Mac or PC
Sep 15, 2009 | 9:35 am
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,932
I have used both for many years, and while OS X on the MAC is a nice experience, you can have the same experience under Windows 7...
The hardware inside a Mac Pro is really not that different from what is inside a computer running Windows. Custom motherboard just like the big names (Dell, HP, Lenovo) have, but the other parts such as hard drives, memory, and all are the same as in windows based computers.
What you are paying for with Apple is the fact that they have kept things running very stable by having a VERY limited amount of hardware types to run on, while Windows can run on thousands of hardware combinations. Keeping the hardware limited like this ends with a very stable operating system as there is no issues with compatibility between various manufacturer's drivers, which is what caused Windows computers to be unstable at times.
OS X is what it is due to Apple limiting hardware and as a result, insuring stability. If they ever were to open it up, letting anyone install OS X on any hardware, such as what Microsoft allows now, then it would lose the stability it has now, and while still having a nice user experience, would bring in the same issues that Microsoft deals with often.
The hardware inside a Mac Pro is really not that different from what is inside a computer running Windows. Custom motherboard just like the big names (Dell, HP, Lenovo) have, but the other parts such as hard drives, memory, and all are the same as in windows based computers.
What you are paying for with Apple is the fact that they have kept things running very stable by having a VERY limited amount of hardware types to run on, while Windows can run on thousands of hardware combinations. Keeping the hardware limited like this ends with a very stable operating system as there is no issues with compatibility between various manufacturer's drivers, which is what caused Windows computers to be unstable at times.
OS X is what it is due to Apple limiting hardware and as a result, insuring stability. If they ever were to open it up, letting anyone install OS X on any hardware, such as what Microsoft allows now, then it would lose the stability it has now, and while still having a nice user experience, would bring in the same issues that Microsoft deals with often.
I played with such a machine for a while and it was much faster than the 68000-based NeXT machines at a fraction of the price (even if acquired used). Apple can do that again, but they want to keep prices high by limited compatible hardware to their own.
Sep 15, 2009 | 9:39 am
#122
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Mileage Plus, Skymiles, EleVAte founding member, SPG
Posts: 1,910
As for memory, I seem to remember a study that showed something like only 10% of users even know they can upgrade the memory. And most of the rest will never do it anyway.