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Why don't more people buy Macs?

Something I don't like about mac is that in order to make things more "user friendly", they often limit the uses of particular utilities.

And B2L, I can see being excited for a new computer. Hell, I'd be excited if I was getting a macbook too, though I'm not. So, I'm not excited.

What kind of school are you going to? I know that a lot of art schools require macs...

I'm going to a school that specializes in entertainment, and art. I'm actually going to school to earn my Bachelor's degree in mobile development. It's pretty awesome because i haven't found a school with a similar program, and i fully believe that mobile technology is the future. Plus there is a huge need for developers of all sorts, so i figured it would be a good way to support my future family. Sure i could teach myself, but I might as well get a degree, and learn pretty much anything and everything I can. Which is awesome because there are so many different coding languages to learn.

So yes I am definitely excited, not only for a new Mac, but going to school for what I'm interested in.
 
I'm sure games would certainly benefit from being run from an SSD. Especially large FPSs that access data from a drive frequently. they'll load much quicker as well. My thinking is keep the OS, plus applications and games on the SSD for best performance, basically anything that's in "Program Files".


With those things which don't really benefit from a fast SSD, like MP3s, photos, movies, "Documents" etc, put them on the slower cheaper large capacity mechanical HDD.
I'm going to disagree here.

SSD's are arguably horrible for gaming and more of a "luxury" than anything for people who want a faster boot up.

At still over 100$ for about 60 gigs.. Your going to have 30 gigs or less after OS installation which means you can have maybe 3 ish games on it at any time.

From there your not going to get much of a "performance" difference.. Most of the advantage you would see is in the loading screen. and even then.. Some games are just horrible on load no matter what you do.

Now, being totally fair.. most people who get solid state drives aren't expecting a major bump in terms of performance in terms of FPS or anything else. It is more about quicker boot times.

A nice feature to have, but something I really can't justify for myself or my gaming rig. Lots of people can't live without them, but honestly I prefer mechanical keyboards or higher quality headphones and am waiting till i can get more bang per buck with an SSD.

If my netbook horrible boot times, I'd consider it just because class to class I want to turn my laptop on an use it asap.. But, honestly the thing works fine.

Of course. That still doesn't change the fact that it's safer for whatever reason.i also think its much faster, smoother and user friendly than Windows will ever be, but that's personal preference

It is only safer until enough people begin using them.

Windows is the biggest target because it is the most frequently used. If enough people begin using OSX, it will become a target and it will be exploited.

Whether you believe it or not, there has been some major opportunities for Mac users to be seriously exploited in the past.. The only reason we hear about the after the patch unlike windows, is because there are so few mac users (historically speaking, although this may very well be changing) that no one bothered to write malware for a mac.

Any computer is built on system on top of system, and systems can be broken.

Also.. I've seen what I would call "similar" performance between OSX and win7 honestly. When you have a decent pc rig vs a decent mac rig there is really a non-existent difference for the most part.
 
Now, being totally fair.. most people who get solid state drives aren't expecting a major bump in terms of performance in terms of FPS or anything else. It is more about quicker boot times.

Compare using Photoshop CS or Lightroom from an SSD vs a mechanical and you'll change that opinion. After more RAM an SSD is probably the next most effective productivity boost. ;)
 
Compare using Photoshop CS or Lightroom from an SSD vs a mechanical and you'll change that opinion. After more RAM an SSD is probably the next most effective productivity boost. ;)

In all fairness, I was speaking with the assumption that anyone who has a dire enough need for those particular programs would be capable of doing the research required to know the cost/benefit ratio of a SSD for their given needs.

I was speaking, if not strictly, than for the most part in regards to performance boost for gaming and general purposes as oppose to specialized things such as Photoshopping.

I figure if someone can afford the cash (or it is being paid for them by their work) for a serious version of photo shop, they will probably already have some knowledge of what it takes to run that program effectively.

And even then, unless someone is seriously using it on a regular basis.. the SSD's still carry quite a cost which would make me (and I would like to think most budget bang to buck consumers who don't shop whops) a bit nervous.
 
About application loading times with SSD vs mechanical HDD. Earlier in this thread I made references to my Fujitsu UH900 UMPC which has a 128GB SSD. Before I had this machine, I had a Sony Vaio P UMPC. They both have very similar hardware except for one thing, the Sony had a mechanical HDD.

Applications took so much longer to load on the older Sony than they do now on my current Fujitsu, both running Windows 7 and the same applications, specifically Chrome, IE, Open or Libre Office, Gimp, Audacity and Skype.
 
I was speaking, if not strictly, than for the most part in regards to performance boost for gaming and general purposes as oppose to specialized things such as Photoshopping.

I know, I'm just pointing out that there's a tangible productivity benefit to be had from an SSD. Stuff just happens quicker so over the course of a day you get more done, whether processing large digitial images or browsing a forum like AF. Cost is still an issue, but my 80GB drive has Win7 x64 and all my programs on it and it's not yet at 33% capacity. SSDs also are intrinsically more reliable due to lack of mechanical parts and more economical in power draw, so additional purchase cost can be offset against those to some extent.

