radioboy Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 My dad (as we all know from my other threads) is afraid if I get a mac I won't be able to do as much as I coudl with a PC... so could you guys tell me A) The mac equivalent of some major programs or B) Things you can do with a PC but actually can't do with a Mac (Run x86 software doesnt count, lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MipScript Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Most major applications have been moved from Windows to Mac. And theres not much you cant do on a windows computer you cant do on a Mac. Theres more things you can do on a Mac then you can do on a windows computer not to mention the just thousands and thousands of freeware open-source software for it. Just get a Mac if you want a Mac its compatible with windows in every which way except taking x86 software but for that we have VPC it may be a bit slow but it runs ok.. (works smoothly on my 800Mhz iBook not as good as a real windows machine of course but still very useable) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PureEdit Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 lol, you will be able to do so much more. It just takes a few weeks to find good apps and stuff. There isnt much you *cant* so on windows that you can do on OS X, but it is WAY easier to do just about anything on OS X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VGVL Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 (edited) It's easier to get real work accomplished without worrying about hardware compatibility and driver problems. Most programs that have both Mac and Windows versions run better on Mac. A perfect example of this is Macromedia Studio MX 2004 and Office 2004. The GUI is very advanced and can only be described with one word: Awesome. Expos? and QuickTime really show the power of QuartzExtreme. I am still amazed every time I minimize a movie playing in Quicktime to the dock and it keeps playing in the dock with no slowdown at all. The icons are very nice. They have real shadows and transparency, and the edges are not jagged. The multitasking abilities of OSX are impressive, and so is the way it handles the system RAM and pagefile. Having a real UNIX Terminal and X11 is also very useful. I can run and compile all the programs I used to run in Linux without a single problem. The iLife Apps are very useful. The Operating System itself is elegant and easy to use. If you can get a Mac, get a Mac. There is really no reason not to unless you have very specific needs that prevent you from doing so. Edited June 14, 2004 by Huezo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoyablue Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 When you first switch, it will seem like you've made a mistake... Once you get used to it, the platform is incredible!!! Versiontracker.com and Macupdate.com will become your best friends as there are a lot of programs on there (even unique ones that aren'te available on windows). Also, tell your dad that if he buys you a dell I'm coming after him:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristotle-dude Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Also, tell your dad that if he buys you a dell I'm coming after him:). Umm... yeah, you don't want to scare people away from the mac do you? ;) :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabaTime Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Most major applications have been moved from Windows to Mac. And theres not much you cant do on a windows computer you cant do on a Mac. Theres more things you can do on a Mac then you can do on a windows computer not to mention the just thousands and thousands of freeware open-source software for it.Just get a Mac if you want a Mac its compatible with windows in every which way except taking x86 software but for that we have VPC it may be a bit slow but it runs ok.. (works smoothly on my 800Mhz iBook not as good as a real windows machine of course but still very useable) very well said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macman87 Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 When you first switch, it will seem like you've made a mistake...Once you get used to it, the platform is incredible!!! Versiontracker.com and Macupdate.com will become your best friends as there are a lot of programs on there (even unique ones that aren'te available on windows). i have to agree with that. thats how i felt when i switched. but then i got use to everything i loved my mac :) so the moral of the story is, we are being honest and it won't be a smooth ride, but you will get there soon enough to want another mac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PureEdit Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 When you first switch, it will seem like you've made a mistake...Once you get used to it, the platform is incredible!!! Versiontracker.com and Macupdate.com will become your best friends as there are a lot of programs on there (even unique ones that aren'te available on windows). Also, tell your dad that if he buys you a dell I'm coming after him:). I hate version tracker, but mac update is pretty good. Version tracker never has an easy way to find the apps or authors homepage, and I like to see the official sites on things. And even if you dont go mac, DONT get a dell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VGVL Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 When you first switch, it will seem like you've made a mistake... That is not true for everyone. In my case, I had a lot of fun exploring a new operating system. But then again, my definition of "fun" involves a UNIX Terminal. :p I never felt like I had made mistake at any point. In fact, I felt I had made the best purchase of my life. :happy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 The good thing about OS X is, it has the power and geekness of UNIX, or you can just use the simplicity that is Mac OS... Either way its to your benefit, and in truth, i rarely launch terminal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the evn show Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 That is not true for everyone. In my case, I had a lot of fun exploring a new operating system. But then again, my definition of "fun" involves a UNIX Terminal. :p When I brought my powerbook home I tossed it on the desk, plugged it in, went through the welcome/setup screens, installed office, photoshop, developer tools, and then copied my data down from the server. Then I looked and said "Now what"? There was nothing left to do except the same old things I had been doing for years. With Windows you'd normally install it, patch, update, install software (patch, update) defrag, scan disk, disable some services and add some registry teaks, maybe install some drivers and customize you icons, theme, visual style, etc. You can easily spend a few days playing with your new computer when you install windows (when I was using gentoo linux I could easily spend a few days waiting for things to compile!) When i got my mac and after about an hour there was nothing left to 'tweak' on. Isn't that how it should be? I can't really do _more_ than I