Pros And Cons Of Mac, Windows, And Linux - This is not a what's better topic, it's a pros and cons

BooZker

Nov 18 2006, 10:24 PM

Before i start i want to make sure you understand this is not a what OS is better this is a what is better at certain things and your reasons why. I would also like to know more about Linux because i'm slightly confused on it. Will it mess my computer up if i install it, dont like it, and uninstall it? OK on with the topic.

I own a Mac and work on one for many hours a day, but had always used a Windows based system since well i was 5 and i remember my father using DOS to run Duke Nukem haha. So i know my way around it. Here is my Pros and Cons list

Windows:

Pros:

Almost every game runs on it
Tons of programs run on it
More Cusomization on the computers is possible

Cons:

SPYWARE, VIRUSES, ADWARE GALLORE!
Not as "nice" looking
Error message after error message

Mac:

Pros:

Very sleek and clean looking
Never had any viruses or spyware yet and it's been over 4 months. (long time for a windows user haha)
Lots of great built in programs such iMovie which is a REALLY good Windows Movie Maker and Garage Band which is very handy for me who makes movies

If your a graphic designer like me you need one anyways haha

Cons:

Pretty much no games for it
Harder to find programs for it
Hardware you have to get through Apple most of the time and can't just go to Target and pick up a CD drive.

Linux
Pro's:

Most distributions are free (Open-source).
Good for servers.
Some distributions have good user support.
Some distributions allow you to test before installing (LiveCD).

Con's:

Some distributions require some knowledge of how Linux works to get the most out of that distribution.
Not many companies make programs for Linux.
It's a pain in the *bottom* to try to get Linux to run on a system with another OS already installed.

I do have to say though that Windows is great, but i like Mac better simply because Mac CAN run windows and it connects to Windows networks and runs windows keyboard and mouses and most of the stuff. I think that Windows should try to be more cross platform compatible also. It would make the world a better place haha. Unbuntu i have tried the live CD and i have tried over and over, but i can never seem to get to install it so i have a duel boot system. I have read so many tutorials then when i try to partition it wont let me. I loved the live CD though.

gameratheart

Nov 18 2006, 11:01 PM

Hey, you said you were gonna comment about Linux, too... so where's the Linux in that list?

truefusion

Nov 19 2006, 02:40 AM

I guess he forgot. But here's some Pro's and Con's for Linux you could use:

Pro's:

Most distributions are free (Open-source).
Good for servers.
Some distributions have good user support.
Some distributions allow you to test before installing (LiveCD).

Con's:

Some distributions require some knowledge of how Linux works to get the most out of that distribution.
Not many companies make programs for Linux.

Meh, i haven't used Linux, besides a LiveCD. But that's what i can think of off the top of my head.

rldowling03

Nov 19 2006, 03:10 AM

Another good thing about Linux is that a few websites will send you a liveCD or liveDVD of a selection of linux distributions for free to your home, i can't remember where you have to go but i seen it on here someone had a link to the website in their signature, also Ubuntu have a service where they will send you a liveCD to your home address for free, I did it and got it within a month. It's great if you don't wanna pay or download for linux.

rvalkass

Nov 19 2006, 09:45 AM

I'm gonna disagree with a point about Windows there. No way is it more customisable compared to any Linux distro you pick. Windows has more hidden settings and things you can't control than any other operating system. On a Mac you also still get a load of error messages, so that is not a solely Windows problem.

xboxrulz

Nov 19 2006, 08:34 PM

ya, Linux is much more customisable than Windows will ever be.

Heck, I'm a Linux user myself.

BooZker

Dec 6 2006, 07:53 AM

Well until recently i had never used a linux. I just started using Ubuntu and LOVE it. I wish i could use a NON livecd though. I can't figure out how to dual boot the system. I have tried partitioning the system, but it wont let me. Any help with that? Linux is much more customizable though. Your right. I also forget about how much of a *BLEEP* it is to customize windows, because i have a site where that's all it is and i know my way around it fairly well lol. The site is in my sig if you care.

