Once again, i'm faced with a decision that will affect my computing life ;) Only this time.. it's not linux vs. windows!

I've been looking at apple machines lately. I want UNIX, but I don't really think linux is the best for a desktop machine right now. I'm not saying linux CANNOT be used for a desktop OS, but it's pretty hard. Mac OS X seemed like the perfect solution. Stable, different, UNIX-based, Aqua... Besides, nothing beats the apple design ;) I was almost sure about the 17" imac..

Then today, a switch changed in my brain ;) I'm suddenly leaning towards a PC again. I'm sure you can figure out most of the reasons why a PC would seem the right choice again.. The freedom that most OSs run on x86 machines (Ok, you can run linux ppc on a mac).

So.. i'm not going to bore you a lot more. Could any of you that have faced the same decision give me some ideas? Some opinions from mac users would be useful as well.

Thanks

I was faced with this not too long ago. As a previous owner of 5 Windows machines, I bought a 15" iMac 4 months ago. It love it, and it renewed joy in actually owning a computer. While I still keep my last PC on the desk, I use my mac 99.9% of the time.

If you aren't type of person that always wants the fastest machine on the block, where design is important to your lifestyle, and you can afford the higher prices - I would recommend going for it. It took me a couple of months to take the plunge and join the light side :D but I'm more than happy that I did. :)

I use both. I love my Macs, but I also use PC's. You can never have too many ccomputers, anyway. :) ;)

I've only thought of getting a Mac because of their groovy designs. If only the G4 was a bit cheaper... :(

I can't believe I failed to mention: Mac OS X! ;)

Why not use Linux for a desktop machine? I've been using Linux for 6 years (since I was 13), but didn't really get into it until about 2-3 years ago, and when I did, it was because I was fed up with Windows crashing on me when doing important, unsaved (or not recently saved) things, mostly homework.

I've been using it doing normal things for quite a few months now, and it's wonderful, I don't understand why you say you don't think it's good for that (even if it's not really what it was meant for). You said that it's "hard," but why?

What version of Linux are you using?

I've had both over the past couple of years (a blue and white g3 and a dual p3 1ghz) and i must say that i've had no problems with the macs. The new os, X, is unbelievable and solves all computer freezes that macs were known for!

Originally posted by mindboggle
What version of Linux are you using?

Uh... me? Slackware 8.0, kernel 2.4.18

i use linux (suse 7)

Ugh. How can you even consider Mac?! :eek:

First of all: they are not user friendly, no matter what anyone say. I was forced to use a mac over at my old school and I hated it! :bawling:

Second of all: What can OS X do that any Linux version can't? I just don't see the point with buying a mac and only be able to use one OS, without any chance to change your mind. Besides Linux is more user friendly now than it was before.

And I think that Macintoshes are fugly. ;)

*hugs my beloved PC* :D

MAC OS X is Unix. All it is is an interface built from the ground up with Unix. This means it is extra stable.

Originally posted by andiegirl
Second of all: What can OS X do that any Linux version can't? I just don't see the point with buying a mac and only be able to use one OS, without any chance to change your mind. Besides Linux is more user friendly now than it was before.
But you can. I've heard of many people who also have Linux installed on their Mac.

Macs are just awsome. And their great for webhosting as, I believe, Apache is already installed or something like that. They work good, they look beautiful, they function perfectly.

See www.apple.com/switch

Originally posted by Dogma

But you can. I've heard of many people who also have Linux installed on their Mac.

Macs are just awsome. And their great for webhosting as, I believe, Apache is already installed or something like that. They work good, they look beautiful, they function perfectly.

See www.apple.com/switch

Look beautfiul? Not always... the old iMacs are damn ugly! I thinik the new ones look cool, but that's because they look and move like the lamp on the Brave Little Toaster, hahaha. The G4 cubes are cool looking too, very small and out of the way, but what happened to them? They made a small bit of popularity and then disappeared rather quickly :confused: Maybe I missed something, they aren't even on the Apple website? Anyway, I'll agree the the new ones (including the powerbook and everything) look very nice, but that old fruity crap was dumb :D

Edit: Also, the one button mouse where you click the whole thing down is fscking cool! I worked on a G4 server at a school I was doing volunteer work at a few years ago, I was like, "how the hell does this mouse work?" when I first used it, then I figured out that you push the whole thing down, haha.

PC are much better, macs are behind the times

Originally posted by pugy206
PC are much better, macs are behind the times

Would that be the New York or the LA Times?:rolleyes:

I used to use a Mac until 1998 or so. I preferred them to PCs at the time, but now I could not imagine using a Mac again.

Unless it is a software specific issue, it is probably more of a personal preference thing. :)