Mac more popular than ever

[vodacom3g]

I understand more than you might think. I am just trying to get across that most Mac users can do the same thing on a PC.

FCP is the only exception so far and knowing the crap Adobe makes I will admit that if you want to do hardcore video graphics like most broadcasters do, then FCP (and a Mac of course) if for you.


I am not saying Vista is bad, but stability wise I am sticking to XP 32bit with SP3. Missing 750MB is not hardly as bad as the frustrations I will have when my PC hangs or crashes when it is on Vista (not saying it will but I don't wanna go there).

You don't need to say Vista is bad, I will! I've never had a BSOD on Vista, but this frequent freezing is *really* frustrating.

But what really freaks me out is that I can't catch the problem. The OS just does not report properly what's happening within it.

For example, I often see a situation where one of the cores of the QC CPU sits at 100% and the machine becomes sluggish (other cores are basically idling). But all the process monitors I've tried shows no CPU utilisation per process, so I can't see which one causes the high CPU load.

This is why so many people consider Windows to be closer to an application (that can launch other applications) and not a true OS.

 

[Peder]

Okay roux firstly you're not editing in full HD!!!

So now wonder you have no problems!!

How long does your pc take to start??

 

[Drunkard #1]

When I say "most people", I don't think that we should assume them to be the most basic of users. I consider most people to be the 90% of users choosing the Wintel platform over any other. They include governments, large corporates, SMEs and individuals (which could be split into professionals, casual users, gamers, etc.). Each group makes their decision based on some of the points I've raised, amongst others. If you look at each group individually you'll see that they'll have different reasons for choosing the PC over the MAC, and as you say, some won't even have a choice.

The stats however confirm that the PC is chosen in 9 out of 10 cases. If the MAC was "the ultimate" (ie. cheap, reliable, cheap, universally supported by apps and drivers, available everywhere and cheap) then it would have a greater following. Currently it's an overpriced, unsupported, specialist platform with a very loud fan base. It would be of little benefit to "most users" considering the uncompetitive pricing, crippling lack of app support and the arrogant attitude of the suppliers.

 

[Rouxenator]

Okay roux firstly you're not editing in full HD!!!

So now wonder you have no problems!!

How long does your pc take to start??

Fine, I'll play around with some 1080 stuff that I downloaded. I can guarantee you that it will work with out a problem. See, you really do not need a Mac for anything but FCP. Unfortunately I do not have my Canon SX10 yet so 1080 recording is something I cannot do. Still it will be fun to work with those MJPEG files from the Canon once I get my hands on one. For now the Kodak Z1015 will have to do.

How long does my PC take to start up, well I don't remember, I do not have to start it that often and it is on 1200VA UPS so it never goes down on its own. Why do you have to start your computer so many times that you know the startup time ?

You don't need to say Vista is bad, I will! I've never had a BSOD on Vista, but this frequent freezing is *really* frustrating.
...
This is why so many people consider Windows to be closer to an application (that can launch other applications) and not a true OS.

I can't stand freezes. The closest I get to the is when my cordless mouse is out of juice . While the old 9x version of windows could be seen as a shell for DOS I would go so far as to say XP SP3 is the best allrounder OS out there.

 

[Rouxenator]

The stats however confirm that the PC is chosen in 9 out of 10 cases. If the MAC was "the ultimate" (ie. cheap, reliable, cheap, universally supported by apps and drivers, available everywhere and cheap) then it would have a greater following. Currently it's an overpriced, unsupported, specialist platform with a very loud fan base. It would be of little benefit to "most users" considering the uncompetitive pricing, crippling lack of app support and the arrogant attitude of the suppliers.

And one of my pet favorite gripes is that they chose Intel (after years of bashing x86). Big anti-trust corporations is something I try not to support (I already run windows so it is bad enough).

In all probability Intel told $teve they will give him so more cash if he takes their CPUs.

If apple was really that different why not run with AMD ?

 

[d0b33]

Fine, I'll play around with some 1080 stuff that I downloaded. I can guarantee you that it will work with out a problem.

I suspect Roux won't be able to report back his progress due to a blown motherboard.

I would go so far as to say XP SP3 is the best allrounder OS out there.

No surprise, it's a 7 year old OS all the bugs should be ironed out by now.

If apple was really that different why not run with AMD ?

Because they chose the best, PPC was not viable anymore, AMD's new lineup were not as good as the core range, simple business decision to make.

 

[|tera|]

But if you run a 64-bit OS, you could recover that 750MB and give it to a dedicated instance running XP in a VM.