Galahad

Dec 10 2006, 08:37 AM

Even though I'm a Windows user myself, I can't think of any more pro's and con's concerning Windows... Mac, I never used and never been in contact, so I can't comment on Macs, even though I hope to come across one some day

Now, for Linux, I can add that it's main pro is that it's open source, and that you can change your kernel (provided that you know what you're doing), and change practically anything in your system, from appearance, to functionality...

Pf course, main con is that it's not as user friendly as windows is, but that too is changing fast, as companies distributing linux are popping all over the place... Ubuntu must be the best distribution of user friendly linux around... Slackware is the oice of professionals, who know what they're doing...

I have to keep Windows installed on my computer, because of work, but I should be getting another computer soon, so that machine will be turned into linux server, and I will finally be able to spend some time using linux

TheWakeUpCall

Dec 22 2006, 11:55 AM

I personally have never had spyware or viruses on my computer. Soo, I think that is a bit unfair to put that on the list. It's not hard to avoid viruses.

There are some defects with XP that I don't like though. Main one being that when you install a program it is put in the startup list so your computer gets slow if you don't disable them at startup.

But windows is definately the best OS. My reasons for saying that is:
I've used Mac intel for a few weeks as my main OS, and I didn't like it. Sure it looks pretty, but is quite unusable with alot of stuff. For example browsing the internet. Macs are only good if you want to use certain pieces of software.

I tried to install linux but no distros I tried worked, soo that sucks. But what I understand about Linux is that it can't run any of my favourite software (flash, cubase, dreamweaver, itunes, live messenger) and also for all the software you get it is just copies of Windows software under a different name that's really crap compared to the real thing.

blendergalactica

Dec 22 2006, 04:02 PM

QUOTE(BooZker @ Nov 18 2006, 10:24 PM)

Almost every game runs on it
Tons of programs run on it
More Cusomization on the computers is possible

Cons:

SPYWARE, VIRUSES, ADWARE GALLORE!
Not as "nice" looking
Error message after error message

Mac:

Pros:

Very sleek and clean looking
Never had any viruses or spyware yet and it's been over 4 months. (long time for a windows user haha)
Lots of great built in programs such iMovie which is a REALLY good Windows Movie Maker and Garage Band which is very handy for me who makes movies

If your a graphic designer like me you need one anyways haha

Cons:

Pretty much no games for it
Harder to find programs for it
Hardware you have to get through Apple most of the time and can't just go to Target and pick up a CD drive.

Linux
Pro's:

Most distributions are free (Open-source).
Good for servers.
Some distributions have good user support.
Some distributions allow you to test before installing (LiveCD).

Con's:

Some distributions require some knowledge of how Linux works to get the most out of that distribution.
Not many companies make programs for Linux.
It's a pain in the *bottom* to try to get Linux to run on a system with another OS already installed.

Macs:

Pros:
No virus, little spyware
Most Opensource apps for Linux run fine on OSX
You can find all major commercial software for OSX, including Adobe, MS Office, Quark.
Apple only apps: iLife, Final Cut Pro, Logic, etc.
Now you can run OSX and Windows on the same box

Cons
Price. Apple hardware comes a premium
Apple tends to nickle and dime you (remember, Ilife was once free!)

Most popular games are ported to mac, and now with the Intel boxes, I look for increased support. But the fact of the matter is most Mac users use their computer for work not play. They aren't playing games on their mac. In fact the only game I have is Stronghold and Vegastrike...and I rarely play either one. THat's what the PS2 is for!

Latest Entries

audiovia

Jun 4 2008, 07:00 AM

one more thing, why Windows takes up so much PC resources. When install Mac OS X you see beautiful GUI right away. With Mac even 10.4.11 run smoothly on 400 Mhz CPU! nough said.

seba1killer

Jun 3 2008, 09:07 PM

I love the stability of UNIX systems.
I used Mac once so i cannot say much about it.
But comparing Windows and Linux or Solaris, Windows is really unestable and slow.
I also love hacking the linux kernel and soft, i learned a lot using this OS and i noticed that 2 months after using it i had learnt more than having used Windows for 10 years.
The only con i found to linux is that most of the soft is designed for Win, but now that wine is gonna release their stable version with full support for office and Adobe products i thinks that they have take over of that problem of compatibility.

