.

I know that it sounds pretty biased, but all I'm doing is telling people that there actually IS bad stuff about Apple and there actually IS good stuff about Microsoft, because they know the opposite is true. But, this is really just an opinion. Feel free to state your opinions, as long as you're not flaming anyone.

I wholeheartedly concur with what you have just ranted.

Yay! Glad someone does.

I have a pretty powerful desktop I built that runs XP Pro. I wanted a laptop and decided to go with a mac. I had played on them because I worked at both circuit city and best buy, so I knew what they were all about. I must say I love it. I don't use it for gaming really just normal stuff you would do with a laptop. That being said in my opinion and experience Mac OS dominates Windows in every aspect except for its incompatibility with games.

I seen you mentioned solving problems on a mac is tougher than windows.. The great thing about Mac OS is the problems you encounter and experience on a windows computer do not exist on Mac OS, there are no problems period. Viruses and spyware isn't a threat which is nice. It never slows down, even over a year now its just as fast as when I purchased it with little maintenance. The OS is so time efficient, everything is the way an OS should be. No complaints here, in fact I hardly use my desktop anymore, mainly because I game on my 360. So you know I don't hate microsoft.. I liked XP Pro, I mastered it but I wouldn't go back microsoft. If you ever want a laptop check out mac's. The trackpad has to be an all time great invention, and all the little physical features all come in handy. When I bought this I remember thinking they thought of everything not only when they designed the computer itself but the OS as well. I know many of you will say there over priced, but people just don't know what they're really like unless you spend some time checking them out and playing around with it. BTW google cool mac apps. There's several sites that spotlight hundreds of cool apps. Most are free, some cost money but not much. I have DL'd quite a few and many that come in handy. App fresh, Neo office, and Vuze to name a few.

Another thing.. They is no installing drivers. I hooked up a 6 year old HP printer and it just works, no installing, no going to hp's website or looking for cd's... It just prints. Same with other usb devices. Installing programs is weird at first, it just shows a box, and two big pictures. The picture on the left is the logo of your program, and to the right a folder. You just drag the logo to the folder and thats that.

If your not a hardcore gamer, and ever want a solid portable laptop. You gotta check these out. I still love my other PC. Ill be running Diablo 3 on that if it ever comes out.

Viruses are a threat, as stated in my original post, even if a small one. Apple's Safari is still the most vulnerable web browser. And also, I often enjoy trying to find and install drivers, etc, because it gets me thinking and I learn. Macs don't teach you, Microsoft does...they teach you to buy a Mac or learn to like issues, haha.

With no disrespect I dunno about the story of the persons mom and all that. It depends what you want. One day you will want a portable pc ( One you can't just build ) and Im saying you should look at a mac. The interface IS different, which is a good thing. Windows feels right to you because thats all you know. In my opinion apples interface is flawless, its fully customizable, and the top bar is just sick. There is no need for desktop icons or a start menu. I simply go to the top right corner of the little magnifying glass, and boom my top programs are listed. If thats not good enough I type the first couple letters of that programs name and boom there it is. If you want icons thats fine do it, but the size of them are the same on my mac. You can mac the icon bar go away if you want the full window for browsing.

I would agree that windows is great for gaming, or the person that wants to build they're own pc for less. But If you want to buy one for other reasons, you would love mac.

G Fourty said:

One day you will want a portable pc

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Windows Mobile Pocket PC, already got one. MacBook doesn't fit in my pocket.

Having some experience with Macs I would have to say Windows is better. For Macs, IMO that top gray bar is quite ugly, the personalisation features can be annoying, the incompatibility with games (as has been stated already) sucks, it makes things too easy and the appearance of their computer products are just....I don't have a word to describe it, I just personally do not like it.
But like I've said, this is just my opinion.

I, personally, cannot see why anyone would want a Mac. I used them in school extensively for years, I'm well aware of what they can do, and that is: suck. Not once has a Mac ever outperformed Windows in any situation. I know this because I went home from school every day, got on my PC, and said to myself with joy, "Finally, a computer that doesn't fail." This opinion is based solely on personal experience.

