Wich Operating Sistem Is better for a 13 year old Student: Mac Os X Or Windows Vista?

Question

Hi, my son is 13 years old and he needs a laptop for school. He has Windows XP. He had always love Mac and Apple because of the features and that is bery easy. The problem is that he had never use a Mac before and he wants to now if it is easy to swicht to a Mac or should he yust get Windows Vista? And wich one Is better for school and educational things? Is It Worth to change to a Mac? Pros and Cons. Thank You!!!!!

Answer 1

Hello Urayoan A,

Your son will be able to use a Mac without any problems. The majority of the OS is very similar to Windows. There are really only a few differences that I think that he'll get very quickly.

OK here's my list of things I like about the Macintosh over Windows. I'm sorry that it is so long, but that's how it goes.

* No computer viruses.
You hear from the Windows people that it's because there are fewer Macs out there, but I think it's because of the Mac OS and it's Unix kernel. That doesn't explain why Vista got viruses before it was officially released. The Macintosh comes out of the box as a closed system. If you want it to be networked and remotely operated, you can make that happen, but you have to change it's settings first. Windows machines come out of the box as an open system. That's so the IT guy can set up the hardware, attach it to the company's network, and install the software remotely from the comfort of his own desk.

If you want to install any kind of software onto your Mac, you first need to type in your administrative password. There is no auto-install for a virus to attach itself to your Mac without your Okay. That is the simple answer why there hasn't been any viruses for the Macintosh in the past 6 years. Another is that first year programmers learn how to create simple Windows script viruses their first year of class. Mac programmers simply love their computers and have no desire to create such an abomination. We love our Mac programmers and happily pay what ever they ask for their good, hard work.

* Games.
I enjoy the games that I play on my Mac, but It's true that there simply aren't as many games out there for the Mac as Windows. Hopefully, with the Mac now using an Intel processor, we will start to see more games being developed for the Mac. But, honestly, don't most people simply get their gaming fix by playing with video game consoles (such as NES, PS, Wii, or XBox) anyway, rather than playing games on their computers?

* Software.
There is a lot more software for the Macintosh now, than before Mac OS X arrived. Much of the Mac's new software is simply Unix ports. There is also a large open source and public domain/shareware development community that has been supporting the Mac OS.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/

You can actually run Unix X-windows on your Macintosh now too. Apple has been designated as the largest distributor of Unix in the world. If you have one of the new Intel-based Macs you can now run Windows programs natively using a program called BootCamp. There is also a Java Virtual Machine for the Mac too.

There's still a ton of programs made specifically for the Mac. Most of these are programmed in C or machine language, so they're lightening fast. Apple watches over their developers closely, to make sure everything runs like it's supposed to; that it runs the Macintosh way. There's also a lot of Windows ports too. I use Microsoft Office on my Mac at work all the time. Although the Macintosh versions of Windows software are way behind in features than their Windows brethren, the Macintosh programs seem to run better, faster and are not as susceptible to problems as the Windows ports. Go figure!

Where the Macintosh really shines is in the creative software area. I'm a printer, so I know that the Macintosh pioneered desktop publishing. I think that most structured drawing, paint/graphics, and music programs got their start here too. Video and film editing and production is now very big on the Mac. Many people complain about how expensive some of these programs are, but frankly, professional programs are always more expensive than the cheaper consumer-level programs that are out there. Stuff like iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, etc. come free with your Macintosh, while other programs are quite affordable.

http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx

* Less problems
The Macintosh simply works. There really isn't very many problems using a Mac compared to a Windows PC. Check out the computer questions here on Yahoo! Answers. There are a lot of Windows, "Why can't I get this to work?" questions here. Even though there are a lot of Mac users here, there doesn't seem to be very many Mac questions. Right, it's because the Macintosh is a little more proprietary and you really need to buy hardware that tells you that it's Mac compatible. You can't just buy some cheap hardware, piece it together, and make a Mac, like you can with some PCs. But, then, you don't have Plug-and-Pray either. The Mac simply works.