BTW, I've had NO issues with any of my 32-bit apps on Vista-64-bit. I do, however, have serious issues with Vista just locking up for up to a minute at a time.

It's hugely frustrating. I suspect it's Explorer but because the GUI is part of the OS, it's near impossible to debug.

Use this program: www.revouninstaller.com

Use http://www.drivercleaner.net/ as well if you can (payware iirc). Uninstall your drivers with Revo and clean them with Driver Cleaner. You can uninstall all of it with Revo and you don't have to restart. Clean with Driver Cleaner, you can add more than one cleaning step to the list, then restart.

Get the latest drivers and reinstall. This includes drivers for chipset/graphics and sound.

tera

 

[vodacom3g]

Use this program: www.revouninstaller.com

Use http://www.drivercleaner.net/ as well if you can (payware iirc). Uninstall your drivers with Revo and clean them with Driver Cleaner. You can uninstall all of it with Revo and you don't have to restart. Clean with Driver Cleaner, you can add more than one cleaning step to the list, then restart.

Get the latest drivers and reinstall. This includes drivers for chipset/graphics and sound.

tera

Thanks tera, but I don't think this is the problem. I run a pretty clean setup and make sure drivers, etc. are certified and up to date.

What I really need is a utility that can show me what is really happening per core with each process but I suspect the reason these don't exist is because the OS is not exposing the information required. Hopefully I'm wrong and just have not found it yet.

/off to Google for it (again)

 

[Peder]

I am still waiting for you to answer these questions...

Roux you won't understand will you??

There is specific reason why there are graphics cards and not built in graphics...

Final cut pro will NOT work with a onboard graphics card btw, because it needs enough memory to run on its own...

Oh btw roux what editing program do you use to edit your HD stuff?

And how long is your HD Movies?

 

[|tera|]

Thanks tera, but I don't think this is the problem. I run a pretty clean setup and make sure drivers, etc. are certified and up to date.

What I really need is a utility that can show me what is really happening per core with each process but I suspect the reason these don't exist is because the OS is not exposing the information required. Hopefully I'm wrong and just have not found it yet.

/off to Google for it (again)

Pleasure V3G.

I do think however, one of the biggest mistakes people make with Vista is to use Windows Update as a source for drivers. I'm not saying you have, but many people do.

If I see a Windows Update notification that my graphics or anything that's core to the system has an update, I go to the manufacturer's site and download the full installation package.

This is a known issue since XP and even Windows 2000. Never, ever update your drivers through Windows Update, except if it is a little thing such as a bluetooth dongle etc. use your discretion.

I'd say there's no harm in trying my steps though. I managed to fix a 2 year old problem with a slow Vista shutdown on a Desktop machine recently by using a Driver Cleaner and reinstalled the latest graphics driver.

Another thing that I think might be a cause as well is if your system has a Wireless card and or is located on a wireless network. Most wifi issues have been ironed out with Sp1, but I do still have some problems, most likely their hotfixes will be available just before Sp2 hits us.

Ciao,
tera

 

[Ou grote]

Pleasure V3G.

I do think however, one of the biggest mistakes people make with Vista is to use Windows Update as a source for drivers. I'm not saying you have, but many people do.

If I see a Windows Update notification that my graphics or anything that's core to the system has an update, I go to the manufacturer's site and download the full installation package.

This is a known issue since XP and even Windows 2000. Never, ever update your drivers through Windows Update, except if it is a little thing such as a bluetooth dongle etc. use your discretion.

I'd say there's no harm in trying my steps though. I managed to fix a 2 year old problem with a slow Vista shutdown on a Desktop machine recently by using a Driver Cleaner and reinstalled the latest graphics driver.

Another thing that I think might be a cause as well is if your system has a Wireless card and or is located on a wireless network. Most wifi issues have been ironed out with Sp1, but I do still have some problems, most likely their hotfixes will be available just before Sp2 hits us.

Ciao,
tera

Interesting. Have never looked for a driver before with OSX.

 

[|tera|]

Interesting. Have never looked for a driver before with OSX.

You don't need to Apple compiled the system/hardware so they know what is inserted in it, it's not like a pc

 

[Ou grote]

You don't need to Apple compiled the system/hardware so they know what is inserted in it, it's not like a pc

Yep.
And u don't need drivers for scanners and other goodies either.

And having XP installed on Boot Camp u don't need drivers for that either.
It's taken care of.

