In General Mar 26, 201033

Are you a Mac or a PC?

Ah, the age old question – Are you a Mac or a PC? The question that has split computer user for over ten years and does not seem any closer to being resolved. On the one side you have the stylish and efficient Mac and on the other you have the popular work-horse that is the PC. Which do you prefer and why?

This question was originally asked on Answers, and we would like to open it up to everyone and hear what everyone thinks. You could leave a question below or you could leave your answer here: Are you a PC or a Mac?

Another great jump for our member base this week, we are know up to 510 members. Thanks for all your support!

“Have you asked a question yet?“

Are you a PC or a Mac?

This question was originally asked on Answers by James Stuart Andrew Mackay, and has so far received 16 answers, you can see some of these answers below.

Answer from Joel Reyes:

Mac! Formerly a PC user, never going back :)

Answer from Benjamin Alijagic:

PC, but I’m a designer and I like pretty things :) so once when I earn some money I’m getting a Mac.

Answer from Darren Nickerson:

Couple of PCs and an old Mac g4 down in my basement that I never use. Would love to get a new Mac. Someday….someday

Answer from Emiel:

Both, actually. Mac for work, design, development and all-things-social :-) But the PC still kicks Apple where it comes to games. Also I prefer to test different OS and browser configs ‘for real’ and not by using tools that simulate them.

Answer from Michelle Lucas:

MAC! I’m about to install Windows XP on it using Bootcamp, so then I won’t have to use PC’s anymore.

Answer from Michael Cassius:

Who uses PC’s? Aside from accountants and our parents…and more, why? … Aside from turning a PC into a cool hat or melting cheese with.

Answer from Ollie Hoad:

PC. But my PC (Samsung NC20 laptop) looks like a Mac. :-)

Answer from Ravikumar V.:

PC now and forever !!!

Unanswered Questions

We have rounded up this weeks collection of unanswered questions, can you help?

  1. How Could I Show File Sizes Next to an Upload After It’s Been Selected?
  2. Is there a module / series of modules for Drupal that allow for mid level document management functionality?
  3. How Could I Get the X and Y Coordinates of a Users Mouse Within a Section?
  4. How Can I Make HTML5 Elements Work in Previous Versions of Internet Explorer?
  5. What Should I Do If I Have a Nested List Navigation and Want to Disable ALL Parent Links?

Thanks again, firstly to everyone who asked a question, but most importantly thanks to everyone that took the time to offer always helpful and useful answers.

33 Comments

  • M
    Mar 26, 2010
    PC. Why own a Mac? Twice the price and the only debate I hear from Mac owners is that you don’t get viruses. Wow what a lame argument. I don’t think so. Get a good Anti-virus program and you are good to go. Microsoft is even giving them away for free now. PC’s are just as fast in comparable tests and depending on the machine, parts are much more readily available on a local level if something goes wrong and you need something without having to order it. Everyone has the misconception you need a Mac for graphic or video development – wrong. You have been sold into an idea or hype and not into facts. Benchmark tests prove this. Make sure and research before you buy.
  • Ju
    Mar 26, 2010
    Mac is a user friendly system. All of it.
    PC is not.

    Make sure, reserch and TRY before you write…

  • Patricia
    Mar 26, 2010
    ^Good points but you’re talking to the web design community. Sure, a computer that has either Flash, javascript, and Acrobat installed are vulnerable attacks. They’re hell bent on Macs. I too own a MacBook Pro (Originally not mine but it’s a long story) and a pc but I wish web designers wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss PCs. Ubuntu is a good alternative to windows.
  • starr
    Mar 26, 2010
    I love my Mac to bits and would always opt for it over a pc but I also have a Sony Vaio that runs Win7 which I have to admit is pretty rockin’.
  • Justin Carroll
    Mar 26, 2010
    This is awesome … “Who uses PC’s? Aside from accountants and our parents …” Love it!
  • Dusan
    Mar 26, 2010
    I used to own Mac for a brief period of time (6 months) and then I sold it. It’s a great OS but just not for me. And it wasn’t about getting used to it. I just didn’t liked the work flow on Leopard. Just a trivial example: drag&drop functionality: you need both hands when on Mac, the mouse is not enough. That was driving me crazy
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  • BJ Del Rosario
    Mar 26, 2010
    I was a PC user, who now (since about a month ago) uses a Mac, and I dont think I’ll be going back. My Mac does great, and I have nothing against PC’s but man My Mac has made my life a bit easier for some reason, or maybe its just the “New toy” feeling haha! Anyway, my opinion is I like both but right now I’m use Mac, and I like it very much.
  • Branko
    Mar 27, 2010
    Mac’s are overpriced but looking damn good… I’m using great brand-name PC workstation with Windows 7, some UI enhancements and really no need for OSX. But those Macs are really looking good…
  • Robin
    Mar 27, 2010
    I’m a PC. I think Macs are for people are actually afraid of computers…

    I like a machine that’s not only a lot less expensive than the trendy Mac, but also is easy and cheap to take apart and upgrade whenever I feel like it.

    And I’ve never had a virus. Probably because I’m smart enough not to download questionable things and open attachments in emails when I don’t even know the sender.

  • Andy
    Mar 27, 2010
    very happily and proudly a PC user.
    Win7 is awesome… never had a blue screen, get no real slowdowns, no virus’… i can just get my work done… which is more than i could say for the iMacs I’ve used in the past.

    as M said, the attitude that all web designers/devs should do and do use Macs myth and hype.

    ultimately tho, there’s no “cool factor” to owning a PC, and in the web design world where image and presention is so important, some form of snobbery seems to push people towards Macs.

