Apple OS vs Vista

I've never owned an apple computer, but hear their OS is so much better. I would love to be able to play with it and find out what's so great about it. I won't mess with apple until they allow other manufacturers to make apple clones. Can anyone tell me anything about this?

 

Sorry, running Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware is not allowed.

There are probably some Apple Stores near where you are, you can try out Mac OS X there

 

I'm with you there. There were once Apple clones, but unfortunately (or some would say fortunately), Steve Jobs killed off the clones soon after he returned to Apple. So... I wouldn't expect clones again until Steve Jobs retires... and even then it may not happen too quickly, if ever.

 

It would be nice if they would allow the Apple OS to be loaded on our machines. Apple wants way to much money for their Machines.

 

I live in San Angelo Texas, we don't have Apple stores here. The only Apple computers I've seen are on TV. When I say play, I mean long term, not in a store.

I've screwed up computers since DOS and enjoy doing so, because I learn so much. I just have the same desire with Apple. But, as I stated, I won't buy anything made by apple until they allow clones.

 

I'm down for looks of a Mac, but not the OS.

 

One of the main reasons for Mac's reliability, ease of use, and security is the fact that Apple has control over the hardware.

 

I'm not sure I completely agree with you. I do think you are partly right. If I were a virus writer, I would concentrate on the systems owned by the majority of people, unless I'm mistaken that would be windows. Just one for instance would be the entire DoD, where there is not an Apple to be found. Not to mention the fact that software for Windows is much more readily available.

 

DoD, Department of Defense? Actually, funny you say so, recently there's been news that the US Army is purchasing more and more Macs .

http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/12/20/apple-army-hackers-tech-security-cx_ag_1221army.html

 

I haven't seen one in a 24 year career as active duty and a civilian employee. I read the article, that simply means hackers will adapt and find away. I don't care what system you use, those that wish to get in adventually will.

 

You focused way too much on the security part. Reliability and Ease-of-use are the main parts, security is helped by hardware control, but not as much.

 

Apple OS is great for macs, not for PC users.

 

If your already comfortable with an operating system, where does ease of use come in? As far as reliability, I never had a computer failure in 21 yeasrs in the military(only 19 years with computers) and 3 years as a civilian employee.

 

That doesn't make sense...

 

Why do you think an Apple is so easy to use? Because there's not a million different peripherals out there. Because all the hardware will work perfectly, since Apple makes it.

Many problems that exist with Windows is from shoddy drivers and incompatibilities. Apple does not have these problems, since they control the hardware on their machines.

Please don't use anecdotal evidence. Computers obviously have problems and reliability issues or 99% of these threads wouldn't exist.

 

Security is one of those things....

Mac easiest to hack, says $10,000 winner

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9072959

On my mac boards, it is funny how the spin is on... I remember years ago when MS was in the hot seat and now the arguments have changed.... all funny.... no OS is secure....

 

This is turning out to be an interesting thread. I, like the OP, have always wondered about Macs. I haven't really used a Mac consistently since junior high, where we did most of our computer work using the system. I toyed with the idea of purchasing one, but the prices are just too ridiculous. Even if I had an exorbitant amount of money, I doubt I would feel right about parting with it on a Mac purchase. I'm not that in love with them . Anyway, I would love to be able to toy with one. I might consider getting an older model or maybe a used model after I purchase my primary laptop (most-likely a Thinkpad).

 

If you go used, maybe an intel mac mini would be the ticket... should be fairly cheap. I have a mac mini and love it... Apple does make some nice machines....

 

My dad has one of those iMacs? Whatever its called...that silver monitor thing. You've seen it. It looks sexy like hell but when I use it...it doesn't feel right. Maybe because I've been on PC for years but besides eye candy, I have no need for Apple computers.

 

I feel you on that... I use a mac, linux, xp, and vista..... I mostly work out of xp. Not having a need is almost the same as having a need for something no offered someplace else or just being content on what you have (which is where I might be with xp). When something works, it works...

 

Makes perfect sense. You can't [legally] install Apple's OS on a non-Apple PC, so it's not good for [non-Apple] PC users.

 

Yes I know that. But his post sounds like, bananas are great for monkeys, not rhinos.

 

Despite marketing campaigns, fanboy posts, and all sorts of hooplah in both directions; Mac OS (and thus Vista/Windows as well) is not as much "overall better" as it is "better for some users."
Mac OS and interface is tuned for people with a different mindset and thought process than the typical PC OS.

Mac OS strives to be more about "feel" than substance (this doesn't mean it doesn't have substance, but that its focus is elsewhere)
The interface is more intuitive than logical.
The idea is that if it "feels" more friendly, that it is...
People with this outlook are more likely to like MacOS.

Some people prefer logically predictable outcomes, and more logical than intuitive.
They would rather learn where everything is instead of being able to "feel" where everything is. These people are likely going to prefer Windows or a PC OS.

Mac users tend to think of PC OSs as "difficult" where PC users tend to think of Mac OSs as "frivolous".

Both sides have copied a good bit of the useful parts of the other OS set so the distinction is less obvious now and there is quite a bit of crossover.

The only way to know is to try both.

Honestly, the underpinnings of Mac OSX are impressive (FreeBSD)... I dislike its "fluffy" interface (I turn off most of that stuff in Windows) but the basics of the OS would be quite good if they could get rid of "permanent dummy mode".

As a professional IT person, if it would let me into the core and allow me to use an interface which didn't suck so badly (for me) I'd be using OSX as it is a truly mainstream *nix variant. (if a bastardized one)
As it stands I can use both but choose windows Vista as it is the best of both worlds for me and actually has software written for it in timely updates.

 

Wow, a lot of the comments are quite fanboyish from the PC side, I thought the thread was about OS X vs. Vista? Not one person has discussed the topic, rather they just wreak havoc on the Mac for what it is.

 

Sorry. I was mocking him too subtly.:wink:

 

McGrady, Kimot you both misunderstood my post. I meant "Apple OS is not great for PC users" in terms of functionality. I didn't mean "PC's using apple OS".

 

Rhinos like bananas too.

 

i don't think i would feed a rhino a banana.

 

Lol ok. You just worded it funny. Idk why I said rhinos...I don't even know what they eat. =x

 

Of course, I have to note that this is in the Windows forum, so there will be bias here (just as there will be in the Apple forum as well) .