iMac vs. PC, what should I get?

Question

Hello,

I'm in the process of getting a new computer. I currently have a PC laptop. I've been researching and comparing iMacs and XP Media Centers, but I can't decide. I'm looking at these two systems:

Apple iMac, 20 inch, 2GHz Intel Core Cuo
SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM
250 GB Serial ATA Drive
1GB SDRAM

or,

HP Pavillion Media Center TV PC
Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz)
250 GB Raid data security
15-in-1 memory card reader
256MB Nvidia GeForce
2GB SDRAM

Now I'm aware that the HP will give me more for my money, but I hear that Apples are very powerful systems. I was wondering what you guys thought, please don't be bias--limit the answers to their systems and components.

Thanks.

To answer questions:
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I'll mainly use it for movies, graphics, Adobe programs...
I have a strong background with Windows, I've never operated a Mac. I don't think that'll be a problem though.
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Also, for Mac users: Do you find it difficult to find common programs that are compatible with your system?

Answer 1

Mac commercials make you think that PC's are bulky, repetitive, and way behind. What's ironic is that Apple recently ditched IBM -- the decade-long manufacturer of their CPU technology. They balked at their original claim that IBM's CPU was superior, then switched to Intel and the "x86" platform. So much for being "unique" and "innovative". That move really shed light on the assumption we PC users have had all along that Apple has been chasing the PC.

The truth away from the propaganda in their commercials is that there's nothing a Mac can do that a PC can't.

Though Macs are generally better out of the box, by no means are they more powerful. How can it be, especially now that it has the same CPU? The debate isn't about the hardware anymore, it's about the operating system and software that's available for it. You will find more offerings with the Windows platform, and most importantly, it will be easier to find help from a friend, relative, or online when you need it.

Plus, if hardware in a Mac breaks down, good luck repairing it yourself. Most of what's in a Mac is "proprietary" (that means non-standard). With a PC, you can replace parts yourself for cheap and for the most part is easier to do. That's a side of the story you don't hear often. Buying replacement parts from Apple can get quite expensive.

Macs do have one thing going for them -- the Mac operating system OS X. When compared to Windows, it's arguably easier to learn and navigate, and can be just as powerful to customize. For someone with little or no PC experience, it can be the better decision if you want to get started in multimedia (audio & video) right away. Also, there are a lot less threats and vulnerabilities to worry about, since it's not a big target right now by script kiddies and hackers. That will change soon though, as Apple gains more of the market share over time. But for now, it's a pretty good alternative in that respect.


Nothing against Mac's overall - I just feel they're more of a pretty package with hidden maintenance costs. In your situation, the 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo will simply crush the 2.0GHz Core Duo in everything (since they are practically the same, but the Core 2 Duo is faster). Go with the HP unless you feel yourself drawn to the Mac operating system.

_______________

I recently read an article in Maximum PC (I think the July issue) that benchmarks the latest Macs with x86 CPUs. The results were a bit interesting. For a long time now, we've been wondering if the Mac OS can run "Mac-friendly" applications like Adobe Photoshop (CS2) faster than XP can with the same CPU. Not surprisingly, it couldn't. WIth XP loaded on the same Mac, just about every application ran faster in XP.

Just some more food for thought...

Answer 2

Here is what you lose if you go with Mac
- old PC software that you own, won't work.
- many things that you share with people, won't work anymore
- many things that people share with you, won't work anymore
- there is no right mouse button, gosh, you gotta use the keyboard, there are other new things that you must learn to get around
- add on software is expensive, due to a lack of competition
- suckers you into an iPod, when you really should be using an open device like an MP3 player
- new versions of software are never available for the Mac right away, you have to wait and wait

Here is what you gain with a Mac
- slightly more reliable, but remember, you are just ONE, so yours might be the lemon
- lower chance of getting a virus, but there will be someday
- no Spyware, but there will be someday
- good tech support. You simply call Apple
- closed architecture, means that Apple stuff plugs in a works

Answer 3

Whoa not even a choice on that, you're pitting a dual core vs a quad core i7 950? Go with the 950 all the way. As a rule I don't like Mac but they do a good job with video editing however given the specs of these two machines you really should go with the much much much better processor and better ram. Odds are the RAM in the PC is DDR3 also which is much faster ram giving you better performance. Also the i7 has the ability to overclock one of the cores based on use. Trust me spend the extra hundred dollars and literally get a computer that is worth about $500 - $700 more just based on specs alone. MAC are generally extremely overpriced and this is one example of that.

Answer 4

Well, Im running the very same imac you refer to as i type. Ive got a PC at home, so Im probably as impartial as you're likely to get.

Depends what you want it for. The only (but huge) advantage to the mac is that its graphic capability is much greater - by that I mean graphic design, so all of the Adobe packages are quicker and smoother - you'll also find that font handling is much better too.

If it's games you're after - go for the PC.

Answer 5

.
The HP is a real race car.
The iMAC is all you say.
The deciding factor will be your need and/or desire to interact with other pc's and pc specific programs. You know there are problems with this if you run a mac.
I've known people to convert to pc for this reason alone.
The "SOFTWARE" you want to be able to run and use is your biggest consideration here.

stw

Answer 6

It Depends.

If you want to be trendy and spend a ton of cash on a machine that isn't very upgradeable, has a limited software base, and looks like a desklamp, then go for the Mac.

If you want to be smart, Get an awesome systems with a huge software base for a lot less money, get a nice AMD based PC Built (Stay away from name brands, get a custom system, less hassles and less money.)

Answer 7

IMac for 2 reasons:

1. Less viruses.
2. You can buy a Apple program called Parallels. It lets you run Mac OS and any version of windows at the same time, no rebooting. Cost: $79.

Answer 8

i would definately get the hp pc it is a lot better i just got a dell laptop its great and very fast i like windows alot better if u like games then you will have alot more choices on a windows pc BUT now you can run windows on a mac all u have to do is down load boot camp from apple .com but you will not get to use all of the features that come on your mac AND it is a beta which means you could get a screwed up version that makes your mac wacked out i no somebody that happened to but i do have tons of betas on my comp and its running fine but then again i do have a windows it also depends on how much ur thinking about spending u didnt say that would help alot good luck on getting ur new system

Answer 9

Well, the PC seems better to me. Regardless, you can build a computer 10X better with that money. Anyways, the PC looks like it's faster because it has more RAM and a better processor. It also has a 15-1 card reader. It definatlely seems better.

Answer 10

Sorry to answer your question with questions, but.
What do you plan on using the system for?
Do you have a pretty strong windows background?
Are you a gamer?