[Physltest] [Phys-L] Re: Mac vs. PC (no flames please!)

[Larry Smith <larry.smith@SNOW.EDU>]

At 8:07 PM -0700 1/24/05, John SOHL wrote:
> We are discussing what type of computers to install in a modest
> computer teaching/research room. The obvious question is Mac vs. PC.

At 10:41 PM -0500 1/24/05, Hugh Haskell wrote:
> Since initial cost doesn't seem to be a major consideration, I think
> I would consider iMacs (the new flat screen types), for the following
> reasons:
>
> 1. Lower long term costs, due to higher reliability and less support needed.
> 2. Smaller footprint, leaving more lab bench space for the
> experimental equipment.
> 3. Unix-based operating system than can be adapted to some pretty
> powerful computing tools.
> 4. Easily configured to networks, both wireless and wired.
> 5. Can be set up for multiple users, with each user having their own
> private, password-protected space.
> 6. Much less susceptible to virus infection, especially when multiple
> users are involved.

I agree with these 6 points, and add that it is easy to install a PC
emulator on the Macs so they can run all Windows stuff as well as all Mac
OS X stuff.  Right now I'm running XP Professional on one of the three
monitors hooked up to my Mac (mostly just because I can--there aren't a lot
of programs I need that run under Windows only).

In our state the higher ed system has a site (state) license deal with MS
wherein we get all MS operating systems and MSOffice for "free."  Virtual
PC (also now an MS product since they purchased it from Connectix) is not
"free" but a license costs me only $20 (which is about 10% of list).  If
you have a deal like this, or if money is no object, then Virtual PC allows
you to run every Windows program there is in addition to all the Mac ones.
You can even install various versions of Windows and have them running
simultaneously, and you can cut and past data to/from your Mac OS.

As for linux, there are versions that run on Macs, or you could install it
under Virtual PC, although since Mac OS is unix there may not be a huge
need for linux.



At 10:54 PM -0500 1/24/05, James R. Frysinger wrote:
> It turns out, especially now that Mac has gone to a linux type of OS, there
> does not seem to be a whole lot of difference between Macs and PCs anymore
> regarding capabilities.

Generally true, but the Mac OS is not merely linux-like, it is genuine unix.



At 10:54 PM -0500 1/24/05, James R. Frysinger wrote:
> In my view, Macs are still a more expensive route to go for a comparable
> computer.
At 8:16 PM -0800 1/24/05, Bernard Cleyet wrote:
> On the other hand Macs are more expensive (even w/ educational discount)
At 12:31 AM -0500 1/25/05, John Denker wrote:
>  -- HW cost:  PC hardware gives more bang for the buck than Mac.

This is the accepted wisdom regarding up-front initial capital outlay.
However, studies show that ROI is better (i.e. long-term costs including
maintenance are generally lower) with Macs.

And with the introduction of a sub-$500 Mac a couple of weeks ago, the
initial outlay can be comparable.  Apple did not sacrifice quality and use
low-end components to save money on the Mac mini like some of the cheapest
PC off-brands do.



At 10:54 PM -0500 1/24/05, James R. Frysinger wrote:
> (Mac's market share is sometimes quoted as ~3 % by cnet.com and others.)

This is an oft-quoted statistic, but I recently read that since the
introduction of the Mac mini the percentage of those intending to buy a
computer soon is 13% Mac.  I think the percentage of Mac computers in
science is much higher than 3%.



At 12:31 AM -0500 1/25/05, John Denker wrote:
>  -- SW cost:  Linux gives infinitely more bang for the buck
>   than Windows.  It's free.

Isn't it hard to buy a PC without Windows?



At 12:31 AM -0500 1/25/05, John Denker wrote:
>  -- About the only good thing about MacOS and Windows is
>   that they both run Eudora.

I like Eudora too (a whole lot), but it isn't the only good thing I can
think of about Windows, let alone about Macs.



I did hear that they just stopped development of Open Office for Macs, but
Apple's new word processor "Pages" is supposed to be MSWord-compatible.

Larry
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