Why Apple Will Ultimately Win.
Is He Crazy?
I know this must seem crazy. And yes, you’re right – sometimes people root for the underdog just because, well, because they’re the underdog… But you have to trust me on this one, from where I sit (in front of my 17″ PowerBook) the whole world seems right. And I’m not talking about some long-lost spiritualistic fix-all solution to happiness. I’m talking about the little things…
Some Background
You see, I graduated from college with a degree in Comp Sci thinking that I understood computers because I knew how to edit my PC’s registry. I thought that Mac users were people who didn’t have the guts to open their computer cases, who were afraid of a DOS prompt. I felt like I was one of the elite because I programmed on half a dozen flavors of UNIX, OS/400, MVS, MS-DOS, Windows, Warp… You get the idea. After taking my first programming job right out of school working on an AS/400 fixing everyone elses bugs for a product that I never used and didn’t really see a need for, I started to regret my choice of study back in school…
Finding The Light
I started getting sick of using PC’s because everything always had to be fixed. I actually stopped enjoying doing the thing that I had always wanted to do. My solution? Well, I stuck it out for a few years, but I started to get very curious about Apple. When I began researching computers to purchase for a music studio I was putting together in my basement, I decided to try a Mac. Now, I’m not going to tell you that some light-bulb flicked on and all was well with the world. What I am going to say is that I actually started to slowly enjoy using my computer again. I didn’t HAVE to open it up. If this thing had a registry, I sure as heck didn’t know where it was – and the funny thing is – I didn’t want to know!
The Evaluation
Here’s my take on what happened. My first Mac took away the need for me to constantly have to maintain stuff. Now, I was freed to do the things I really wanted to do. I could create – whether it be a piece of music, a website or a Perl program – and forget about the computer. As beautiful as Mac’s are, I still find the real beauty of an Apple is that they get out of the way and let you be productive.
Morale Of The Story
The point of this is to encourage all of you who are tired of fighting with your tools to look for other options. Please don’t think I’m saying that we should all be using Apples. I just think that we get stuck in a rut sometimes because, well, that’s just how we’ve always done things. There are plenty of tools out there. There are other options. I’ve found that my Mac is the best investment I’ve made in a long time. I’m now doing the things I loved doing to start with – and I’m doing them on my PowerBook.
P.S. I haven’t had to use a PC for anything substantial for 4 or 5 years now. I don’t really miss it at all, in fact, I don’t think I could even remember how to edit the registry…
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Filed Under: Archive Categories
EZ,
Why would someone want to mod a Mac Mini? There’s a whole site for people doing that…
http://www.macmod.com/
But 70% cheaper than a Mac Mini? That would be $180. I’d like to see you back that up. Here are the specs for the Mac Mini. Please explain how you’d build this rig for $180…
$599 US
1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
60GB Serial ATA hard drive
Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote
DVI video out
Show me where I can buy *that* for $180 anywhere.
ok then you take 70% very literally but ok
1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor= shite
replacment with much better stats=AMD 3200+ 2.2 or AM2 3200+2.0 TO 2.4
512mb (ddr) value kingston=up the frontside bus when you overclock the very stable cpu
60gb ata dirve=hahahah what a joke 90 for that shite!!!
replacment=segate barracuda sata2 300mbps! with 16mb cache 200gb=60-80
dvdrw easily got for 30
wireless u can get very cheaply a adapter or internal pci
apple remote-o dear a extra cost of around 40
dvi video=HAHA HOW ABOUT A NICE X700EZ THAT WILL SMASH THE CRPA OUT OF A MAC GFX
total around 400
and you have yourself a beastly pc well not beastly but would smash the shit out of most macs in the price range and way above
Macs are stupidly overpriced yes there os is great but so is windows for every day noobs end of macs are way too expensive for what they are.
EZ, And… Watching you try to cram all of that into a 6.5×6.5×2″ space? Priceless!
Is this guy from the 90’s?
