PC Vs Mac

[NirvanaMan]

Mac's look really really cool...sitting on a shelf.

Try using one and they are frustrating as all hell. Very cute, but the usability sucks. I think mac enthusiasts ignore the functional quirks cause they really really want to like the mac...even if it is a PIA to deal with. I really wanted to like them. I love the way they look. I love the way the OS does fancy cool wipes and the like, but can't get past the fact that they are more about style over substance..and anytime I want to get anything done, they frustrate the piss out of me.

[Stan4dSteph]

No frustration here, but perhaps I'm not doing what you're trying to do. I'm websurfing, chatting, emailing, listening to music and editing video.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by NirvanaMan

Mac's look really really cool...sitting on a shelf.

Try using one and they are frustrating as all hell. Very cute, but the usability sucks. I think mac enthusiasts ignore the functional quirks cause they really really want to like the mac...even if it is a PIA to deal with. I really wanted to like them. I love the way they look. I love the way the OS does fancy cool wipes and the like, but can't get past the fact that they are more about style over substance..and anytime I want to get anything done, they frustrate the piss out of me.

Meanwhile, back when I was an exclusive Mac user, that's what Windows was like for me. Things didn't make sense. It's just what you're used to. After I spent some time on Windows, I got used to it and the stuff didn't frustrate me any more. It's just different, and your brain gets hardwired with what you're used to. Stuff you think is "common sense" is really just acclimation.

And on the same token, there are some things that are far superior on the Mac side. Program files, for instance. A PC program consists of the executeable and any support files that are usually located in a directory in Program Files. But the there's dll's and registry entries that are beyond cryptic. It's so complex that you basically can't manually install or uninstall. One of those gets screwed up, you're toast. Mac programs, on the other hand, are exactly what they appear to be, a folder with all the files. The only other file is a preference file. Each program has one (sometimes two, but rarely) and it's located in the System Folder under Preferences. AND, even if you lose that file, the program just creates a new one with the default settings. No hidden files, no crazy-ass registry nightmares. Just drag and drop the folder, it's installed. Throw the folder in the trash, it's uninstalled. Heaven.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Meanwhile, back when I was an exclusive Mac user, that's what Windows was like for me. Things didn't make sense. It's just what you're used to. After I spent some time on Windows, I got used to it and the stuff didn't frustrate me any more. It's just different, and your brain gets hardwired with what you're used to. Stuff you think is "common sense" is really just acclimation.

Since this thread has turned serious, I will have to agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment of GD's.

I've grown up on Macs (have used them almost exclusively since 1987). Currently I use a PC quite a bit at work and it has been a learning curve for me (I actually have two computers on my desk: a Wintel box from HP and a G5 iMac).

And independant studies consistantly give the usability edge to the Mac operating system. Main factors usually given are intuitiveness and learnability (assuming no previous computer knowledge).

And Macs are and always will be swankier.

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by NirvanaMan

Try using one and they are frustrating as all hell.

My first network gig was setting up a bunch of macs back in the early 80s. Simple as pie, even then.

I'm a PC man, but I always hear how superior macs are in graphical applications. Since I'm a database guy, I never went to apple.

What do you use them for? Graphics/animation? Or something else?