Mac users: what are three advantages and three drawbacks of using your platform?

Answer 1

Advantages:

1. OS Stability. Apps may take a dive occasionally, but the system itself is stable.

2. UNIX. Since Macs are UNIX machines (even UNIX certified now) you can really manipulate and customize from the command line. Or you can wreak total havoc, depending on your knowledge and ability.

3. Graphics/video/audio editing. If you want to do audio/video/or graphic editing Macs are the way to go. The overall stability of the platform and plethora of tools available make life a lot easier.

Disadvantages:

1. Lack of gaming titles. If you are a computer gamer, you might as well forget using a Mac. This may change in the future, especially since EA is now going to release all titles for both Mac and PC, but in reality there just aren't as many game titles for Mac.

2. Closed Systems. It is significantly more difficult to perform do-it-yourself hardware upgrades for Macs unless you know what you are doing. This is because Apple, especially Steve Jobs, takes pride in the concept of a "Closed System". They don't intend for you to open up your machine and poke around in it, and they tend to make it somewhat difficult to do so without bricking the wonderful device you just sold your firstborn to acquire.

3. Lack of "entry-level" machines. Contrary to popular belief, Macs are not much more expensive than Windows machines if you compare Apples to Apples (no pun intended). If, however, you are looking for a $400 laptop from Apple, forget about it. If you want to get into the Mac world for under 1K you have three choices: 1. Mac Mini 2. Mac Mini 3. Mac Mini.

The Mac Mini is a sweet little machine, but if you want a decent amount of RAM and Apple Care (extended warranty) you are still going to be pushing $900.

Of course Apple users will say "you get what you pay for".

Answer 2

Advantages:
1: highly artist friendly
2: Superior security, more than Windows, less than Linux
3: Powerful. Dual quad-core Xeon 5100s...at 3.0 ghz each. That's 8, 3 ghz cores in tandem.

Disadvantage:
1: Not gaming friendly at all.
2: Expensive
3: Less portable than windows. Since Windows is the norm it's difficult to work on both platforms efficiently.