* Mac OS X
It's a very simple, basic, easy-to-use OS. It's highly graphic, so your kids or your grandmother could learn to use it, and it's also got a terminal, so the geekiest guy can enjoy using it to it's fullest extent. Windows users will recognize many of the same features that they use on their OS, but there are a few things that are strictly Macintosh.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

I have loved it because it's always responsive. You throw in a CD and the icon for it pops up on the desktop along with a dialog box asking if you want a specific program to use with it. There's no need to search for drives. If it's a music CD, iTunes launches to play it. If you plug in your digital camera iPhoto launches to import the pictures.

If you're looking for a file buried deep inside your Macintosh file structure, you can use Spotlight and it might find the file before you're done typing the first three letters of the name.

--Rick

Answer 2

The Mac OS X is a more user friendly OS and is what I would buy my kid if they wanted one - however the new Intel powered Macs can also run Windows which means he gets the best of both worlds - - if you also load a copy of Windows on the system.

Mac is also a very secure system so you don;t have to worry about virus and spyware problems - - that is if you don't load Windows.
As far as Windows goes Vista has some very big problems at this time and I wouldn't load it on my machine until they are resolved. XP would be my choice for at least the next year or so then I'd make up my mind. See, http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/03/24/76795_HNvistaprobsworse_1.html

Answer 3

I would ask why you need a laptop for school other than status?

If you have to, go for the stability of Mac Os X, plus it is actually a better status symbol if that is the reason.

As pointed out, Vista is new and WILL be troublesome for some time so if you must invest in a 13 year olds sex education (the most likely use of a laptop at that age) go for something a little more trusted.

Answer 4

hey, honestly for a 13 yr old i would leave xp on it. yes mac os. is very stable no hassle of viruses etc.. but windows is not as bad as it seems with viruses just run a simple antivirus such as Nortan and u r ok. use windows firewall and just dont open any unknown emails which 99.9% of ur emails are scanned before they r ever entered into ur inbox. I would be cautious in running vista just yet its still new and just like any new os. they will have to get some the bugs worked out in it. will be alot of updates. mac /apple may be a bit expensive but like ohters have said sure ur son would be happy with it and it should be fine but the things that wouold concern me is . all school computers will most loikley be windows xp. and for a 13 yr old keep it simple and in expensive. very possible a 13 yr old is trying to compete with friends. do not take this the wrng way u know ur child. but honestly i would not worry in changing to vista nor mac. if i was having buy a new machine check which os. school computers and programs are compatible with most liikely is microsft windows .. good luck i have a 2 yr old soon be 3 not looking fwd to her teen years . but glad i am good with computers i will be building her first.. LOL ... dont want her smarter with computers than me.. LOL.. good luck.

Answer 5

windows introduces 2 worlds.
1) the world according to Bill Gates
2) the world of protecting a machine from viruses

OS X on the other hand give you
1) the world according to Jobs
2) the world according to UNIX
3) the ability to run windows in the background along with any horrible windows program!

Would you give your son, a simple goldfish or an aquarium?

Mac operating systems are extremely easy to use, configure, and master.

AND He's smart enough to know what he wants!

Don't get the highest end Mac, unless status is required.

Answer 6

MAC OS X - Easier to use , smoother operation , less viruses, plus you can always install Windows if you have a new Intel based processor. Vista still has alot of software issues and is not fully functional just yet.

Answer 7

MAC definately.

Why?

Because you can run both mac and windows programs!

Vista is too new.

Mac is solid, smart, and beautiful.

You can go to any of your neighbors and friend to use a pc, even the library if you must use a pc.

I use both. Go mac

Answer 8

Go with the Mac. All the reasons are above so I won't repeat them. The future is with Mac get him started now he'll thank you for it!

Answer 9

in terms of switch, of course it is much easier to switch from xp to vista. mac is totally different style. if you want your kid to work in IT in the future, you need to consider which box occupies most of the market, instead which one looks more stylish.