The Campaign Builder's Guild

Ladies and Gentleman, let's keep this civilized.  I, for one, want to know the thoughts of both parties, as a new computer is on my horizon and I could really go either way.  So, let's hear which platform you prefer, and why.

PC- It's what I've grown up with, and considering the new vista is supposed to have incorporated most of the 'special' stuff from OSX, I see no reason to change. Some would argue that PCs crash all the time, or need to be upgraded, but I see this as allowing me choice. Choice to decide what goes into my computer, choice of what comes out, not to mention any number of other visual customizations. It might be true that they crash, but I'm one of the weird people who enjoy trying to figure out what the heck is wrong and fixing it, so that's not a problem. And for gaming, Pc is really the only option that I see.

Mac- I don't have much experience with THE HEATHEN... *ahem*, a mac, but according to those that use them, they're simpler, more stable, and are generally less of a hassle. As far as I can see, they sacrifice options for this. Sure, you have some customization, but compared to the PC market, it's tiny. And what happens when the mac becomes obsolete? You can't upgrade it, pirate out the parts that still work, or simply upgrade it.


Disclaimer: I have little to no experience with macs, so if what I say is wrong in some aspect, I did not intend it purposefully.

Get a PC and install Linux.

I too have also used both systems. Until this year I had used a PC and this xmas I got a macbook. I would have t agree that until mac os x macs weren't worth it. i hada '94 mac until windows 98 came out (a sin).

As with vista, it's definitely a step up from windows xp. BUT it still has all of the same problems that xp had, like near-impossible error configuration and confusing system utilities. I spent hours upon hours trying to figure out how to make the text on my icons appear transparent over my desktop, which is supposed to be standard but didn't work. My mac does that automatically and never changes. Plus, all the cnfiguration you would ever need is right there in the system panel, out front. In xp, the system panel has a seemingly endless maze of layers with hidden links to configuration files.

Also, vista's new improvements are just copies of what mac os 9/x did several years ago.

I'm not going to go into virus protecton....ok i lied. Macs never get virus' because no one makes them for a mac. why would they? plus they have excellent spyware and virus protection built in and it has no effect on how your mac runs. with windows, you have ot dowload windows defender or mcaffee (god forbid you have norton :P) which (in my experience) slows down your PC considerably.

I'll assume you are pretty well versed in computers so I will not detail how a 90 year old grandma coud figure out a mac in a fraction of a time that it would take for her to figure out the start menu on a pc.

even through  all this, if you like games, get a pc. no brainer. nvidia and radeon. the onyl mac that can play intense games like Doom 3 and Halo are the G4, and  they start at 2000 and are well above 2500 with game-playing graphix cards etc.  

QuoteAnd what happens when the mac becomes obsolete? You can't upgrade it, pirate out the parts that still work, or simply upgrade it.

macs constantly update themselves and never go obselete b/c, well, they can never miss an upgrade. Also they are fully compatible with linux, unix and now windows xp. so if you want the best of both worlds, get a mac, download boot camp, and you can switch between mac os.x or windows xp/soon vista without any detriment to your processing speed.

Ok i'll stop sorry.  

Linux.

Aside from that point, I'd personally recommend PC.  The main reasons being is that from a software standpoint, both retail and open-source, Windows-based systems receive much more support than Mac systems, from what I understand.  Case-in-point: Games.  The game market for Macs is pretty much non-existent.  The game market for Windows is pretty good, though many big retailers try to push console gaming.

Other notes, if you do ever actually decide to use Linux, PC architecture is somewhat better supported than Mac architecture.  This is really true on laptops.  My friend returned his MacBook the day after he got it for a Thinkpad because it had some serious hardware issues with Linux.

In my experience, for the average user, Windows is probably the best OS.  A more experience user would be advised to either dual-boot Windows and Linux (this is preferable, especially for those who use things like iTunes or PC games), or go with Linux alone.  Macs seem to lie in a little niche realm, mainly for image and video editing, though this can be done with both, and now with 64-bit architecture, probably done better on Windows (with the right software.)

The only problem with Linux, for the overwhelming majority of people, is picking the distribution that is right for them.  Personally, I went with a dual setup of Windows XP and Fedora, but my friend (the same one who returned his MacBook) swears by Ubuntu.  There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of distributions.  It's a little overwhelming, but defiantly worth it.

QuoteMacs seem to lie in a little niche realm, mainly for image and video editing, though this can be done with both, and now with 64-bit architecture, probably done better on Windows (with the right software.)

If you have ever used photoshop (for example) on both systems (mac/pc) it's undeniable that there is an improvement, there are even commands on the mac that are unavailable for pc users. Also, mac offers the highest-resolution monitors on the market. Without a graphix card, basic 13" monitors supply a full 1280x960, better than a basic 17 or 19" non-widescreen found with pc's.

I run on a PC, but I used Macs throughout elementary, middle, and high school.  Personally, I prefer PC to Mac, and it's for one, simple reason.

Two-button mouse.

It has always irked me that the Macs never had two-buttons.  I use the second button all the time, copy/cut/past, videogames, window options, etc.  If the two-button mouse is not that important to you, then I can't really push one over the other.

If it turns out I don't know what I'm talking about, please disregard the above message.

I have a two-button mouse, and it works just fine with my Mac once I plugged it in.

QuoteTwo-button mouse.

The Mighty Mouse (mac mouse) now supports two button layout and can be fully configurable to do many features besides regular right-click. it might even have side buttons if i remember correctly. you can switch from one to two buttons any time you want.

I'm also buying a new computer soon, and I'm probably going with a Sony VAIO. My current stance on Mac/PC is about 50/50, but I'm going to go with PC just because it's easier to obtain for my current situation. I'm not a hardcore PC gamer (most of my gaming consists of Starcraft, Diablo 1/2/XP, Baldur's Gate, and Warcraft III/XP), so I don't think I'd mind that factor too much going to Mac. Plus, they look totally awesome.

But yes, if you do a lot of gaming, stick with PC.

My biggest issue with the Mac as of now is that I am unable to get GIMP to work on my new iMac.  It's supposed to be compatible, but it still refuses to work.

hmmm...i have gimp installed fine on my macbook. is your imac intel-based?

Sorry for derailing this a tiny bit, but how is Linux? I'm considering looking at it instead of Vista for my rebuild...

Yeah I always wondered about Linux...I was thinking about putting it on my 5G iPod.

QuoteSorry for derailing this a tiny bit, but how is Linux? I'm considering looking at it instead of Vista for my rebuild...

linux is free, so install it first. if you can't stand it, buy vista. don't buy vista, figure out you can't stand it, then install the free linux ;)

also, it's fairly easy to dual-boot. that's what i do.

As far as how it is:
no viruses*, no spyware. which is AMAZING.
everything you can run you can run for free. also great.
I've found Ubuntu Linux tends to be easier than windows when things are working. when things don't work it's... much more exciting.
Also, no game except neverwinter nights, unreal tournament, or chess will work ;)

*meh, close enough.