could with Windows (or Linux) because they both have applications that do the same tasks, but the things I used to do I can do better now: It's a combination of the the applications available and the way the OS works that make me more productive; being productive is why I own a computer in the first place (well, that and porn ;)) I never felt like I had made mistake at any point. In fact, I felt I had made the best purchase of my life. :happy: I can say that my PowerBook was the best computer purchase I've made, but over all I'd say the best purchase I made was my iPod. The powerbook filled a hole for a tool very nicely, it was also significantly better than the tools I had before but given sufficient motivation (6 figure sallary) I could probably go back to using a Windows machines on my desktop. The iPod replaced my minidisc player. It was/is an order of magnitude better than how I used to cary my music: Every song I could ever want to hear is no more than 10 seconds away. It's small, lasts a full day on a charge, doesn't require my attention, is usable, and is stylish. Going back to the old way is not an option and pulling me away from my ipod would take one hell of an improvement. Powerbook good, iPod great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PureEdit Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 being productive is why I own a computer in the first place (well, that and porn ) ROFL, I was looking around on your website and noticed some links to some explicit photos. Nice site btw ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eAi Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I've always been split between the two worlds, my parents both use macs, while I use a PC so I've had quite a lot of experience of both. Macs appart from being very well designed, work very well. Theres obviously, like any OS, OSX has its flaws, and niggly irritating things, like I think it still won't organise numbers files sequentially (e.g. it does 1,10,11,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 instead of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11) which Windows XP does, but thats hardly the end of the world. Mac OSX significantly improves on OS7/8/9, particularily in its windows compatibility (network wise, it seems to connect to windows computers better than windows xp sometimes manages), its GUI (beautiful :)) and its ease of use. Its also fun to use as the GUI responds to you more than just changing color, drag somthing into the dock, and the icons spread appart to let the new icon in, instead of like windows, just showing a little "your icon will go here" black line. Why I wouldn't use a mac, day to day: - I want to play PC Games (half-life mainly) - I sometimes want to program in visual basic - I find windows faster to use than mac os X (I don't mean litterally, i mean there are more keyboard shortcuts and they are more responsive imo) - Macs cost a lot - You can't really upgrade a mac (new gfx cards etc) - I'm used to windows :) Macs are great, I just wouldn't "switch" until most (if not all) of the above were not a problem. eAi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzy_logic Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 When you first switch, it will seem like you've made a mistake... Well, I'm not sure about you guys but I made the switch 2 months ago and never thought it was a mistake... By the way, X11 is so much better than any x-win programs on windows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoyablue Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 You all won't believe how the Macintosh platform scared me at first. I felt very isolated! Gradually though, I began to notice the advantages and I know I was hooked from then on. Sometimes, people are afraid of change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MipScript Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 When I switched I thought this disc image thing is weird, haha I was like wtf?! haha. I got used to it though and I much prefer the drag and drop having all this unknown software install itself with programs is annoying and having to load just 1 app file instead of installing 1 EXE 4 DLL's and everything else on windows. Not to mention not having a registry nothing booting up from start by default. On windows if you install something like Winamp it will boot itself up at the start up of your computer. And if you don't know how to turn that off it can drastically slow down ya computer, not Winamp on its own but with combined with 3 or 4 different applications. But with Os X you get none of that your Apple always stays the same boot up speed. Unless you set stuff to boot up yourself but the difference is you choose to have what boots up not like windows where it does it without telling you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusion Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 B) Things you can do with a PC but actually can't do with a Mac (Run x86 software doesnt count, lol) Cut and Paste a file. :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Player Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 Look at THIS its the Neowin Guide of Essential Programs for Mac. It has the Mac equivalent of alot of PC programs as well as some fun stuff you cant get on the PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PureEdit Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 Cut and Paste a file. :angry: That is more an OS issue. If you use a alternate finder you can cut/paste, or if you use linux you can. I am sure I could find some OS for x86 that didn't have that feature either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusion Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 That is more an OS issue. If you use a alternate finder you can cut/paste, or if you use linux you can.I am sure I could find some OS for x86 that didn't have that feature either. From the sound of it, he will be using OS X, not linux. Yes, it is an OS issue, I agree. But it is something you can't do on OS X that you can do on windows. You shouldn't need to download another finder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioboy Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 eh i don't do that anyway small price to pay ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VGVL Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 Cut and Paste a file. :angry: Spring-Loaded folders make up for it though. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PureEdit Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 From the sound of it, he will be using OS X, not linux. Yes, it is an OS issue, I agree. But it is something you can't do on OS X that you can do on windows.You shouldn't need to download another finder. Very true, It should be part of OS X, it is a good feature. I would rather have a dropbox in the dock or sidebar, but both features would be good to add in Tiger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Dorr Veteran Posted June 15, 2004 Veteran Share Posted June 15, 2004 You shouldn't need to download another finder. I dunno, PathFinder's pretty slick: http://www.cocoatech.com/pf.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts