# Mac, Windows, Linux... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873 "2009-09-28T18:10:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/101 "2009-09-30T04:17:52Z")
Besides, I _like_ Mac OSX. Truly. I’m not a coder, and have no interest in working with scripts or command lines. Never once have I missed any of that in what I do, for work or pleasure. It’s an amazing OS for a great sum of people; professional or non. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/102 "2009-09-30T04:22:45Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > Checking my history, I performed that analysis on Aug 31st with a 17" Lenovo. Since then their entire product line has changed. It _was_ $200 more than the Apple laptop. > > [Store.apple.com](http://Store.apple.com), today: > > 17" Mac Book Pro > 2.8 Ghz Core 2 Duo > 4 Gb DDR3 Ram > 500 Gb Drive > Backlit Keyboard > Firewire 800 > Bluetooth > Applecare 3 year warrantee $300 > > $2900 [Newegg.com](http://Newegg.com), today: [SONY VAIO AW Series 18.4" Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 4GB Memory DDR2 800 Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit - Newegg.com](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117937&Tpk=34-117-937) Everything about this laptop except its weight is either simply better than (HDD, memory, port selection) or completely destroys (processor, video card, BluRay drive) the specs on the Macbook. Not bad for $700 less. Even with the 3 year warranty that covers all accidental damage you’re still $400 ahead. You save another $150 going with the comparable warranty that doesn’t cover accidental damage. That’s a 20% difference. I even built a quick POS on [Dell.com](http://Dell.com) for less than $1900 with 2.8GHz Core DUo, 8GB RAM, Vista Ultimate, 500GB HDD, 512MB Radeon 4570, BluRay **Burner** , 85WHr battery, HD audio, Bluetooth, and 15.6" 1080p display, and 3 year comprehensive warranty. The only deficiency is the display, but every other spec is either comparable or better. And it’s a full grand less. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/103 "2009-09-30T04:24:49Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > You must’ve been using something else other than OSX. Because I dare “Think different” than you about it’s quality? > [@](#): > > 1. You can view invisible folders/files by using any number of shareware apps, or just typing this into the Terminal (I found it online, so I can’t speak for its effectiveness): > > ```auto > > defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE > > killall Finder > > ``` I’m just supposedly to divinely know this? Was it mentioned in any of the documentation that comes with OS X? > [@](#): > > 1. There’s myriad shareware for all kinds of Finder tricks like copying paths, or even navigating strictly with your keyboard. > > 2. Cut has been a menu option for as long as I can remember. It’s shortcut is Command-X. Not sure why this doesn’t work on a file in the Finder though. But I either just drag it where it’s going, or Copy, then Command-Delete. > > 3. Never had a problem with Spotlight. It’s always done a great job at indexing all my drives, and finding what I’m looking for, very fast. > > Anyway, no OS is perfect. And once you’re used to one, chances are, you’re not gonna like the differences of another. I’m sure I can find just as many “WTFs?!” in Windows as you can on a Mac. You don’t see why that’s incredibly mind numbingly stupid? You’re saying Apple can charge you $4,000 for a laptop, but can’t be assed to throw in a noncrippled file manager, or the ability to view hidden files without some obscure command line code? For record even Vista comes with a file manager light years ahead of finder, for no additional charge, and Linux has Nautilus, and Dolphin for free. As much I’ve griped about Vista’s file manager, if I had to choose between using Vista’s file manager and receiving a savage beating, followed by being force fed licorice, or using finder beating and licorice free, I’d take the savage beating and licorice with a smile knowing how much worse it could have been. Also spotlight fails to index NTFS partitions, even with NTFS file system drivers. Windows seems able to happily index anything you throw at it, as long as a FS driver is provided. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/104 "2009-09-30T04:34:01Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > You don’t see why that’s incredibly mind numbingly stupid? You’re saying Apple can charge you $4,000 for a laptop, but can’t be assed to throw in a noncrippled file manager, or the ability to view hidden files without some obscure command line code? > > For record even Vista comes with a file manager light years ahead of finder, for no additional charge, and Linux has Nautilus, and Dolphin for free. > > As much I’ve griped about Vista’s file manager, if I had to choose between using Vista’s file manager and receiving a savage beating, followed by being force fed licorice, or using finder beating and licorice free, I’d take the savage beating and licorice with a smile knowing how much worse it could have been. Just a couple points: 1. $4000 for a laptop?! In what universe?! 