It’s always amusing to read why people think one operating system is better than the other. Of course we are all titled to our own opinions, but people can really get defensive when it comes to their operating system of choice even if they have no knowledge of, or have never used the other operating system. In our opinion at least, at the end of the day, there are reasons why Vista is great and reasons why OS X is great. By asking someone who used both on a regular basis, they could probably tell you about the strengths and weaknesses of each operating system. Do they both have their problems? Of course! Do they both have some great features about them? Why of course! If they didn’t, people wouldn’t use them.
Given this, you’ll understand why we found it amusing when Computer World recently wrote an article titled “Five Reasons why Vista Beats Mac OS X.” When TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) wrote their reasons why OS X was better to respond to what Computer World (CW) wrote, the situation got even more interesting. Here’s a quick look at what Computer World wrote and then how TUAW responded.
- CW: Vista runs more software
TUAW: “Is software ever really about quantity over quality?” - CW: Vista is safer
TUAW: “The BSD base of OS X has certainly proved itself over the years and to say otherwise is just a staggering example of either stupidity or arrogance” - CW: It’s the money, stupid. “If like most of the world, you’ve got to work for a living, then you’ll find that a Vista machine is far less expensive than a Mac.”
TUAW: “For many consumers, they want something that will last more than a year. For a one-year purchase, a $600 PC is fine — but if you want to keep something around for a while, the price point is going to be almost exactly the same Windows or Mac.” - CW: The Mac is closed; Vista is open
TUAW: “If you are building your own computer, you aren’t looking for official support anyway — voiding the warranty is part of the fun. You can tweak out your iMac or you MacBook in amazing ways. Overclocking is so 2003 anyway.” - CW: Two words — Steve Jobs
TUAW: Two words — Steve Ballmer
All of these arguments seem a little silly, don’t they? People use what they use for a reason, right? In the end, it comes down to personal choice. Any thoughts?
Neither one is better, they are good at different things. For most business work a Windows PC is better, for most home use a Mac is better, but of course this is all subjective.
The fact is it is all opinions what you think is better may be better for you but for other might not be as good, for TUAW and CW to have this stupid little argument is just childish, it basically always boils down to this:
“yuhuh”
“nuhuh”
“yuhuh”
“nuhuh”
etc.
I’ve been a Mac user for the last 6 years and only recently bought a Windows PC. I must say that both my machines get equal use and I am yet to find a reason to prefer one OS over the other.
Both are good. Macs struck me as more user friendly, where Windows is for the enthusiasts.
I use a Windows PC 40 hours per week, and OS X for about another 40 hours. Truth be told, I’d spend all 80 on a Mac if I had the choice. I found TUAW’s comments funny, but also spot on as far as I am concerned.
That about sums up what’s going on between Microsoft and Yahoo right now too!
James, I always like to hear the opinion of someone who uses and is familiar with both because like you, it’s usually that they like one OS for some reasons and the other OS for other reasons. They both really do have their strengths and weaknesses, don’t they?
That’s definitely one way to describe Mac computers – more user friendly. There are a lot of little things that users don’t have to worry about, especially after just purchasing a computer with Vista over one with OS X. The person running Vista is going to spend a lot more time setting it up, especially if drivers and updates need to be installed.
> “Is software ever really about quantity over quality?”
That’s a false argument if you ask me. The best Mac apps are not free. Why pay for something that you could get done for free much faster on Windows?
yikes someone was hungry for a linkbaiting headline today
Or you could dual boot which voids both arguments.
The problem with a lot of the comparisons that I’ve seen is that they don’t accurately explain why one operating system is better than the other. If you’re going to criticize an operating system there needs to be some points to back it up. I don’t really see much of that in either article.
True that… but too bad it is just for Mac users who can do that.
“if you want to keep something around for a while” that you will be able to upgrade components for, as well as have the operating system recognize the new components as well as any software you want to use with it, then the Vista operating system is what you need. Mac OS and hardware won’t fit the bill.
