sandi 0 #1 April 12, 2008 I want to get a new laptop and I’ve always had PC (I’m on my third Dell now). I’m thinking of switching to a Mac, mainly because the lab I work in is all Mac and I’m wondering if there is some advantage that I don’t know about. Since I’m a lowly graduate student, I just get a desk and have to bring my own computer. I have a lot of statistical software that I use, SPSS, SAS, HLM, and R, does anyone know if I would have any problems running any of these on a Mac. I will also be doing some video stuff, but nothing too high tech, creating stimuli for psychology experiments (videos that kids watch). Should I just get a new PC or are Macs better? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #2 April 12, 2008 just get a PC and dont bother with SW-compatibility..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #3 April 12, 2008 Neither is better. It's a silly myth perpetuated by head-in-sand "liefstyles" as opposed to people who actually work with computers. Each has its advantages. I have both, I'm typing on a MacBook Pro that is predominantly set up for Bootcamp right now. Many specialized apps won't run on an apple; keep that in mind. Others run better on an Apple system. It's more about the apps you'll be using than the "coolness factor" of the laptop you choose, IMO. No such thing as a good, cheap Mac. But there are lots of very good, cheap PC's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkfairy 0 #4 April 12, 2008 You have to check with the makers of the software that you're using, but the new virtualization software VMWare Fusion and Paralells are actually pretty cool. The mac can also boot up in Wondows if you have a windows licence that you can use. I know it works pretty well, there's a user on my network that uses that, and I've heard no complaints. It even worked in beta. Over to the advantages with the mac vs Dell: Better and more solid hardware: Aluminium is a better and more solid material than plastic. Plastic things that stick out break off. And the plastic in the macbook isn't any old plastic, it's very solid polycarbonate. Same material that's used in high quality sunglasses. I know it's solid, because I've prised open a previous model of the macbook. The operating system has a great graphical user interface, it's really tidy and simple, and I keep hearing that from ex- windows users, not just "mac fanatics". It's also very stable and needs very little maintenance from your part. I have computers that I don't restart for months, and one that's hasn't been reinstalled for 3 years, but is still fast. Also, the selection of malware and viruses for mac is pretty poor, you really have to work at it to get some of that. No operating system is safe, but if you're one of the overwhelming majority of users who uses the worlds most popular operating system, it's much easier for the virus makers to get you. But: If 3D graphical games are your thing, and you absolutely have to have the latest PC games, then get a Windows box. But then you wouldn't want a laptop. Yes, I used to sell macs, but I work with Windows now. And I'm in no doubt about what's best for home users. If you're going to get a PC, get another brand than Dell, Fujitsu Siemens is lighter and more compact, or a Lenovo, they're more solidly built. Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet. I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #5 April 12, 2008 Google revealed that all that statistical software is available on the Mac, but it appears there may be issues with HML on a new Mac. It is supposedly not compatible with Intel Macs, but if that is the case, it would be the first piece of software written for OS X on a PowerPC (the chip architecture Apple used prior to moving to Intel) that does not run properly under Rosetta. I also saw that they would not certify the reliability when used with Windows under virtualization programs like Parallels. At any rate, new Macs will support dual booting Windows or Mac OS X, so that Windows can run natively. Personally, I prefer OS X over Windows by a very wide margin. I find it more intuitive and user friendly, and enjoy being able to go without any anti-virus or anti-malware software. OS X also comes with XGrid, which offers the ability to fairly easily set up a distributed computing network, which allows other networked Macs to share the work involved in a single computing task in the same manner that some supercomputers work, which might be very useful for heavy use of some of the statistics software you mentioned. Note that I don't know if the software has been written to take advantage of this capability or if the software even needs to be written to take advantage of the capability. One issue with Macs is that Apple chooses not to compete in the low end market, so sometimes users have to buy more machine than the really wanted. However, with respect to price, when compared to PC's with similar hardware features, Macs seem to be competitively priced. They are not always the cheapest, but usually not the most expensive, either. (When I bought my MacBook last September, I was unable to find a hardware equivalent PC for less money by any manufacturer.) From your limited description, it sounds like a MacBook would serve your needs. However, I would recommend a trip to an Apple store (if possible) to test the video capabilities against your video needs. A MacBook Pro would have no problems at all with any but the most demanding video requirements, for which all but high end gaming PC laptops would also struggle. Personally, I think Macs are better, but at the end of the day, you have to make a decision based on your needs. Good luck! Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkfairy 0 #6 April 12, 2008 QuoteNeither is better. It's a silly myth perpetuated by head-in-sand "liefstyles" as opposed to people who actually work with computers. That's just not true. I do work with computers, and still believe that some operating systems are better designed and work better than others, and that there's big differences in quality between different brands of computer hardware. Computers are no different than other products, some work well, and others don't.Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet. I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #7 April 12, 2008 QuoteQuoteNeither is better. It's a silly myth perpetuated by head-in-sand "liefstyles" as opposed to people who actually work with computers. That's just not true. I do work with computers, and still believe that some operating systems are better designed and work better than others, and that there's big differences in quality between different brands of computer hardware. Computers are no different than other products, some work well, and others don't. That's "just not true" in your opinion. In this *particular* scenario (and in most of the world) the discussion is about Mac vs PC. It's talking about XP or Vista vs OSX. Given that we operate approx 50 OSX machines in our company, and well over 100 PC's with either Vista or XP on them, I feel I'm pretty well entitled to my opinion that they are very little different these days. Some folks work well with sweatshirts on, others prefer a shirt and tie. Some folks need specific apps that run only on one platform or another. Neither OS is better than the other. It may well be that some HARDWARE vendors don't properly apply themselves to the OS, but that's true with both platforms. As a perfect example, the new MBP's don't work with *any* of the legacy projectors here at the LVCC in Las Vegas. If you have a Mac with ATI card in it, you're screwed if you want quality graphics. Those that have PC's, are just fine. Those that want to use an app like FCP need a Mac, because it's not available on the PC platform. They're just tools. Neither OS is better than the other. They're just different. There are those that stick their heads up their ass and make the OS "part of their lifestyle" when that in and of itself, is stupidity. Damn good thing carpenters aren't so stupid as to feel that there is only one kind of hammer, or a car mechanic thinking there is only one kind of screwdriver. Thank heaven a doctor isn't ignorant enough to think there is only one kind of pill for everybody. Computers are tools. Both primary/popular OS's are very good. There are better OS's, but they're not for the masses, so sticking to the current discussion...either OS works great. The question that needs to be answered is "Which apps do you want to run, and are they dual platform or locked to one platform/OS?" Since I work with both, I choose an MBP and boot in to Windows most of the time, but have OSX available to me when I need that, too. Some tools that run on both OS's run better on one OS than the other. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #8 April 13, 2008 Given your needs and jcd11235's input on the s/w, it sounds to me as though a Mac would better serve your needs. Especially since your office is Mac-based and you often bring work home with you...it's nice to be able to avoid compatibility problems.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #9 April 13, 2008 Quote It's a silly myth perpetuated by head-in-sand "liefstyles" as opposed to people who actually work with computers. Man! You hit that nail on the head. I always got a kick out of the "geeks" back in the day...bragging about how much they knew about computers...constantly tweaking and such. My favorite saying back then was, "If you want to learn about tweaking computers, get a PC. If you want to actually produce something, get a Mac." My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikhail 0 #10 April 13, 2008 I picked up the base MacBook last December. Got rid of the 1GB of RAM that came with the laptop and paid $100 for 4GB at Fry's (grand total of $1250). With that much memory, I can, and fairly often do, run OSX and Windows at the same time. In other words, software is not the issue. If you like the hardware (features & cost) and think you want to give OSX a try, go with a Mac. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #11 April 14, 2008 Hey Sandi, If you buy a Mac, you can run Windows or Mac OS and all related programs on it. PC - Only Windows (Not including Linix in this) The Mac gives you the option available to both platforms. I use VMWare Fusion to run Windows tax applications on my Mac at work. Cheers, Murray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #12 April 15, 2008 Get a macbook and then you can get vids firewired to you and you can edit themDivot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #13 September 11, 2009 So... just saw MacHEADS I was going to start a new thread... but it kinda fits in with this one too. parts of the movie made me a little embarrassed (only a little) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
