PearlJam
Expert Member
What software comes "bundled" with the mac pro? It seems that this could become much closer if we compare software that you get vs buy. 
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Mac vs PC
- Thread starter PearlJam
- Start date
Skeptik
Banned
Sometimes the trial software is different depending on which Apple dealer is advertising. e.g. Office for Mac.
==
Apple seems to attribute value to its bundled software that isn't there. >>The OS is very nice, let's not downplay<< that.
But the games that come with the Mac are just amateurish.
The Chess game crashes all the time (midgame).
The Comic thingy appears stylish, but also seems too much like shareware (coz it is
). iMovie was crashing a hellava lot the last time I looked.
They also had some serious problem with the system 'help' function. They fixed this (7 months later). How is it now?
Some of the hardware is flaky too:
The inbuilt camera is very low quality. In fact, since they stoped using CCD technology, it's all been a bit blurry.
The Mighty Mouse was just cr*p. It lasted 5 minutes.
Even the keyboard seemed very creeky.
I've already mentioned the superdrive and the barely passable graphics card.
==
All in all what is left? OSX...
Apple have cut things to the bone on these machines. LCD (lowest common denominator) because they know people will buy it for OSX.
The what?Skeptik said:
A couple thoughts -
why would you want a fixed built-in camera with a resolution of greater than 640 x 480? Even apps like skype only use half that and with bandwidth costing what it does here I wouldnt want more. I use full screen iChat between UK and here and it looks great.
iMovie works fine - I've only really been using it since the HD version so cant comment on versions prior to that.
I like the bluetooth mighty mouse which I use along side the b/t keyboard on my mini however 99% of my work is done on my laptop with its trackpad - there's nothing creaky about any of my keyboards - the backlighting is also something to write home about.
I havent played chess or any games on it since 10.1.
Keynote rocks but that is a trial app and Pages, also part of iWork, is ok but it needs a little bit of work. The iLife suite is great - no complaints and even though I have mostly switched to aperture iPhoto is pretty damn good.
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Sometimes the trial software is different depending on which Apple dealer is advertising. e.g. Office for Mac.
==
Apple seems to attribute value to its bundled software that isn't there. >>The OS is very nice, let's not downplay<< that.
But the games that come with the Mac are just amateurish.
The Chess game crashes all the time (midgame).
The Comic thingy appears stylish, but also seems too much like shareware (coz it is
iMovie was crashing a hellava lot the last time I looked.
They also had some serious problem with the system 'help' function. They fixed this (7 months later). How is it now?
Some of the hardware is flaky too:
The inbuilt camera is very low quality. In fact, since they stoped using CCD technology, it's all been a bit blurry.
The Mighty Mouse was just cr*p. It lasted 5 minutes.
Even the keyboard seemed very creeky.
I've already mentioned the superdrive and the barely passable graphics card.
==
All in all what is left? OSX...
Apple have cut things to the bone on these machines. LCD (lowest common denominator) because they know people will buy it for OSX.
Sounds like that machine fell off the back of a truck!.
PearlJam
Expert Member
The question was really WHAT software. I have no clue what you get free. The equivalent to office, etc. IOW, what do you get free that you have to pay for otherwise with a PC
Skeptik
Banned
Think of most of the free software as being in the same league as Wordpad, then you know where you stand.
Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
* • Address Book
* • DVD Player
* • iCal
* • iChat AV
* • Preview
* • Safari (their version of Firefox)
* • Xcode (for writing code for the Mac)
* • iLife ‘06 suite for creating photo projects, making movies, designing DVDs, building websites, and composing music
One of these is Garageband = quite intriguing, though appears to be a taster for the serious package that Apple wants to sell you.
* • Front Row (DVD player that works with rem control)
* • Photo Booth (a toy that lets you take rough snaps with inbuilt cr*ppy camera)
* • Comic Life (make your own comics - shareware)
* • OmniOutliner (tool for representing ideas - couldn't find a reason to use it)
+ Trial Software:
* • iWork ‘06 30-day trial
* • Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 30-day Test Drive
It's not hype. I also thought Macheads were Mactards until I tried a Mac.
Its a machine which really works. It does what I want it do, without any
messing around. The operating system is MUCH better than Windows.
Windows is full of BS, it bothers you constantly with BS, it crashes at times
or even if it doesn't, it pops up warnings, steals your attention (especially
when you're typing you suddenly find a stupid message box and all your
typing gone) and is just a pain in the butt.
Mac has better productivity software, on average, it has a much better
OS and the hardware is all certified (you can add any hdd though) and
it just works perfectly. You don't waste time on stupid Windows things.
You don't need AV or malware scanners. You don't need to update constantly. You don't need the STUPID Windows Advantage stuff which
wastes your TIME and BANDWITH to constantly check if you paid
for OS is legitimate or not.
Depending on what you wanna do, I would recommend a MAC.
If you're into Video Editing, Video post production, DVD authoring,
music authoring, and of course photo/graphics editing, I would
recommend a MAC. If you're into other things, a PC may suffice
or be better - as long as you get over the stupidity of Windows.
At the end of the day, especially if you value your time, the Mac
and it's brilliant UNIX based Operating System will save you time
and money, much much more than the small initial premium you may
have to pay for a South African Mac.
Then again if you buy the video editing suite for the Mac, FCP,
you'll realise it's better and cheaper (by R2000) than Adobe's
Premiere Pro. The Operating system upgrade is also cheaper
than buying a Windows (Vista) upgrade. You won't need an
AV package either.
So you'll be saving a lot of money, anyhow.
Not true. iMovie and iPhoto are premium grade. iMovie HD is all you need
to edit good DVDs with great quality menus. Windows MovieMaker is
Fisher-Price junk in comparison.
DVD player. While Windows may contain an OEM copy of PowerDVD/WinDVD
(with the drive) Mac DVD player is at least as good a product.
I used all versions of Windows from 3.1 to XP Pro (including NT 3.51)
but Mac OS X is by far the best OS of all of them.
I would ask what MS offers with the Plus Packs for XP and Vista.
Extra wallpapers and system grunts. Come on.... how much does the Plus
Pack cost anyhow???
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You won't get Office for free. You get a trial version. I think the Mac
version is even cheaper than the Windoze version.
PearlJam
Expert Member
On video editing for instance, the time it takes to render, etc. have you had a chance to compare the mac vs the pc?
Another thing, how quiet does the mac pro run? or does it also have the normal fans like pc's?
Another thing, how quiet does the mac pro run? or does it also have the normal fans like pc's?
gunslinger
Well-Known Member
This always end up the same..... the mac guys defending a good product and the windows guys slacking off everything the mac guys say.
I have put some effort into it when I got a mac the end of last year and I was very sceptic about the whole switch over. I have been working on windows machines for a long time as most IT companies only understand Windows.
Its going to take allot to get me to go back to spending a load of cash on a HP, Dell laptop that looks all the same "Plastic". One work colluge received the new HP laptop last week that our company issue and its got Vista on with 2 GB mem. And what its still slow and it still cant multi task properly.
I do all my remote support and office work on my mac and its working great. Where do you get a laptop that you can put to sleep and wake it for more then 30 days with no reboot to clear mem out.
Well thats my 2pence worth.
I have put some effort into it when I got a mac the end of last year and I was very sceptic about the whole switch over. I have been working on windows machines for a long time as most IT companies only understand Windows.
Its going to take allot to get me to go back to spending a load of cash on a HP, Dell laptop that looks all the same "Plastic". One work colluge received the new HP laptop last week that our company issue and its got Vista on with 2 GB mem. And what its still slow and it still cant multi task properly.
I do all my remote support and office work on my mac and its working great. Where do you get a laptop that you can put to sleep and wake it for more then 30 days with no reboot to clear mem out.
Well thats my 2pence worth.
Skeptik
Banned
That's me. I've used Apples since the start. Then it was PeeCees for a long time, then I tried an iMac (intel). How things have changed. It was so bad, I returned it.
Apart from the super OSX, the Mac has devolved into a pretty PeeCee with the cheapest Chinese parts inside that they could get away with and the cheapest peripherals (mouse & keyboard). The Apple heads became so used to forgetting about graphics and video that in the new Intel machines, they have gone super cheap. In fact the cheapest Macs have integrated graphics. How quaint.
The answer from the cult (of Apple) is that "if I want games, I should buy a console" .
If they are not careful, the hardware side will fold and Apple will become a purely software and music player company.
We'll we've obviously had different experiences. Nothing cheap'n'nasty about my laptop, or my mini come to think of it, but then I havent used an iMac in a long time so I'm in no position to pass any judgement on that. I was curious as to how the integrated graphics would perform on the mini but so far so good. Just loaded up America's army the other day but havent had the time to play it.
That brings me on to my next point - if you want to play games you should run windows and doing that on Mac hardware is as good a way as any to do that. Of course it would be nice to see the developers churn out more Mac titles but until then bootcamp.
I will say I am in agreement with the last point you made - Apple's focus on the iPhone at the expense of leopard is annoying. There's nothing wrong with 10.4 but I was looking forward to the new OS as well as a new iLife/iWork suite that would have invariably accompanied it.
That brings me on to my next point - if you want to play games you should run windows and doing that on Mac hardware is as good a way as any to do that. Of course it would be nice to see the developers churn out more Mac titles but until then bootcamp.
I will say I am in agreement with the last point you made - Apple's focus on the iPhone at the expense of leopard is annoying. There's nothing wrong with 10.4 but I was looking forward to the new OS as well as a new iLife/iWork suite that would have invariably accompanied it.
PearlJam
Expert Member
The intention was to try and establish by means of facts what is the best option taking price and performance into consideration.
You would be best served getting a PC.
YES
Power supply = 1 Kilowatt (that's the Mac Pro power supply)
Case (top quality, everything is beautifully arranged)
(you won't find a better PC case)
Mac OSX (you can't buy seperately, so pick Vista, what's the price of
the OEM Ultimate version then?)
Mouse
Keyboard
Plus its all pre-assembled and guaranteed. No wasting time messing with screwdrivers and faulty parts.
supersunbird
Honorary Master
This thread title is misleading. It should be:
OSX vs Windows
OSX vs Windows
Perhaps it should be but people tend to focus on the hardware for some reason.