I can say that I’m fairly comfortable using both Apple’s OSX (currently Snow Leopard) and Microsoft’s Windows (currently Vista). Each one has it’s own strengths and weaknesses.
Ease of Use - I’d give this one to Windows. Majority of computer users are familiar with the user interface, and the upcoming (just released) Windows 7 is said to offer some good refinements. But it’s not saying that OSX is hard to use. It’s just like using an iPhone after you’ve been through year with Nokia.
Stability - This one goes to the Mac. it just simply works. But it’s not as clear cut because most of the instability of windows is due to 3rd party software and poor quality hardware which is also from 3rd parties. Quality control is easier on the Mac side since they make the OS and the hardware.
Customization - hardware and software there are just a lot more options for Windows and its machines. I could argue that Mac, with its beautiful interface doesn’t need customization but I could say the same thing about Windows 7. It’s just that if you want to do more or design your own, you have more choices in the Window’s world for both the hardware and software.
Compatibility - this one is a tie. Major software like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Net browsers are available for both Mac and Windows. Although gadgets like celphones (Nokia, SonyEricsson, Samsung, Blackberries, GPS devices, audio equipment may be delayed in coming up with Mac compatible software there’s always Bootcamp.
Price - a tie. you get what you pay for. Mac’s are really more expensive if you look at the hardware specifications which is hard not to do when Apple started using Intel processors in their machines. But from experience even if you have the same specs on paper, the actual performance is a lot difference and most of the time in favor of Macs. Maybe it’s the architecture or maybe the fact that only one company designs both hardware and software while Windows has to deal with 3rd party vendors. And looking at design & quality - well just actually touch and feel the MacBook Pros and iMacs.
If you have any questions about the specifics, just place a comment or email me and I’ll try to give an answer. Windows Vista has been good to me and I don’t really see what the complaints are about. Hopefully I get to try Windows 7 soon and post my experience with it.
But it’s not as clear cut because most of the instability of windows is due to 3rd party software and poor quality hardware which is also from 3rd parties.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to disagree with you on this one, Rygel. The stability issues in Windows are owned almost entirely by Windows.
I've taken several PC's an run Linux on them. I've never had a stability issue on a PC running Linux. I've also seen Windows crash spectacularly on some of those same computers. The hardware is solid, despite third party sources.
And blaming software for O/S crashes is a fairly cheap scapegoating strategy for O/S developers. An application runs in it's own "process space" and can only (or should only be allowed to if the O/S is written properly) access memory and system resources that exist in its own "process space." This means that if an app does something stupid, it should foul up itself and nothing else. The O/S should protect the rest of the system from a poorly behaving app.
Again, Linux does this beautifully. I'll also note that O/S X does this beautifully. Windows is a nightmare.
The only third party software that should ever theoretically be able to muck up the entire system would be a device driver.
In terms of stability, Windows really is its own worst enemy. The O/S itself is notorious for memory leaks (I watched a Windows NT 3.51 machine report that it was running out of memory after waiting for the first user to log in for a week) and other issues.
jarred I agree that previous windows versions *gasp* those memory leaks etc etc. but vista and win7 are a lot more stable. If you just run the OS and MS Office on OSX and windows, both would be stable (so far that's my experience)... you just have so much more choices with windows - desktop managers, utilities, etc (software and hardware) and 3rd party hardware drivers are made by the 3rd party too... can't comment on the Linux part, but you have a point there
ReplyDeleteMy friend just bought a $399 (US) HP (w/4GB memory) laptop because she gave up on her Mac ever running Quicken using her files created on her old PC.. she gave the Mac to her artsy husband.
ReplyDeleteWhen Macs break 5% of the market it will be a sign that they have gotten the attention of serious users.. and serious virus makers :)
@KansasBob... there really are a lot of software choices for the PC which aren't available on the Mac... i'll be posting some of those i wish were on the mac
ReplyDelete