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So, after having my Sony Vaio stolen from outside a Starbucks in Manila, I'm getting a new computer at the end of the month. I have a budget of around £1000 and im struggling too choose between an iMac and a desktop PC.

So I'm posting on here to ask my fellow Dakkanauts which they prefer and why? I'm angling towards the iMac at the moment but I know I can get a kick ass PC for the same money as a bog standard iMac....and I'm fed up with surfing on my iPhone..so any help making up my mind would be greatly appreciated!


Cheers folks!

With a mac you'll be paying extra just for the brand. Waste of money imo. What is it? +50% or something over a similar spec PC?*

I'm also looking for a new computer at the moment. But I'm not exactly an expert on the subject. Found some good sites to look at:

PC Specialist

Aria

*Don't quote me on that. I may be exaggerating.

PC

I can buy a PC and countinue to upgrade it while with a Mac I would need to keep buying a new computer.

Mac computers are very basic in hardware and not very good for gaming.

I can pay 50-70% less for a PC equivalent.

Also a PC is easier to repair while a Mac isnt.

My advice go with a PC.

I've noticed you post a lot about gaming, sarp, surely you'd be frustrated by the Mac's limited gaming options?

...it's cool if I call you sarp, right? I rather like the sound of it.

Everyone gets a shortend name on the internet.



Ya, PC, simply for the fact of price/upgrades.

Computers are like air conditioners. They both work great until you open up Windows.

All kidding aside, I recommend the PC. Easy to fix, not paying for the label, and more programs are compatible with Windows than with Mac.

Yea, and with the money you save, you can afford a really nice anti virus/malware program, and you wont get viruses either. Win/win

So it is either bog standard or KICK ASS?

And you are leaning towards bog standard?

Are you mentally impaired? (no offence intended)

Thats what these icons are for and

Then people get your just joshin them

If your a gamer then a PC is a no brainer. The iMac can handle most games at mid settings via bootcamp, but you'll be disappointed if you want to game a lot.

If you like OSX and are mainly doing general computing with a bit of gaming and your not bothered about maxed out graphics I'd go with the iMac. It's a beautiful computer with a gorgeous screen and it isn't overpriced for what your getting. Theres also a massive resale value if you look after it.

Remember, its fashionable to hate macs on the internet so your advise will be skewed toward a PC. Apple offer a 14 day return period so you could get one and try it out if your on the fence.

Ultimately theres no "better" system (unless your a gamer), just different and suited to different preferences and people.

htj: No worries chap, call me what you like! Within reason...

KC: Case in point.....

No, I'm not impaired, mentally or otherwise. It's just I do most of my gaming on console, very rarely do I use a laptop or desktop for gaming. In fact, short of FM 2012 and roms, I don't game on PC at all...

So, if I read some of the advise correctly, then purely for surfing the net a mac is preferable? I'm a little lost when it comes to PC's etc. As I said, I only really game on my PS3 or Megadrive.

Do you want to play games then PC is a no-brainer.

If it's just for surfing around and about, have you considered getting a tablet?

There's not really any reason to get a mac over a pc, you're paying a huge premium for the label.
All image-editing stuff you can get on PC anyway ( "I need a mac because I want to do graphics stuff" is bs).

I've had several bad experiences with Macs. When I was in high school, one made some very inappropriate comments about spending time with me in the art room supply closet.... :(

In all seriousness, I've found the simplicity of modification and upgrading in PCs to outweigh the benefits that a Mac offers. That's just my two cents.

sarpedons-right-hand wrote:

So, if I read some of the advise correctly, then purely for surfing the net a mac is preferable? I'm a little lost when it comes to PC's etc. As I said, I only really game on my PS3 or Megadrive.

Id say it was worth a try, macs are generally better at just doing what you want them to without thinking about drivers and such. It really comes down to if you like OSX or not tho. The iMac is a lovely hardware package but the main difference is the OS.

A tablet or an ultra book would certainly be worth considering as an alternative as others have mentioned.

And also, yay for the mega drive! I loved that system.

sarpedons-right-hand wrote:
So, if I read some of the advise correctly, then purely for surfing the net a mac is preferable? I'm a little lost when it comes to PC's etc.

You don't need to fork out for a Mac just for web browsing, dude. Get a tablet or netbook.

Mac expensive

PC Cheap.

Lizard Brain Like PC, Lizard brain no like Mac.

PC only because of gaming and more familiar with PC.

Don't hate apple, I think they are good, I love their iPod line. but some of their "fan boys" are worse than "fan boys" with PS3 or Xbox.

Been thinking about getting the iPad or the Toshiba brand... what's it called?

