[Andy]

most PC's i've owned have slowed down and died after a few years, my Macs havent done that yet.

although the PC's at college are much faster and smoother than my Mac.

[pgo]

PCs require someone more tech-savvy who is willing to maintain their machine. A (Windows) PC is like a car - you've got to change the oil, air up the tires now and then, rotate the tires, replace brake pads, etc. Most of the problems with Windows stem from people too lazy to keep their shit in order and defrag their hard disk now and then.

One thing that irritates me beyond belief about Macs is that they create all these invisible files everywhere. For example, I keep "Show hidden files" active on my machine so I can see some system files I like to have access to. But when I go to our private network drive, it's riddled with hidden files created every time the Mac opens a file. It's incredibly obnoxious.

That and the file navigator thing (a column per level of depth), I much prefer the Windows directory tree structure.

[adam c]

Just to let you know pgo, you can view a directory structure on os x in exactly the same way you can on windows. You can choose between 'icon', 'list' (which is the way Windows usually displays it), or column, which is what you are referring to.

Also on the whole hidden file thing I do know what you mean, although it's worth noting that it's also true vice versa. If I create a folder on a network drive and then someone using windows accesses it, I will see a file that is hidden on windows by default but shows up even with invisible files hidden on a mac. I know there's a lot of complaint about the .DS_Store files on os x (and I think they'll probably sort that in leopard) but I'm not sure if those files actually are transfered.

[another™]

.DS_store files won't be cleared up in leopard, as there's nothig wrong with them. if you want folders to look like they do when you close them, some log has to be kept. i teeny tiny hidden .ds_store file is the answer.

[adam c]

I understand. I guess it's the same with Windows and the thumbs.db which I'm assuming has a similar purpose.
Personally I don't have a problem with hidden files at all.

[hawken]

I wont enter into any of the arguements here, but I did switch over to mac last year and it's been like a breath of fresh air. Initially I got very pissed off with the mac, however I was using an old machine. My only advice is that if you do get one, get one with lots of ram. As stated here, macs like you to have lots of software open, because they don't offer the clutter that comes with the windows interface.

The hardware is more reliable IMHO.

check this out if you plan to buy one;
dadako.com > buying a new PC for 2007? read on…

[H.Yates]

At last, a non-geek PC vs. Mac nerd fight.

I'm in PGO's camp, definitely. My experience is both do a good job, period, but the difference is that Mac users often appear to be a lot less 'tech savvy' than PC users. I think that's why they prefer Macs, because they make things (appear) much easier. If you know your way around a PC, I haven't yet found anything that a Mac can do that a PC can't. Macs look good, but like most PCs, they're still made in Chinese sweatshops for rich Western consumers, period.

[jthomas]

Used PC up until 6 months ago. Switched to mac. I am fine on both, but prefer mac. It inspires my creativity, and there seems to be much less headache. As for people telling you you'll need a PC for testing, that's not entirely true. Purchase Parallels and do your testing on there. I start up windows on my mac using Parallels and test for IE 5.5, 6, 7, Opera etc... on PC. Works great.

[JohnWalker]

Thanks for all the useful comments.

I actually am going into grad school in the fall of 07 for graphic design and all the have are macs. not a pc anywhere to be found. I think I'll use part of my student loan to go ahead and purchase a mac. If nothing else I can at least say that I can design on any OS. windows, linux(bsd, Unix), and soon mac. I'm pretty excited. thanks for all the comments

[pgo]

Might as well buy a Mac if you're going into graphic design. There's a tradition of using Macs in the graphic design field because they used to have superior graphic capabilities. Now they're just prettier.

Just to let you know pgo, you can view a directory structure on os x in exactly the same way you can on windows. You can choose between 'icon', 'list' (which is the way Windows usually displays it), or column, which is what you are referring to.

That's not what I mean - I mean the directory tree sidebar in Windows Explorer - the fold out, staggered tree of directories. I use it constantly. Also, the "Group By" feature is incredibly handy when staring at directories with hundreds of files.

In OSX (at least in my experience) it has a column for each level of directory depth.

As far as the DS_STORE files, they're irritating, but more irritating is the invisible file the Mac creates for each and every file that's opened. So, the network folder that might have 25 files in it, has 50 files if the Mac has opened them.

It's not a huge deal anymore, though, since I've eliminated the need this last week to see hidden files!

And, FYI, I believe thumbs.db is only for thumbnail images if you view a folder with thumbnails. The rest of the folder settings and such (as with most things) are stored in the system registry, I believe.

[resten]

I've tried a mac and seriously they are wonderfull to do work on, no distractions and you get your work done. It just feels right(Unlike windows).

[Stickman]

Originally Posted by pgo

I mean the directory tree sidebar in Windows Explorer - the fold out, staggered tree of directories. I use it constantly. Also, the "Group By" feature is incredibly handy when staring at directories with hundreds of files.

In OSX (at least in my experience) it has a column for each level of directory depth.

The column thing is crap.
You can switch to this though - basically the same as the 'folders' view on Windows.

[Dusteh]

macs are the bestest thing ever made, they are white, they have an apple on them, they have something to do with the ipods, they can get by with one mouse button, they are white, there is a smiley face, they make technology seem friendly, computers shouldn't be hard to understand, when I had a PC it said something about a harddrive and then asked if I wanted drivers with that. lols!

[H.Yates]

Originally Posted by Dusteh

...they make technology seem friendly, computers shouldn't be hard to understand, when I had a PC it said something about a harddrive and then asked if I wanted drivers with that. lols!

Illustrates my point above perfectly.

[Snowshiro]

Originally Posted by H.Yates

Illustrates my point above perfectly.

You use other people's jokes to illustrate your points?

[pgo]

Originally Posted by Stickman

The column thing is crap.
You can switch to this though - basically the same as the 'folders' view on Windows.

Interesting. Learn something new every day. Better, too. Why don't they have that as the default, I wonder.

Originally Posted by Dusteh

macs are the bestest thing ever made, they are white, they have an apple on them, they have something to do with the ipods, they can get by with one mouse button, they are white, there is a smiley face, they make technology seem friendly, computers shouldn't be hard to understand, when I had a PC it said something about a harddrive and then asked if I wanted drivers with that. lols!

hay my cumputr is prettyer than urs lol.

[Snowshiro]

Originally Posted by pgo

Why don't they have that as the default, I wonder.

They like to "Think Different" even if it's just for the sake of it.

[JonoMarshall]

Use both and then decide, the current concensus is that a Mac (runing XP or Vista too if you so desire) is better in many ways. I have both, the Mac is a joy to use, the PC isn't.

[kwills]

is there any online poker games for Mac? thinking of getting one but there isnt really any point if there aren't any

[Patr100]

On the couple of occasions I have used a mac owned by other people - one was a pain to get a router working and the other time, it kept freezing.

And I hate the useless mouse it comes with.
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