  • david
    Mar 27, 2010
    Definitely mac OSX, PC windows sucks
  • ruamtalay
    Mar 27, 2010
    My PC running WinXP.
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  • Giancarlo
    Mar 28, 2010
    I am a huge Mac enthusiast for about 5 years now and I love them. It’s not just about virii as M pointed out, but it’s a product that is a lot more reliable than PC. From the first time I started building and using PCs circa 1999 I’ve had problems with them. Who wants to install drivers and have registry issues? I make one statement when I discuss Mac vs PC to people: Do you want a product you buy to work well all the time or sometimes? Would you be happy if your car brakes worked once in awhile or had some issues? Personally I like how Mac OS X works in comparison without going into too many details. I like how it’s safe, and it’s simple. Why do I need it to be complicated? I’m not a simpleton I just like things to work, and work well.
  • Anatoly Gilderman
    Mar 28, 2010
    I will forever be a PC user. MAC are just to expensive and I feel like it is not practical buying one. I don’t have issues using a PC so why bother using MAC?
  • hans
    Mar 29, 2010
    at home PC (AMD dualcore, win7), at work mac (2800 quad, snow-leo). both systems have their good and their bad sides. only thing i really hate are mac-fanboys!
  • JJ Nold
    Mar 29, 2010
    We have PC’s at work, but I use Mac at home. Still trying to convince our manager to get us Macs. ;)
  • Caddis Tech
    Mar 29, 2010
    I am liking Windows 7. PC for me
  • Davor
    Mar 30, 2010
    I’m forced to work on an iMac at work, and I have a PC at home, so I’m able to compare the two. A PC with Windows 7 is a much better computer than a Mac. Sorry Mac lovers, but I really don’t see what’s so fantastic about Macs, except for being a very nice piece of furniture.
  • rock solid
    Mar 30, 2010
    PC for me, good developing from microsoft.
  • Steve Lambert
    Mar 30, 2010
    I’ve grown up using both, but made my choice a couple of years ago and invested in a tasty Mac Pro. I’ve bootcamped XP on so I can play games, but that’s all. I have to say, I’m yet to use Windows 7, but I see no reason to upgrade an OS I’ll only see while a game loads up.
    To be honest, from what I’ve seen with Win 7, they’re adding more features that other OSs have now — the differences are diminishing, so it’s more a matter of personal preference these days I think.
  • KsbjA
    Mar 30, 2010
    I’m a Mac. Less than a year ago, I gave up my powerful PC (a 2006 model I upgraded with 3GB of RAM and a new graphics card, running Windows 7) for a 2002 PowerBook G4 (2004 or so hardware refresh, Mac OS X Tiger – 2005 OS) last year because of my anxiety disorder and dissatisfying overall experience with Windows. I love the PowerBook! No more crashes, retarded error messages, registry (Windows registry is probably the worst idea ever), panic attacks because of lost files (panic attacks suck :-( ), boot errors, annual reinstalls… I could keep going on. Windows kept disappointing me, so I’m glad I switched. (I also have a 2006 iMac with 2,5 GB RAM running Mac OS X Leopard (2007), but I use the laptop because it’s only for my use and it’s portable.) Not only the stability is awesome, the UNIX-based OS is also more secure. The UI looks good and is easy to use. The only people who say they will never use a Mac are those who haven’t ever used one. I feel sorry for them and believe they deserve something better than Windows, which is a poor operating system.
  • Jenn
    Mar 30, 2010
    pc! we build all our machines. twice the power of a mac for half the price. get to pick exactly what goes into it, shop around for the best prices. it’s great! :)
  • Mac Pro
    Mar 30, 2010
    We use Mac’s they have great displays and help with creating quality web design. Check out our work at http://www.SilversteinMedia.com Macs cost more but they are worth it. PC’s are good but get viruses I love not having to pay for an anti virus on my Mac.
  • TasteMetallic
    Mar 31, 2010
    Buying mac… haha, no way.

    Keep on Steve, as long as it’s pretty, they’ll pay for it.

    I’m sure that 90% mac users buy it only cause of that..well, keep on!

  • Joe B Carpet
    Mar 31, 2010
    I use Mac for my desktop and PC for laptop. I like Mac better, but I have 3 programs that need a PC.
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  • Mo'taz
    Apr 3, 2010
    actually i am a pc, simply because i’ve never had a chance to try a mac, so when i got interviewed i couldnt ask for mac! i always liked pc’s, but am dying to have a mac!
  • Mo'taz
    Apr 3, 2010
    @Joe B Carpet u can install a windows on mac my friend :)
  • Steve
    Apr 6, 2010
    I’ve always had issues with this question. I love my Mac but Apple only holds a small percentage of in home computers. So in reality if you are a serious web designer / developer you pretty much have to own both a Mac and PC. I’m sure people will argue that you can run a vm but I’ve always liked the dual approach.

    Overall, I enjoy my Mac more.

  • Andrea
    Apr 17, 2010
    PC, if you know the right way to use and configure it, you don’t need to look for maks.. btw mac has the same hardware as the pcs..

    I knew people that bought mac, and after a week installed Windows looool :)

  • KD
    Oct 4, 2010
    Mac, hands down. I find that Windows impedes my workflow and makes it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. I’ve worked with Macs to some extent since the OS 9 days—and have owned Macs since last year—and have generally always preferred the Mac OS to Windows. That isn’t to say that Macs are perfect; they’re prone to hardware problems like PCs are, but my preference for Macs comes from the quality of the operating system and software. Windows feels really ‘left-brained’; the Mac OS ‘right-brained’.

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