Mac can run Windows? Why shouldn't I get it? [Imported Thread]

[Steak-Ums]

I know I've talked about PCs vs. Macs, or some other kind of topic similar to that, but I just found out that a Mac can run Vista at the same time. Which means I can have a OS program and have Media Center running at the same time? I'm no computer expert, so I was wondering the Pros and Cons [again] because I just found out I'm getting a laptop of my choice...and I might even get a cheap desktop.

I've heard of some sort of Mini Mac that is a well..mini Mac...

I don't particularly want opinions, even though they will be taken into consideration, but facts..I know the obvious thing would be "Get the best one for you" but I don't know what's best.

I'd use it for writing, doing videos, music [I've always wanted to try something like low scale producing] and internet.

Plus I've heard Mac's don't get as many viruses.

[ This thread is imported from TW, so some of you have already given me your thoughts. ]

And Imelda has told me if I do get the VMware [the software that runs both OS's, don't get Vista. Why not? It's buggy, but how is it buggy?

[ I'm getting an iPod too! With my own money though...

[Imelda]

Damn, I forgot to rant about Vista over there. :p

Ok, Vista ... Vista.

Well for a start, unless you're prepared to alter registry settings (not advisable) you're going to have allllll kinds of irritating little messages. Practically everything you do it asks 'ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS? OPENING NOTEPAD MAY HARM YOUR COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! even though notepad is totally harmless.'

You try to attach a printer to it (probably not a problem for you) and the print spooler won't run, and nor will those programs it's dependent on.

It runs ALL kinds of junk in the background and it's flipping impossible to get rid of them.

It crashes.

It installs weird incompatible drivers for stuff (ask Shaun).

Barely any programs work, so you have to buy a lot of new stuff. And a lot of new stuff isn't compatible yet, so it's expensive.

It has all the problems of XP, only trebled, and none of them are fixed yet. It's just really not a good idea yet. A couple of years down the line when it's have a few service packs out, it might be fine, but I really wouldn't recommend it right now. To give you an idea of how rubbish it is: Microsoft offer free downgrades.

[jordanisonfire]

So, is Mac better then?

[Shaun]

No, Mac is not better.
Get Windows XP. Vista isn't as bad as Imelda says. For most people it will run better than XP because you won't notice any of the problems with Vista. Most of my issues with Vista are actually half to do with HP because HP hasn't released Vista compatible drivers, so Vista keeps installing the newest driver, even though it's not an HP update.

Edit: Decided to go more into Vista.
One issue that was resolved in Vista from XP is the RAM cache. In XP, when you run a program, such as a video game, and then close that program, you don't get back all the RAM that is supposed to be freed. So, to get it back you actually have to restart the computer. This causes XP to often run slower than it should (unless you have a LOT of RAM). Vista doesn't have this problem.
Some of the good things of Vista can also be its downfall. While it does automatically update drivers for you, it's not always correct. In my case, the driver it automatically updates is not a compatible driver because HP hasn't released the right driver. That's an HP issue, not a Windows issue. It's just annoying when you try to get it to not auto-install drivers.
Almost all programs that run on XP will run on Vista, and most of the earlier programs will too. There are some programs that don't. If you think you'll be using a lot of older stuff, perhaps consider staying with XP until compatibility programs are rectified.

As fro which to get. Depends on you. What are you going to use it for? First, Mac computers can run Windows now because of the new chip updates. But all it is is Windows running in Apple machinery, which is the same as installing Mac OS on PC machinery, only it doesn't work that way.
Now, if all you're planning to do is write, do multimedia stuff like music, movies, pictures, photoshop, then you could do Mac and be perfectly set. If you want to play the newest video games, or most of the video games for that matter, do online gaming, or anything basically to do with gaming, but still want to do writing and multimedia stuff, then you want a Windows based PC. It's best at the current time to stick with PC hardware with Windows simply because, just like Windows, Apple has as many stupid idiotic issues with their products. Look at the iPod. The first release iPods had lots of hard drive failures, battery failures, etc. The second release was the same, but less, and it wasn't until the latest few models that they ironed out the details. The difference is that with Windows you can fix problems easier than fixed Mac hardware issues.

Basically, it all depends on what you want to do.

[Steak-Ums]

I'm not into PC gaming, so The way you say it, Mac is the way to go...I don't see myself in some of the problems you described. Plus Mac has a lot of apps. that I'd be interested in. With that beat maker thing for music and such. I couldn't find how long a Mac's battery life is, and whether or not I need 1 or 2GB. Though I suppose it would be the former since I'm not playing games?


