Mac or PC?

[Slayrunt]

The time has come again where i need to update my laptop. Mine is becoming super slow as i have apparently kicked its behind the last few years.
I use it mostly for the internet and music but i want to start using it more for art type projects that i use and its my dream to start an online business somewhere in the future so id love a device appropriate for all those things.
I suppose most laptops these days do the job but just curious on everyones opinions on this.
I currently have a pc and have only ever owned pcs. Should i try out a mac this time around?

 

[Mr Trick]

I would use a laptop given the choice. Not only for the reasons you mentioned but also because you can take them with you places. And unlike the real tiny devices they make for good weapons😉

 

[The Bronze]

I've never owned a Mac, due to price and a general scepticism about Apple, so I can't really help with a side by side comparison. Before you rush out to buy a new machine though, it might be worth updating your parts. I switched the HDD on my laptop for a SSD and it was instantly better.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

As long as you know the limitations of a mac, get a mac hands down without question. However, if you are "only" using it for music and internet might I suggest a Chromebook as an alternative? Then when you decide to start an online business buy another laptop which can handle that.

 

[Slayrunt]

I've never owned a Mac, due to price and a general scepticism about Apple, so I can't really help with a side by side comparison. Before you rush out to buy a new machine though, it might be worth updating your parts. I switched the HDD on my laptop for a SSD and it was instantly better.

i have no idea what a hdd and ssd even are lol.

 

[Slayrunt]

As long as you know the limitations of a mac, get a mac hands down without question. However, if you are "only" using it for music and internet might I suggest a Chromebook as an alternative? Then when you decide to start an online business buy another laptop which can handle that.

what would u say the limitations of macs are? ive never heard of a chromebook before actually

 

[The Bronze]

i have no idea what a hdd and ssd even are lol.

Oh sorry. It's the hard drive. HDD is the old style. In my experience they become incredibly slow if running the operating system and can ruin the rest of the experience no matter what spec the rest of the computer is. SSD stands for Solid State Drive and they're awesome. Quicker, quieter and allows the machine to run as you'd expect it to in the first place!

 

[Slayrunt]

Oh sorry. It's the hard drive. HDD is the old style. In my experience they become incredibly slow if running the operating system and can ruin the rest of the experience no matter what spec the rest of the computer is. SSD stands for Solid State Drive and they're awesome. Quicker, quieter and allows the machine to run as you'd expect it to in the first place!

oohhhh. so it goes into the laptop its not like an external hardrive or anything? this could be a great idea thanks. and im guessing theyre a lot cheaper then a whole new laptop. If a computer is slowing down im assuming its almost always something to do with the hard drive?

 

[Skanky Vamp]

A self-contained ecosystem, they are not a 'gaming' computer, few cross platform software options. If you can live with the limitations they are superb.

A Chromebook is a laptop operated by Google. It does (most) everything online or via the cloud. Here's a link for Chromebooks

 

[vellavu]

As for laptops, I only recommend Macbook Air if you want to avoid any hassle.

After the quality freefall of Lenovo in 2011, there's no reliable laptops other than Macbook Air now.

And don't buy Macbook Pro. It's also less reliable than Air and much more expensive.

The failure/return rate of Chromebook is suspicious as well.

 

[Slayrunt]

As for laptops, I only recommend Macbook Air if you want to avoid any hassle.

After the quality freefall of Lenovo in 2011, there's no reliable laptops other than Macbook Air now.

And don't buy Macbook Pro. It's also less reliable than Air and much more expensive.

The failure/return rate of Chromebook is suspicious as well.

interesting! so youve used the macbook air and you really liked it? i guess macs are expensive but if theyre worth it im all for it

 

[Skanky Vamp]

And don't buy Macbook Pro. It's also less reliable than Air and much more expensive.

I disagree with that- except for the expensive part.

The failure/return rate of Chromebook is suspicious as well.

Which make? The HP Chromebooks I've had have all worked great.

 

[vellavu]

A self-contained ecosystem, they are not a 'gaming' computer, few cross platform software options. If you can live with the limitations they are superb.

A Chromebook is a laptop operated by Google. It does (most) everything online or via the cloud. Here's a link for Chromebooks

Actually you can run most PC applications and games on Mac as long as they are not too video card hungry via a software called Wine.

 

[vellavu]

I disagree with that- except for the expensive part.


Which make? The HP Chromebooks I've had have all worked great.

I know. What I mean is the difference between a 2% failure rate and a 0.2% one. Most people still won't be affected by a 2% failure rate but I personally would not like to be the one who have to gamble on whether I have to send the newly bought computers for repair.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Actually you can run most PC applications and games on Mac as long as they are not too video card hungry via a software called Wine.

Sure you can. You can use Bootcamp too, but if you were counting on this being your business computer I wouldn't. Had nothing but trouble with emulators in the past. If you want the perks of a PC get a PC, if you want the perks of a Mac get a mac. Or get both and be happy. Which worked well for me.

 

[The Bronze]

oohhhh. so it goes into the laptop its not like an external hardrive or anything? this could be a great idea thanks.

You're welcome 🙂. Yes you can buy internal drives and it will replace your current one. In my case I had two hard drive slots in my laptop so I run the operating system and programmes on my SSD and I use the old drive to store my data. I did this myself just using youtube to figure out what to do but you might be better off getting some help, especially if you know any techy people.

and im guessing theyre a lot cheaper then a whole new laptop.

Well first thing is don't get one that's too small. I'd say 256GB minimum but I went with 500GB. These are about £100-£150.

If a computer is slowing down im assuming its almost always something to do with the hard drive?

Unfortunately it's not that simple. There are a million and one things that can slow a computer down. Viruses, not enough Ram, no storage space, excessive programmes. In my experience though I found the HDD to be a real weak point. Since switching over to SSD I've not had any problems with speed and the laptop is a few years old now.

 

[vellavu]

interesting! so youve used the macbook air and you really liked it? i guess macs are expensive but if theyre worth it im all for it

I bought enough Lenovo and Dell in 2011-2013 for me and my family/friends to reach this conclusion. After 2013, my main working computer is Mac and I only use PC for games.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I know. What I mean is the difference between a 2% failure rate and a 0.2% one. Most people still won't be affected by a 2% failure rate but I personally would not like to be the one who have to gamble on whether I have to send the newly bought computers for repair.

There has only been one time I have ever had to have them "send" it in for repairs. All of the other repairs that needed done were done at a store level and I left with the computer fixed during the initial visit. The one time they did have to send it for repairs (replace the screen) I got it back in three days. It's a gamble I willingly take.

Granted those were three LONG days!!!

 

[vellavu]

The other thing you need to consider is your age/tech familiarness. If you feel uncomfortable switching to a different user interface (Mac OS X) and need a lot of adjustment time it's better to use a PC instead of Mac. I saw many people (most of whom are above 35) get their working efficiency affected by switching an IDE in software development.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

The other thing you need to consider is your age/tech familiarness. If you feel uncomfortable switching to a different user interface (Mac OS X) and need a lot of adjustment time it's better to use a PC instead of Mac. I saw many people (most of whom are above 35) get their working efficiency affected by switching an IDE in software development.

That is a good point. @Nix recently switched from a PC to a mac, would be interested in hearing her experience.