Mac vs PC - 2014
- Thread starter BumRush
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You're not describing a Mac, you're describing unsafe porn usage.
I recall a rumor about a speed bump and/or a new entry-level model soonish. And the possibility of a retina-class model this calendar year gets bandied about. That said, if you're a "money is no object" buyer who's going to option your Macintosh up, it might not mean a significant enough difference to wait. And as a fellow iMac owner (though it's an older sibling of the one you're looking at), welcome!
The Albatross
Member
If you're talking notebooks:
I think the question comes down to, "Do you want to play games on this?" If the answer is no, then get a MacBook. If the answer is yes, then you'll probably want a PC.
Ultrabooks have come a long way, but they are still edged out by MacBook and the MacBook Air in just about every category, even though they are close. The price difference is negligible too... Maybe $100 of a difference from a loaded MacBook Air and it's comparably specc'ed and performing ultrabook (and usually you have to sacrifice on poorer quality trackpad and keyboard; although no Mac model supports touch screen if that's important to you). Also, Mac's perform better with the hardware they have year after year. I have a ~18mo old MacBook Air and it performs identically to when I bought it on the first day. Identical as far as I can tell. I still use PCs and I still like PCs, and no PC has ever done that for me... I'd usually format my PCs once every 18-24 months and then they'd be back to performing well.
If you're talking desktops:
I'd lean towards a PC. I have a loaded Mac Mini (i7, 16GB ram, 512 SSD) + 27" Thunderbolt Cinema display. I love them both and they serve my purposes extremely well (I'm a developer who needs a unix environment and would prefer OS X over any Linux distribution)... But here I am, about a year after purchase, and every once in a while I get tickled to play games. The options really aren't there for me because the videocard is really lacking in this model and it's un-upgradeable. Also, because I have a thunderbolt display, I cannot use this on a device that does not have thunderbolt bus support, so when I build a PC, it will have to support thunderbolt ... Which bumps any rig I'm going to put together into the more expensive realm. Wasn't proper foresight for me.
I think the question comes down to, "Do you want to play games on this?" If the answer is no, then get a MacBook. If the answer is yes, then you'll probably want a PC.
Ultrabooks have come a long way, but they are still edged out by MacBook and the MacBook Air in just about every category, even though they are close. The price difference is negligible too... Maybe $100 of a difference from a loaded MacBook Air and it's comparably specc'ed and performing ultrabook (and usually you have to sacrifice on poorer quality trackpad and keyboard; although no Mac model supports touch screen if that's important to you). Also, Mac's perform better with the hardware they have year after year. I have a ~18mo old MacBook Air and it performs identically to when I bought it on the first day. Identical as far as I can tell. I still use PCs and I still like PCs, and no PC has ever done that for me... I'd usually format my PCs once every 18-24 months and then they'd be back to performing well.
If you're talking desktops:
I'd lean towards a PC. I have a loaded Mac Mini (i7, 16GB ram, 512 SSD) + 27" Thunderbolt Cinema display. I love them both and they serve my purposes extremely well (I'm a developer who needs a unix environment and would prefer OS X over any Linux distribution)... But here I am, about a year after purchase, and every once in a while I get tickled to play games. The options really aren't there for me because the videocard is really lacking in this model and it's un-upgradeable. Also, because I have a thunderbolt display, I cannot use this on a device that does not have thunderbolt bus support, so when I build a PC, it will have to support thunderbolt ... Which bumps any rig I'm going to put together into the more expensive realm. Wasn't proper foresight for me.
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
Have a look here to know what's in store for Apple product and if it's a good idea to get something right away or wait a couple months.
I got a Macbook Pro Retina in October (ordered it the day the new revisions came out) as a graduation present, couldn't be happier with my purchause. Nowadays I have a gaming rig connected to my plasma TV that I use only for gaming, everything else (internet, documents, photos, etc) I do with my Macbook. I don't usually bring it around (but I can if I want to, and that's a plus when I need something to do at my boyfriend's, or to show friends something somewhere), even as a home computer a laptop is so convenient. I would never give up my gaming PC though, just to be clear. For a gamer a mac can't really be the only computer in the house. Bootcamp on a Retina display is hell, I've tried it and promptly unistalled it altogether.
