Mac vs Windows recent experiences

[DavidEccleston]

The SSD will only help disk performance. Any operations occurring in RAM will be hindered by the slower CPU.

I chose Mac because they are built better than the common PC / laptop. They have longer support (Good luck getting a driver for a new version of Windows on a 2-3 year old PC laptop). They tend to actually last longer. They have a really nice IPS screen, at a decent resolution. The trackpad is higher-end than anything I've used on a PC laptop. The software I need is available on it.

Yes, I'm paying a premium for it to last longer, to have a nice display, and to have well functioning input. When comparing Dell's laptops with high-res displays and SSDs, and matching CPUs, yes the Apple was more, but not by *that* much. Apple's refurb pricing (15-20% off) typically brought it to the same price point as the Dell, but I'm willing to bet the Apple one is better built, and will have longer support. The ultra-cheap PC laptops were typically missing something I felt was important.

[HDNitehawk]

and to have well functioning input.

David, this is the big thing I see is missing with the new Mac. I doubt it is a hardware problem, probably the latest OS. Tonight I may see if there are any upgrades or fixes to the OS, if not I am going to take it back to the store and have them check it out.

As far as Dell, I have to go with Kayker's last post and his comment about specific machines. I have yet to have a great Dell experience.

[DavidEccleston]

David, this is the big thing I see is missing with the new Mac.

I *do* have two input issues with Apple.

One applies to all their computers... The "natural scrolling", aka backwards scrollwheel. Thankfully, is really easy to turn off. It's only natural if you are using a touch device, and imagine that you're pushing paper around. Scrolling a wheel down should scroll down the screen.

The other issue is the magic mouse. My iMac came with it, and I can't stand it. Every time I grab the mouse it imagines that I've swiped it somehow. If it was less sensitive, it may be okay. It also doesn't like Eneloops. After looking online, I see Eneloops are slightly smaller than normal batteries, and a paper shim in the battery compartment is required to make the Magic Mouse work. After that, it would drain the batteries every couple of days. It was so infuriating that I took my old wired mouse from my old PC and I'm using that.

Their touchpad though, it's nice. I haven't tried their newer force-touch pads, so I can't comment on those.

[HDNitehawk]

The other issue is the magic mouse.

I used the Apple mouse for a few months when I bought my first machine. It was a joke. In 9 years I have bought several iMac's and have several unused mice and keyboards stored somewhere in the garage.

[neuroanatomist]

The other issue is the magic mouse. My iMac came with it, and I can't stand it. Every time I grab the mouse it imagines that I've swiped it somehow. If it was less sensitive, it may be okay. It also doesn't like Eneloops. After looking online, I see Eneloops are slightly smaller than normal batteries, and a paper shim in the battery compartment is required to make the Magic Mouse work. After that, it would drain the batteries every couple of days. It was so infuriating that I took my old wired mouse from my old PC and I'm using that.

Their touchpad though, it's nice. I haven't tried their newer force-touch pads, so I can't comment on those.

I far prefer the touchpad to a mouse (any mouse). I have a Magic Mouse, it's ok but sits in a drawer. Instead, I use a Magic Trackpad when working with an external display/keyboard. I tried to replicate that with my work-provided PC laptop using a Logitech trackpad, it's kludgy compared to Apple's trackpad, particularly for drag-and-drop.

[neuroanatomist]

I chose Mac...They tend to actually last longer.

During the 5-year period of time the 2006 MBP was my main personal laptop, I went through a total of six work-provided Compaq/HP Windows laptops...one broken from a fall (that a MagSafe power connector would have prevented), three just flat out died (motherboard failure, HDD failure, etc.), only one made it to the 3-year corporate EOL policy. Of those 6 Win laptops with a standard corporate build, only the last two were similar in spec to the older Mac.

[HDNitehawk]

During the 5-year period of time the 2006 MBP was my main personal laptop, I went through a total of six work-provided Compaq/HP Windows laptops...one broken from a fall (that a MagSafe power connector would have prevented), three just flat out died (motherboard failure, HDD failure, etc.), only one made it to the 3-year corporate EOL policy. Of those 6 Win laptops with a standard corporate build, only the last two were similar in spec to the older Mac.

My old MacBook pro has lasted since 09, it had one backlighting issue and a software issue in that time frame. It still works. I am on my second Dell at work.

But then I still personally use the iPhone 3gs and last year the case had worn out and I dropped it and got a very small crack in the corner of the screen. I think 6 or 7 years that is very good durability. I also carry an iPhone 6 for work. Three times in the last few months I have had to replace the screen. The iPhone 6 is puny. So we can discuss reliability of the machines a few years ago and they have proven themselves IMO. The question for me today is how about the quality today and the MacBook Pro I just bought?

[neuroanatomist]

The question for me today is how about the quality today and the MacBook Pro I just bought?

Well, I'll let you know my opinion on that...if and when I need to replace my current (but 5 years old) model.

Actually, I did have a company provided 2014 MBAir that worked nearly flawlessly (the only issues were software related and specific to the security interactions with the corporate network environment).

[Joel Eade]

I've been considering the idea of purchasing a refurb MacPro tower (since most of my processing s done at home) and keep my MacBook Pro for travel


http://www.macs4u.com/mac-pro-2-4-gh...ktop-computer/

[HDNitehawk]

Joel,

I have a MacPro that I bought before the laptop. I guess it is about 7 years old now.
I do not process on it anymore, I upgraded all the hard drives to 2tb and I use it as the server for the house.
When any of the Mac's are on I can access them either through the router or the wireless and the tower gives me about 6tb of free storage to use.
I can save to any of the hard drives from my laptop or download from the tower or external that is attached to airport.
While it is to slow to download massive files wireless, it is convenient if you want to grab one specific picture in your archive.
Anymore I do all my pp on a laptop sitting in the lazyboy in the front room.

The tower will not gain you any significant speed over the the high end laptops. It will make file storage a convenience. The internal hard drives are plug and play and easy to change out I have several that I loaded with info and stored away.

It is an excellent idea if you need a server type machine.