Iain Young

If yo're going to do this, I'd also get a decent bit of firewall software. The one built into XP is not exactly what I'd call secure....

Mick

iTrader: (1)

I use ZoneAlarm (free ver) and keep it up to date, is this sufficient?


Mick

Iain Young

Yep. It's not as flexible as the bought version, but still pretty secure...

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Courses for horses
Limited. But like I said the lack of games is enough reason for me to not even contemplate using a MAC fulltime. And all though trivial, I cant stand how they look Thats another point, case modding, overclocking which I'm into, and suchlike are alot easier to achieve with a PC.
Yeh but theyre crap on a MAC

angrynorth

OK you obviously like your games, I've never said get a Mac for games. But I always thought Halo and UT2K4 were OK games.

Anyway that wasn't the point of the thread, I suggested that users with lesser computer knowledge would do well to get themselves a Mac rather than struggle with windows. In other words people who don't want to have to deal with all the crap that comes with Windows would be best off looking elsewhere.

The list of threads in this forum are testament to this.

CD writer won't work....
Gggggrrrrrr ****ing Pop Ups
Help, windows media player has stopped working
Comp' Keeps freezing..
Backup to DVD-R discs, How?
Bloody viruses
ZoneAlarm problems? Blocking MY access...
Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site
XP pro reluctant to screen grab.

Many of these are posted by people who know their way around a computer too!


As for modding macs, the case mod scene probably started with Macs, ever heard of a Macquarium. Many people don't bother modding them anyway as they already have a style of their own.

Also
http://www.modyourmac.com/ourmods.html

Its no surprise to hear that you have no experience of OSX, if you did you wouldn't be saying what you are saying There are a few switchers on here who would be testament to that!

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

I used OSX as a XP style theme once, does that count? I hated it btw

angrynorth

Erm, not quite.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

lol ok, theres always going to be lots of threads on here about PC problems. Do you know why? Because 99% of computer users only use a PC mmmm I wonder why that is, oh yeh, MACs are way overpriced and not as good

angrynorth

Yes there are lots of PC users out there, but is that an excuse for what is a proven sloppy system?Microsoft have a monopoly, they not big for good reasons.

Go on a mac site, there are some communities out there with 200,000 members, have a look at the tech help sections, most are still windows problems even then.

As for being expensive, yes and no. My last home Mac cost me £1100 I sold it a couple of weeks back for £950 Thats a £150 depreciation over 9 months. Would you get that with a PC?

Total cost of ownership on a Mac is less than a PC, many people are just shocked by the initial outlay. Also go on the Dell site and price up a machine that could compete with my G5. You would be looking at around

£300 more than mine and its not even 64bit

Quit saying they are not as good when you have already admitted you have no experience of them. I know Windows well enough to be able to make a judgement. I used it at a high level for 10+ years before moving over to Mac. I will stick with Mac.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Don't tell me to quit about it, I'll have a go at them as much as I like I didnt say I had no experience, I said I had limited experience of Macs, not zero, so I do know what they are like to use. I'm sticking with the trusty PC, after 20yrs experience with them thanks

I dont know what system you were looking at from Dell, but you can quite easily build a decent AMD 64 rig which would compete with the G5, for well under a grand. Much cheaper

Iain Young

Dell tend to be VERY overpriced for the spec they provide, and do not even include the latest spec components (usually their newest high spec machines are lagging several months behind the curve).

You can get far better spec machines, at a much lower price, with much better tech support elsewhere......

angrynorth

Believe me, I am aware of Dell's pricing policy! I was using them as an example of how a Corporate competitors prices are similar.

And for
If your experience is this and a bit of tinkering here and there then you are still not in a position to have a go. I wouldn't mind if you had used one for a couple of weeks solid.

And there is no way an AMD 64 do-it-yourself-knocked-it-up-in-me-shed can compete overall with the G5. As mentioned in another thread, you are still waiting for 64bit drivers etc, the G5 has these in place, along with PCI-X and other features. Not to mention the full Apple warranty, OSX 64 (June), build quality...