“These stand-alone boxes may one day converge with the PC, or become the media PC for the living room”
what the hell are you on about windows media center and if you have a clue what you are doing you can build a pc that smashes any gaming console even if your pc is 2yrs older than the console i mean those 360’s run at a much lower res than pc games and the gfx are not anything new since pcs
try out quad sli 7900gtx’s
or for the avergae modder one on its own or mabye sli
“EZ, And Watching you try to cram all of that into a 6.56.52? space? Priceless! ”
ever heard of shuttles and shuttle mobos?
i could easily fit that into a shuttle pc and put okey dokey cooling in there
but if you want to just put your pc on the floor get a standard atx case
SORRY
but some how its surprising that pcs have the newer tech before mac the macs ahve only just gone sata and just gone pcie *16
i dont see any physex cards being compatible with your macs and problay have to wait ages for the dx10 cards
Heh, I have my dual 3.2 GHz Xeon machine, don’t need a tiny shuttle PC. And I am aware of them, thankyou very much. I’m also aware that the shuttle cases are not 6.5×6.5×2″. They’re quite a bit larger.
Please lose your holier-than-thou attitude. I don’t welcome it here and I don’t think Abhinav does either, I’ll be sure to mention it to him. Cool it, or we might have to block you from posting.
“Please lose your holier-than-thou attitude. I dont welcome it here and I dont think Abhinav does either, Ill be sure to mention it to him. Cool it, or we might have to block you from posting”
what?
“or WE might have to block you from posting”
we?
you think your some kind of admin its a never ending post and the original shouter knows that i dont care if i get blocked just that people are sad enough to be threatend by some one saying you wasted your money and i have a btter pc than yours
3.2ghz xeon lol did the processor cost you 10k? or did you just accept any price apple throw at you i spose you hae 16gb of pointless ram as well.
try amd 4000 and try buying a car and having a better pc at the same time
END OF
PS why pay 20k more than you have to just to save 10cm of space?
By the way, Apple doesn’t sell Xeon machines. That’s a PC. And it cost me $2400. And in fact, I am an author and therefore a part admin here. Thank you very much.
Ok then and do i care that you have conjured a mobo up to fit that socket
Can it. Now. Your flames are not welcome here. End of story.
hahahah your lies preceed your knowledge
Please, by all means, tell me where I have lied. I am asking you to research what you talk about before you talk about it, and not to flame in a public place of discussion. Your arrogance is absolutely insulting. I am not going to reply to this topic any more, because frankly, you are not worth my time.
James
I am not a big fan of stepping into arguments but I feel a need here. Please post only things that are relevant to the post. Lets not have personal attacks here, OK? I am not going to delete any of the comments already posted but I wish not to see anymore personal or irrelevant comments.
Hey all, have to agree with Abinav here… Not the place. I do appreciate your passion for your respective platforms, but we’re not doing anyone any good yelling at each other about it. Thanks for posting – let’s just try to keep it civil!
ben
PC = choice
Mac = conformity and some snazzy horn rimmed spectacles.8)
.. I should actually say I use apples for audio stuff, and OSX rocks hard, but a few years ago Macs crashed more often than a Congalese airline!
XP isn’t perfect, but it does what I need to do.. It’s not like I payed for it anyway. When OSX can run simply and easily in an AMD PC, I’ll be the first to go and buy a copy. Until then I’ll stick with what works for me.
And doesn’t Gates own like half of Apple anyway?
GATES OWNING APPLE???? Never – that would suck suck suck suck suck suck waaaaay bad. Gates is an idiot… He owns a company that has been on a fall for the last couple of yars even the friggin new Xbox is crap (burns cds?). However i do understand you – there are places where or people who would never buy a mac simply because of the barrier it makes. However now there is no real barrier and Apple prices are on a decrease. Well maybe not on a visible one but like every 6 months the computers are being seamlessly replaced with newer better versions… I think that sooner or later (probably more like later) Apple will release Mac OS X for PC’s, and even though it wwoul be a GIGANTIC hit on PC’s and Windows and everything its not happening today, first Apple has to get more popular and have more respected computers.
Today to some of you Macs might be shit but compare them with the Macs 5 years ago, if Macs are still on a such rise in the next 20 years they will ruin Pcs… its just a matter of time…
Actually, in 1997 Gates bought $150 million worth of Apple stock, and I do believe he still holds at least part if not all of that, so yes, Gates does own part of Apple. To counter one of your statements, if Gates is such an idiot, why is he the richest man in the world? You have to be doing something right to make it as well as he has. As much as some people like to believe that Apple is going to take over the entire market, the chances of it happening are slim. The business world relies on Windows way too much, and with Vista coming out in the next year with vastly improved security and stability (moving all drivers to user mode anyone?) their position will only be reinforced.
