[dlgn]

I use Windows 7 Pro on all my desktops and have Windows 8 Pro on my notebook, modified with StartIsBack to look and perform like Windows 7.

I used to use OSX at my old work and found it really crimped my productivity, mainly through not having the multitude of little utilities that are available for Windows to customise the UI to exactly my preferences. It is much "cleaner" than Windows in many ways though, and certainly more foolproof for a non-tech savvy user.

I use an Android phone (Galaxy S4) but only for basic tasks - phone calls, emails and internet on the go, and the occasional game. I just haven't been able to get into the whole addicted-to-your-phone phenomenon.

Why don't you just upgrade to Windows 8.1. They released it not to long ago and they actually GIVE the option to get rid of the app start screen and bring back the start menu like Windows 7 had and everyone loves.

There's a Windows 8.1?

Glad to see that they realized how ridiculous it is to have an app screen on a non-touch screen computer, or at least to expect it to be convenient for everyone.

[Neuro_Gasm]

Ew, Apple PC's.

The only Mac's I like are MacDonalds.

Apple computers are a waste of money that I could be spending on a real computer with real speed.

I think the view that Apple computers are priced much higher compared to the competition is a bit of a misconception.

For the stuff I use my MacBook Air for most, comparable windows ultrabooks cost just as much or more, and they all have drawbacks that make them fall short. At least in this category, apple has PC's beat. I know this because, when I bought my computer, I really wanted a Windows PC, and wasn't able to find anything convincing.

In general, I think Apple's laptops are priced fairly when compared to the competition. The 15" retina macbook pro, for example, is $300 cheaper than something like the Razer Blade and offers comparable performance in a better package overall, with an nicer and higher-res screen. You'd be hard pressed to find anything cheaper than the mac that offers everything that it does.

Heck, even all-in-one windows desktops comparable to the iMac cost just as much or more...

Basically, unless you're building your own windows PC and don't care about size, portability, design, etc...Macs are just as well priced as the competition. Sure, it's much cheaper to put a bunch of standard components together in a box and have it take up as much space as you want, rather than make a very compact device that is designed to make use of every square millimeter. I live in a very small shared studio with very very limited space, and having a tower and monitor would just not be an option.

[dlgn]

And then there's Linux, which is both extremely efficient and free (excluding hardware, obviously), with the downside of not providing nearly as big a cushion for your average desktop user who doesn't want to learn how to install repositories by command-line.

My computer is a Gateway NE5641u with a 2.2GHz Intel processor, 4GiB RAM, and a 500GB HDD, with Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux. I got it for about $350, as I recall, and Ubuntu works on it just as well and fast as any other mid-range computer I've seen.

[river33]

Ew, Apple PC's.

The only Mac's I like are MacDonalds.

Apple computers are a waste of money that I could be spending on a real computer with real speed.

I think the view that Apple computers are priced much higher compared to the competition is a bit of a misconception.

For the stuff I use my MacBook Air for most, comparable windows ultrabooks cost just as much or more, and they all have drawbacks that make them fall short. At least in this category, apple has PC's beat. I know this because, when I bought my computer, I really wanted a Windows PC, and wasn't able to find anything convincing.

In general, I think Apple's laptops are priced fairly when compared to the competition. The 15" retina macbook pro, for example, is $300 cheaper than something like the Razer Blade and offers comparable performance in a better package overall, with an nicer and higher-res screen. You'd be hard pressed to find anything cheaper than the mac that offers everything that it does.

Heck, even all-in-one windows desktops comparable to the iMac cost just as much or more...

Basically, unless you're building your own windows PC and don't care about size, portability, design, etc...Macs are just as well priced as the competition. Sure, it's much cheaper to put a bunch of standard components together in a box and have it take up as much space as you want, rather than make a very compact device that is designed to make use of every square millimeter. I live in a very small shared studio with very very limited space, and having a tower and monitor would just not be an option.

Let's first talk about the fact that EVERYONE only makes an argument about a Mac with the Mac book Pro.
This brings me to my first point: If Apple can only make one good computer, then right there, they fail.

With this computer as the base of any mac argument, I decided to put it to the test (with a friend who has a Mac book Pro) and did some simple test and analyze it a little more then just simply saying that it is better for art or music, ect...

This brings me to say that as I did personal tests with my PC (1200$) vs his Mac (1300$) that the Mac failed in all but one category. Wake-up time. The wake-up time on the computers were a tiny bit different (With the Mac a little bit ahead by about a half a second.) Obviously PC is going to be more superior for gaming as it is CLEARLY stated. MY restart/start-up time on my computer beat that Apple junk to the ground with a 6 second gap. Not to mention that fact that his 1300$ fell short to the specs my computer had for 1200$ (The biggest difference being the I5 to I7 ratio, 4gb to 16gb of RAM, and mine ACTUALLY having a video card.)