Now viruses, that is laughable. Only n00bs obtain such things, and if you are a n00b, learn or GTFO. It is no secret that the reason Mac has few viruses is directly related to the fact that few people use them. Only the superior userbase is worth making viruses for.

Now, I could go on for days, but I am straight and to the point. Windows can do more than Macs can. That's that.

Well all I can say is that I was just like you guys. Mac's suck etc. etc. When I started using mac OS it was like I died and went to heaven. Seriously.

Human Symphony...

I like your laser rap but I laughed at your comments about mac OS. You have no valid points in this argument what so ever. Im sure your home pc was for one a more powerful computer, and second you were using them with a sole purpose at school. I only know Mac OS X, and it rocks. I do NOT use my laptop to game, now tell me human why should I use pc again?

Hmmm lets see,

I don't miss the crashing and freezing, or the garbage that comes pre installed, I don't miss the problems and maintenance. I used windows my whole life so I know. So before you hoe mac at least bring some solid points. Don't just say macs suck blah blah blah cuz your wrong. If you don't game there aren't many reason's to use windows unless you just want to for any other reason.

BTW what "failed" in your experience with mac os and which OS was it? Oh ya and If you say vista is better... then I know YOUR a noob.

G Fourty said:

With no disrespect I dunno about the story of the persons mom and all that. It depends what you want. One day you will want a portable pc ( One you can't just build ) and Im saying you should look at a mac. The interface IS different, which is a good thing. Windows feels right to you because thats all you know. In my opinion apples interface is flawless, its fully customizable, and the top bar is just sick. There is no need for desktop icons or a start menu. I simply go to the top right corner of the little magnifying glass, and boom my top programs are listed. If thats not good enough I type the first couple letters of that programs name and boom there it is. If you want icons thats fine do it, but the size of them are the same on my mac. You can mac the icon bar go away if you want the full window for browsing.

I would agree that windows is great for gaming, or the person that wants to build they're own pc for less. But If you want to buy one for other reasons, you would love mac.

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I work on computers for a living. I hold degrees in computer science and electronics engineering and I HATE Apple.

My issues arise beginning with the fact that MacOS is nothing more than Apple's linux distro, yet they would like you to believe that it was written by Jesus Christ himself with the help of a few magical gnomes. All the real perks of MacOS can be found in any linux distro, and for free at that.

The so-called "virus invulnerability" that Apple touts is nothing more than playing the odds. Macs are no more "invulnerable" to viruses than I am. They hide behind the fact that the Apple market share is small. There's not nearly as many viruses and malware for Macs because it is not in the best interest of virus/malware authors to create them. All the money is in PCs..
But if you ask Steve Jobs, Macs are immune to viruses/malware because there is a magical white knight that lives in the Mac that leaps out and fends off all dangerous software with his giant flaming sword and diamond encrusted shield.

Don't get me wrong here, Macs are fine machines in terms of the things that make up a computer (hardware, software, it's all good..). My main issue with Apple is their business practices. They hide behind the numbers, the whole time trying to convince the public that Macs are magical machines, designed my God, built by Jesus Christ and washed with unicorn tears before being shipped to the customer. It's a crock of shit.

Now there are all these Mac snobs running around constantly talking about how superior their systems are and how owning a Mac makes you "extra super cool".. Very annoying when you are a person with a detailed understanding of computers and how they work. If you truly understand computers you know that Macs are just computers.. They run well and look nice, but there is nothing magical about them. Even now, Apple has begun to encourage Mac owners to install virus/malware protection software.. Why?? I ask.. Is the magical white knight no longer effective?

I wouldn't own a Mac if for no other reason than I would never want to be those people. I would not want to have to even associate with those people. It's like they honestly believe everything Apple tells them. Come on, people, think for yourselves.

G Fourty said:

Well all I can say is that I was just like you guys. Mac's suck etc. etc. When I started using mac OS it was like I died and went to heaven. Seriously.

Human Symphony...

I like your laser rap but I laughed at your comments about mac OS. You have no valid points in this argument what so ever. Im sure your home pc was for one a more powerful computer, and second you were using them with a sole purpose at school. I only know Mac OS X, and it rocks. I do NOT use my laptop to game, now tell me human why should I use pc again?

