Macs, are they really worth it?

[b0ned0me]

Go to an Apple store.

Try one.

If you like it and you can afford it, buy one.

Actually, if you have £100 or so, just buy an old mac and have a fiddle with it for a bit. I bought one of these a few years ago from a mate http://lowendmac.com/ppc/mystic-powe...4-gigabit.html (his company were clearing out old kit) and found it pretty nifty (but loud).

So then I bought a dual-core mini and use it as my surfing/email/writing letters/faffing with photos etc machine, as my games machine isn't allowed any of that sort of nonsense on it, and my messing-about-with PC is broken regularly. iTunes, iPhoto, Time Machine, Mozy - job done, forget about it.

[Bluecube]

Macs are a definite try before you buy. I use a Macbook a lot (I'm using it now) but I also have a netbook and home built PC. Of the lot I prefer the Macbook. Why? There's something about the Macbook that just indefinably feels "better". The build quality is sublime and everything just works and works well. Plus Macs (and Apple hardware for that matter) have an attraction - an "ooooohhhh" factor that has no influence on tech geeks but makes non tech geeks want one

[Biscuit]

Personally i do love OSX, i think its a fantasic operating system for everyday use and especially good for video and photo editing but my macbook has just come back from its 3rd service repair. Granted it was still free but so far it has had to have a replacement screen, mouse, keyboard, 2 dvd drives and now the entire logicboard(motherboard).

I dont tend to recomend them to people unless they do a lot of graphics, photo or video work in which case they are a decent and popular choice. If you just intend on using it for general internet/office etc kinda use then i would stick with a windows laptop... maybe even stick linux on there if your not too keen on windows, there are some fantastic apps and mods for linux to give you a tonne of flashy features!

If style really is your thing then have a look at lenovo notebooks, some of them are pretty snazzy!

[floppybootstomp]

Apple.

Looks gorgeous.

Overpriced.

Underspecced.

And that, for me, just about sums it up

[Elkie]

ive been a mac user for a while now, and the main thing is the lack of upgradeability.
plus now you can run OSX on a hackintosh, it really is a choice between style and value for money. its not even about the quality feel with the desktop machines, because the only parts you actually touch can be used with your standard pc box too!

[Clockwork_Killa]

I have been an avid anti-mac type for years, until recently.
When my desktop killed itself for the third time last year with impeccable timing as always (right in the middle of my portfolio relaunch this time), I decided it was the perfect excuse to finally by a laptop.
Initially I was going to go with a high spec dell precision, but given that I was in desperate need of a work machine and the best ETA dell could give me was and I quote "sometime in January probably", I thought Id better look elsewhere. I ended up settling on a 17" mac book pro and I have to say I have no regrets whatsoever. For the type of work I do (graphics and flash stuff) its brilliant, and theres absolutely no fuss and no crashes (on my pc I still get at least one crash a day with flash cs4).
Anyway, my opinion on the matter is that if you need a professional work machine for creative work (design photography etc), then a mac is the way to go. If however you want an everyday general purpose machine, then its pc every time because the cost of a mac just isnt justifiable for average users.

[vicar]

If you like it buy it, matter of personal choice imho. Apple or PC diff sides of the same coin.

[Gordy]

I deal with both mac and pc users for clients. I'm often recommending clients get machine x or y. Mac's and PC's both have their places, there is no right machine for everyone. It depends on your particular needs/demands. To say apple or a pc is cheaper or more expensive is misunderstanding the differences. Usually when people are spouting comparisions they are comparing a mac mini with a huge desktop. It's all a bit pointless.

Windows 7 and Snow Leopard are both pretty damn good. Either one will be good for most people.

The only thing that puts me off pc's these days is the race to the bottom for price has caused dell/et al to build some awful machines. I've never had so many problems with clients new machines as I've had in the last couple of years. Apple seem to have been sticking to what they know so not producing cheap tat.

[jetfire]

i saved thousands on buying a server rather than a 8 core mac. worked out allmost double for what i have plus i can put 96 gig of ram in my system

[shakesc]

I agree with that comment that the race for the bottom end has reduced quality in a lot of PC's
Why do PC's have to look so uninspiring...? A big box is handy for expansion but many of my friends who are not big into IT just want a PC for a few games, surfing etc. They arent bothered about will the latest graphics card fits etc but the machines sit in the lounge or dining room and they dont want them to sound like a demented vacuum cleaner. I'm sure a MAC would do them great but they also have other priorities so end up buying a PC

[watercooled]

In fairness, If you like the OS. why not build a compatible box and run OSX86.

Cheaper than buying a mac

Well for a start because you're not allowed to do that - OSX isn't sold separately and piracy is illegal and discussion of it is prohibited on this forum.
Anyway, I wouldn't buy a Mac myself and here's a few pros/cons IMO, of course there are plenty more but I'll just list a few:

Pros (all from what I've heard/read, I don't actual own one):
They work out of the box.
Hardware compatibility is excellent - everything just works (well everything that comes with the PC that is).
I believe OSX is a nice OS to use and photo/video apps are supposed to be excellent.
Support within warranty period is very good.
I suppose some see them as kind of a fashion accessory.
Small footprint (not true for Mac Pro).

Cons (I'll try not to sound anti-Mac as much as possible ):
Rubbish quality displays.
Massively overpriced for what you get. <--Main, huge issue really - the pricing is messed up!
Lack of hardware/software support.
It was in the news a while ago that iMacs were catching fire.
Certainly not crash or virus proof as the fanboys would have you believe.
All but Mac Pros are limited to laptop components so limited performance (also ties in with what I was saying about pricing - laptop components have a poor price/performance ratio compared to desktop parts).
Limited upgradeability, normally just RAM and HDD.
Extras when ordering a Mac are waaaaaaay, waaaaaay overpriced, i.e. bigger HDDs, more RAM etc. I mean £245 for a 1TB HDD? Come on!! They use off-the-shelf parts like any other PC...

[Nanek]

Over priced? Yes. Underspecced? Yes. Gorgeous? Yes yes and yes! I would love one but sadly it's pointless since it won't play games at the same performance of my £600 PC

[jetfire]

In fairness, If you like the OS. why not build a compatible box and run OSX86.

Cheaper than buying a mac

Well for a start because you're not allowed to do that - OSX isn't sold separately and piracy is illegal and discussion of it is prohibited on this forum

why? i have one of these on a dual core PC running osx <removed>

cost about £100 back when i got it but you can get newer ones now for the latest os mac or pc

[watercooled]

Because according the the Apple license you are only allowed to run OSX on a badged Apple computer, running it on another computer is violating the license and possibly the law.

[jetfire]

Because according the the Apple license you are only allowed to run OSX on a badged Apple computer

there is a apple sticker on it

[Biscuit]

Rubbish quality displays.

Not a fair blanket statement... some of them use IPS i believe. The screen on my MBP is sweet