[Whiterabb8]

I've never had an apple but they're shown in many tv shows. Paid for, I'm sure for the plug but what is the strongest system & can Apple use Microsoft for certain programs? I'm talking small like email or adding other programs to my computer. Are they intergratable at this point or still not? I have a Dell PC that I'm getting ready to dump. No offense but it's like slapping together a yugo of plastic parts. And don't even TALK to me about McAfee. I got it free for 3 months when I purchased this computer for my parents. Sent them in a check because that was one of the options at the time and no longer IS one. I can call them at the rate of $2.95/minute. It's a larger picture from River.com interprises that does everything from credit card processing to forgetting to update your firewall...which is in my case. I want a new computer. Any recommendations? And how about HP? This is for a future business endeavor in the future. Just trying to get my computers right. From my knowledge I connect to any Microsoft based system with an Apple...is that true? I've always heard that Apple makes better products. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[Whiterabb8]

what is a vbcode tag? I'm a newbie...I'm afraid it shows.

[Lurker1]

Hi Whiterabb8

Well this is the wrong place for this thread. Probably reviews or random would have been better. "I have a Dell PC that I'm getting ready to dump. No offense but it's like slapping together a yugo of plastic parts." Dells are pretty good but you get what you pay for. The best computer would be one you build yourself picking the case, powersupply, motherboard, ETC, Apples look nice but they just arn't very compatable with Microsoft software which most businesses run. If you were doing graphics then you might want to go with an Apple but for business applications Microsoft is best. You can search this site to find out other posts comparing Apples and Intel based computers.

[Yankee Rose]

Hi Whiterabb8:

Macs are perfect for graphic artists and video editors, etc. They are virtually crash-proof these days. OS X is just about the most perfect operating system I have used.

I agree with Lurker1 that Windows software will run best on Windows machines. But with the Mac, you can purchase a program called Virtual PC which will in turn run Windows programs on a Mac. As far as Office goes, Mac's Office X is Microsoft's version of Office for a Mac. They is identical as far as I can tell. Compatibility used to be used as an excuse for not trying Macs in the past, but these days they are very competitive as far as applications, etc. go.

Networking from Mac to PC is a snap. I have not encountered any problems. It is quite cool, actually.

I have taught computer science for many years, and have used many different operating systems. My recommendation to most users is - if you are just doing basic computer applications (email, simple word processing, a few digital photos here and there) then stick with Windows. It is less expensive. If you are into major video editing (camcorder use, etc.) or love to learn, go Mac. My main system is my PowerBook. I love it. Sure I still use Windows systems - but my preference is Mac.

Good luck.

PS - there are lots of Mac bashers out there who will probably try to draw me into a mindless debate. My advice is (and always has been) -- try it first.

[hewee]

Does the Virtual PC let you run any windows software?
Was reading what it said on the box at the store and it was hard to tell just what it did. Seen that it was so you could use windows Office only from what I got out of it.

I know all the pro's use mac for image work.

[Yankee Rose]

Hi Hewee!

It is designed to use any PC-based program on a Mac. Check out this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/product...?pid=virtualpc

[hewee]

Thanks Yankee Rose.

[Tumbleweed36]

My personal opinion:

MAC for graphics (simply can't be beat) and pure ease of use, but you will find them much higher in price for the same basic type of machine. Also, you will have more difficulty finding someone to help you if you have difficulties. (I did see the cross software reference and have tried some before in earlier years(not that program) and they did not work very well. If this is true that this one does the job very well, then the MAC would be an attractive buy)

PC if you have business applications and want something that still seems to be easier to upgrade if you so desire later on. The units are very desireable and cost efficient. They are very easy to find and purchase at competitive prices. Their software is much more available and cheaper to purchase also since it is so widely used.

[Rockn]

So what exactly is your question Whiterabb8? You jump around from Mac and Microsoft to McAfee and then something about River.com? This debate about Mac and a PC (not Microsoft) will rage on forever I am afraid and is very subjective. If you realy want to see how elitist and helpless Mac users are just go to http://www.apple.com/switch/ and have a good laugh. BTW, there are also the many varied versions of Linux and apps that will do the job as well.

[gsvingbump]

I must Say that My apple Imac Is the best machiene i have ever used and has broken down once in four years PC's however

[brushmaster1]

On emulation:

I have done tech support for Insignia Solutions' Soft Windows for Mac, and any program (especially one as large and complicated as Windows) will run slower in emulation.

A side note... there's nothing with more potential for humor than trying to teach a "Mac person" about Windows, or a Windows user about the Mac his office has saddled him with.

[Servant of Eru]

Well, I'm pretty much sold on open source these days, considering IBM (they've been around in one form or another longer then M$), has actually admitted that Windoze is old news, and Open Source is the future.

But for someone who's only used Macs and/or Windows (in my case both, go figure), I'm a little jittery about diving head first into a puter with just open source and no backup plan. Therefore when I finally order the parts to add to the junkyard of PC components I have in my room (well, not junk, they're all new, more or less ), I plan to also order a rack with quick swappable drives, each 120 Gigsters. One will have Windoze XP on it, and the other will have whatever version of Linux I decide is best for me, when I finally get around to building it. That way, I figure I can ween myself off of Windoze gradually.

[nny]

I think it is not exactly accurate to say that macs are better than pc's for graphics apps....eg. a boxx workstation with dual proccesors and 3 gig of ram will whoop an imac..duh!(or a g5 for that matter).
I have about eight years experience running graphics apps on both mac and pc and for my money pc's are now every bit as good as macs for graphics app. take into consideration the fact that pc's are vastly superior for 3d apps as well.

[rextilleon]

Okay--a couple of misconceptions:

1. Virtual PC---its terrible for running any complex program that is processing intensive---don't think you are going to run your Windows game on your Mac with this program.

2. Yes, Mac is well known for its graphic solutions but the PC has really caught up. I am a video editor and photorapher and use a home built PC for both with little or no problems.

3. Mac is not crashproof--Just go over to the Apple site and read some of the threads in the forum.

Having said that, I will take the position that either platform will work for most uses. Macs run business software fine and PC's do a fine job with multi-media etc. THe only reason that I stick with PC's is that 1. I can build my own monster system for half the price of a high end Mac and 2. The software selection is still greater.

[nny]

I would agree with everthing that rextilly person has just said, and also add this, last month I was doing some effects work for a top video installation artists(who shall remain nameless). I needed to work on his mac for a few hours transferring files, tinkering in premier, nothing special really.
However I managed crash His brand new mac three times in an hour, simply by a) importing large files into premier b) moving large files around and c) disconnecting external drives.
I am familiar with os x which he had but on my pc i had grown used to moving around massive files with impunnity in any number of apps. this simply killed his brand new top o the range imac ,which he had proudly informed, me had as much ram as the pretty little thing could take.

Go pc. Unless your concerned with your image.