2. The Finder isn’t perfect, I’ll concede that. But neither is Windows. Yet, Mac OSX does have some NICE features. I mean, I-wouldn’t-want-to-live-without-it-now-NICE. (Again, Quicklook, Screensharing, Time Machine, Bonjour and Exposé are all fantastic) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Dr.Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Love)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/105 "2009-09-30T04:34:40Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > So what if I save $1000 dollars on a Unix box? [stuff .00001% of the population cares about… snip] Now that’s funny. I think you’ve given Apple a new slogan: “If you don’t think $1000 is a trivial amount of money, then, let’s be honest, this computer probably isn’t for you.” 😉 😛 ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/106 "2009-09-30T04:36:19Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I could walk into a MicroCenter blindfolded and pick a computer that works on a Mac. So that’s why [Apple](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669) has a supported printer list and encourages customers to check the list before they buy printers? > [@](#): > > Upgrading RAM is a cinch. It can be third party. In fact, I recommend it as you’ll get a much better deal. Installation: Cool. How do I upgrade the HDD? Processor? Better video card? USB2.0 port? [del]Add an HDD?[/del] ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/107 "2009-09-30T04:39:26Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > So that’s why [Apple](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669) has a supported printer list and encourages customers to check the list before they buy printers? > > Cool. How do I upgrade the HDD? Processor? Better video card? USB2.0 port? [del]Add an HDD?[/del] Disk drive - trivial. As a matter of fact, far, far easier than most PCs Video card - trivial. USB port - trivial Processor - not so trivial. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/108 "2009-09-30T04:42:13Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Disk drive - trivial. As a matter of fact, far, far easier than most PCs > Video card - trivial. > USB port - trivial > Processor - not so trivial. The iMac? Really? Do elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/109 "2009-09-30T04:42:41Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > So that’s why [Apple](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669) has a supported printer list and encourages customers to check the list before they buy printers? > > Cool. How do I upgrade the HDD? Processor? Better video card? USB2.0 port? [del]Add an HDD?[/del] I didn’t even know Apple had this Hardware list you keep bringing up. All I do before I make a purchase is make sure it’s got a little Mac Compatible logo on it. Most major hardware manufacturers support the Mac. It’s really not a big deal. Honestly. You’d might be able to buy a new HDD for an iMac, but the processor and vid card I think you’re stuck with… not sure though. I believe all Macs come with USB 2.0 standard. If you’re interested in upgrading as such, the iMac isn’t for you. You’d want to get a MacPro Desktop. Then you can be an upgrading fool. ETA: I just took at that list. It’s not exactly skimpy. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/110 "2009-09-30T04:47:49Z")
Is anyone else bemused by the fact that the reasons to love a Mac seem to change over time? Used to be, one major reason why Macs were great is because they didn’t have a command-line interface. Nowadays, one major reason why Macs are great is because they _do_ have a command-line interface. (Disclosure: I work for a large software company based in Redmond. I also haven’t actively used Macs since about 1995, and even then I was spending more time on the SGI boxes in the lab than on the Macs.) ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/111 "2009-09-30T04:48:29Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > If you’re interested in upgrading as such, the iMac isn’t for you. You’d want to get a MacPro Desktop. Then you can be an upgrading fool. I can build a PC with the power of a Mac Pro for 40% less than the Mac Pro. 40% of 3-4 grand. Just sayin’. > [@](#): > > ETA: I just took at that list. It’s not exactly skimpy. Yeah, lots of iterations of the same printer from the same manufacturer. Note how many MFCs don’t get MFC support on the Mac. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/112 "2009-09-30T04:55:47Z")