 

[d0b33]

Yep.
And u don't need drivers for scanners and other goodies either.

And having XP installed on Boot Camp u don't need drivers for that either.
It's taken care of.

 

[|tera|]

Yep.
And u don't need drivers for scanners and other goodies either.

And having XP installed on Boot Camp u don't need drivers for that either.
It's taken care of.

Strange. As I've seen about 3 types of USB modems/camera/scanners/mp3 players/cell phones that all have Mac drivers included with the installation disc

I don't know what bootcamp is to be honest, so a definite>

 

[Rouxenator]

I suspect Roux won't be able to report back his progress due to a blown motherboard.

How on earth to you bring the processing of 1080p files instead of 720p files to a blown motherboard scenario ? As I said earlier my PC is running at 100% CPU usage since 14 months ago. The CPU itself is a dual core 3Ghz so it is pretty beefy and the board is rock solid.

No surprise, it's a 7 year old OS all the bugs should be ironed out by now.

And how is that a bad thing ?

Because they chose the best, PPC was not viable anymore, AMD's new lineup were not as good as the core range, simple business decision to make.

If it was the best why did they bash it for years?

Roux you won't understand will you??

There is specific reason why there are graphics cards and not built in graphics...

Yes it is for the performance market, everyone knows that.

Final cut pro will NOT work with a onboard graphics card btw, because it needs enough memory to run on its own...

Onboard solutions actually have more memory available to them, so are you referring to memory speed or pixel shaders here or what exactly is your point ?

Oh btw roux what editing program do you use to edit your HD stuff?

And how long is your HD Movies?

I use Nero Vision for trimming and organising various clips of 10mbps MPEG4 Quicktime videos into either HD AVC (H264) files or compiling then into a DVD. In most cases the input video files are 10 to 20 minutes and the end results can be up to an hour. I seldom apply any effects to the videos. The conversion process of the HD stream to a SD DVD is pretty fast on my machine and I do it in the background while either browsing the internet or sometimes even playing UT2004.

Any other question you have ?

 

[Ou grote]

Strange. As I've seen about 3 types of USB modems/camera/scanners/mp3 players/cell phones that all have Mac drivers included with the installation disc

I don't know what bootcamp is to be honest, so a definite>

Boot Camp is a safe place where u keep Windows, so it doesn't mess anything up.

 

[d0b33]

I don't know what bootcamp is to be honest, so a definite>

It partitions your Mac drive to allow you to install windows on it and when you boot your mac you have a dualboot setup but the bonus is that OSX DVD includes all the drivers needed so you just run the windows installer to setup windows properly.

 

[Ou grote]

It partitions your Mac drive to allow you to install windows on it and when you boot your mac you have a dualboot setup but the bonus is that OSX DVD includes all the drivers needed so you just run the windows installer to setup windows properly.

Properly indeed, I have had XP safely installed for 17 months now.
When I had a pc. I needed to format at least every 2 months.

 

[vodacom3g]

Pleasure V3G.

I do think however, one of the biggest mistakes people make with Vista is to use Windows Update as a source for drivers. I'm not saying you have, but many people do.

If I see a Windows Update notification that my graphics or anything that's core to the system has an update, I go to the manufacturer's site and download the full installation package.

This is a known issue since XP and even Windows 2000. Never, ever update your drivers through Windows Update, except if it is a little thing such as a bluetooth dongle etc. use your discretion.

I'd say there's no harm in trying my steps though. I managed to fix a 2 year old problem with a slow Vista shutdown on a Desktop machine recently by using a Driver Cleaner and reinstalled the latest graphics driver.

Another thing that I think might be a cause as well is if your system has a Wireless card and or is located on a wireless network. Most wifi issues have been ironed out with Sp1, but I do still have some problems, most likely their hotfixes will be available just before Sp2 hits us.

Ciao,
tera

Fully agree on not letting MS Update install drivers, especially display drivers.

I personally think the problem is how Explorer (that pretty much manages everything) allows applications to hook into it. While this allows for an extensible system, it also allows rogue applications to hold the whole system up. I've seen this a few times where the CPU gets stuck at 100% but no process shows this high usage in process monitors such as Task Manager.

Then by killing tasks one by one, you find the culprit but it invariable was a process that had no CPU utilisation in TM but killing it releases the CPU. These tend to be processes that involves file handling (backup programs, virus scanners, etc.), so I suspect the big problem is this interaction with explorer that breaks down and spins up the core.

But with proper monitoring tools one would not need to speculate.