What?
“Macs 5 years ago, if Macs are still on a such rise in the next 20 years they will ruin Pcs its just a matter of time”
Hello where are talking about the present
We are nto asking you to make a prediction what would happen also why woudl apple smash pcs?
Pcs have a hundred if not a thousand diffrent companys fighting each other for top tech dog mac however charge what they want for hardware that isnt anything brilliant yes there osx is great and all but a extra 20gb on a mac is aorund 100 pounds
Wtf is on about that and mac still dont have SATA 2 only 150
Haha, EZ, good to see you and I agree on at least something… =)
well where would a apple vs pc war be without me?
Or just a slaughter
so do we all agreee that Mac osx is the tits, but windows is very usefull for the average noob.
Hardware is stupidly overpriced for what it is and apple at this rate may not take over in top tech for a few centurys.
Pcs have the hardware advantage becuase they have thousands of companys building the newest tech and the competiton keeps them building.
Mac are improving on games i admit, who loved star wars pod racer on the mac?, but bottom line no amds for the average mac
The only time mac will get interesting is when they adopt a massive price reduction and implement the AMD or AM2 cpu.
Yeh Or Shut it you Microsoft Whore?
sorry let me restat that
but windows is very usefull for the average noob.
but windows is very usefull for the average noob and the most advance gamers.
Um, I pretty much agree with everything you said there… The new Intel chips have benchmarked equal to the high end A64 X2 chips, if you want to look it up. I still personally prefer the AMD chips lately (though I don’t own any yet) due to their performance per dollar – I know the new Intel chips are going to cost a lot more than the high end AMD chips.
I agree that Windows is useful for the average noob, however the average noob doesn’t know how to properly use Windows and thus suffers from spyware, trojans, viruses, and frequent crashes – something the average noob on a Mac doesn’t suffer from. People like you and I who know how to use and maintain Windows don’t have the problems I mentioned, but we’re the minority.
As for games, Windows is definitely the way to go. Games have improved vastly on the Mac, but it’s still nowhere near the proliferation of the Windows gaming market; only a select few of the major titles are currently avaliable on Mac. Some notable titles are Doom 3, Quake 4, UT2004, and World of Warcraft. UT2007 is planned for simultaneous launch on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
I have no idea what the Microsoft whore comment was about. If you were calling me a Microsoft whore you’re horribly mistaken, recall the previous discussions about 10 comments ago. I do work with Windows a lot, but also Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, as well as Mac OS X. So a Microsoft whore is far from what I am… As for my computers, I have a dual 3.2 ghz Xeon workstation, 2 gigs of PC2700 (yea, I know, slow), GF6800 Ultra, running XPSP2 – play all my games and do my studio recording there. I’ve got a dual 2.4, also with 2 gigs, running Gentoo Linux and acting as a fileserver. A single 2.53 running FreeBSD 6.0, multihomed, acting as a router and dynamic firewall, as well as radius for authentication on my wireless APs. I also have a 17″ Apple PowerBook, also with 2 gigs (PC2-4200).
If the MS Whore comment wasn’t directed at me, well I’m still confused as to what you’re saying! =P
Glad this isn’t a flame war this time around. =)
well when your playing games eg. cs source and always use a awp type weapon you get called a awp whore because you always use it and nothing else (a trained noob)
Because im obviously swayed to windows i mabye called a Microsoft Whore if people mac users or anyone doesnt agree with me
bassicly saying Yes Or No
Sorry im so off topic
But any way Mac for the average users that can rob banks but very good for musical/ proffesinal photo type people.
and windows for the averag noob that for there own good cannot setup any type of modem/router
and of course all you pros that cannot rob banks becuase your stuck in mc or bg (Wow comment)
radius for authentication nice loving the setup there no flaming this time seems to work well although comatibilty issuses were patched up on later posts
and please for god sakes ddont run a server on pc2700 at least overclock that shit to a standard of 400
wow though nice setup you must have quaite a bit of dollar to do so though shame porr student here i can only afford
AMD 3500+
2GB Kingston hyperx (DDR400)
1TB Worth Of seagate Barracudas
X700EZ-
laugh at me but i have a excuse im wating for the dx10 cards and until then i need something that gives good fps for very cheap and i can throw away without remorse unlike a 7900gtx
Gigabyte Ultragtcooler
Lian Li V1000
Neons and blue stuff
Xerox Glass Front 19″ 12ms
G7 Mouse
Saitek Keyboard With chavy blue neons
loads of fans as well
MIMO G wireless router-I wanted to test them out and they are gadj a few issues with neighbours becuase as soon as i turn my beastly router on it over powers nexts door so they cannot connect hahaha. I run all my pcs through ethernet of course cept the laptops.
