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"Which is better: Windows or Mac?"

I want to buy a laptop hopefully by Christmas time (my main objective is to get an AKAI XR20 Drum Machine). I have an iPod Touch, which is from Apple, and it is awesome. The Mac is also from Apple, and I have a feeling that if I like the Apple iPod Touch I'm really gonna like their laptop. But I've used Windows all my life and I'm not sure if I want to switch to Mac (I'll still have my desktop computer though).

I've read articles that Mac and Windows both haves some pros and cons but Mac is way better. Mac is also more expensive, and I believe that there are a lot more applications for Windows than there are for Mac.

All I want to know is in the title of this thread. Any response appreciated, thank you.

PendulumInSilico wrote:
I read that you can run OS X and Windows on a Mac. Not entirely sure what OS X is.

For someone who started this thread/debate/whatever you know very little about the topic.

pb wrote:
[I know it's good, I've used it myself, but I just didn't think it was what the original post was requesting and how many beginners are going to go download another OS and learn it on top of the one that comes with their computer?

I did

Don't suppose you're going to get that many 3 year old gaylords so Alfonse's Mac comment would seem to make sense to me.

PendulumInSilico wrote:
I read that you can run OS X and Windows on a Mac. Not entirely sure what OS X is.

OS X = Operating System version 10 :¬)

@Alfonse....maybe 2 and a half....

pete_21 wrote:
Not sure I agree about the point made about Ubuntu being irrelevant.I have it installed on my laptop and it has free programs for most applications,most of which are generally good (I would say in many cases,better than it's windows freeware equivalents).It's fast,stable and runs perfectly alongside other OS.I also have windows installed on the same machine which I use for certain applications.You can burn Ubuntu to an ISO and run it off a CD-R if you want to try it before installing.Apparently it is also possible to run all 3 OS on the same machine if you really want.One thing I have found very useful with Ubuntu is its ability to get pretty much any piece of hardware working automatically,just plug something in and off it goes and locates a compatible driver without you needing to do anything (some applications can be a touch limited when doing this though).I inherited a scanner from my friend who could not get it working at all on his Mac,works fine on Ubuntu.In most (but not all) cases specialist freeware programs are rarely as good as their paid for equivalents.On the other hand would you really want to pay (in some cases a fair bit of money) for certain applications if you were only ever going to use their basic functions?

I know it's good, I've used it myself, but I just didn't think it was what the original post was requesting and how many beginners are going to go download another OS and learn it on top of the one that comes with their computer?

Timmargh wrote:
So, we're all agreed then? Macs are awesome and anyone who uses a PC is a gaylord.

The average age of a mac user is three

I read that you can run OS X and Windows on a Mac. Not entirely sure what OS X is.

So, we're all agreed then? Macs are awesome and anyone who uses a PC is a gaylord.

Not sure I agree about the point made about Ubuntu being irrelevant.I have it installed on my laptop and it has free programs for most applications,most of which are generally good (I would say in many cases,better than it's windows freeware equivalents).It's fast,stable and runs perfectly alongside other OS.I also have windows installed on the same machine which I use for certain applications.You can burn Ubuntu to an ISO and run it off a CD-R if you want to try it before installing.Apparently it is also possible to run all 3 OS on the same machine if you really want.One thing I have found very useful with Ubuntu is its ability to get pretty much any piece of hardware working automatically,just plug something in and off it goes and locates a compatible driver without you needing to do anything (some applications can be a touch limited when doing this though).I inherited a scanner from my friend who could not get it working at all on his Mac,works fine on Ubuntu.In most (but not all) cases specialist freeware programs are rarely as good as their paid for equivalents.On the other hand would you really want to pay (in some cases a fair bit of money) for certain applications if you were only ever going to use their basic functions?

HeadHunterz wrote:
If you are experienced with using a mac, you should get one.

ALL IN ALL, MACS ARE BETTER, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.

I know how to use an iPod Touch (which I am using to post this reply right now), but I don't believe I've ever touched a Mac before.

pete_21 wrote:
HeadHunterz wrote:
[i]With Macs you get free software which you would have to pay for using Windows.

Could argue that point for Ubuntu?,the actual OS is free as well.[/i]

Probably not useful for what he wants though. There ARE lots of decent freeware titles on PC though, so the point is a mute one.

There is no right answer to the question 'which is better?' it's more a case of applying logic to what you actually need from a computer. Both do pretty much everything most average users want to do and beyond that they have more specialised strengths and weaknesses.

I'm mostly running on Mac because I find it generally more reliable and it has everything I need without worrying about upgrades or compatibility. The Mac App Store and Steam deal with games and apps for it, everything else is provide by the software that comes with it. It runs iTunes so much better that you'd be surprised how good it really is. I used to hate having to use iTunes on PC but on Mac it feels much better designed and actually useful.

The PC is still used for when I need to do specific things that I've had set up for years, such as the Thank You cards I need to print out tonight. It also has a few games I like that aren't on any other format.