Readers weigh in on iMac design

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Macs outperform PCs

Couldn't think of a catchy subject but my first response was to Robert King.

Anyway, to debate, my rebuttal:

1,3 - PPC outperforms the x86. To properly compare cycles, I think you have to multiply by 1.8 (I think) to get even so a 1GHz PPC = 1.8 GHz x86. The Mac OS is far more stable than the latest Windows XP. Working in a graphics design house as administrator and support, I have ample time with the 3 major OS types.
That being said, YDL Linux on a 1.0GHZ is about the same (if not faster from an end user response opinion) as a 2.8GHz x86 running RH9. I would have expected the x86 to be faster being 2.8x instead of 1.8x.
Comparing OSX 10.3 to the latest XP in response time for client activity, OSX blazes XP in response time for everything. Pretty smart for Apple to offload cycles to the GPU for speed. Not to mention that Expose rocks.
If you need virtual desktop for the Mac, just add it and there is no performance decrease.
Virtual desktop for XP requires an extra 1Gig of ram to be effective and it still mucks up your applications. Sorry Microsoft, I gave you the benefit of the doubt and you failed miserably.
-shopping- we bought a couple of laptops recently. A few in the $999 range and they're miserably slow (in the 2.2GHz range) and a couple in the $2600 range. The higher priced were much better but they still don't have the sleep function down like Apple has it.
Sleep to wake on an Apple is no more than 2 seconds, sometime immediate. Sleep to wake on x86, 15 seconds to 3 minutes - on new systems.

4 - There is no free calendar for Windows that has the functionality of iCal. Even Exchange calendars don't have the features of iCal. MS can bundle as many calendars as they want as long as they give users a choice.

5 - If you don't know what Movie Shaker is, you aren't using XP.

6 - You don't need Mac virus scanners/spy sweepers. You absolutely need them if you use Windows with IE unless you're an experienced user. To not use a virus scanner or a proper firewall that doesn't leave 2 holes open on XP for an inexperienced user is totally foolish.

7 - You don't have a choice of browsers on Windows. Period. You have to create that choice. You can't remove IE, it is installed by default, and it is dangerous to use as deemed by the Department of Homeland Security (yeah, we're code RED on IE use as of June 10, 2004).
To use another browser on Windows requires a download AND you have to tell Windows to use the new browser at least twice.
Firefox is the right idea, 4.8MB or 5 minutes on dialup.
Apple gives you 2 choices, Safari or IE. MS doesn't give you a choice.
3rd party browsers integrate better with the Mac than on Windows. Mail, well, kind of iffy.

8 - The software selection for Windows is much larger than what is available for the Mac. Here's my short list for what's missing for the Mac from the Windows world that I see a use for now:

- Mappoint - Route USA is close and almost worth a cigar. Route USA at $40 is worth it though compared to Mappoint's $200.
- ACT! - I don't know if there is even a contact manager
- Goldmine - Kind of ACT! on steriods
- Proper accounting software ala Mas200, Great Plains. Quickbooks doesn't cut it. Kind of weak.
- Visio. Too bad MS bought them out. MS hasn't even improved it.
- Project. - Haven't had a need recently so it may be available.


Hardware - With Apple, you have to accept their controls on it. There is no negotiation. I accept that.
My PC hardware I can build and choose. That's fine by me.
MS didn't design the hardware, only the software and the EULA. Apple controls all of it which is probably why they have a better product.
When I personally build a PC though, you can bet your bottom dollar that there is no MS software on it.

Posted by: Oscar_Goldman   Posted on: 07/28/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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