computer help

[Krieg]

It's not so much that lower end Macs can't be upgraded, just that Apple makes it so frustratingly difficult to do so.

On the flat panel iMacs the only internal part you can access is a slot for a single DIMM, everything (including the other memory slot) else requires that you go through an Apple certified company. All of the hardware (HDD, CD/RW, Mobo etc) is physically sealed at the factory making it virtually imposible to access the internal components (and if you do manage to get inside you've voided the warranty).

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

(and if you do manage to get inside you've voided the warranty).

In all fairness to Apple, every PC I've owned says the same thing on the case. Fortunately for me I don't believe in "warranties".

 

[Krieg]

In all fairness to Apple, every PC I've owned says the same thing on the case. Fortunately for me I don't believe in "warranties".

True, but if you replace a HDD in a Dell their tech support is still going to work with you. They just aren't going to pay for it if you managed to physically damage something.

Swapping a hard drive or a video card in a low end PC is easy, even for a novice. The provided link should give you a better idea of what the same would entail with an iMac...

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/iMac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

 

[Ottergame]

my aunt says macs are becomeing obsoliete and i dont think so, is this true?

Actually, they were outdated in the late 80's. It depends on what you are going to be using the computer for. If you want to run a server, web site, or the like, get a Novell or Linux. If you plan on gaming or other general uses, get a PC, because they cost less then Macs for the same comperable system. If you are going to do graphics work, publishing, or video editing, get a Mac.

 

[Galethorn]

To be fair, I've done all kinds of multimedia work (audio, video, 3d, photoshop, illustrator, etc.) on both Macs and PCs, and the whole thing about Macs being better for that kind of stuff is just hype from the mid-90s that never died down, even when it became blatantly untrue.

First of all, for the same performance, a Mac costs more. Period.

Secondly, OSX can not multitask. As in, if you have two programs running, doing something that uses the CPU, unlike a PC with windows/linux/anything, the Mac won't just do both things slower; one of the two things will crash, if not the whole system. I've seen this first hand, and it's horribly frustrating. It's funny how Apple could take Unix, of all things, and make it so unstable.

Third, you have to pay extra to get a mouse with more than one button, let alone a roller (which is, in my opinion, the most useful addition to a peripheral since the advent of rudder controls on a joystick).

Fourth, it costs more, takes more effort, and is a horrible irritation to upgrade a Mac.

Fifth, Macs use a file system that makes retrieving lost (in other words, accidentally deleted) files impossible. If this hasn't ever been a problem for you, it will, some day.

Finally, because it's been bothing me quite a bit, Macs aren't nearly as stable as they're cracked up to be. On average, I've had the Macs I work on crash (as in 'have to restart') about once every two hours, while doing 'high'-end editing. On my home system (a PC running XP pro, of course), I think I've been forced to actually restart it once in the last month. Once!

So, think about that next time you say that Macs are better at multimedia. They aren't, and they haven't been since about 1996.

All that said, the Mac is still good at all the same things a PC is, except for getting games within the same year as they come out.
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Of course, all of that is IMHO and/or In My Experience. I'm just some kid who does photoshop and 3d work for fun, and has used both platforms quite a bit. If you don't believe me, at least make sure you've seen both sides of it like I have before making any blanket statements.
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Anyway, back to the point of the post, I'd have to say that you should get what you've used the most/like the most. It's all that really matters if you're doing word-processing, chat, surfing, and games that are most definately not cutting edge in terms of graphics. If you're most comfortable with a PC, get a PC. If you're most comfortable with a Mac, get a Mac.

Now, if you're equally familiar with both, and want the 'best' (or 'highest performance') computer for your money, then a PC would probably be better.

 

[mjkmarker]

I have a Mac G4 with Final Cut Pro for high end video editing and I don't think I would go back to editing on a PC as it was often a difficult time. So while PC's may be getting better in this area, it has been my experience that Mac's are better for this type of operation. If you are mostly going to be playing games I would go with a PC for the cost, and you probably won't have to wait for the latest games like you do for the Mac. Neverwinter Nights for Mac came out just a few months ago.

 

[Ottergame]

It's not that Macs are better at video editing and all that other stuff they have a repuation for. The OS and the hardware is no better than the PC for any of that stuff. It's that there is a better variety of high end software that is Mac only. While that is becoming less true as more Windows software comes out, Macs still have that edge for the time being.

 

[babomb]

I've been taking apart and putting together computers for years, I'm a CompTIA A+ Certified Professional, and I'm a Computer Science major. If there's anything I can say with certainty about computers, it's this: the PCs are custom-built. I know most people tend to trust established brands, but these pre-packaged PCs aren't the way to go. The best way to buy a computer is to go to a computer shop and have them build a machine for YOU, instead of for a bulk retailer like CompUSA. Or better yet, go to a computer shop, buy the PARTS and a book that teaches you how to put them together yourself. It's really not hard at all, and you'll probably learn a lot.

If you have to go with a package deal, though, Dell has good customer service and you can customize your machine to a certain extent if you order directly from them.

Oh, and PC is definitely the way to go. They aren't quite as user-friendly, but they aren't too hard to figure out, and they've got more software in general.

 

[Ottergame]

I've been taking apart and putting together computers for years, I'm a CompTIA A+ Certified Professional, and I'm a Computer Science major...

I have the same stuff, but I disagree. The BEST computer you are going to get is one built by the very high end custom PC makers like Alienware and the like. It's not enough to buy the most powerful of each type of equipment and toss them into a box together, certain components work best when in certain combinations with other specific brands and setups. The high end dealers test the different configurations and figure out which ones give the most performance. While they charge so much it's almost to the point of ripping you off, if you need a very powerful but very stable system, it's the best way to go. It's not something even the most educated and experienced individual is going to be able to accomplish on his own.

 

[Dimwhit]

I recommend not listening to Windows users opinions about Macs. Their opinions are largely outdated and fed to them from other sources. (Not all, but most.)

i mainly want to use it to surf the web, chat, and play some games on the side like wc3 and diablo2 and ive checked and they are compatablie.well i can get an emac for 750, 100 more than the dell. is it easy to learn how to use it?

eMacs are fantastic machines. Are they upgradeable? Not really. But I've never seen one that needed to be upgraded. For the price, you get a very excellent machine. And from what it sounds like you are doing, it's perfect.

They are easy to learn. And when you have problems, there are quite a number of Mac users here on these boards that will be very willing to help out.

In the end, buy what you want. If you liked what you saw of Macs, you won't regret buying one. In the last two years or so, there isn't one things I've wanted to do on a computer that I couldn't do on my Mac. And I do a good variety of things.

Well, I just deleted a very lengthy reply to the points made by Galethorn, but I deleted it. Not really the place, and I don't want to start a flamewar. Suffice it to say that, with the exception of the one-button mouse thing, I've never experienced any of the issues Galethorn has. (Not with OSX anyway.)

So have at it! Get an eMac!