Hmmm lets see,

I don't miss the crashing and freezing, or the garbage that comes pre installed, I don't miss the problems and maintenance. I used windows my whole life so I know. So before you hoe mac at least bring some solid points. Don't just say macs suck blah blah blah cuz your wrong. If you don't game there aren't many reason's to use windows unless you just want to for any other reason.

BTW what "failed" in your experience with mac os and which OS was it? Oh ya and If you say vista is better... then I know YOUR a noob.

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No flaming. This wasn't REALLY bad, but calm down. Say stuff like, "Your points really don't seem valid, and here's why..." But in truth, he made a couple of solid points. The first of which is that his Windows machine is faster. For the $1200 price tag, I could buy a larger screen, faster processor, faster RAM, dual graphics cards (both of which would be better than the single card in the iMac), more HDD space, dual DVD-RW drives that both go up to 22x...basically better everything. It won't look as pretty, it won't be as compact, but I'll get to build it with my own two hands, and looking pretty isn't important to me. Furthermore, he's right that only n00bs get viruses (and electro freak is right that a system's 'invulnerability' is inversely proportional to its popularity). But that's Apple's target market: n00bs. In the coming years, unless Apple REALLY steps up their game, then they're going to get almost as bad a rap as Microsoft, with viruses. It's just going to get worse and worse. And G Fourty, don't say he's wrong, it's his opinion. And you know, you kind of sound like an Apple fanboy in your latest post

ElektroFreak said:

I work on computers for a living. I hold degrees in computer science and electronics engineering and I HATE Apple.

My issues arise beginning with the fact that MacOS is nothing more than Apple's linux distro, yet they would like you to believe that it was written by Jesus Christ himself with the help of a few magical gnomes. All the real perks of MacOS can be found in any linux distro, and for free at that.

The so-called "virus invulnerability" that Apple touts is nothing more than playing the odds. Macs are no more "invulnerable" to viruses than I am. They hide behind the fact that the Apple market share is small. There's not nearly as many viruses and malware for Macs because it is not in the best interest of virus/malware authors to create them. All the money is in PCs..
But if you ask Steve Jobs, Macs are immune to viruses/malware because there is a magical white knight that lives in the Mac that leaps out and fends off all dangerous software with his giant flaming sword and diamond encrusted shield.

Don't get me wrong here, Macs are fine machines in terms of the things that make up a computer (hardware, software, it's all good..). My main issue with Apple is their business practices. They hide behind the numbers, the whole time trying to convince the public that Macs are magical machines, designed my God, built by Jesus Christ and washed with unicorn tears before being shipped to the customer. It's a crock of shit.

Now there are all these Mac snobs running around constantly talking about how superior their systems are and how owning a Mac makes you "extra super cool".. Very annoying when you are a person with a detailed understanding of computers and how they work. If you truly understand computers you know that Macs are just computers.. They run well and look nice, but there is nothing magical about them. Even now, Apple has begun to encourage Mac owners to install virus/malware protection software.. Why?? I ask.. Is the magical white knight no longer effective?

I wouldn't own a Mac if for no other reason than I would never want to be those people. I would not want to have to even associate with those people. It's like they honestly believe everything Apple tells them. Come on, people, think for yourselves.

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A man after my own heart XD

ElektroFreak said:

I work on computers for a living. I hold degrees in computer science and electronics engineering and I HATE Apple.

My issues arise beginning with the fact that MacOS is nothing more than Apple's linux distro, yet they would like you to believe that it was written by Jesus Christ himself with the help of a few magical gnomes. All the real perks of MacOS can be found in any linux distro, and for free at that.

The so-called "virus invulnerability" that Apple touts is nothing more than playing the odds. Macs are no more "invulnerable" to viruses than I am. They hide behind the fact that the Apple market share is small. There's not nearly as many viruses and malware for Macs because it is not in the best interest of virus/malware authors to create them. All the money is in PCs..
But if you ask Steve Jobs, Macs are immune to viruses/malware because there is a magical white knight that lives in the Mac that leaps out and fends off all dangerous software with his giant flaming sword and diamond encrusted shield.

