Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Why buy a certain computer?

[Jason McIntosh <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Dec 7, 2004, at 10:38 AM, Vern Green wrote:
> I think this might be an interesting topic based on one of our
> previous threads. It is a simple question, however the answer to it
> might be more complicated than you think.
>
> Why do you guy a certain brand of computer?

It depends.  Like any tool, you choose the right tool for the right 
use.  Apple's definitely are pretty good generic systems.  I can do 
java development on them, use unix utilities, all with having Microsoft 
Office and all the other standard apps built in.  Not to mention lack 
of virus's, good standards support, and pretty nice hardware for things 
like taking pictures, watching/editing movies, and games.  Yes, games.  
Not as fast as the athlon 64 box I've got for games, but some games 
work on it.  For gaming though, that's why I have an athlon 64.  I 
don't use it for much else but games.  That's because the laptop, 
PowerBook, that I have is much nicer for general use.

> In particular, why does anyone think a certain computer brand, for
> instance Apple, Intel based, or even spread to AMD based, is any
> better than any other. Case in point for me would be Apple, since
> Intel and AMD are almost the same at least in the perceived usage.

Generally, performance.  For example, I'd recommend using an opteron 
based system running linux for an Oracle server.  Mostly do to full 64 
bit support, speed, etc.  I've had pretty good luck thus far with them 
:)

> So why buy an Apple?

Combination of factors, as stated above, but mostly because they're the 
most flexible with a nice interface.  Not to mention I can hack it 
pretty easily if I wish.  i.e. for windows sharing, there's an 
/etc/smb.conf file I can modify, ldap integration support, java built 
in, decent  hardware for the price (usually on the upper end or on 
portables).  Seriously - the price/performance/options ratio isn't that 
huge on the higher scale.  Yes, for commodity purposes, windows 
machines are generally cheaper, but having a laptop with a dvd burner, 
firewire 800/400, 17" display, bluetooth, etc. is kinda nice, and the 
price is about the same regardless of intel/apple.  Particularly when 
you consider options that come with it.

Add to that, the preference for the unix core, the ability to hack the 
OS if I want, etc. and apple's become a nice option.

> Is it because you want to be different than the norm? 90% of the
> computers out there are of the PC architecture, so is buying an Apple
> your way of rebelling against the establishment?

Nope - was a PC guy up until I switched to OS X.  I liked it so much, 
found it so easy to work with and configure (again, command 
line/hacking options) that I gave up on Windows.  XP isn't bad, but I 
still find the whole registry system bloody annoying, logs suck, etc.

> Performance? Is there a huge performance gain buying a certain
> computer over another? I think you should also consider both actual
> (benchmarked) performance and the perceived performance (how long do I
> wait for the computer to crunch numbers)

Definitely.  Opteron's/64bit processors perform better in certain 
systems, PowerPC based work better in others 
(scientific/image/video/floating point operations), and athlon64/P4's 
perform better generally with games.  Each has advantages, and that's 
why I own both.  Even owning both, I find that I use the apple so much 
more because it IS flexible.

> Is it because your OS choice is so much simpler to use than the
> others? Apple once had a reputation for being easier to use than a PC
> platform, I am not sure that is the case anymore, but what do you
> think?

Some aspects of it are.  Particularly when I have to change a 
configuration setting.  Sorry, I hate the registry, and think that was 
the stupidest thing MS could have ever done.  The registry is an evil, 
evil place, which makes life a BITCH to work with.  Think of this - you 
can lock priveliges on config files in Unix.  It's much harder to do 
that, and monitor such stuff in windows.  Particularly with the way 
things are spread out.  Not to mention, being able to do an rm -rf 
/usr/local/oldapplicationidontneed and have that totally removed from 
the OS.

> Does this platform give you the ability to do things other platforms
> do not? This might be in many cases the biggest decider of all. I know
> for me this is exactly why I choose to use PCs over Macs. MacIntosh
> development is simply behind the times. Sure if I want to do video

Ok, this is probably my biggest annoyance with ANYTHING you've said 
here.  You really don't have a clue if you think they're behind the 
times in comparison to PC's with regards to development.  JDeveloper 
from Oracle runs on Mac, as does 10g database, Eclipse, apple's amazing 
Xcode development tools, and numerous other development environments.  
Java works, as does Mono, and numerous other languages.  CVS, Ant, 
subversion, etc. etc. etc.  Apple has actually a VERY strong 
development platform, particularly when you then add in the advantages 
of cross compilation, gcc built in, perl, and other tools.  Trust me, I 
do ALL my development on Mac, for web/oracle/java/c programming, and it 
works great.  Actually, with the scripting I can do from a command 
line, I've found the Mac works a TON better than a PC.  I'll grant, it 
doesn't have Visual Studio, but it has a lot of other options that to 
me are just as nice.

> editing, photo image editing and word processing, then a MacIntosh is
> a fine platform for that. If you want to play any games though, and I
> do, then a MacIntosh simply won't do.

Now, as said I agree - games aren't as nice, but that's why I keep 
another machine handy.  If I had to choose though, games as nice as 
they are are a side issue, and lately I prefer to use a console to play 
games, rather than a computer - much more enjoyable as a general rule.  
As such, the Mac works better for me.  Plus, considering I like taking 
digital pictures, working with them, portability issues, and numerous 
other features, the Mac just works better for me.

> So what say all of you? Do any of these fit you? Or is there something
> else that I missed as the reason for choosing a specific platform over
> another? This is not flame bait, I am not going to judge your opinion
> on the subject, I am simple curious.

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