Which is a better operating system?

Question

I'm going to need a laptop soon for college, but I don't know which one to pick from Windows Vista and Mac OS X.

My course is quite computer-intensive, and one of my subjects needs Microsoft Office (most probably the current edition).

Vista just came out, and many said that it is still in the process of eliminating the remaining bugs in the system, which I think might cause system crashes by the time I'm using the laptop frequently.

The Mac on the other hand is "stable" and with the new Leopard coming out, it might outrun Vista. The problems I might encounter are:
1) Getting used to Mac, since I have always been a Windows user.
2) I'm afraid that the softwares that my course will require might not be compatible to a Mac. I think Boot Camp would use half of my hard drive, which should have been extra space for my files.

I'm going to need a laptop soon for college, but I don't know which one to pick from Windows Vista and Mac OS X.

My course is quite computer-intensive, and one of my subjects needs Microsoft Office (most probably the current edition).

Vista just came out, and many said that it is still in the process of eliminating the remaining bugs in the system, which I think might cause system crashes by the time I'm using the laptop frequently.

The Mac on the other hand is "stable" and with the new Leopard coming out, it might outrun Vista. The problems I might encounter are:
1) Getting used to Mac, since I have always been a Windows user.
2) I'm afraid that the softwares that my course will require might not be compatible to a Mac. I think Boot Camp would use half of my hard drive, which should have been extra space for my files.

I won't have problems in maintenance though, since the university I'm entering supports both systems, which also adds to the dilemma of choosing.

Answer 1

As you say that you have been a Windows user, you certainly will find the transition, from Windows to Mac, tough. Mac is of course stabler and comparatively outdoes Windows, but Windows hasn't been the most popular OS for nothing. It's much more user friendly, more diversifying and in short, more complete. As for Vista, the final release does have some bugs, but they are too small in number. Most of them will be addressed by the end of this year. Many of my friends have switched over to Vista and are quite satisfied with it. It is a huge resource hog and requires at least 1GB (actually it will run on 512MB, but EXTREMELY slow) for normal functioning. If you are buying a richly featured computer, then I will recommend you to go for Vista. By the way, you don't seem to be aware of the Linux distros; they are more Windows oriented, they include all the software that you will find in Windows and Mac, and they are free! Especially, it's Ubuntu that has fascinated me. You can just give it a try (it contains OpenOffice which does 99% of what MS-Office does; it also supports and creates MS-Office documents) and who knows, you may just stick with it!
http://ubuntu.com/
http://shipit.ubuntu.com/

Answer 2

I think that you have answered your question yourself.

Apple's are GREAT! And even though many campuses have some Apple's floating about, most of the computers that you will be dealing with will be pc's.

Plus, alot of software required in college is only available for PC's. Not to say that you couldn't survive (especially with Boot Camp), but it's just another hassle. Plus, the Windows software might totally lag on an Apple.

But if you're going into digital music recording or advanced photo-editing you may want to fit in the groove and get an Apple (not to say that Apple's are better at that sort of stuff; it's just that many Universities use Apples for that).

Lastly, if you ever need tech support (which most universities provide), you'll save them (and yourself) a lot of time by going the pc route (many IT techs specialize in the pc environment),
PS. I think that Vista is pretty lame.

Answer 3

Mac is the best if u r a graphic designer ... if u are not i think its better to use the most know software and hardware in ur country even if it is not the best.. Maintenance and support are enough advantages to by the vista not the mach .. and u want this Laptop to count on it not to learn how to use it then use it and i am sure that u will not reach in mach the level u want soon - for the problems u think in vista .. i am using since December 2006 and i didn't face any problem with it

Answer 4

Use windows XP in the meantime. It will run the latest version of office just fine on a laptop (Im using it).

Thing with Mac is certain courses might require you using specific software that isnt compatible to it.

Answer 5

I enrolled in in college in 2003 and was shocked that they still used Windows 2000. I assumed, that they would switch to XP before graduation. They didn't!

Best advice. Call your college and ask them what OS they use and IF OS X would be a viable option. If so, go to an Apple store and test drive one. Ask the college if required course ware is available for OS X too. Then decide.

BTW, Neo-Office is M$-Office compatible and free, if you're not taking Microsoft Office SPECIFIC courses.

I picked up OS X in less than two days. Installed Neo-Office, Firefox and Adobe, heaven!

Answer 6

Does having 2 hundred Linux LiveCDs make me a Linux Nut? After downloading the recent PCLinuxOS 2009-a million and finding the kit supervisor has some cool classes, rather the only called OnPlay which permits a Linux notebook gadget to be a gaming notebook. i in my opinion experience this one is making greater helpful advancements and shifting forward. the only coronary heart burn I even have with lots of the Linux open source distributions is quite undesirable help for instantaneous. it incredibly is a supplier fault, they don't want to launch the chip set codes for instantaneous to open source. There are artwork arounds to this concern and a few are somewhat complicated to incorporate. may be performed, yet particularly situations a real soreness to end. attempt distinctive Linux LiveCDs earlier making a call to alter over. I run Linux ninety% of the time.

Answer 7

Hi, I think you should use XP, because Vista comes with a lot of errors, but you can also try any Linux Distributions, because they don´t have any viruses threats, most programs are free, and some are very lowed price.

Answer 8

windows xp and vista are the best but linux is the most secure