Mac or Windows ?

[cyberstar]

What is the difference between Mac and windows, can you have window xp on a mac computer ? why do some buy mac and other buy windows ?

What are the pros and cons ?

[Tim Baxter]

Mac's and IBM compatable PC's are different animals which require different operating systems.  Macs are generally used in the graphics industry (dunno why).  It is said that they're better but windows was started for ordinary PC's and consequently most software was written and developed for them so they're more popular.  I understand now that Macs will run windows but only under their own operating system as a 'shell'.

[Buenchico]

Everything Tim has said is true. If you're thinking of buying a new computer I would suggest the following:

If you're going to be editing videos to broadcast standard look seriously at buying a Mac.

If you expect to be producing commercial audio recordings then also consider a Mac.

If you're planning to use DTP for commercial print publishing, then definitely buy a Mac. (Nothing beats Quark running on a Mac).

If none of the foregoing applies then buy a PC but think carefully about which operating system to put on it. If you're prepared to be a bit adventurous (and want to save money) find out about Linux. If you want the safe, easy route to computing then you're forced to go for Windows but you don't necessarily have to choose the latest version. An elderly lady I know has a 2nd hand computer running Windows 98. There would be no point in her upgrading because she only uses it for word processing, DTP and internet access. I'm also a Windows user but I nearly hit the guy who put it together for me when he said he was going to install XP. (I use it at work and I absolutely hate it!). Instead I use Windows ME.

In short, get a PC unless you've got a really good reason to buy a Mac and use an operating system that meets your needs (and not the one the guy in PC World tells you you've got to have!).

Chris

[j2buttonsw]

I have a problem with the previous answer as I think choosing between a Mac or a PC is a personal thing. They will both do applications equally as well as each other. I think recommending them only if you are going to do a particular task is misleading. Which one do you like best? I own both and like them equally. You can get PC emulators for the Mac OS but I have not seen a Mac emulator for the PC. As far as the PC OS goes Microsoft have discontinued the 9x family (95, 98, 98SE and Me) so you will not be able to buy them new. You can get them second hand and if you like them that is fine but I would not recommend them. PC World will offer you XP Pro or Home (or rarely Windows 2000) only because they are the OSes available retail. And Macs are less susceptible to viruses and spyware/adware/malware. If you are used to using PCs and are hesitant about changing then stick to PCs. The two camps will rarely agree on which is the best. The Mac OS will not run on a PC and Windows will not load onto a Mac.

[fo3nix]

Mac: traditionally on "other" types of processor (the brain of the computer). The software you buy is made for a certain type of processor. Macs use one sort (PowerPC now, but not for too long), and the other types of PC you see that run Windows run on the other (Intel branded, AMD etc.).

So software written for one system won't run on another. However, there are many pieces of software that are made for both systems.

The Mac uses a higher resolution than Windows does, and traditionally companies like Adobe started writing their image manipulation software on the Mac; hence it's more popular in the graphics industry.

Mac is often said to be more stable. This is understandable: with Windows, Microsoft have to code for all eventualities in terms of hardware that you use (different CD drives, etc.). Apple make both the hardware and software that runs it though.

Mac fans say that they buy Macs to get things done: Apple spend more time on usability and interface design than Microsoft (traditionally) do.

[fo3nix]

Buying MAC:

Pros: it just works, nicer to look at, more stable, box looks better, lots and lots of really great software
Cons: more expensive, not half as much software as for Windows, less free stuff

Buying PC:

Pros: lots and lots of software, free or not. many more people run it, so your skills on your own computer are directly passable to other computers. if you have a problem, far more people will be able to help you out. far easier and cheaper to upgrade your computer's hardware
Cons: not as stable as Mac OSX, no 'heart' in the hardware, more boring boxes, never ' just works'.

[cyberstar]

Thank you all very much.