The Whole Apple/Mac Scene

[Steve413z]

What do you guys think of Apple and Mac OS?

[Cap'n Skyler]

very nice indeed.i'd say you wont do yourself wrong if you got one(they are not cheap tho--duh--LOL)
you can also get a lot of up to the minute cutting edge hardware and do your own linux as well,and you wont go wrong either.
it all depends on what ya want and how much do you want to spend on it?:popcorn:

[tel93]

I like Darwin. However, I cannot stand the user interface.

[JLB]

It (OSX) kicks Linux's (hence Ubuntu's) @$$ based on the "just works" test alone. The hardware side of apple is nothing special to me other than it has a nice design. I do not buy into the whole Mac zealotry (nor the Ubuntu zealotry for that matter). Linux/Ubuntu on Mac... Why would you???

[bp1509]

I like OS X, I do not like Apple. I do not like the stereotypical Mac owner. (mind you, i said stereotypical)..

By that I mean some rich white kid who doesn't know crap about computers who has his mommy drop 3 grand on a laptop and he sits back and pretends to be elitist about his snazzy eye-candy effects and lack of viruses.

[JoshuaRL]

I like OS X, I do not like Apple. I do not like the stereotypical Mac owner. (mind you, i said stereotypical)..

By that I mean some rich white kid who doesn't know crap about computers who has his mommy drop 3 grand on a laptop and he sits back and pretends to be elitist about his snazzy eye-candy effects and lack of viruses.

Which are sub-par anyway. At the last Pwn-2-Own contest Mac got owned before Vista. And on a Flash vulnerability in Safari too. One that had been patched a long time ago.

Plus, neither OSX nor Vista can compete with Compiz for flashyness.

[schauerlich]

Which are sub-par anyway. At the last Pwn-2-Own contest Mac got owned before Vista. And on a Flash vulnerability in Safari too. One that had been patched a long time ago.

Plus, neither OSX nor Vista can compete with Compiz for flashyness.

Actually, the people essentially cheated in that competition. Instead of going into it blind and hacking based on experience, they worked on finding an exploit all year, found one about 8 months before the competition, didn't report it, and then set up a website to run their attack. They only won after the rules were loosened later in the competition.

[ad_267]

It (OSX) kicks Linux's (hence Ubuntu's) @$$ based on the "just works" test alone. The hardware side of apple is nothing special to me other than it has a nice design. I do not buy into the whole Mac zealotry (nor the Ubuntu zealotry for that matter). Linux/Ubuntu on Mac... Why would you???

It just works because when you buy a mac the OS comes preinstalled on mac hardware. Buy a computer with Ubuntu preinstalled and it will "just work" too.

[amazingtaters]

Meh, let Mac users blow their money on overpriced hardware. I mean really, lets compare...

17" Mac Book Pro:
2.5Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM
250 GB HDD
Double Layer Super Drive (DVD Drive)
GeForce 8600M GT 512mb

Total Price: 2799.00 USD


Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi6:
17" Screen
2.5Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
3GB RAM
400GB HDD
DVD SuperMulti Drive
DUAL GeForce 8600M GT 512mb

Total Price: 1899.99 USD


So, it's the difference between about 2800 dollars and 1900 dollars, or 900 dollars difference. For 900 dollars less you get 1 gig more ram, 150 gigs more HDD space, and dual video cards. Seems to me like one is the clear deal. That is my biggest problem with apple, the mark up for the "apple look." I don't really give a damn about if my hardware is the prettiest stuff out there, I want it to work and be affordable for what I'm getting. While I know "Joe 6 Pack" just wants something pretty (my brothers girlfriend wants him to get a Mac Book because they're pretty :RAGE: ) I need at least a decent performance to dollar ratio. When apple can make this happen (I won't hold my breath) then I'll drop the hate for them (oh and when I can use iTunes in Linux)

[JLB]

It just works because when you buy a mac the OS comes preinstalled on mac hardware. Buy a computer with Ubuntu preinstalled and it will "just work" too.
Complete and utter bull. Just go and compare user help forums. :rolleyes:

[arsenic23]

Complete and utter bull. Just go and compare user help forums. :rolleyes:

Are there suport forums for only people that bough Ubuntu preinstalled?
If there isn't then it's not a fair comparison.

[JLB]

Meh, let Mac users blow their money on overpriced hardware. I mean really, lets compare...

