I made strong recommendations to my friends and family, and there’s just ever rarely any problems. And they don’t use Macs.

Two things I’ve noticed about the PC/Mac thing: First, most problems people have with their PCs are the result of ignorance or stupidity (I’m in agreement with Ben about this); second, there are a lot of Mac owners out there who cultivate a smug superiority about their hardware, an impression that Apple itself explicitly supports in their advertising. In these cases, it’s not the apparatus, it’s the attitude that’s annoying.

My opinions are not dumb. You just don’t agree with them.

“I just hate it when Mac users have never used a quality PC (outside of a Mac) and claim Macs are the only quality computers left in the world. That’s just plain stupid and ignorant.”

If you are implying that I fall into this category, that is an incorrect assumption on your part. I have used a variety PCs day-in and day-out for the past 15 years. I prefer to use a Mac for virtually everything - I get more done, faster and more easily.

And aside from my personal experiences, I’ve put Apple computers in the hands of family and friends whose daily use (abuse?) has previously brought more than one PC to its knees time and again, and after doing so literally forgot what it was like to get calls for tech support.

Macs here (Croatia) are terribly expensive, as in 40% or more in price what you might pay for them, so the price difference is a very notable factor in the decision for buying a new system.

Studying design, I’m learning to use a lot of different software, both the ones required for class and those I explore on my own to find what best suits me. In short, I found that while there is nothing I do on a Mac that I can’t use on a PC, the same cannot be said the other way around. Like my favorite 3D software in which I am most experienced, and a good deal of open source apps.

Hardware wise, except for my first computer which I was happy to receive around 6th grade, I’ve always built my own machines, which turned out to be the cheapest solution, and, also, aside from that first one, I’ve never had hardware trouble I couldn’t solve on my own. Hardware trouble being something that I know, even though second hand, that not even Macs are vaccinated against, namely HDD failure.

Since Apple likes to consider its products somewhat elitist, perhaps because it has a 5-10% market share, it could explain the high price. However, having shifted to Intel’s CPUs, I no longer see the amazement. Also, I’d like to support Richard’s statement that, considering their premiums, their equipment should be perpetually flawless.

Also, a recent annoyance I have experienced on Macs, they tend to not recognize graphic tablets, plug-and-play style, which somehow negates their theory that everything ‘just works’, specially if you’re on a university computer where you don’t have permissions to install drivers.

PC (Mac or otherwise) speed is something you should strongly consider when you’re a professional, when you’re most likely to cash out top dollar for a high end machine anyway. However, home users who crop their holiday photos in warezed photoshop installation and complain about how a professional-high-end-product, takes a long time to boot, even though their scope of skills ends with adjusting levels, I say, get the cheap-x-tm computers, and learn to use software of your own caliber.

Somewhat sidetracking, but, Linux also doesn’t have a lot of security issues either …

And before someone jumps me for mentioning Linux, I should note that I’m Adobe’s bitch, and even so I’d convert be it not for the lack of user friendly 3D software… but quite frankly, if you code, write blogs, crop and adjust a few photos now and then, listen to music and watch movies on your machine, there is absolutely no reason (anymore) to not switch to Linux. Unless you’re easy on the chrome, but quite possibly that’s what this is all about =)

I also use Windows—Vista Ultimate, XP Pro, XP Home, Windows Home Server…

They all have positives and negatives.

The low-end Windows machines are often glorious, inexpensive solutions for most users.

I have been quite impressed with the usability of $500-$700 Windows desktops and notebooks that I have installed in the last year.

I think you need to have more experience with today’s low end Windows machines before you dismiss them.

Also, I disagree with your assertion that Macs are more secure. They were recently hacked more quickly than Vista or Linux at a SF hackers convention.

When clients need me to access their computers I have gotten into user accounts in Leopard where the password was lost or unknown. I have never been able to do this Vista try as hard as I may.

I also feel that Apple hardware is often less reliable than comparable PC components. This is based upon anecdotal experience. However, given the premium that Apple charges their equipment should ALWAYS be rock-solid. This is not so.

You’re acting as if PC’s are ALWAYS so bad and unreliable. You’re trading ALL PC’s as one group. A bad group.

“Mac is more secure, stable, efficient, and friendly than a PC”. Is this a fact?

I happen to know that the Sony Vaio computer that works great.

1. It’s secure (OneCare AV)
2. I always update Windows, and it’s been pretty darn stable for me.
3. I got great specs in mine. Don’t know about other “PC’s”. Pretty efficient.
4. I think Vista’s been pretty friendly for me. I can pretty much navigate without a problem. Though no matter how hard I try nail OS X down, I just can’t get used to it. I wonder which is more friendlier now.

So is my Vaio considered a Mac?

Truth is, is that PC’s come in a range of sizes, quality, price, brands, etc. Most people buy the darn cheap ones, and they get what they pay for. The problems that you listed.

Now if you buy from a quality brand, and just do a quick look at the specs, you’ve got a great computer.

I just hate it when Mac users have never used a quality PC (outside of a Mac) and claim Macs are the only quality computers left in the world. That’s just plain stupid and ignorant.

My Vaio has been with me for about 4 years as well, and still runs Vista with all the effects. I call that “getting my money’s worth”.