what computers are better apple or microsoft
By shynest
@shynest (81)
United States
April 30, 2008 8:19pm CST
i was thinking what would be more popular i like better apple cuz they dont have a big hard drive just the monitor and connect my mouse and the key-board and well besides that apple computers have moe memorry than microsoft ??
4 responses
@seanono12345 (9)
• Philippines
7 May 08
Apple is more like inclined to the graphics side, i.e. having photoshop in their computers. depending on your needs, Microsoft tends to be a all- around Operating system. but i prefer using Mac.
1 person likes this
@jstevewhite (11)
• United States
8 May 08
Again, it's worth noting that the characterization of Macs as 'graphics computers' is not inaccurate, but understatement. They can do anything you want to accomplish. I would definitely say that Apple has a distinct advantage in all creative fields (music, art, photography, writing, etc), but Microsoft Office runs on the Mac as well as many applications that are designed as best-of-breed to accomplish anything you set out to do. They'll even... yes, I'm going to say it again - Apple computers will run Windows if you feel like you HAVE to have Windows.
@dartman2 (124)
• Canada
1 May 08
I have little experience with Apple computers but understand that they are very capable. I have used Intel-based computers for about 20 years or so and have found that there are fewer compatibility problems than Apple when interacting with other computers or hardware. I think that you mean that the Apple doesn't have a large case rather than a large hard drive (that would be a terrible disadvantage). As far as memory is concerned, one can buy non-Apple PCs with lots of RAM (memory), more than enough to run any software you are likely to install. I have found that a non-Apple system has much more flexibility in hardware/software configuration and is usually much less expensive to buy or upgrade. However, if you are new to computing, perhaps Apple's approach is better for you.
@jstevewhite (11)
• United States
8 May 08
Just a point - you say you've used Intel based computer for a long time with fewer compatibility issues than Apple. It's worth noting that Apple computer are now (for a couple of years now) Intel-Based systems. They can run Windows or Linux natively as well as Apple's own OSX. Several magazines reviewed them and found (at various points in the last year or two) that Apple computers ran Windows faster than equivalent "PC" computers.
Apple's approach is to control the hardware and software, which allows them to create a much more seamless user experience. When you build an inexpensive PC, it's not at all uncommon to have to download drivers and firmware updates and face bus conflicts or other flavors of hardware conflict. Apples don't have those problems because there are no surprises for the OS - all the parts were chosen specifically for the OS. You pay for that flexibility with a loss of the "It Just Works" experience.
I have been a Microsoft user since Dos 2.x, and a big fan of Linux. When Apple announced they were switching to a unix based OS, I was a convert. It took me a couple of years, but I've switched now, and never been happier. I really didnt' understand, back then, just how much time I spent futzing with my computers rather than using them.
@dartman2 (124)
• Canada
8 May 08
Thanks, jsteve, for the updates (which I wasn't aware of) for Apple PCs. I have neglected the recent developments, having achieved a very happy state with my present system about 3 or 4 years ago. Since that time, I have found it relatively simple and economical to upgrade my system with hard drives, DVD burner, RAM, CPU, motherboard, power supply and video cards as I could afford it. I have had many choices when doing this. I do agree that if one removes the innumerable options that one has with a home-built Intel system, and goes with Apple, hardware compatibility becomes a non-issue and the system becomes immediately useful without worry. I am a bit (old-school) technical in my approach and do like to understand as much as possible about what is going on inside the box. However, I believe the majority of PC buyers presently want an appliance that requires knowledge of only the application level. The rest is for the design and configuration people to worry about, not the end user. Given adequate finances, the choice is much broader, including Apple. My past experience with Apple PCs is very limited and was not pleasant as I found, for me, the OS seemed restrictive or counter-intuitive when trying to understand what was really going on beneath the application level. I suppose I am now quite out-of-date with my old P4-2GHz with 1.5GB PC3200 RAM, an ATI 9500, and slowish (now) burner. But then, everything works as is should, I have a stable system for years and the flexibility to change bits as I can. Thanks again for the interaction.
@qdietz (244)
• United States
1 May 08
It seems like you do not know too much about how computers are built/work
A hard drive looks like a rectangle, its basically a place that stores all your data, Pc's and apples both have the same size hard drives (they have all sorts of sizes each)
Secondly microsoft does not make computers, they make windows, people that make computers were you can run windows are dell for example.
The computing power you can get from a mac and a windows are equal, mac's are a bit more expensive but their operating system is much more memory efficient.
I personally prefer apple computers. I think it is worth it to pay more for a product that will work better and with a (in my opinion) better operating system.
I have previously owned a Dell that came with nothing but problems, the hard drive crashed so we replaced it and we are still getting a VERY slow startup time and abnormal noises from the computer (something is wrong with the hardwire). This Dell was also a high end model of the Dell family, not a 200$ computer but more of a 2000$ computer.
Now I own a macbook (its been about 7 months) and well I have no complaints whatsoever. The computer works like a charm, even though I only have 1 gig of RAM I can still run 7 programs all at once (chat, browser, itunes, ical, photoshop, word, powerpoint) with no lag at all. It is really wonderful for that and hardware wise, everything works fine, the screen is also magnificent and my white computer is still really clean even though I would have expected it to be really dirty by now.
In my household we now own a majority of macs and we do not have any problems that we used to have with the PC, it is great!
@jstevewhite (11)
• United States
8 May 08
When I see an answer like this, I jsut have to ask, "Better compatibility with what?"
It's a tough statement to support, nowadays, since Windows computers can run Windows, or Linux, or *BSD, while Macs can run Windows, Linux, or *BSD *and* Macintosh OS X. Yep, you can install Windows on your Apple computer.