Regards

PD: The linux distro i am using is Debian

audiovia

Jun 3 2008, 07:34 PM

Mac: PRO

1. using it make me feel like driving a Mercedez. Very solid feel.
2. Hardware and software were built for each other so, no conflicts stuff.
3. easy interface, it so easy it confuses Windows users sometime.
4. You can be sure that OS and its hardware will be develop by the people who really care about quality.
5. Many quality shareware and freeware check out: versiontracker.com

Mac: Con

1. let me think...
2. ....
3. i give up.

Windows pro

1. easy to find every software you want.
2. i can use Dragon speech with it.
3. .....hmm..... that's about it.

Windows Con

1. using it make me feel like driving a cheap toyota. (nothing is bad about Toyota but it feels like that to me).
2. you have to wait for service pack, pack after pack so your pc can work normally.
3. when error happens Windows will blame you instantly.
4. i feel sorry for PC maker who build very great machines but have to stick with Windows.
5. you don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow.

saitunes

Apr 24 2008, 12:22 PM

As for the 'cons' of mac "pretty much no games" and harder to find programs for it.

There are games for it, Alot of EA games are being release on mac platform, sims, sims2 sim city, WOW is on mac. Its not pretty much no games, their games aren't sold as widespread as pc games, which i do admit is a pain.

Harder to find programs, not true in my experience. there are a number of sites you can go to www.pure-mac.com, http://www.freemacware.com/, and google search. a quick google search and I have found most of the software I've ever looked for.

Cracks are harder to get however. but remember, cracks are bad! plumber's cracks are worse

rvalkass

Apr 20 2008, 09:57 AM

QUOTE(Watermonkey @ Apr 20 2008, 06:32 AM)

Seems to me, roooss, you've just decided not to learn the Mac way of doing things. Takes a fraction of the time to click the keyboard combo, [cmd-Q] compared to clicking on the red "X" for each and every window open in an application to close it all down.

All operating systems have keyboard shortcuts that do the same things, so no-one can really claim them as an advantage of one OS over another.

QUOTE(Watermonkey @ Apr 20 2008, 06:32 AM)

Further, like a poster above you mentioned, you get a lot more bang for the buck when you buy a Mac. I own an "overpriced" Macbook Pro, but the hardware internally is the very best and highest quality that money could buy when I bought it. This means I'll be replacing it, out of necessity, later than if I'd bought the cheapest Dell. Or even the highest priced Dell. Go do a head-to-head comparison some time.

Indeed, I did do a head-to-head comparison. I went to Apple's website, and to Dell's website and spec'd two laptops up to as-near-as-possible specifications. Both have a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and 2GB of RAM, with an nVidia 8600M GT graphics card. They do differ with the hard drives, as I couldn't get two to match. The Apple laptop has a 200GB hard drive, while the Dell has a 250GB hard drive. The screens are also slightly different (15" for the Apple, 15.4" for the Dell). They come with the latest Apple and Microsoft offerings for their operating systems. The Dell also comes with an in-built webcam, and a fingerprint scanner (you can't remove them from the spec).

Results: £1,299.00 for the MacBook Pro, £759.00 for the Dell XPS M1530. Considering the Dell actually has slightly better spec (bigger HDD, camera, fingerprint reader, larger screen) that is an astonishing price difference, and values the little Apple logo on the case at £540! I certainly know which one I would buy.

QUOTE(Watermonkey @ Apr 20 2008, 06:32 AM)

The price myth has been busted.

In Mythbusters style: Myth Confirmed.

ADD REPLY / Got an Opinion!	Remove these ADs!	RAPID SEARCH!	Free Web Hosting	[X]
Express your Opinions, Thoughts or Contribute more info. to help others. Ask your Doubts & Queries to get answers, So that "Together We can help others!"	Register FREE for AD-FREE forum, Create your own topics, Ask Questions, track topics, setup subscriptions & notifications and Get a Free Website w/ Email and FTP.		500MB Space No Ads, CPanel, FTP, PHP, MySQL, EMails - 100% FREE