Iain Young

Actually, you can get very good build quality without paying silly prices. Personally, when I want a new pc, I always buy the bits and build my own. That way, I know that it's been put together right, has the components I want, and all the individual components have warranties, so no problem there.

Of course I wouldn't recommend this route to the average Joe, but if you know what yer doing, you can get a really good, reliable, well built machine for far less than by going to a big corporate supplier.

Note, that we've had Dells / Compaqs at work, and I've noticed that in many cases, the build quality is shockingly bad. Paying extra for a machine does not necessarily mean you are getting better quality...

angrynorth

I understand the reassurance you can get from building your own, but what happens if one component fails, which in turn causes others to fail then where does the warranty stand?

This is what I mean by build quality



Know any PC's that are this well put together / thought out?

Iain Young

True, but in 10+ years of doing it, I've never had this happen, so I'm not too worried

Well mine is

For a "bought" pc, the Alienware PCs are superb (http://www.alienware.co.uk), and are built every bit as well the G5 you mentioned. The cost a little more than some manufacturers, but you know you are getting cutting edge stuff in the machine, and award winning tech support....

I've got one of their laptops, and not only did it work out significantly cheaper that the Dells, but also it's faster, but a better gfx chip, more memory etc...

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

LOL are you serious? I was joking about the OSX theme being 'experience', hence the smilies. I used a G5 for about a month actually. So I AM in a position to comment. And I'm not just a tinkerer, I've been building n supporting desktops and networks for over 10years. You seem to presume alot North.

Ok when XP 64bit comes out it will then PCI Express will be common place on PCs to soon. Build quality is down to the builder, or shop. I have alot of experience of this. Who cares what the internals look like. As long as everything is cooled properly and functional, cable tied up and neat.The exterior of my box looks far superior to any G5. In fact imo standard G5's arent really that much more pleasing than a beige boxed PC.

angrynorth

I love the Alienware machines. They are awesome pieces of kit. If I was to go back to PC (not going to happen ) I would get one of them. Even so, they aren't as well built as the G5. The guy sat 2 desks away from me has a Roswell, but he is hankering to get a G5!

Iain Young

Why do you say that? I've not played with a Roswell, but I've used a couple of the others and they are very well put together.

angrynorth

They are very plasticy, a bit like the old G4's but they don't seem to have the same bullet proof feel. Plus coupled with good ol MS reliabilty its a joy

Iain Young

Everyone is entitled to their opinion I suppose

angrynorth

bio you admitted you have knowledge of OSX. Throughout this though you haven't given any reason for your average person in the street not to use a Mac over a PC, other than limited games. Which if you remember was my point in the first place

angrynorth

Not saying I would turn one down though eh

Mick

iTrader: (1)

Bloomin' heck guys... talk about a thread hijack Take it to the 'fight forum'

Only kiddin' it's all over now anyway... Bought XP Pro off an ebay seller for £52 inc postage so I'm happy with that...

thanks to everyone who contributed on my topic

Andy, G5 pics - very impressive

Mick

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Apart from the price and looks, I guess not

This is like the Intel / AMD cpu pros n cons, its really down to personal preference, neither system is better or worst overall. But as with Intel you do have to pay a premium for something which is basically no better than the competition.

angrynorth

This is the point though. For ease of use and simplicity for the average guy on the street OSX is a better option. There is no way my Mum could be doing the stuff she is doing now on Windows, but with OSX its easy. For the extra hundred quid for an iBook, she is far better off.

When it comes down to pro level things though, its all different. Then it comes down to what you do. It would hardly be worth getting a G5 if you were coding for windows, but if you are video editing or designing then the Mac is a better choice. Saying that though, the dev kit for the next XBOX includes a G5

The looks thing really is a matter of opinion, personally I haven't seen any self-build or bought PC that looks even half as good as a G5. But then again what would I know, I'm only a designer

Mick - sorry about the thread hijack, I just wanted to make sure that people were aware of other things and that windows is not the be all and end all of computing

Iain Young

Nor is the Mac

angrynorth

Never said it was, I just said that people could look elsewhere if they are having trouble. Just look at the forum again