Also i have done quite a few tweaks to xp pro, Astetics mainly like having a apple taskbar and modded boot screen standards really a few speed tweaks as well well this is so off topic its got to be deleted sorry about messing up your “original” yet great post
At the time of purchase, the only dual Xeon motherboards out supported PC2700… The fastest RAM at that time was PC4200 I believe. Sad but true fact: Most servers you can buy still use PC2700. And honestly, for a server, that’s fine. Faster RAM really only benefits applications that are doing high intensity CPU work… A server isn’t doing that, even under full load – it’s simply serving up requests, and as such RAM latency isn’t as big of a factor. I’d really like to have PC2-6200 in my workstation, but that’d require an entirely new board and most likely new processors… Too expensive for now.
Heh, you actually have the same case as my workstation… Silver or black? Mine’s black. As for cold cathode lights… Scared to use those since one shorted out and fried my motherboard and two sticks of RAM about 2 years ago… (That was still the dual 3.2 machine I have now.) Had to get that replaced pretty quick… But anyway, you’re right, this is getting offtopic. If you want to chat, shoot me an email at admin [at] betaforce [dot] com. =)
Hows counter-strike:source on your mac? :-) My problem is that I got all my good software (macromedia: flash, fire works, dreamweaver, and photoshop and swift 3D) for PC and if I got a mac I would have to get mac stuff. And I cant build my own computer for a mac and as I said b4, I cant play any games (mine sweeper dosent count). And that BS about macs being butifull machens is BS, my computer is so damn hot (blue neon lights, plexyglass window) it ownz a mac. Maby if mac would get me all my software for their system and allow me to run it on my own beast I would use it dual booted with windows. But then windows vista looks good (I just got the beta 2 on another hard drive) and the windows areo looks niice.
I cant believe there are still pro computer people who think MacOSX is all about looks… Vista doesnt look good when you hear that only about 10% of the newest existing computers could support it… comon! Also about your computer owning a Mac at looks? How much money did you pay? How much building and time did this take? And would abesolutely everyone except you like the looks of your computer? The cool part about the mac design is that just like with iPod it is functional, simple and nice! A mac looks fine in any place and room… You seem to have alot of money to have all the software bought with license, having some weird useless neon computer :sigh:… I use a mac and only the apps i got with the Mac are on it licensed…
zAk
Both companies suck.
Windows is junk
Mac is for nude men
Computers are for one thing only…………………PORN
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll
…
Windows Vista was delayed for the first two months of 2007, Leopard will ship this fall or early winter, I don’t own a mac (here in Colombia are very expensive because of the currency exchange), I own an XP system and because I have common sense I don’t let virus and spyware get on the machine but I still have to be on guard every day; I use this thing for my everyday work but I’m saving to buy a mactel machine later this year or early 2007, and frankly I will not regret it, nearly all the apps that exist in windows have their counterparts in the mac side, and all macs now can dual boot or dual virtualize (xp, linux and mac) any OS, oh!, and everybody in this posts say that there are some apps that doesn’t exists in the mac world, that’s true; but is also true that there are apps (usefuls and productive by the way) that are written solely for OS X. Games? the number of mac games are growing but here in Colombia (and latin america) nearly everybody use PSP, XBOX or Nintendo. Security and Admin User Privileges are a solid reason that OS X is very safe and stable (sure, the one digit market share of the mac implies that there are no virus and spyware for it). And no, Mr Gates does not own 17% of Apple; they (Microsoft) only own the support and developing of Office for Mac in Cupertino in exchange for a settlement in a right infringements sue that Apple made against Microsoft in the early 90’s. And yes, Mr Gates is intelligent, his company only writes the os and certain software only for mounting ‘em in a vast array of machines around the world, that way, made that simbiosis cheaper than the software-hardware owning model of Apple, but made the first ones more prone to unstability in a long-term basis. But people, just think only thing: if somebody creates a much better OS (and its software) than BSD, Linux, Windows, Solaris and OS X and propietarizes the hardware I WILL look after it, and so all you people, that’s the market law, but until then OS X has an slightest win over XP…
Why Apple Will Win?