But is the Windows/Mac thing complicated?

And so you're saying Vista bugs will only be a nusiance to people who tinker with PCs?

[Shaun]

I'm not into PC gaming, so The way you say it, Mac is the way to go...I don't see myself in some of the problems you described. Plus Mac has a lot of apps. that I'd be interested in. With that beat maker thing for music and such. I couldn't find how long a Mac's battery life is, and whether or not I need 1 or 2GB. Though I suppose it would be the former since I'm not playing games?


But is the Windows/Mac thing complicated?

And so you're saying Vista bugs will only be a nusiance to people who tinker with PCs?

Always get the most RAM. 2 GB should be a minimum, not a maximum. Trust me, you'll want it, even in a Mac.
Mac batteries are probably the same as PC batteries for average laptop use. I get about 8 hours out of my little battery on my computer, but I bring my wall plug with me to campus to keep it charged. But battery life depends upon what you're doing. Most likely if all you're doing is writing and surfing the net, you'll get around 8 hours. You can buy longer lasting batteries usually too. Andy needs to come in here and talk Mac battery life since he's a Mac person.
Yes, if you don't play games, Mac is fine. It might take some getting used to because the interface is vastly different and not as user friendly as Windows, but once you figure it out, it'll be fine. Just realize that game playing will be mostly out of the question as far as newer games are concerned. They do release things to Mac, but not a lot of things.
Also, Windows can do everything a Mac can, and there are just as many apps for Windows. So if all you're wanting is nifty apps and stuff, just think about where you will be most comfortable.

As for putting Windows on a Mac, I haven't clue how to do it, or if it's worth trying to do. It would be difficult to manage two OS's because they would battle with one another. You'd have to have specific rules on which could run.

And yes, Vista is only a problem for people that really want to tinker. If you are only going to use MS Word and Firefox, you'll probably never have a problem with it. If you want to run something that was made in 1999, you might have issue. If you do registry manipulation, which I recommend not doing until you understand it, hardware tweaking, OS tweaking, etc., then Vista is not your friend. All OSes have their strong points and weak points.

[jordanisonfire]

I think I'll go with the Mac. I don't do gaming on my PC, except WoW sometimes, but I don't go on that much anymore. Is it true you can plug your Mac charger into your aeroplane seat?

[Imelda]

Mac batteries are way better than PC batteries. I didn't think 8 hours was possible, and you certainly can't get it over here. Mine lasts 2.5 hours if all I'm doing is typing in Notepad, and that's a really good time.

And Shaun, I already explained about the 2 OS thing. It's not that hard. *Covets new laptop with VMware*

Willis, you want me to ask that guy at work about Apple VMware tomorrow?

[Shaun]

It's hard for someone that hasn't done it before, or doesn't understand a lot about computers.
I think a lot of newer PC laptops have better batteries. My batteries are really good. I can go from 8:00 AM to 2:00 without getting into the red, depending on what I'm doing. That's a long time :). I can get about an hour-ish after that before I need to shut down.

[Imelda]

Actually the newer ones are worse (unless you have better ones than us) because they're not improving, but the computer are more powerful and suck energy something chronic.

And it is easy, silly. :p It's just like installing a program. Only more complex. Ok, so maybe a little harder than installing a program.

[jordanisonfire]

I'll just get a Mac laptop for Christmas or my birthday. I'll try this installing Windows thing and, if that doesn't work, I'll just use the Mac OS. I've always wanted to know what the Mac OS is like anyway.

[Steak-Ums]

Same for me Shadow, Mac is like a new country to me. No one I really know know has a Mac. Aren't you American btw Shadow? Because you said aeroplane, and that's British right?

And yes, they have little plugs that you can get when you order online for the plane rides.

If you're getting a Mac, and you're in America [UK might have it] you need to go to the Mac stores Black Friday. The 25th. The Friday after Thanksgiving, because they're having a sale or price cut of some kind.

[jordanisonfire]

There's a clue where I'm from in my location. :rolleyes:

[Steak-Ums]

Ah New Zealand, I had no idea! :P

It wasn't worth that time it took me to click to your profile though. You owe me a click of the mouse.

[jordanisonfire]

New Zealand... I wish!

[Imelda]

Shadow, DON'T install Windows on top of your mac. :S You have to do it separately. If you don't know what to do after extensive research, get an expert to do it!

[jordanisonfire]

Very well. I'll settle for the Mac OS.