Can’t you build a hacintosh though and dual boot thru that?
They both do the same thing? Seems this topic is going to live on forever
Well, I have to work woth Mac in my worktime, and as a semi-power user of Vista, I do not find it more user friendly at all. I hope that Ubuntu 8.04 will be at least as UF as Vista
Outside the US, getting a Mac is always bad because price is not equivalent to US price (when converted with the latest exchange rate), Apple support outside US is shitty, Apple stores are rare/non-existent, latest models do not immediately come to that country, mass and educational licensing in third-world countries is not there, Apple’s software is not adaptable to the low-speed internet and hardware in developing countries. In contrast, MS has a completely global presence.
Build a hacintosh! Lol! That’s a good one!
Anyway, everybody’s persuaded to own The truth when it’s only his.
Same thing about OS…a never ending topic.
I like comments faces photos today. Are they more mac or vista? Both? Site’s really funny at times!
I already commented on another blog post ([chris.pirillo.com]) about this yesterday, so I’ll lift my text from there:
“If you’re comparing the two operating systems then cost shouldn’t factor into it, because the cost of a Vista machine is widely varying and can depend on version, whether you’re upgrading, OEM etc. Mac OSX also has two costs – one where it comes with a Mac, one upgrading an existing Mac. They can’t really be compared.
I’m not going to list 5 but the reason I run Vista is because it runs on a PC and is the easiest OS to use on a PC. Linux distros are improving but still have many driver issues and don’t easily support games. If OSX ran on PCs, then we’d have a comparison – but seeing as its strength is that its makers control the hardware it runs on, it wouldn’t be half as good coping with the myriad configurations of the PC.
If money was no issue and I just wanted to do basic tasks easily I’d pick a Mac. With money, games, customisation and expandability being a factor for me I choose a PC and with that comes Vista.”
You could, but it’s quite a pain to try and find compatible hardware that you won’t have any problems with. I have some friends who have tried to install OS X on their PC’s, and there’s always something that doesn’t work right… normally there’s no audio.
I was actually just reading about a story from someone who was visiting the U.S. and purchased a MacBook. When they went back home the hard drive stopped working, and Apple wouldn’t even let them mail it in since they were outside of the country where it was purchased.
I saw Chris Pirillo’s video on his thoughts, and I really think he is spot on with his observations. Especially when it comes to the money it costs to build a comparable machine.
I have nothing against Macs; in fact, I love Mac design. The problem is: can I find a new Mac laptop for $400 or less? All my family members use sub-$400 laptops, which work fine and which I expect to last at least 3 years (not 1 year, as someone suggested). Now, if a sub-$400 laptop does everything I need, why would I want to spend over $1000 for similar functionality in a prettier package. No matter how pretty it is, it’s just a piece of technology which will be obsolete in 3-5 years.
Speaking money, regularly changing my laptop-each year-, and living in France at least 6 monthes/year, I and many others always avoid to buy equipments in Europe. Exchange rate between Dollar and Euro makes that we all buy our machines out of Europe -SKorea for me and few others-, use them there a bit before coming back. In doing that, we are quite near of US prices. If we don’t, we pay about double or maybe more than you US residents. And in France, Macintoshes have the reputation to be bought by the high class of society. Which is true, high prices here meaning quality of life for those ones who support Mr. “bling-bling” Macintosh-Sarkozy. I love my PCs!
That is absolutely true. But Apple does have some desktops that are slightly more reasonable in price, but when it comes to laptops they are definitely a lot more.
You have forgotten the biggest thing what we do with computers now and more and more in the future. Games and multimedia! Vista is clearly better…
Windows is definitely better for games, but many would argue that Macs are better from a multimedia standpoint.
“For many consumers, they want something that will last more than a year. ” — Working at a cross-platform repair center I can say that from my point of view Apple’s products experience hardware failures as much as any other company. And actually it’s harder and more expensive to repair Apple-branded hardware (from a technician’s point of view).