In addition to Vista’s tardiness, OS X outright mimicry, and seven separate versions of ever-decreasing crippled abilities, we now see yet more idiocy on the way from MS.
Microsoft Windows Kill Switch
Does Microsoft have the ability to disable Windows remotely? Maybe:
Two weeks ago, I wrote about my serious objections to Microsofts latest salvo in the war against unauthorized copies of Windows. Two Windows Genuine Advantage components are being pushed onto users machines with insufficient notification and inadequate quality control, and the result is a big mess. (For details, see Microsoft presses the Stupid button.)
Guess what? WGA might be on the verge of getting even messier. In fact, one report claims WGA is about to become a Windows kill switch and when I asked Microsoft for an on-the-record response, they refused to deny it.
Go here to read the full post: http://tinyurl.com/laxoz
So not only can MS shoot itsef in the foot; they reserve the ability to shoot anyone else in the foot too.
Call of Duty
Medal of Honor
CounterStrike
Halo
THESE are the reasons *I* don’t use a Mac.
The gaming support isn’t there (yet), and I’m used to working with Windows (lots of utilities, etc). Why should I switch if I had to mantain a PC for games anyway?
Virii/Malware – not a problem. I DON’T run as admin all the time (yes, this is the default for the FIRST user of a system, but hey-you gotta be admin to setup the machine. I seem to recall when I installed Red Hat I initially worked as root to set everything up). I also use an anti-virus product, and a malware product (Spybot or Ad-Aware). Guess what-no problems.
The Mac OS is more secure-no doubt of that. Also easier to use (has been for a long time). But just because it’s easier to use doesn’t make it a better choice, all the time. It’s a great choice for first-timers, although the cost is higher. Some people will switch to a PC later, some will stay with Mac. It all depends…
Cowardly Bob:For pretty much the same reasons i dont use a Windows, im used to a Mac, i have everything i need and Utilities, so i do understand you – i dont think that people switch as much as it is advertised. I never or rarely hear of single cases where someone switches. But in fact switching is always hard, no matter which way it’ll be. However this doesnt mean Macs wont get a more major part in a computer world in the future… It is kinda odd that Windows people say: “Oh no one will switch because this and that.”
But these kind of changes involve next generations and normal people who dont have any idea about computers. Windows users will never switch – no doubt about that but sooner or later the next generations of young people will show up – and young people like whats cool, and once they get used to it, they dont switch or change! And Apple is pretty much becoming the ‘cool’ brand… with Windows symbolizing right now geeks (in the neutral meaning)
zAk
Entertaining and funny. It beats any daily soap, when Mac and Windows users try to get at each others throat.
But checking reality would do both of them good. For one – Mac has been a “cool” system for quite a long time – but still – the marketshare is around 4%.
On the other hand – Microsoft has opened Pandora’s Box with their WGA nonsense and I wouldn’t be surprised if that explodes right in their faces.
In the meantime – the most unattractive Player – Linux has silently evolved into a contestant in Operating systems – that already beats Mac systems, but has much more actual impact on the marketplace – and could eventually really pose a challenge to Microsoft’s dominant position.
Me? I really don’t give a hoot. I’m comfortable with the system I use and I can’t say that I have any problems with it. But I’m neither going on a missionary bout for it – nor do I enjoy, that people try to “convert” me.
At the end of the day the computer is a tool – and if you’re not comfy with it switch! You have choices. And if the switch wasn’t what you expected – switch back. Who cares!
So for crying out loud – relax! The world rotates – even if you still use a Commodore 64!
As far as a music studio is concerned, I have been using a PC for many years now to create music professionally. My systems over the course of 17 years have never failed to perform with superior results. The real concern with music is whether the software will run in a stable enough manner to be of use to you as a musician.
Kudos to Kjpweb for stating the computer is a tool. If it does what you need it to do, then you’ve got a
terrific machine, if not, find one that will and stick with it!
depends…
[...] Also – if you’re a die-hard Apple or Microsoft fan, you might enjoy the discussion on another of my articles: Why Apple Will Ultimately Win. [...]