64-bit processing! New Mac G5

Yup, just no software.

Joshua

 

Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard for years, but I’ve been using a Mac for the last 4 years and have every bit of software I need. Furthermore, Apple loads their computers with software like iTunes, iDVD, iMovie, iPhoto, iCal, etc. that work efficiently and elegantly.

Furthermore, my version of Microsoft Office is better and more versatile than the Windows counterpart. Not only is that my opinion from using both the Windows and Mac versions each day, but that’s also Microsoft’s opinion.

While there are occasional Windows-only applications that may be indispensable to your needs, most of the time you can run those applications in a Windows emulator that is available for the Mac through Microsoft. Generally, the only exceptions to this would be Windows games. (Personally, I’d buy a game console if the main reason I wanted a computer was to play games.) But the top Windows games are usually ported over to the Macintosh within a few months and I suspect that there really aren’t many games only available in Windows that I would care to play.

 

BB,

You may have noticed in another thread that I pick up spare change reviewing games. The really good strategy and RPG games (exception: Morrowind) aren't ported to consoles, and are rarely ported to Mac's. Hardcore gamers use PC's . Plus, I've been using MS products for 16 years to produce very complex documents; and they don't translate well on a Mac.

Macs have come a long way, but I'll still take a PC any day.

Joshua

 

That’s true. But since I use my computer for creative work (and some drudgery), I don’t really miss that stuff. (And I could care less about role-playing games!)

Game companies often don’t go after the Mac market since it is a fairly small slice of the installed user base. However, many of them do send the code to their most successful games to porting outfits and they convert them to the Mac.

Hmm… I used Microsoft Office at my office on Windows 2000 and XP and Microsoft Office for Mac at home when I work from home and have no problems transferring files and such. The only thing I have to watch out for is addition graphic features or using higher resolutions on documents created on the Mac because Windows computers don’t have the hardware support to handle the added features.

Actually, Windows PCs have come a long way in the last 16 years (they have been aping the Macintosh interface since the first version of Windows), but they still don’t have the ease of use or the stability of a Macintosh running OS X.

I used to be a Windows guy until I started working with my art director’s Macintosh at a former publishing job. About 30 minutes with that Mac and a little bit of research made me change platforms about a year later in 1999. (It was not feasible to make the change beforehand because of a number of ongoing projects and commitments.) I’ve never regretted the decision.

It seems that you need to keep at least one Windows computer around for your games, but that certainly doesn't mean that there is "no software" for Macs.

 

BB

A PR Rep from Apple had almost convinced me of the same thing (I do some mainstream tech writing still as well) until I looked at how borked some of my documents looked on a Mac.

Joshua

 

Unless you have some particularly intense need, any processor being sold today will be more than adequate. Don't spend a lot of money for power you don't need.

On the flipside, from the NY Times:

 

Interesting...

What layout software do you use?

 

If you just need the computer for internet access and simple word processing, any system on the market will do. If you do more intensive work such as graphics (Photoshop stuff), digital movies, burn your own DVDs, digital music and such, you’ll want to invest in a computer than can do these jobs quickly and efficiently.

That’s why I’m planning to get one of the new Macs within the next year.

</font>[/QUOTE]The fact that he acknowledges it makes it newsworthy. Microsoft leads the industry in unreliable and virus-prone software and operating systems.

 

Wrong again Joshua. Hardcore gamers use PSX, PS2, XBX, GC, GBA, and PC. Many gamers have multiple systems and I know a few who have all of them. You are right that most of the good strategy and RPG games are PC. Online gaming is still mostly PC, but XBox Live and PS2 are starting to make a dent. Of the consoles XBX is the best for pure gaming, the graphics are better, gameplay is faster, and it has a harddrive so you don't need a memory card.

Bill

 

Bill,

I said that with a on purpose. I'm an old fogey, and I primarily review PC titles and hardware; so I trot out that line periodically. I was really impressed with the X-Box Live! promo stuff I saw at E3, and I think the X-Box is a fantastic platform (we play on ours quite a bit).

Consoles have much to recommend them - no worrying about drivers, programmers have to write bug-free code before the titles ship, etc.

Joshua

 

Glad to see an old fogey can admit that something new can be good.

Personally I do 90% of my gameplay on PC. So I guess I'm an old fogey too. We only own a PC and a PSX. Since I make my living selling the games and systems I know alot about them. I'm just too cheap to buy one myself.

Bill

 

Bill,

If I didn't get all this stuff for free, I probably wouldn't have much of it either. Next time you need a DVD player though, buy an X-Box .

Joshua

 

At least I'm in the top 5 percent of something!

 

Just saw the Apple Commercial on TV at lunch today advertising the new, fastest computer....The one where the guy gets blown away from his computer desk through the walls of his house and out into the yard.

Great Commercial! Reminds me of the good old days when Apple was THE ONLY COMPUTER to own!

Made me sentimental for my old Apple IIe, my old Apple IIc, my old Macintosh, etc.etc.etc. until I recalculated how much money I spent on APPLES in the 1980's and 90's.