The job where they said I'd be working on a P.C. is an on-site job--not one where I send in my stuff. The computer network there is with PCs.

I worked for one non-profit Webby-Award-winning site where some of us had PCs and a couple of people had Macs. There were just a few difficulties for one of the Mac users, but she's not very computer literate. We didn't have any problems with compatibility. The Mac users and we were all using Dreamweaver.

"Do the Mac people realize that once they switched processors, Macs really *are* just PCs now, only with a different bunch of software?"

Uh, yeah, sure we do. They're just PCs from the manufacturer that for years had consistently topped customer satisfaction surveys, running software that's consistently reviewed as the best available.

"Uh, yeah, sure we do. They're just PCs from the manufacturer that for years had consistently topped customer satisfaction surveys, running software that's consistently reviewed as the best available."

Yes, Jake. We already established the Apple model is to make you think you have the best. The airline passengers in first class are definitely more satisfied in surveys I would venture to bet.

Look, my mother, who can barely use email as it is, would probably benefit from a nice simple Mac. Artists seem to like them, too. And, if you just like the cool-whatever, then you are a Mac user. Good for you.

But, what does the Mac offer to me? Again, MUCH less in the way of games and 3rd-party utilities. Plus I BUILT my PC, and I am getting close to upgrading a few individual parts. I'll be spending more than a new Dell costs, I'm sure, but, that's because I'm silicone-monkey, I guess. Could I really do that with a Mac, and if so, is it cheaper? I doubt both HIGHLY.

Look, my PC is really not a hassle. Really. I leave it on for days at a time--my virus scanner runs while (if) I sleep. It rarely crashes--and when it does, it's probably because I push my rig hard. REAL hard. Yeah. You heard me, I called it a rig. Not a pretty thing that sits on my glass desk. A rig, hauling tons of data every second.

Maybe we can all agree to disagree? No, wait. That's no fun. Besides, we're comparing the PRICE of Mac ownership to that of PC ownership. There is no way, dollars to dollars and Gigs to Gigs that a Mac would serve my needs better than a PC and certainly not at a better price. It's simply a fact and I don't even know why all you Mac-fans can't understand that. I really don't begrudge you for your choice and computer lifestyle. I'd think Mac users, if anyone, would do the same for me.

But really, go ahead and enjoy your Mac. I'm happy simply because you're happy. But, I'll be playing Bioshock and Jericho on my PC, so be happy for me, too.

Oh, and one more fact I'd like to point out: Macs still have a single button mouse. What's up with that? That's, like, soooo 1992, don't you think? (MY mouse has 5 buttons and a wheel, too bad you just got the one...)

jason.

a roomful of Zoroastrians what the best religion is, what would they reply?

That's what "running software that's consistently reviewed as the best available" gets you in a market characterized more by dogma than technical knowledge.

I'm very happy your Mac works for you. There's nothing wrong with it. The lot of you, please stop trying to convince me I'm going to hell for not using one, or not giving Steve Jobs my car. I figure the man already has a pretty darned nice car.

(I'm typing this on a $100 Ubuntu box I put together for fun)

"(I'm typing this on a $100 Ubuntu box I put together for fun)"

Oh! That's what you used the money you saved by not buying a Mac. It all makes sense now Mr Crumb! :)

jason.

In 1989 I bought a Mac and had to give it up because I'm a CPA and the software for the Mac was horrible. The good software wasn't available for the Mac.

Recently I purchased a Mac because I had 2 episodes with viruses and it is maintained that the Mac doesn't get viruses.

Astoundingly, almost 20 years later I am having the same problems. The software for the Mac just doesn't measure up to the software for the PC.

My first trauma involved finding financial software that is just comparable to that of MS Money. Go on the web and read and read the anguish of people trying to find a viable software package for the Mac that compares to the PC version of Money.

I bought my first PC aroung 1982 and have listened to the Mac enthusiasts proclaim some arane superiority. Perhaps in the digital photography arena, but there I just edit and maintain my photos, doing nothing sophisticated.

My experience with Mac users is that they are just dilitantes

trying to act "techie."

They proclaim that Windows was stolen from Apple. They are astounded that Apple stole the same concepts from Zerox.

I am seriously considering going back to the PC and exploring better ways to prevent viruses.

What a load of hooey. What has Apple given to the computer industry since the mass introduction of the desktop UI? They are now experts and making fancy bouncing buttons, but they don't do anything real to move technology forward.

The only thing they are good at is making their customers feel good (no, feel GREAT) about making their purchase, and that is a (rather scary) marketing advancement, not a technological one.

If you can't do without fancy bouncing buttons, and you feel that is the cutting edge of technology then you have found what you want in the Mac. But if you do more with your computer than live the entirely proprietary "iLife" then you'd best look elsewhere.

Whoever said the following :

"That is, in fact, all the Apple really has, culture. That's why Macs sell. Not because of a rational comparison of features and price, but because a slick advertising campaign tells them that if they buy this particular mass produced commodity, they will be more unique and original and amazing than the people who buy the other kind of mass produced commodity. Don't take my word for it. Browse the intertron. I promise, 95% of what Mac people say is all cultural critique. It's all just marketing. That's it."

has OBVIOUSLY never used a Mac. I had a PC my whole life, and when mine died, I decided to go to Mac. I will never, EVER own a PC again. I've tried to use vista, it's AWFUL! A Mac has so much more than just culture. They never crash, you don't get viruses, they're less maintenance, they just work. Lets face it, Apple just produces a better product. Plain and simple.