Oh, and I love how integrated everything is with my iPad and iPhone. The new features in Yosemite and iOS 8 will even further this (getting a call from your mac, replying to an sms, good stuff), so if money is not a problem for you you should really get a mac imho. It's true, you get a much more powerful pc machine for the same price, can't argue that, but you don't really need a monster to run OS X and that's all you need, leaving Windows behind is priceless (don't expect to do decent gaming though, although many indie games are totally viable, same as point-and-click adventure games). Then again with Steam in-home streaming there are much more options today.
Have a look here to know what's in store for Apple product and if it's a good idea to get something right away or wait a couple months.
I got a Macbook Pro Retina in October (ordered it the day the new revisions came out) as a graduation present, couldn't be happier with my purchause. Nowadays I have a gaming rig connected to my plasma TV that I use only for gaming, everything else (internet, documents, photos, etc) I do with my Macbook. I don't usually bring it around (but I can if I want to, and that's a plus when I need something to do at my boyfriend's, or to show friends something somewhere), even as a home computer a laptop is so convenient. I would never give up my gaming PC though, just to be clear. For a gamer a mac can't really be the only computer in the house. Bootcamp on a Retina display is hell, I've tried it and promptly unistalled it altogether.
Oh, and I love how integrated everything is with my iPad and iPhone. The new features in Yosemite and iOS 8 will even further this (getting a call from your mac, replying to an sms, good stuff), so if money is not a problem for you you should really get a mac imho. It's true, you get a much more powerful pc machine for the same price, can't argue that, but you don't really need a monster to run OS X and that's all you need, leaving Windows behind is priceless (don't expect to do decent gaming though, although many indie games are totally viable, same as point-and-click adventure games). Then again with Steam in-home streaming there are much more options today.
Who wants a desktop in 2014?
MultiCore
Member
People who want a computer than can run games well?
Any serious gamer.
Napoleonthechimp
Member
It sounds like you've already decided and are using GAF to justify your future purchase. Now you've just got to figure out what kind of Mac you want.
Uhm OP:
Sounds like you decided before you even made the topic.
Is this a joke? Not everyone is a casual internet using 12 year old girl who survives on facebook, twitter and imgur. There is business and gaming to be done, a desktop still very much has a place for many people. Tablets only get you so far.
Sounds like you decided before you even made the topic.
Is this a joke? Not everyone is a casual internet using 12 year old girl who survives on facebook, twitter and imgur. There is business and gaming to be done, a desktop still very much has a place for many people. Tablets only get you so far.
I just bought a 27" iMac recently and love it. I formerly always built my own PCs. Having bootcamp installed, I'm missing nothing software-wise.
I have my Windows Steam games installed on the iMac and play a lot of games on it. I have a 2013 with the 775mx and I can play stuff like AC4 at 2560 x 1440 on that godly screen. The fit and finish are nice and it has a much cooler look if you care at all about your interior decor.
Runs PS, ID, AE and all the other CS6 stuff great. My cheese grater at work has an AMD card so its nice having CUDA acceleration in AE.
I hate the magic mouse and track pad though so I use the wired mouse. If you can deal with using a wired keyboard too, you may want to consider it because you get a number pad and 2 USB ports on the sides of the keyboard which are extremely handy, without them you only have rear USB ports.
I have my Windows Steam games installed on the iMac and play a lot of games on it. I have a 2013 with the 775mx and I can play stuff like AC4 at 2560 x 1440 on that godly screen. The fit and finish are nice and it has a much cooler look if you care at all about your interior decor.
Runs PS, ID, AE and all the other CS6 stuff great. My cheese grater at work has an AMD card so its nice having CUDA acceleration in AE.
I hate the magic mouse and track pad though so I use the wired mouse. If you can deal with using a wired keyboard too, you may want to consider it because you get a number pad and 2 USB ports on the sides of the keyboard which are extremely handy, without them you only have rear USB ports.
Mammoth Jones
Member
I've used PC's my entire life. And I love Windows 7 for NOT being Vista. But my rMBP is the best computer I've ever owned. Worth it for the trackpad alone.
This.
This.
Emperor Bohe
Member
man I haven't had a virus since the late 90's.
but anyways, I own a late 2013 17-inch iMac and it also has Windows 8.1 installed via bootcamp. I mainly use the OSX side for everyday things, and I use the Windows side when I play games or make music (as a lot of the old VSTs I use aren't available on OSX). That being said, my iMac isn't a powerhouse for gaming, even on the Windows partition. It can run most last-gen games (360/PS3) at 1080p/60fps, but current gen stuff will vary. My iMac has a mobile level graphics card, but amazing everything else...
