Mac/Windows/Linux?

Technology and Gaming
#41

I got a brand new computer with Vista and it ran like a 18-wheeler truck; slow to start, terrible to maneuver and hard to stop without causing the whole thing to crash and explode.

Huh?

No, you’re right, I wasn’t ‘forced’ to buy Vista. It just came on my new laptop and was presented as a good way to maximise the speed of a dual core processor. Oh lord how that was wrong.

Yeah, and Windows-fanboys do exactly the same thing.

Why yes because I live in Australia, where moneys are strange and not worth the same as your moneys.

Fail at a lack of appreciation for globalisation and the spread of international markets.

My specs:

HP Compaq 6910p
Processor: T7700 @ 2.40Ghz
RAM: 2GB (upgraded)
HDD: 80GB
Graphics card: ATI Mobility Radeon X2300
Screen size: 14.1"
Weight: 2kg
Price: Roughly $AUD1600 two and a half years ago? I can’t remember exactly. Probably a little more. Call it $AUD1800 at max.

Anything else?

Macbook Pro
Processor: 2.53Ghz
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 250GB
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Screen Size: 13.4"
Weight: 2kg
Price: $AUD1850 (including academic discount)

Or:

Macbook Pro
Processor: 2.53Ghz
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 250GB
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Screen Size: 15.4"
Weight: 2kg
Price: $AUD2150 (including academic discount)

I’m undecided between those two. I’ll probably go for the smaller model since its lighter, cheaper, and I have an uber gaming computer at home.

Believe me, I’ve done my research. Macs aren’t that much of a rip off.

#42

What I meant is that “proffessionals” have to upgrade it for you.

And you didn’t have to use the OS that came with that laptop, you could always use Linux or something else.

https://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module2/75529/mac_gamers2_qjpreviewth.jpg

https://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20060513

https://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20021126

I rest my case.

#43

No wonder Vista ran like shit, your PC is shit. Run Vista on a machine it’s meant to be run on and it will be fine.

Allowing manufacturers to release computers and laptops that didn’t meet the specs for Vista (and no option to get XP instead) made people think Vista sucks because on their computer it did.

Run Vista with 4GB+ of Ram and a decent CPU and videocard and it won’t suck.

It also helps to know what the fuck you are doing with a computer though.

Then you haven’t researched enough because Macs really are a rip off.

Vista was released too early. Generally computers didn’t have the now common 4GB of ram which helps hugely to run Vista/7. Although running Vista on a laptop is fail anyway. Just download a copy of XP or buy a key off your friends who don’t use it anymore.

#44

Barring the back and forth discussions this is honestly my thought of the situation as a true blood Windows user on a Mac.

They aren’t as bad as people make it out to be. I will agree with the whole fact people are paying way too much for the Apple name like it’s some upscale rich-person style. But that’s how they built their image, kudos to them for pulling it off. The reason why it holds so well is that OS X is actually good. Sure it’s nothing like Windows with it’s versatility, but the integration of all the programs and the Apple software they include are actually very nice. Spotlight was a feature I LOVED on OS X (which is now on Vista/Windows 7 to a degree, but still not as well integrated as it was on OS X). I could survive easily in the OS X environment for my daily tasks and actually enjoy it more at times. Also, Safari and Mail > IE and Outlook any day. The only downfall is video games. Yes I know there is Bootcamp and yes I know there is Crossover, but I’m talking about OS X itself.

Linux… Eh… I feel too gimped using it. Too much work at times to make the damn thing do what I want it to.

Windows, it works for what I need. Video game support, productivity, creation apps, etc.

In my honest opinion, it really boils down to what you need as a user. You can’t compare the three. They all offer different “usability” and all three can do things the others can. It just depends on what you do on a daily basis. Linux flavors are more for power users who want an efficient machine, Windows users need the compatibility of a bunch of different apps and programs, and Macs involve a specific set of tools that they really excel at.

#45

And I still respond with my “huh?” since that’s not true. I know because I’ve poked around inside Macs before, and the Mac website tells you how to change out components of your Mac (although, AFAIK you can’t replace the processor and graphics, but then again, why would you want to?).