Don't get me wrong here, Macs are fine machines in terms of the things that make up a computer (hardware, software, it's all good..). My main issue with Apple is their business practices. They hide behind the numbers, the whole time trying to convince the public that Macs are magical machines, designed my God, built by Jesus Christ and washed with unicorn tears before being shipped to the customer. It's a crock of shit.

Now there are all these Mac snobs running around constantly talking about how superior their systems are and how owning a Mac makes you "extra super cool".. Very annoying when you are a person with a detailed understanding of computers and how they work. If you truly understand computers you know that Macs are just computers.. They run well and look nice, but there is nothing magical about them. Even now, Apple has begun to encourage Mac owners to install virus/malware protection software.. Why?? I ask.. Is the magical white knight no longer effective?

I wouldn't own a Mac if for no other reason than I would never want to be those people. I would not want to have to even associate with those people. It's like they honestly believe everything Apple tells them. Come on, people, think for yourselves.

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Dude....You are now my best friend

G Fourty said:

Well all I can say is that I was just like you guys. Mac's suck etc. etc. When I started using mac OS it was like I died and went to heaven. Seriously.

Human Symphony...

I like your laser rap but I laughed at your comments about mac OS. You have no valid points in this argument what so ever. Im sure your home pc was for one a more powerful computer, and second you were using them with a sole purpose at school. I only know Mac OS X, and it rocks. I do NOT use my laptop to game, now tell me human why should I use pc again?

Hmmm lets see,

I don't miss the crashing and freezing, or the garbage that comes pre installed, I don't miss the problems and maintenance. I used windows my whole life so I know. So before you hoe mac at least bring some solid points. Don't just say macs suck blah blah blah cuz your wrong. If you don't game there aren't many reason's to use windows unless you just want to for any other reason.

BTW what "failed" in your experience with mac os and which OS was it? Oh ya and If you say vista is better... then I know YOUR a noob.

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Your argument is the laughable one. You sound like an arrogant fanboy :wtf: When buying a Mac, you are paying MORE for LESS. There's the #1 reason not to get one. You say you're not into gaming? So you're gonna pay over $1k more not to game and have inferior specs? That makes no sense whatsoever.

I have had Macs crash on me far more times than windows ever has. The fact is Macs CAN become cluttered AND WILL be subjected to slower performance. Damn that spinning wheel!

You're right, I did have a better PC. Not because of its specs, but because it was running XP. A 2ghz celeron, 256mb ram kicked your stupid iMac's ass on a daily basis. With my current PC, Mac stands no chance, and I built it for several hundred dollars, not several thousand.

Mac shall never win.

You say you're not into gaming? So you're gonna pay over $1k more not to game and have inferior specs? That makes no sense whatsoever.

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HAHAHAHA MAN I can't stop laughing!

HumanSymphony said:

Your argument is the laughable one. You sound like an arrogant fanboy :wtf: When buying a Mac, you are paying MORE for LESS. There's the #1 reason not to get one. You say you're not into gaming? So you're gonna pay over $1k more not to game and have inferior specs? That makes no sense whatsoever.

I have had Macs crash on me far more times than windows ever has. The fact is Macs CAN become cluttered AND WILL be subjected to slower performance. Damn that spinning wheel!

You're right, I did have a better PC. Not because of its specs, but because it was running XP. A 2ghz celeron, 256mb ram kicked your stupid iMac's ass on a daily basis. With my current PC, Mac stands no chance, and I built it for several hundred dollars, not several thousand.

Mac shall never win.

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Now, now, play nice!

One of the other things is that, going back to what Electro Freak said, OS X isn't anything special. It's the prettiest OS I've ever seen, but that doesn't mean it's better. Case in point: YouTube - Miss Teen South Carolina

Furthermore, they didn't even write their own kernel. They took a free UNIX kernel (FreeBSD I think), and then just made a pretty GUI. UNIX wasn't designed to be a user-friendly, GUI OS, its roots were in server systems. Ironically, the only thing funnier than a Linux gamer is a Mac server.