I dunno, too much variables. based on your OP, I would say get a Mac. If you want to do more heavy gaming then build a PC.
ThatGuyAgain
Member
If money is no issue, get a Mac Pro and Apple Display if you want a desktop or a MacBook Pro if you need to be mobile. Either way, bootcamp Windows so you can play more games (if that is what you want to do).
Dreams-Visions
Member
Usually when people say, "virus", they mean everything that makes their computer performance turn to shit. Viruses, Malware, Spyware, Rootkits, Ransomware. Those douchebag search bars that people accidentally agree to install when attempting to install something else and all that shit. The detrimental things clicking on the wrong of 8 possible "download" buttons on a webpage can take you to and put on your system.
That said, OP you want a Mac. The upcoming version of OSX is going to allow for some rather amazing interactions by default between your iPad, iPhone and Mac. The MacOS is still the smoothest, most stable OS experience I've ever had (20+ years a Windows guy and still a Windows guy, 3 years and counting with a Macbook Pro). Build quality, trackpad features and functionality, silent operation, impressive battery life for the power, and so many great things available with just a multi gesture swipe...
...it's hard for me to imagine going back to a Windows laptop.
Also, as long as you get one with a discrete GPU built in (that is, a MacBook Pro/Retina), you'll have plenty of power for all but the most demanding of games at full resolution and 60fps. I have a 17" 2011 MBP and do almost all of my gaming at native 1080p/60.
Get a MacBook Pro and maximize the Apple ecosystem you've been constructing. You won't regret it.
Isn't the memory soldered into the logic board?
Chance Hale
Member
I used a macbook pro alongside a Windows desktop for 5 years and was very happy when I finally got rid of the former. I just don't think OSX is worth the gouging. I use a Surface Pro 2 for general browsing/word processing and it feels so much better not being limited by incompatibilities at every turn. The only thing I miss is the trackpad and it wasn't really a game changer. Also inactive window scrolling.
Mobile GPUs are vastly inferior compared to the desktop versions, and you will get no where near that performance in 90% of games.
Mobile GPUs are vastly inferior compared to the desktop versions, and you will get no where near that performance in 90% of games.
What kinda computer user are you?
If you're a power user, get a PC.
If you're a casual user, get a Mac.
And by power user, I mean significant productivity software and or gaming, multiple monitors, multiple peripherals, etc.
Also, if you're interested in VR, you probs wanna go PC.
If you're a power user, get a PC.
If you're a casual user, get a Mac.
And by power user, I mean significant productivity software and or gaming, multiple monitors, multiple peripherals, etc.
Also, if you're interested in VR, you probs wanna go PC.
This makes no sense. You seem to be taking the term power user way too literally. It does not mean needing more powerful hardware to be able to do your work. There's plenty of scenarios where a power user may prefer a mac and vice versa of course.
Gamers are for the most part not power users either.
This! I guess I don't mean "virus", I'm using the blanket term to describe the things we've gotten over the year that I have to remove. The Microsoft Security "virus" was annoying and we've gotten it 2X.
Wiktor
Member
You living in USA? If so then get a Mac. The stuff you described plus no issue with money make it seem best for you, plus USA is one of the few countries where Macs are decently popular, so there's little problem with getting necessary everyday software for it.
And I'm saying this as a person who tried to live with Mac, but hated it. So you can trust me
And I'm saying this as a person who tried to live with Mac, but hated it. So you can trust me
Chance Hale
Member
People know what you meant, you're supposed to have antivirus and antimalware software installed.
SneakyStephan
Banned
lol, time to stop clicking on every pop up you see/browsing questionable porn sites grandpa
CreepingFear
Member
I look at as much porn as the next guy, yet I don't get these viruses. Common sense, ad block to stop the porn popups, no script for firefox, WOT-Web of Trust, and OpenDNS all seem to do the trick.
err, what? gaming != power user. if you're coding, or doing any audio/video productivity then mac is the way to go....
pretty hilarious that there are people who still think the unix based os is for "casuals" lol
probably, it's why i opted for 8 GB now. should last me a while.
Thank you, this site is insane...I think I'll wait at least a week or two on the iMac
You living in USA? If so then get a Mac. The stuff you described plus no issue with money make it seem best for you, plus USA is one of the few countries where Macs are decently popular, so there's little problem with getting necessary everyday software for it.
