OT: need help deciding on a new computer, wintel or mac???
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OT: need help deciding on a new computer, wintel or mac???
it's for home use (burning cds, editing movies, internet, etc.) which has me leaning toward a mac. any input is appreciated.
thanks!
bob
thanks!
bob
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if that's all you are going to use it for, go with what is more in your budget
On a price/performance basis, Macs can't compete with a wintel platform, period. For what you want to do with it, a mac would be great. From an ease of use standpoint, on the desktop, you won't have any more problems using windows as you would using mac OS any. People still try to hawk the "macs are so easy" line. I've yet to find anyone using a modern version of windows that felt it was "hard" either though. If the time comes that your software needs change, you might have problems because there just isn't as much software out there for the mac. As far as video editing goes, the mac has a leg up because the newer ones come with firewire built in, but you can get a firewire card for a wintel box and there is little difference at that point.
If it were me I'd go with the windows system, just because you get more hardware for your money at a better price, a wider variety of software and much more hardware options to choose from. Which puts you in the position to get what you want within your budget and not having to take one item because it's the only one made for that platform. But like I said, for what you want to do, the mac is a good platform, but it's no more easier to use or stable than windows and does cost more for less performance.
If it were me I'd go with the windows system, just because you get more hardware for your money at a better price, a wider variety of software and much more hardware options to choose from. Which puts you in the position to get what you want within your budget and not having to take one item because it's the only one made for that platform. But like I said, for what you want to do, the mac is a good platform, but it's no more easier to use or stable than windows and does cost more for less performance.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2000
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decide what software you plan on using then assess the hardware platform....
don't feel you need to be like a fanatic and chant Mac, Mac, Mac. Current PC's or Mac's are fine and do the same things. Easy to use? huh? GUI on both...you are led down a rosy path on both...what is not easy. As you can tell I don't like evangelists. Computer is what...5 interchangeable components? Again software comes first. Burning CD's. Software from Adaptec/Roxio same on both platforms. Editing video again depends on demands for software. Both platforms have professional powerful packages. Internet browsing well it's kind of basic stuff on either but PC is most mainstream. Your choice comes down to what you want your system to look like from the outside. For me it's how my software apps. run and my ability to upgrade and modify my sytem a year or two down the road. Professional apps. are on both platforms and professional hardware, ie. monitors work on both platforms. If you buy a single box system you are stuck and cannot update the screen and many other hardware components. JMHO.
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For Music and Movies - get a Mac.
iTunes (free) is great for ripping CDs to Mp3s. You can store them on your Mac, or create your own CDs with your own play lists. iTunes can automatically get all of the track information for you from the web, ie: Artist name, song title, etc. You can also tune into many online broadcasts.
When it comes to Movies, iMovie (free) is great for editing clips together. You can also add titles and music or sounds. Great for home use. And, if you want to save your iMovies to DVD, Apple's iDVD software (free) is better than anything available on windows. Below is a link to an independent test of DVD authoring software done by the National Software Testing Labs that backs up that claim.
I would recommend an iBook with the combo DVD/CD/RW drive. And, get the Airport goodies while you are at it. I have my DSL line hooked up to my Airport Base Station, and can surf the web wirelessly with my iBook anywhere in my house--including the roofdeck on the fourth floor!<ul><li><a href="http://www.nstl.com/downloads/Apple%20Final%20iDVD%20Report.pdf">NTSL report on DVD Authoring (PDF)</a></li></ul>
When it comes to Movies, iMovie (free) is great for editing clips together. You can also add titles and music or sounds. Great for home use. And, if you want to save your iMovies to DVD, Apple's iDVD software (free) is better than anything available on windows. Below is a link to an independent test of DVD authoring software done by the National Software Testing Labs that backs up that claim.
I would recommend an iBook with the combo DVD/CD/RW drive. And, get the Airport goodies while you are at it. I have my DSL line hooked up to my Airport Base Station, and can surf the web wirelessly with my iBook anywhere in my house--including the roofdeck on the fourth floor!<ul><li><a href="http://www.nstl.com/downloads/Apple%20Final%20iDVD%20Report.pdf">NTSL report on DVD Authoring (PDF)</a></li></ul>