Incidentally, all my games are installed on a pair of striped WD Raptors and my local data storage is a Samsung F3, so I still believe in the merits of spinning platters too. :)
 
Well, I just received my Macbook Pro yesterday, and I thought I would post some first impressions. I've been a Windows user my whole life, and let me start off by saying it is definitely a different/weird experience to switch OS's. I know a lot of the pros/cons have to do with much better hardware than my older PC. (But I am trying as much as possible not to base it off of that.)

Pros:
- I absolutely love the multi touch track pad, it's great and makes things much easier than using a track pad with windows.
- Multitasking in OSX is awesome, I love how easy it is to switch between different apps, and how quick everything is. While I was installing the full Adobe master collection last night, I was able to do whatever I wanted without lag, or other problems.
- Surprisingly enough games run great, and a ton of my Steam games allowed me to download it for Mac without having to repurchase them.
- Very easy OS to get used to, after only playing with it for a night I feel pretty competent in using the OS.
- Most commands are similar, for example using ctrl commands for Windows, are almost exactly the same as using the command button for Mac's.

Cons:

- I'm not a big fan of the layout of everything, I don't like how there is a main bar at the top for everything because it can be confusing. It's also very simple, and ugly looking in my opinion. Does anyone know if it's customizable?
- Using a two finger click, instead of being able to right click. (This can be extremely frustrating.)
- Typically when using a track pad I like to use two fingers, but this can cause problems with the Mac since doing a two finger swipe left or right on a mac will go either back or forward on a page.
- It's confusing finding where certain things are stored. Half of the time after it saves a picture, or a file I wonder where it went.
- I don't like the installation process of applications, such as dragging and dropping into the folder after something has been installed. (I might just be confused on this, but this part hasn't seemed the most user friendly.)
- In order to download an update for iPhoto I had to add a credit card to the app store, I don't really plan on purchasing apps from there, and there really should be an option to update your current apps without having to add a card. If I want to buy something that costs, I want the option to add it, not just keep it on file all of the time.

Other than that I really enjoy it, I've never had Adobe applications such as Photoshop run so smoothly, or operate without any problems on my PC. Overall I seem to prefer Windows, but that might change in the future after using it a lot more.
 
I know a lot of the pros/cons have to do with much better hardware than my older PC. (But I am trying as much as possible not to base it off of that.)

- I love how easy it is to switch between different apps, and how quick everything is. While I was installing the full Adobe master collection last night, I was able to do whatever I wanted without lag, or other problems.

- Surprisingly enough games run great, and a ton of my Steam games allowed me to download it for Mac without having to repurchase them.

Are these Pro's Simply for a mac book and NOT comparing it to your windows PC. If its the former, I'll allow it ;)

Because it is very easy to switch apps on PC and if the specs are good, it won't lag when doing things... Same with Games.
 
Are these Pro's Simply for a mac book and NOT comparing it to your windows PC. If its the former, I'll allow it ;)

Because it is very easy to switch apps on PC and if the specs are good, it won't lag when doing things... Same with Games.

The reason I had said something about games is because I have heard a lot of people say that games run terrible on Mac's, so I wasn't expecting anything great. I really wasn't trying to compare those pro's with PC's I have used, but it's kind of hard not to since that's all I have used. :/
 
When I made made the Windows-Mac switch a few years ago, I remember some of the same frustrations that you're mentioning ... but at least for me, it was mostly just a matter of getting acquainted with a different set of paradigms. Now I much prefer the single menubar at the top of the screen, and I think the app install/removal process is infinitely better than in Windows.
 
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When I made made the Windows-Mac switch a few years ago, I remember some of the same frustrations that you're mentioning ... but at least for me, it was mostly just a matter of getting acquainted with a different set of paradigms. Now I much prefer the single menubar at the top of the screen, and I think the app install/removal process is infinitely better than in Windows.

I'm hoping that's the case, I figure it's just a matter of getting used to. :)
 
The biggest problem I always have is switching my muscle memory for the keyboard shortcuts.

That and I hate the tiny little maximize/close/minimize buttons on macs.


Also for the life of me I cant understand what they were thinking with the options key symbol....
ks_option.gif
<- wtf is that supposed to be?

And now that I'm in rant mode, I'm Finding Time Machine to be way too aggressive.

And installing/uninstalling is just different on a Mac, I wouldn't call it better nor worse....just different.

Folder organization is nice, and the terminal is nice, lots of nice things, just..... different
 
It's funny because it's happened to me both ways. I would go to work and keep hitting crtl-c on a Mac and come home and hit alt-c on a PC

I never know which way is up :D
 
It's funny because it's happened to me both ways. I would go to work and keep hitting crtl-c on a Mac and come home and hit alt-c on a PC

I never know which way is up :D

After only a day I'm starting to do this, I do a lot of copying and pasting at work, and I keep hitting the Windows button instead of control. :/
 
Tinkerability for us old skoolers.

If I need a new gfx card for my win PC, I just go & buy one & put it in.