17" Mac Book Pro:
2.5Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM
250 GB HDD
Double Layer Super Drive (DVD Drive)
GeForce 8600M GT 512mb

Total Price: 2799.00 USD


Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi6:
17" Screen
2.5Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
3GB RAM
400GB HDD
DVD SuperMulti Drive
DUAL GeForce 8600M GT 512mb

Total Price: 1899.99 USD


So, it's the difference between about 2800 dollars and 1900 dollars, or 900 dollars difference. For 900 dollars less you get 1 gig more ram, 150 gigs more HDD space, and dual video cards. Seems to me like one is the clear deal. That is my biggest problem with apple, the mark up for the "apple look." I don't really give a damn about if my hardware is the prettiest stuff out there, I want it to work and be affordable for what I'm getting. While I know "Joe 6 Pack" just wants something pretty (my brothers girlfriend wants him to get a Mac Book because they're pretty :RAGE: ) I need at least a decent performance to dollar ratio. When apple can make this happen (I won't hold my breath) then I'll drop the hate for them (oh and when I can use iTunes in Linux) Can't argue the price/performance issue. Apple hardware is pricey. Again, aside from their looks, the hardware is nothing special. However, purchase something else and you are stuck with Windows bloat or Linux otherwise. BSD is my choice for non Apple harware. It too beats Windows/Linux but does not fall in to the "just works" category. Definitely not a choice for average Joe.

[JLB]

Are there suport forums for only people that bough Ubuntu preinstalled?
If there isn't then it's not a fair comparison.[EDIT] Nevermind. Not worth the effort.

[amazingtaters]

Can't argue the price/performance issue. Apple hardware is pricey. Again, aside from their looks, the hardware is nothing special. However, purchase something else and you are stuck with Windows bloat or Linux otherwise. BSD is my choice for non Apple harware. It too beats Windows/Linux but does not fall in to the "just works" category. Definitely not a choice for average Joe.

Can't fault your thinking there. I've never ventured into BSD (though I do have the 6 cd's or whatever it is for FreeBSD) but I basically feel the same way about Linux as you do about BSD. Vista is too bloated to be a solid choice. But, average Joe has 2 choices, Mac or Linux. Linux just won't be a choice for average Joe until it comes preinstalled and supported by major vendors. I'd reccomend Vista, just because there are fewer (at least relatively) stuck up snobs using it. I've met a lot of people who got their brand new Mac Book for college and think they've got the hottest, most advanced piece of hardware ever sold. When they babble about how thin and light the Air is, all it takes to deflate their balloon is to say "Ya know, Apple doesn't put a DVD drive into the Air. It's too thin. And it's only got 1 usb port." Que freakout and Mac user brain's BSOD.:)

[powerpleb]

When faced with a choice between using OS X and Windows (for example at my university), I choose OS X.
I just don't really like how Apple has marketed itself as a 'must-have' fashion accessory for pretentious <snip>. It really is the Calvin Klein of the computer world. It's a pity that such a decent operating system has to come with such overpriced, hyped-up drivel.

[3rdalbum]

I prefer to have control over what goes into my computer, so that completely stops me from buying a Mac.

[Steve413z]

Meh, let Mac users blow their money on overpriced hardware. I mean really, lets compare...

17" Mac Book Pro:
2.5Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM
250 GB HDD
Double Layer Super Drive (DVD Drive)
GeForce 8600M GT 512mb

Total Price: 2799.00 USD
Toshiba Satellite X205-SLi6:
17" Screen
2.5Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
3GB RAM
400GB HDD
DVD SuperMulti Drive
DUAL GeForce 8600M GT 512mb

Total Price: 1899.99 USD
So, it's the difference between about 2800 dollars and 1900 dollars, or 900 dollars difference. For 900 dollars less you get 1 gig more ram, 150 gigs more HDD space, and dual video cards. Seems to me like one is the clear deal. That is my biggest problem with apple, the mark up for the "apple look." I don't really give a damn about if my hardware is the prettiest stuff out there, I want it to work and be affordable for what I'm getting. While I know "Joe 6 Pack" just wants something pretty (my brothers girlfriend wants him to get a Mac Book because they're pretty :RAGE: ) I need at least a decent performance to dollar ratio. When apple can make this happen (I won't hold my breath) then I'll drop the hate for them (oh and when I can use iTunes in Linux)


I have a valid explanation for the almost $1000 difference in price

if you have ever owned a Toshiba laptop, you'll know why theres a price difference...
(i had one that gave me nothing but problems, and toshiba wouldn't repair anything under warranty)

but i agree with the point you are trying to make

[Joeb454]

I see the point, though I still wouldn't turn down a Mac. I just refuse to pay for one :p

Though I still currently get an educational discount (through University)

[billgoldberg]

Actually, the people essentially cheated in that competition. Instead of going into it blind and hacking based on experience, they worked on finding an exploit all year, found one about 8 months before the competition, didn't report it, and then set up a website to run their attack. They only won after the rules were loosened later in the competition.

Of course they are looking for exploits all the time.

Do you think those hackers came unprepared?

[billgoldberg]

I have a valid explanation for the almost $1000 difference in price

if you have ever owned a Toshiba laptop, you'll know why theres a price difference...
(i had one that gave me nothing but problems, and toshiba wouldn't repair anything under warranty)

but i agree with the point you are trying to make

Are you saying apple charges $900 for support?