And while everyone always says that games are better on PCs, its not really true, and I doubt I’ll be using this particular laptop for gaming much since I have my uber mega gaming PC at home. There are a lot more games on Mac than there used to be, and if you’re willing to put in about ~15 minutes worth of effort, you can get most games running flawlessly.

Since Windows 7 runs fine on my computer, I think I’ll stay safe in the knowledge that Vista sucked. If a more sophisticated operating system still runs fine on my computer, whereas its predecessor didn’t, then clearly the predecessor had some serious issues.

So basically Vista isn’t a flawed operating system if you run it on an extremely small amount of desktops with the required specifications? That really is appealing to the niche of niche markets, isn’t it?

Find me a laptop that weights about 2kg, has the same specs as a Mac and is significantly cheaper (like, >$100 or so, I’m not going to haggle over a few dollars), and I’ll buy it. You can get laptops with better specs, but you pay for it in weight, and weight is paramount for a laptop.

Bear in mind that I live in Australia; while you people in the US may be able to get other laptops cheaper, we tend to get screwed up the wazoo with prices. What’s cheaper for me may not be cheaper for you.

#46

Windows 7 is alot faster than vista my brother has it, BTW he is my younger brother, his specs, radeon x1650 512 MB ram. hard drive: 112 gigabytes. operating system: windows 7 home premium 32 bit. Ram: 3 gigs. prossesor: Pentium d 2.8ghz. My younger brother has these mid range pats, and windows 7 runs faster, then it did on vista on the same PC.

#47

Mac is too constricting and you’re just paying for the looks and snobbery since anything you can do on a Mac you can do on a PC…only cheaper.

Linux is only good if you’re running a server or a workstation, for desktop users it’s simply too confusing, and even after more than three years we still don’t have a stable X-Fi driver that doesn’t suck donkey ass!

Windows has it’s flaws I admit, for every flaw they fix they create a new one, even Windows 7 has some flaws that existed since Windows 98 and they’re still not fixed. But Windows is versatile enough for power users yet user friendly enough for noobs not to screw things up too bad. And if you like playing video games, well…there’s only one platform and that’s Windows, period, end of discussion.

Linux and Max have a couple of crappy indie games and Tetris knockoffs (not to mention the gazillion Sudoku variants), and from time to time some of the tripple A developers like ID or Epic throw them a bone by means of releasing Linux binaries and Mac ports of their games, but that’s about it.

If you like video games, it’s Windows, end of story.

#48

Name one thing about Mac that is ‘constricting’.

Hmm, let’s see:

OS - Windows 7: $139, $189, $259 (depending on the version, probably $189). OS X 10.6 - $39 if you upgrade from 10.5, $229 if you buy iLife '09, iWork '09 and 10.6 in a box set to upgrade from 10.4 backwards.

Office: Office 2007 for PC - $235, $259, $389, $999 (if you’re not a student, in which case its $109 for a cheapo version or $239 for the non-cheapo version). Office 2008 for Mac - $229, $500. OR iWork - $129. Or OpenOffice - Free for both.

And if you’re going to say that PCs are cheaper to buy, perhaps, but find me a laptop with the same specs as a Macbook Pro with a cheaper price tag, then we’ll talk.

Oh my God there is just nothing to play except all these crappy indie games and Tetris knockoffs.

Here’s a few with native support:

AoE2
AoE3
AoM
BF 1942
BF 2142
Bioshock
Cod4
Civ 4
C&C: Red Alert 3
C&C 3: Tiberium Wars
C&C Generals
Diablo 3
Eve Online
Fable
Guitar Hero?
Halo
Heroes of Might and Magic V
Homeworld 2
Lego Starwars I/II
Myst III/IV/V
PoP/TT
Quake 4
SimCity 4
Sims 3
Spore
JKA
KotOR
SCII
Splinter Cell
Tron 2.0 (don’t knock it - its actually half decent)
Unreal Tournament 2004
WCIII
WoW
X2
X3

Plus WINE. Or Crossover.

Its a common misconception that Macs don’t have any games. There are lots, and there are more coming out all the time. It may not be the most comprehensive list, or the most consistent, but with the introduction of Intel processors you can run more and more games on them every day.

#49

I don’t see that in their commercials. I see “Here’s why you should buy a Mac: Windows sucks”

…to…upgrade?

