I'm thinking of buying a new computer, and I'm torn between a mac and a PC. I'll probably be using the computer for IM, internet, school-realted stuff (word processing, Ppt's, etc.), and for playing music. I'm fed up with viruses and spyware, and my current PC (4-year old HP Pavillion 716n) crashes frequently. I'll probably buy a desktop, and I'm looking to spend somewhere between $1000-$2000. Should I go with a mac or a PC?
2006-10-23 16:24:16 · 17 answers · asked by homeslice191 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
My school uses Macs.
2006-10-24 11:13:24 · update #1
if you are strictly worried about viruses or spyware/etc... your best bet is a MAC. Contrary to popular beliefs, Macs are not more secure than a PC. The thing is... because Windows is so predominant in teh world... most of the viruses/spyware/adware is designed to work exclusively with Windows OS's. Macs are also your best bet for work/school related stuff.... reason... thats what they were designed for. PC's were designed to be good at a little of everything (depending on the configuration). Macs were designed for work or school not necessarlily play. They can be used for play but for play, PC's are better. Again, for school/work stuff... go Mac..... for play or all around... go PC.
Actually, now that I think about it... Macs have become a lot more well rounded then they were before..... go with a Mac.
2006-10-23 16:43:53 · answer #1 · answered by vail2073 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The MACs of today aren't what they used to be. They used to be the absolute best when it came to graphics. Nothing could beat them. Now however, a good graphics card in a PC looks much better. While it's true that there are more viruses for PCs there still are some for MACs. So long as you do regular scans for viruses and spyware and have a firewall, you will probably be ok. If you have a very limited amount of space the MACs are nice because it's all in one piece. Now that iTunes is for PCs as well that plus has been removed from MACs. IM will slow your internet down no matter what system you are on. If your school runs Word and Powerpoint use PCs for Office. The internet won't be any different on either, but you should definetly use Mozilla Firefox as your browser no matter which you choose.
2006-10-23 16:58:00 · answer #2 · answered by Andrew K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I would recommend PC just because of the way I use my PC. I like to burn/play movies, play high graphic games and tweak/upgrade my hardwares with ease when I think it's time to do so, tranfer files/data from cell phone and other mobile devices. PC handles all my demands better than a MAC. Most video codecs are design for pc's, most games are design for pc's and so on. Most everything are design for pc's FIRST, MAC SECOND from the softwares and hardwares you use to turn you computer into a home entertainment system to setting up a network for your home. Compatility in softwares. drivers, codecs, hardwares, other computer related peripherals, electronic gadgets such cell phones, palm pilot, MP3 (non-IPOD), flash drive ... pretty much anything you can hook up to a pc, if I were to change to MAC I swear half my stuff won't work. I could care less what those people say about pc and all it's viruses and spywares, I've never had a single virus infecting my computer once. If you use your pc properly, antivirur, spyware cleaner, firewall, you should have no problems. To me, pc's are for advance users who knows what they are doing, MAC are for beginners and those who are only into the basic functions of computer using and not into any thing else like gaming, movie editing, tweaking, oc'ing, mobile devices etc etc etc.
2006-10-23 18:27:44 · answer #3 · answered by l.v. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get yourself a nice PC, macs are worthless pieces of ****. You only get spyware etc if you are mis using your pc, or other users on your pc are. When I switched over, I found I had a lot of compatability issues with the mac, safari would constantly crash, and there was so many little things I couldn't do that I could do on my pc. If you're a begginer computer user macs are fine, however, if you are medium to expert go PC. Cause honestly macs are designed for looks not speed or usefullness.
2006-10-23 16:52:09 · answer #4 · answered by Josh V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go for a PC, mainly because everything out there is PC compatible and not necessarily the other way around. Also I don't think its really fair to say that a PC crashes or has more problems than a Mac. Your computer runs as good as you take care of it, you do a lousy job of taking care of your computer, of course there will be problems. I have managed my computer well and has never posed any serious problem that I could not fix myself.
2006-10-23 19:02:26 · answer #5 · answered by bloop87 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mac's rule! I used to have a PC and I also got viruses constantly. The computer got so slow that it was just annoying to use. My mom has that computer now, and I got a mac, mainly because I'm going to school for graphic design and we use mac's at school. Anyways, I am very happy with it and I have not had any problems with viruses. GET A MAC!
2006-10-23 16:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by CLoftis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judging from what you've said, I would say the Mac is your best choice. Mac is always the best choice. The iMac would be a great desktop computer for you. I know how you feel about being fed up with viruses/spyware. That's why I switched to Mac two years ago. I haven't looked back. I love my Macintosh. (Macintoshes, actually. I have two of them now.)
2006-10-23 17:30:53 · answer #7 · answered by UbiquitousGeek 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW! This is going to start a small fire in here!
The opinions are going to fly. Both sides are ridiculously loyal. Nowadays, the virus thing is pretty even if you have decent (and usually free) protection in place. Surf these. Do just a little research and comparing. And try something new... form your own opinion based on the facts you discover! And look for answer'ers that give reasons, so you can use the all info prductively. Happy Hunting!
I prefer PCs, my sister is a Mac freak... we argue about it all the time!
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rls=GGLJ%2CGGLJ%3A2006-07%2CGGLJ%3Aen&q=mac+vs.+pc&btnG=Search (the battle!)
http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1874,4,00.asp
http://reviews.cnet.com/Desktops/2001-3118_7-0.html?tag=glnav
http://pcworld.com/ic/desktops/
the last three easy to navigate by brands, pricing, features, etc... all include macs so you can compare everything, and get focused on your exact match
2006-10-23 16:46:04 · answer #8 · answered by Snaredrum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in the IT business and I have been supporting PC environments for 15 years now. But I only use Macs at home.
2006-10-23 16:32:30 · answer #9 · answered by Al 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if you like c++ programming or that kinda thing I'd stick with pc but otherwise why not get a mac. I'm sure they have similar proggramming languages. Especialy since the current similar platforms have been established.
2006-10-23 16:29:10 · answer #10 · answered by Grev 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