AND on a note to self for anyone else interested int his argument; all the software that comes on a Mac or is made for a Mac can be obtained on a PC. Just need to look in the right place (being legal or not).

Now that we have reviewed this topic, let's take a look at the company in all. First off, we need to all realize that Apple would not be here today if Microsoft did not give them 150millino dollars to bring them out of debt. Also, Apple has always been the company to say "Mine". This alone is something that gets under peoples skin. Just because someone invents a chair, doesn't mean the idea of a chair belongs to them.

This brings me to my final point of actually giving Apple some recognition:

They are a good company because they had ideas that gave the world a new look on thigns and something to bring humanity forward in life. There computers aren't BAD and I give them props for creating a good looking computer. But that is just it. It is a good looking computer, nothing else. It currently will never beat the speed of most things on a PC for a long time at least.

My experience from playing with computers and being in multiple classes with people LOVING computers as much as I do, you will find hardly anyone that actually devotes there computer experience to a Mac.

Apple owns 10% of the market. There is a reason for it besides the fact that there computers cost more.

Yes, this allows for the computers to be less venerable to viruses, ect... But you need to ask yourself this if you make an argument about that: "Why would I make a Virus for 10% of the market?"

[river33]

As for size of the computer. I understand that, but if it is just as expensive to get a ultrabook, then why not buy one?

I respect that you know about computers, but as of right now, Apple computers are not better.

[Neuro_Gasm]

Just curious, was the PC you were comparing to his Macbook a desktop or a laptop? Naturally, desktops are always much cheaper for better specs than laptops, even comparing windows PCs. The macbook pro 13" (which I think is the one your friend has) is probably one of the least bang-for-your-buck Macs, however. I'd rather get an Air with an SSD which is cheaper and would perform faster (the hard drive in your friend's is probably the reason it booted up slower; any other mac would have been much faster).

If you can find any PC with the same form factor as any Mac, that is cheaper and better, with comparable build quality and battery life, and/or has better reviews anywhere, I'd be amazed.

The reason I didn't get a windows ultrabook is that any of them that approached the overall quality Macbook Air were several hundred $ more. Many of them had bad keyboards, bad trackpads, cheap-feeling flexible construction, etc.

The reason there are so many super-cheap windows laptops, etc, is because they all cut a lot of corners - really crappy battery life, really thick, bad build quality, etc.

[river33]

Just curious, was the PC you were comparing to his Macbook a desktop or a laptop? Naturally, desktops are always much cheaper for better specs than laptops, even comparing windows PCs. The macbook pro 13" (which I think is the one your friend has) is probably one of the least bang-for-your-buck Macs, however. I'd rather get an Air with an SSD which is cheaper and would perform faster (the hard drive in your friend's is probably the reason it booted up slower; any other mac would have been much faster).

If you can find any PC with the same form factor as any Mac, that is cheaper and better, with comparable build quality and battery life, and/or has better reviews anywhere, I'd be amazed.

The reason I didn't get a windows ultrabook is that any of them that approached the overall quality Macbook Air were several hundred $ more. Many of them had bad keyboards, bad trackpads, cheap-feeling flexible construction, etc.

The reason there are so many super-cheap windows laptops, etc, is because they all cut a lot of corners - really crappy battery life, really thick, bad build quality, etc.

The computer is a laptop, and yes, I agree with the desktop to laptop ratio. And I also agree that was one of the lower end Macbook Pros. BUT, the better Macbook pros cost around 2000 dollars. No thank you. With another 700 dollars into my laptop. I would have no problem bring that Mac to the ground.

I used to have a Macbook air. Literally the worst computer I have ever worked with, software and hardware.

My computer isn't bad quality nor really thick. (Especially since it has a video card in it) And yes, some PC companies cut corners because they are smart enough to know that not everyone has a lot of money to spend on a computer and some people have smaller desires for a computer. This "Cutting corners" allows for all sorts of people to be more connected through Internet using a cheaper computer. Somethign Apple will never figure out because they are to self-centered.

[happycreeper1513]

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1 All-In-One computer with a 1-TB hard drive. My OS is Windows 8 Home.
It's nice, frame rates good.

[dlgn]

Y'all keep in mind that Apple's main claim to fame is the iOS series.

[TechnoProdigy]

Windows 8 (Probably will move to 8.1 soon) with ClassicShell/ClassicStart. ClassicStart removes any legitimate complaint you could possibly have with Windows 8.