I got 2 years free support from hp.

[spencercarran]

Are there suport forums for only people that bough Ubuntu preinstalled?
If there isn't then it's not a fair comparison.

Yes... on this website... under "System76 support."

[spencercarran]

A rich-as-hell friend of mine recently bought a laptop for college. Since his parents are loaded, he basically could have anything he wanted. It came down to a choice between the high-end Macbook Pro and the (prettier) regular black Macbook. The price difference was irrelevant to his decision, since daddy was buying. He went for the pretty regular black Macbook.#-o

I prefer to have control over what goes into my computer, so that completely stops me from buying a Mac.
You can control what goes into your computer. It's not difficult to run Ubuntu or any other Linux distro on a Mac. And OSX has a program that practically sets up dual-booting with Windows for you. Actually, with a Mac you have more options, because you could conceivably run any operating system there is. Nothing else will run OSX (legally). But, if you don't want OSX, I agree that a Mac is probably not the best choice. If I wasn't already using a Macbook and I needed a laptop, I'd probably get a bare-bones machine and install Linux or else go for System76 or similar.

[the8thstar]

Can't fault your thinking there. I've never ventured into BSD (though I do have the 6 cd's or whatever it is for FreeBSD) but I basically feel the same way about Linux as you do about BSD. Vista is too bloated to be a solid choice. But, average Joe has 2 choices, Mac or Linux. Linux just won't be a choice for average Joe until it comes preinstalled and supported by major vendors. I'd reccomend Vista, just because there are fewer (at least relatively) stuck up snobs using it. I've met a lot of people who got their brand new Mac Book for college and think they've got the hottest, most advanced piece of hardware ever sold. When they babble about how thin and light the Air is, all it takes to deflate their balloon is to say "Ya know, Apple doesn't put a DVD drive into the Air. It's too thin. And it's only got 1 usb port." Que freakout and Mac user brain's BSOD.:)

And no ethernet port either. The only way to connect to the internet (apart from the USB) is through wifi... Not the most reliable method by far.

[amazingtaters]

And no ethernet port either. The only way to connect to the internet (apart from the USB) is through wifi... Not the most reliable method by far.

Hey I forgot that. Good lookin out. I know I couldn't get by at school without my ethernet port, our wireless is spotty as all heck.

[powerpleb]

Are you saying apple charges $900 for support?

I got 2 years free support from hp.

I sent my laptop off to Acer to be fixed and they didn't even ask to see the receipt.

[DeadSuperHero]

I've tried OSX (through the OSX86 project), and I simply have this to say about the OS:

Pros:

-Amazing interface. At least, to me. It's very polished, and everything is quite usable.
-Drag and Drop: With little animations, it makes drag and drop amazing. For example, if you download a torrent, and it shows up in the "Download" stack, you can drag it over to a running Transmission window. It will fade slightly, ask you which files you want, and torrent it.
-Stable: Considering that I was running it on a PC and it crashed a few times, it was very stable.
-Installers: I love the whole .dmg concept. Basically, you download a .dmg file for, say, Adium. A window pops up, with nice fancy graphics. You then drag the Adium bird over to the Applications folder icon in the same window, and the installer does the rest.
-Automatically detected cameras, USB sticks, and my PSP. Correctly.
-Even without Quartz Extreme working, the iLife suite worked amazingly well.


Cons:

-OSX86 Leopard distros don't currently work very well with my ATI Radeon x800 XL card. Tiger might, but I'd be giving up Core Image for it.
-It crashed at the worst possible times, mainly when I was downloading.
-System Profiler didn't work at all on my Hackintosh.
-Apple Updates of the Kernel broke my Hackintosh.
-No Quartz extreme for me...Core Image worked, though.


Overall, I'd have to say the OS itself is great. If I had more compatible hardware (which I will, thanks to High School Graduation next year), and OSX86 was more stable (which it probably will be by the same time), then I would probably be using it as a regular laptop OS. (Which I probably will, once I get a compatible laptop as a graduation gift.)

[schauerlich]

Cons:

-OSX86 Leopard distros don't currently work very well with my ATI Radeon x800 XL card. Tiger might, but I'd be giving up Core Image for it.
-It crashed at the worst possible times, mainly when I was downloading.
-System Profiler didn't work at all on my Hackintosh.
-Apple Updates of the Kernel broke my Hackintosh.
-No Quartz extreme for me...Core Image worked, though.

All of those issues are because you were running the hacked version on unsupported hardware. Glad you liked OS X, though. :)

[DeadSuperHero]

Well of course. I consider it a nice tryout.

On a somewhat-related note, it's now possible to run Leopard with a vanilla kernel. Does that mean I can plop it onto this machine?

No. Vanilla means unhacked, and this hardware isn't even close to a Mac currently. (ATI Card with a Pentium 4? Pff.)