Is Windows Vista really about the same as Apple's OSX?

Question

I actually use Windows now and I am thinking of upgrading to Vista... Then someone told me why not get a Mac? I am not sure though. Is it hard to transfer? Are Macs worth the extra money? Is Vista?

Answer 1

OS X is way better, more secure and FUN!.

MACs are not more expensive than Windows boxes when you consider all the software that comes with it.

Switching to OS X is easy. Copy your personal data to CD and paste into OS X.

Answer 2

I've used Vista ever since Vista went on MSDN for Beta and I've used a Mac ever since 2001 (just FYI).

Simple answer marley.jean: Windows Vista is purely for eye candy and expanded networking features. Other than that I see absolutely no difference in the software. Considering you plan on upgrading, don't...unless your computer is 1-2 years old and cost you anywhere from $1,200 or higher. Windows Vista Capable computers aren't really that good. (They can only run Vista Basic). However, Vista Premium Capable Computers can run everything including the Aero 3D Interface. What I suggest for you is: If you do intensive graphics (Photoshop, CorelDraw, etc.) or Video Editing, stick with Windows XP. If you're just a casual user who wants to check out an awesome new interface with more added features, I say go for Vista. I have it on all my computers and I think it's rocking.

It's not hard to transfer (to Vista), but I suggest you backup and install a fresh OS just for stability purposes. My MacBook runs excellently as well, although it took time for me to adjust to the interface and relearn software. It just depends if you have the time to - OSX definitely more stable, but sometimes I don't feel it was worth my time switching over (Hence why I still have a Vista Laptop and a Vista Desktop also)

As for Macs, they are worth the extra money, but if you've already paid for CS3 like I did for Windows, I saw no point in purchasing a more expensive Mac and having to purchase new Mac compatable versions of the exact same software.

Good luck in picking out your computer, and I think you will definitely make the right choice with the notes above.

Answer 3

At this point, neither are worth the money, IMO. Vista's buggy, and Apple has a revision coming up.

As to which is better, that's more of an opinion. Friends of mine that have Apple computers talk about them all the time (too much), so they have appeal. Macintosh software costs more on average, and the hardware is EXTREMELY over-priced, but in turn, you get simplicity.

Myself, being a rabid GNU/Linux fanboy, prefer spending countless hours compiling, tweaking, and the like, as opposed to plugging it in and going.

Macs are OK at what they do out of the box. If you just need a machine for browsing the Internet, sending e-mail, listening to music, etc., they're well suited for that (Then again, so would a $200 Debian rig, though Mac zealots will tell you otherwise). Macintosh software is scarce compared Windows or Linux software, so if you need functionality that isn't included in the box, you may be out of luck.

The perceived sense of security, (and in some cases, superiority), to a competing platform is another aspect of the "Macintosh culture". OS X exhibits "security through obscurity (basically, the percentage of computer users that own Macs is so minute (it may not seem like it because they are so vocal about their machines), it wouldn't be worthwhile to spread malicious code for them). Go with whatever you're comfortable with, but be an informed customer!

I got way off subject, didn't I?

Answer 4

Moc31 doesn't know what he's talking about. Virtually every major software title has a Mac version, plus you can run Unix programs also. And if you really need to, you can run Windows on it too. Don't listen to the uninformed. OS X and Vista are worlds apart. OS X is arguably the worlds best operating system. Vista is a beta posing as a finished product.

Get the Mac, you won't regret it.

Answer 5

As the NYT's David Pogue has pointed out: Microsoft's Vista is in no way a rip-off of OS X. See his video demonstration of it here: http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/windows-vista-vs-mac-os-x.html .

So, that being said, Vista is really about eye-candy -- really, really expensive eye-candy. Many people see Vista as just another upgrade using the same ol'e hardware. This is fine if you want Vista "Basic", the version of Vista that is designed to run on XP-compatible hardware and that does NOT include Vista's new interface. But if you want your own version of the screenshots you have seen on various websites, you need hardware. Vista's hardware requirements are much, much higher than XP and much, much more expensive.

If we put aside the hardware and say you stick with Vista, you wind up staying in the "upgrade game": more resource-hungry operating system requires upgrade to more powerful hardware which calls for more resource-hungry operating system which requires upgrade to more powerful hardware, etc. In the IT industry, this is called the "WinTel cycle". A Windows upgrade comes out that finally enables users to use their hardware to its limits; the problem is that it uses too much of the hardware, begging for a hardware upgrade. Intel comes out with the hardware upgrade that has features which the old Windows can't use. So, Microsoft comes out with an upgrade that uses those features and then some, forcing another hardware upgrade. Repeat cycle ad nauseum. There is a reason Microsoft became a monopoly.

If you go with Mac, you get some cool eye candy but not a whole lot of new features, IMO. Many people have tried to say that Mac is more secure because it is based on Unix, like Linux. But the fact is that we do not know how secure Mac is because Apple actively fights against security issues being released. Just do a search on the "Month of Apple Bugs" or see http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/ubuntu-vs-mac-os-x.html and http://projects.info-pull.com/moab/.

In short, if I were you, I would not go with either. If you have the usual needs of a regular user, try Ubuntu Linux. It comes with all the applications most users need. Many specialty applications will run on it as well. You almost certainly will not need to upgrade your hardware. And, what's more, it's free. You can learn more about it here: http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/ubuntu-history.html

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Neither is better. MAC users think that MAC is the best thing since air. Vista is 2003 with better graphics. MAC is a completely different OS. Still need the SW for the job you need done. Keep your 2003 save the needless headaches & dollars spent. 2003 will do the SAME job as both Vista & OS-X.

Answer 7

abode windows Vista would not apear to be stolen from anyhwere. The AERO interface seems new and modern-day, nonetheless there have been a marvelous form of tries to accomplish that. nonetheless you in no way comprehend, with microsoft. i've got not got faith they might discover the money for a lawsuit against apple.

Answer 8

barely any software runs on macs. Majority of software is written for windows. Windows Vista is good if your computer can meet the requirements. If it cant it will run slowly. My reccomendation is windows Xp Pro.