#50

I just never bother upgrading a graphics card and/or the processor. If you’re getting to that stage, in my book, you might as well ditch the whole system and start again, since you’ll most likely have to change the motherboard too and then you’ve just about got a new computer.

#51

Except it is true because Macs are always behind as far as processing power and graphics capabilities go.

The TOP OF THE LINE Mac Pro gives you the choices of:

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512MB

ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB [Add $200.00]

Both the GT120 and 4870 are outdated cards. And you pay out the ass for that 4870 when you can buy a 1GB 4870 on Newegg for $149.99.

Building your own PC will ALWAYS result in more performance for your money.

#52

I agree that Microsoft software is expensive (that’s why I only buy them as OEM), I don’t know how this compares to the Mac software prices. But by constricting I meant hardware upgrades. And if you’re happy paying extra just because it’s more stylish then good for you, but don’t claim that you’re paying extra because it’s a better product.

And yes there are some quality games available on Mac (though my criticism was also directed at Linux, not just Mac), but next to the available games on Windows it still pales in comparison. Plus, most mods only work on the Windows version and Mac users have to wait longer for patches and in some cases they might not even get one.

#53

I like that their website has their little page dedicated to the select games you can play (most of which are old and doesn’t include any new games).

I just noticed they highlight their “new” games:

Bioshock: Isn’t Bioshock 2 almost out?
Quake Live: Congratulations you can play Quake
Warhammer: MMO with few subscribers
X3: Wtf is that?

#54

True. But I’m mainly looking at laptops, for which gaming will be limited.

I personally wouldn’t buy a Mac as my sole gaming computer, mainly because of money and because I have my own monitors; but I would buy a Mac laptop.

iLife comes with Macs and provides a lot of functionality PCs don’t have, and which you have to pay through the nose to get.

But I am happy to pay extra because its a better product. Or at least, its on par with PCs. You can upgrade the HDD or RAM on your Macbook exactly the same way you upgrade the HDD or RAM on your PC laptop (see the Apple website for specific instructions if you’re interested). Look above for my comment about desktops.

Again, evidence thanks. As for Linux, look at WINE. The compatibility list is impressive.

A case in point is Modern Warfare 2: Released today and it runs flawlessly on Linux.

#55

WINE isn’t mature enough, there are lots of games that still don’t run flawlessly. Not to mention that you usually can’t run them at full graphical fidelity, except some of the older ones (and certain new ones I know). It’s a noble cause and someday it will be a lot better, but unless games run natively on those platforms, they’ll always play catch-up with the latest games.

And it’s spelled Grievous, not Grevious!

#56

True, its not perfect, but its a hell of a lot better than it used to be.

The top 10 platinum (i.e. games that will run perfectly with very little work):

Guild Wars
Supreme Commander
Half Life 2
Silkroad Online
Day of Defeat: Source
Spore
JKA
CoD 2
BF 2142

And the top 10 gold games (i.e. games that will run just about perfectly with very little work):

Final Fantasy XI
Warhammer Online
WoW
SC Brood War
Steam
TF2
Aion
C&C 3
WCIII

N.B. Not quite top 10; I removed the non-gaming applications.

Plus most games will either have support immediately, or get support very soon after release.

Done and done :smiley: . My bad.

#57

Common misconception: new != high-powered.

Here’s a laptop with specs better than yours, it costs $680.

https://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwca1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-14

hope the link works.

edit: well, not quite. But you can configure it how you like.

#58

With a little more depth… and I honestly don’t see the value there.

Macbook Pro
Processor: 2.53Ghz, 3MB L2 Cache
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 250GB
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 9400M (256MB shared)
Screen Size: 15.4in 1440x900
Weight 2.5kg
Price: $1,699USD

ASUS M50Vm-B1
Processor: 2.53Ghz, 6MB L2 Cache
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 320GB
Graphics: nVidia Geforce 9600M GS (1GB dedicated)
Screen Size: 15.4in 1440x900
Weight 2.7kg
Price: $1,350USD (priced over a year ago)

#59

Ok screw this discussion.

#60

I agree.
Neither party can come to a conclusion.
IMO consumers should buy what fits their needs, even if said product is restricting and/or expensive.
/mydiscussion

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