FWIW, here’s Apple’s product grid: ```auto | CONSUMER | PRO | |——————————|—————————————| PORTABLE | MacBook | MacBook Pro | |——————————|—————————————| DESKTOP | iMac | MacPro | ``` The consumer modeles aren’t designed to be intensely upgradable. Geared toward the non-techies. Laptops are always an inherent squeeze. And the Pros are far more upgradable with tons of bays and compatibility with plenty 3rd party manufacturers. Maybe not as much as the PC world, but still _plenty._ ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/113 "2009-09-30T04:57:39Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > I can build a PC with the power of a Mac Pro for 40% less than the Mac Pro. 40% of 3-4 grand. Just sayin’. Perhaps, but at a price: You wouldn’t be able to run Mac OSX. 😉 ETA: To put it another way: What if I told you, you could build the machine of your dreams, for 40% less but it had to run Mac OSX? Would you switch? > [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > Yeah, lots of iterations of the same printer from the same manufacturer. Note how many MFCs don’t get MFC support on the Mac. 🆒 Well, whatever, it’s never been a problem at all for me. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/114 "2009-09-30T04:59:43Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Perhaps, but at a price: You wouldn’t be able to run Mac OSX. 😉 Actually, that’s not true. A friend of mine has what he calls a [hackintosh](http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.6.0) and it’s running Final Cut Pro just fine. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/115 "2009-09-30T05:09:20Z")
Ehhh… yeh, Hackintosh. Sounds like a chore and I don’t even know anything about it. I’m generally averse to unofficial hacks. Not sure if you saw this edit above: ETA: To put it another way: What if I told you, you could build the machine of your dreams, for 40% less than it would cost to build a PC. But it had to run Mac OSX? Would you switch? All this bickering about cost is silly to me. The price difference between a ‘truly’ comparable Mac and PC is so nominal compared to my other annual business expenses over the course of 3 or 4 years (the typical time I use my workhorse machine), that I may as well just get what I love to use. Life’s too short to be so penny pinching and utilitarian when it comes to how you make your living. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/116 "2009-09-30T05:17:09Z")
No, OSX is a crippled implementation of FreeBSD (IMHO, of course) so I would just run FreeBSD and find some utilities that mimic the better features of OSX. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/117 "2009-09-30T05:21:28Z")
And I’m not proficient in FreeBSD (nor do I care to be), find Windows cumbersome and full of gaping, threadbare seams, and love OSX’s GUI. Ta da! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/118 "2009-09-30T05:27:42Z")
**IANS** , a little story for you. A couple of months ago, my dad (who uses exclusively PC) outgrew one of his hard drives, and sent me the old one. I didn’t check to see if it was on any special lists or anything, I just installed it in my Mac desktop. In less time than it would have taken me to even open the case on most PCs, I had my computer open, the new drive in and connected, and closed up again. After about another minute to format it, it was working perfectly. Oh, and I also quite frequently remotely login to my Macs to do all sorts of command-line tasks, and I’ve never had a problem with that, either. Now, if what you’re saying is true, that there are so vastly many things that you can’t do on a Mac, all that means is that you’re not very good at doing computer things, because the things you say you can’t do, most Mac owners can do without a problem. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/119 "2009-09-30T05:39:19Z")
Unless you own an iMac I’m not really sure what your story has to do with anything. I can literally open my computer case and hot swap in a hard drive and have it closed in less than 60 seconds, no power cycle necessary. Do I win a prize now? Despite 3 pages of Mac enthusiasm, nobody has been able to explain why OSX is incapable of doing some very basic OS functions needed for networked computers. Has anyone been able to answer why this great OS has a runaway ~/library folder that swells up like a black hole for no good reason? Can we talk about kernel panics? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873/120 "2009-09-30T05:40:55Z")
> [@Dr.Love](#): > > Now that’s funny. I think you’ve given Apple a new slogan: > > “If you don’t think $1000 is a trivial amount of money, then, let’s be honest, this computer probably isn’t for you.” > > 😉 😛 Funny, but you’ve kind of missed my point, especially by taking what I said out of context. Here’s what I said: “So what if I save $1000 dollars on a Unix box? I have over 20 grand wrapped up in software, most of which probably doesn’t run on any Linux flavor.” Which means buying a Unix box does me no good, if can’t use all the software I’ve invested in over the last decade. So, I might save $1000, but I lose tons of software compatibility, coworker compatibility, my preferred OS, and gain a steep learning curve and myriad devils I don’t know. Yeh, um, no thanks. It’s not _always_ about money. And, that’s assuming I really could save that much money. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-windows-linux/511873.md?page=7)