Mac isn't better in any way. Mac has always been a substandard pc with a fancy overpriced case. If you only want web browsing then I fairly confident that you can buy a 3-6 monitor pc for 1000£ and can't you already browse on PS3?

http://cdn.thenextweb.com/files/2010/09/mac01.jpg (this is not a great pc, heavily lacking in videocard section)

Piston Honda wrote:PC only because of gaming and more familiar with PC.

Don't hate apple, I think they are good, I love their iPod line. but some of their "fan boys" are worse than "fan boys" with PS3 or Xbox.

Been thinking about getting the iPad or the Toshiba brand... what's it called?

Apple and Windows fanboys are as bad as each other. Tho anti console pc gamer fanboys might just be the worst of them all.

I'm not sure why some people are so offended by other people choosing different products to buy. You never see Breville fanboys out shouting at people buying a Kenwood toaster.

The asus transformer prime is a great tablet if you want android, worth checking out if your looking.

Oh my GOD the console fanbois just make me want to spit blood! STFU!!!!! I dont CARE how much you hate PS3/XBOX or care about how much the Wii sucks! SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REEEAAAAAAAAAGGGGGG!!!!

As a Mac owner, I would go with a PC for you.

Mac can break a lot easier than PCs can, and they're more expensive to fix.

However, you can find a lost Mac much easier, and if you have a wifey or wee tykes, they will find the Mac more easy to use, as it is a bit more simplistic than a PC.

Chowder, did you just say a PC is to tough for a woman to use?

Piston Honda wrote:PC only because of gaming and more familiar with PC.

Don't hate apple, I think they are good, I love their iPod line. but some of their "fan boys" are worse than "fan boys" with PS3 or Xbox.

Been thinking about getting the iPad or the Toshiba brand... what's it called?

They sell Laptop with touch screens and flippabe screens. I find these much more effective than a tablet, IMHO.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Touch+Screen+Laptop&safe=on&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7670418156595413739&sa=X&ei=ZluVT9zzHKm36QGT5eWoBA&ved=0CKUBEPMCMAE

Quick search, and I found one for 600$ USD. 10.1" screen, works as a netbook as well.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

KingCracker wrote:Chowder, did you just say a PC is to tough for a woman to use?

My mom struggles with one! Every teenage girl I know struggles with one!

Don't hate the playa, hate the game.

I've always been a mac guy.. I'm a nerd and I love em.. but that's just my thing.

You should think about what you want to do. If you want more for your money, get a PC. Windows 7 is a decent OS and you'll have all the software you'll ever want.

For me, I get a funner user experience or whatever with Mac OS. I like the look and the way it works and it's got all the software I need (or it will as soon as the Mac version of Army Builder is done). You can set up a dual boot and have windows on your mac, but I find that to be a pain. Better to just have 1 or the other. Macs are designed to "just work" and if you love your iPhone then you can have everything integrated and working together really well.

I think nowadays though it's just comparing apples to oranges. It's like buying a new car.. try em both out at the store and see what you like better.

Chowderhead wrote:As a Mac owner, I would go with a PC for you.

Mac can break a lot easier than PCs can, and they're more expensive to fix.

However, you can find a lost Mac much easier, and if you have a wifey or wee tykes, they will find the Mac more easy to use, as it is a bit more simplistic than a PC.

Sorry, cant let that one go without challenging it. Yes they are more expensive to fix out of warrantee, but they do not "break" anymore often than windows PCs. They are made out of the same parts and the OS is no more prone to problems.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Necros wrote:

I think nowadays though it's just comparing apples to oranges. It's like buying a new car.. try em both out at the store and see what you like better.

Yes, thats how i feel about it too

Skippy wrote:

Chowderhead wrote:As a Mac owner, I would go with a PC for you.

Mac can break a lot easier than PCs can, and they're more expensive to fix.

However, you can find a lost Mac much easier, and if you have a wifey or wee tykes, they will find the Mac more easy to use, as it is a bit more simplistic than a PC.

Sorry, cant let that one go without challenging it. Yes they are more expensive to fix out of warrantee, but they do not "break" anymore often than windows PCs. They are made out of the same parts and the OS is no more prone to problems.

TBH, this is from more personal experience than anything else. My Macbook has taken a lot more damaget than my PC laptop ever did.

Then again, my PC laptop was bulkier, and half my keyboard doesn't work due to a cat knocking over a glass of seltzer.

Go for a nice PC, you will get more for what your spending and a PC won't break as often, is cheaper and faster to fix, and 100% of things work on a PC.

Macs get virus' after all.

If you don't want to waste a stupid amount of money, because of the Label, get a PC.

Just for fun, go to the Apple website, for a "Build your own Mac" and compare some of the prices for things like bigger harddrives, more ram, etc. For how much it would cost compared to a PC.