And I'm saying this as a person who tried to live with Mac, but hated it. So you can trust me
Why would it matter where he lived?
I should add that I've owned a MacBook Air alongside my main desktop and it was nice. However, I didn't much like many of the windows program alternatives.
For example, Office isn't as good.
There are lots or cool Mac only programs though.
I don't think that should stop you unless if you love a PC only piece of software.
For example, Office isn't as good.
There are lots or cool Mac only programs though.
I don't think that should stop you unless if you love a PC only piece of software.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I think your perspective on the demands of "90% of games" is quite warped.
I have about 150 games on my Steam account and 90% of those are playable at 1080p/60 on my MBP. After I remove Titanfall, Borderlands 2, Crysis and Battlefield 4...there aren't many games that I can't go 1080p/60 with. Perhaps those games represent 90% of your Steam games list, but they definitely do not for me.
I challenge you to look at what your average PC game's demands are and re-address your assertion/hyperbole that you won't get 1080p/60 in "90% of games". It's grossly inaccurate to the point of laughter. If need be, I'm happy to list each and every game that I can and do run at 1080p/60 on my laptop, and which I cannot. But I get the impression that you're smart enough for that to not be necessary.
Wiktor
Member
Local software (and to lesser degree hardware). Often really handy and even necessary. In countires where there are barely any Macs around devs tend to not bother making putting their programs on OSX or even they, the OSX version is often terrible compared to much more polished and regularly updated windows one.
The problem is less current games and more future games. Unless if you plan on buying a new Mac regularly then your gaming experience will suffer.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Well of course. That's generally true for all PC gaming. If you're buying/playing on older hardware, you will eventually become more limited in your settings options over time. And if you're buying/playing on newer hardware, you'll be able to play more cutting edge games at higher settings into the future.
But this conversation is premised on "light gaming", and the "90% of games aren't playable on current hardware" assertion was not based on or in the context of future games. He was talking about now and so was I. And the OP talking about "light gaming" does not typically mean they're looking to be able to run The Witcher 3 maxed out. Though perhaps I misunderstood somewhere along the line. My point remains: for someone looking to buy a *new computer* *today* and plan on *light gaming* (or even moderate or heavy gaming) they'll be able to play the overwhelming majority of games at full resolution and high frame rates. With the exceptions being only the most demanding of games.
It makes perfect sense given that I've defined the term for my purposes. It may not be the colloquial definition you understand - but that shouldn't matter because the recourse is the definition I provide. If it doesn't fit the OP, then it doesn't apply.
I don't mean power user in the sense of a person that knows the shortcut keys and can setup and configure the computer to their needs and requirements.
Build a PC and stuff it in one of these little bad boys
Get a Thunderbolt monitor / LG 34UM95 (these are great if you want to just connect your macbook as well)
Get a Mac wireless/wired keyboard + Steel Series Sensei mouse
Dual boot Windows 8.1 + OSX Mavericks/Yosemite
install all your games on Windows
Do everything else on OSX
Win
*
Get a Thunderbolt monitor / LG 34UM95 (these are great if you want to just connect your macbook as well)
Get a Mac wireless/wired keyboard + Steel Series Sensei mouse
Dual boot Windows 8.1 + OSX Mavericks/Yosemite
install all your games on Windows
Do everything else on OSX
Win
As an IT person, I laugh at this comment all the time. I tell my kids, just don't be retards when surfing. If you plan on getting a laptop, get a Macbook. If you get a desktop, build a pc. Just wear a condom when you surf.
Exactly. I have a PS4 / X1 which I would rather use for games. I'm talking about civilization, point / click, older games I want to mod, etc.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
You could do all of this, or...
RukusProvider
Banned
MacBookPro running Parallels. Couldn't recommend this enough.
Best of both worlds and with Parallels, there's integration between the two OS' for the features that make sense.
Best of both worlds and with Parallels, there's integration between the two OS' for the features that make sense.
Chance Hale
Member
I should have said modern games(ie within the last year or two) but fair enough. And my steam list is too big to know percentages
Just find it hard to relate to the OSX love. Used it simultaneously with Windows for 5 years(got rid of MBP 2 years ago, but have seen newer versions) and OSX just wasn't much easier to use, and it has roadblocks every time you want to do anything other than browse.
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