New hard disk Sir - not a prob, some shiny new faster memory, for sure - how much do you need?

Software - 90% of what is needed most is PC only, you have to "make do" with mac related software choice.

Software licensing for business, it's a no brainer with Win PC will win this one, and so the work user base becomes the home user base - I use a Win PC at work, so I will get what I know for home - a win PC.

This is ALL wrong. This only affects 5% of the population. And most computers sold are laptops now, so no one puts in a new graphics card.

Software - MOST people who buy a computer do nothing more than: send email, browse the web, download photos/movies, listen to music. And Apple is best at all of those when it comes to what ships with the computer.

In the end it's all about PERCEIVED price. Because it's been shown that Macs require less money when you factor in OS upgrades, repairs, viruses, etc.
 
I've owned both, I owned a MacBook Pro from the early 2000's, and Ive owned Compaq, Gateway, and now a custom rig I built. Personally I love the fact of having control over my system. Even comparing Mac systems of friends, I feel like they're not really "customizable" like they are on a Windows. Being in IT, of course I am quite Bias for Windows systems, and yeah they can be a PITA, but so can a Mac when you dont know how to use it.

I wonder how Mac's would do in an "Enterprise" environment, with everything made for Windows like it is, would Mac just play along with the big boy servers... or would it turn into a Cluster****?
 
This is ALL wrong. This only affects 5% of the population. And most computers sold are laptops now, so no one puts in a new graphics card.

Most ordinary people don't even do this sort of thing with desktops, upgrading a graphic card is a geek thing. To many people a computer is just an appliance, a tool for getting work done. Not much different to a washing machine. When the computer eventually breaks down, they'll either pay someone to repair it or just buy a new one.

In fact this where a Mac is better than a PC for non-geek users. Macs are pretty much usable straight away, rather than questions like 'What does "Norton 360 Trial" mean?' or 'What does "Trial Expired" mean when I try and open Word?'. Followed by disbelief, when one tells them they have to pay money for the apps that came with their new PC. This is true, I've seen it happen a few times.

Here's another thing that often happens when buying computer. In my home city of Bristol, in the City Centre there are basically two places to buy a computer, one is Apple and the other is Currys.

With Currys one is often faced with a SA who knows little or nothing about computers and probably knows more about gas cookers than PCs. But they're always eager to sell you their extended warranties, or another SA that tells lies, fear, BS and hard upsell(BTW SonyStyle stores are just horrible for this). Or the Apple Stores where the SAs actually know their products, they don't sell gas cookers and things, and are not constantly trying to sell you extended warranties and other upsell.
 
Most ordinary people don't even do this sort of thing with desktops, upgrading a graphic card is a geek thing. To many people a computer is just an appliance, a tool for getting work done. Not much different to a washing machine. When the computer eventually breaks down, they'll either pay someone to repair it or just buy a new one.

I don't think even many geeks do this. By the time someone is ready to buy the latest and greatest video card, they're probably looking to buy the latest and greatest mobo with it, too, which will need the latest/greatest CPU.

At that point, you're just buying a new machine, anyhow. The PSU, chassis, HDD, and DVD drive are probably the only things that don't get changed out every 6 months.
 
In my opinion, price is the leading factor. I've come across a good number of people who claim to hate Macs and Apple products when they don't have the money. The minute they can afford it, there's always some ridiculous excuse bashing other products.

The other reason in my opinion is the new OS factor. Most working people deal with Microsoft at work for the most part and as such, it's probably an easier choice to deal with at home.

I personally don't use Apple products. I've come across a number of people who have raved on about the Mac's ability to work with Photoshop and other multimedia platforms though I have never had any issues running them on Windows.
 
Cost is cited as the main reason a lot of the time. For me, it's a big factor but over and above that, I don't like 'The Apple Way' locking in their users with their walled gardens (Obviously not so much with OS X.) and similar corporate policies. Similarly, I don't particularly care for the way Microsoft do things on a corporate level. With them, I also find their products to be inferior which is probably not an accusation I could level at Apple. Their products would be awesome if they were more open. Given all that, I use Linux.
 
Cost is cited as the main reason a lot of the time. For me, it's a big factor but over and above that, I don't like 'The Apple Way' locking in their users with their walled gardens (Obviously not so much with OS X.)

OS X could well go that way though in future versions, Apple would love that, one can only have approved software from the App Store. I believe Windows 8 on ARM tablets could be like that as well, that's what I've read, walled garden MS approved applications only.
 
^ Don't like the sound of that.

I'd buy a mac if they were on par with pricing for other pcs. I really thought about getting a mac mini bundle I saw, included tons of stuff (speakers, monitor, keyboard, mouse, loads of software and hardware for audio recording [some $600 savings]) But I didn't have the funds at the time. And now the product is sold out.

But as it is, the price is the main reason I haven't bought a mac.
 
iphones and ipods only sell well because they are hipster products, trendy. they can find 100 kids to buy a little mp3 player easier than they can get 1 or 2 to buy a boring laptop.
 
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