Engine

You forgot to mention ACCESS. As an avowed mac-user-because-I-want-my-hardware-and-software-to-work-quickly-and-optimally-with-minimal-effort I feel that the cost comparisons between Mac and PC is nominal unless you're a techie who builds their own machine on the ultra-cheap.

I have yet to run into a situation where I can't access PC tech on my mac. What are some valuable PC-specific software that I can't access on my mac? I do a lot of different work (i.e. basic administrative work, video, audio, information and materials preservation) on my MacBook Pro and I've yet to run into any problems. Considering that I don't build my own devices and I don't care about saving a couple hundred dollars.. what am I missing by not using a PC?

Edit: I haven't found a way to use the crappy Russian-made ABBYY FineReader software to OCR scanned text on a mac. And that does bother me. Because ABBYY is useful despite its crappiness.

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Freebase Dali

You're not missing anything at all.

For me, however, if I want to host a file server, or maybe a web server, etc., I'm not going to use a mac. I'll use a PC and I'm going to build it (or have it built) to the specifications that I need, which are highly configurable. If I'm going to build a gaming computer, I'll do the same. Even if I'm going to simply buy a general pre-built PC that can handle anything I throw at it, I'll still have the ability to customize it and upgrade it over time, down to the last detail.

Obviously, you're going to do none of that. So you're not missing anything at all. You have your needs met for your intent, and your Mac will do a great job at it. And when it no longer does that, you'll buy a new one. It's that simple, and that easy. You are why Macs are viable.
And people like me are why PCs are viable. Also most of the tech that runs most of the websites, servers and services on the internet are PC-based, not to mention large companies and military that use domain controllers... so you're right, there is a definite niche there.

Both options are viable, and I reiterate, for their specific need and intent.

Engine

Thanks, I figured as much. Just to be clear I'm not arguing, just asking.
Next semester, I am taking a "database management" class in which I'll learn to write and use current code (albeit the main focus is on management of IT people rather than professional coding). My last experience with this stuff was Pascal for fuck's sake and I'm kind of nervous about it. I'm curious to see if Mac will meet my needs.

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Freebase Dali

Database management sounds like SQL server technology. (Structured Query Language) I wonder if you'll be using just a front-end like Microsoft Access, or coding for the back-end on an SQL server. If you're doing SQL database coding, it isn't hard at all. The syntax is very straight-forward, like if you were to create a query for some particular data, you'd be using commands like USE "database"... SELECT... etc.
I took SQL server with only Q-Basic background. lol! SQL, if you're going to be learning it, is a lot easier than, say, Visual Basic coding (which is easy itself) so if you go that route, you won't have anything to worry about.

I'm not sure if there's a front-end equivalent of Microsoft Access for Mac, but it won't matter for SQL coding, as the language is the same either way, and if you're writing code on a Mac, you could be doing it in TextEdit, although you would have to be able to access an actual SQL server if you're going to be creating databases and running queries on them. Most of that, I assume, will be done in your classroom where the system is set up.

Stephen

I was a bit peeved when they dropped VBScript from the Mac version of Office. Mainly because most of the admin where I work is done in Windows and I have to program various queries in Excel.

Engine

It's interesting that you brought up Textedit because I've always found that more strange and esoteric than Windows functions that do the same thing. That's ironic because I learned how to use computers pre-Windows. For me now, just logging in and using the techie part of my personal school account is easier on PC. The classroom I'll be using is full of PCs that are connected to Mac Minis so we can switch back and forth at will but some things require just PC (such as the OCR program I mentioned before).
For the class I'll just do whatever I'm taught but in the end I will have created a database somehow. I have no hate for PCs and ideally I'll learn how to use both to best fit my specific needs.

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blastingas10

im looking for some advice. I've been wanting a Macbook but considering the price, it's pretty unrealistic that I'll ever get one. Even if I save up enough money, It'd be hard for me to spend that much on a laptop. So recently I've been considering getting an ipad. The main thing that sells me is that it's half the price of the Macbook.

The main things I'll be doing are surfing the internet, recording music with garageband, watching videos on youtube, listening to music. That's probably it.

So, considering that, would I be just as well off with the ipad? I'm sure the macbooks are better, but I'm not going to be doing all that much, just what I mentioned.

Janszoon

I don't know how much you've played with iPads, but they're a pretty different animal from a MacBook and function much more like an iPhone than like a laptop. That's not to say that they're bad or anything, they're just different. On the positive side, they're more portable, and as you said, cheaper. On the negative side, iPads have a lot less memory and power, and the iPad version of GarageBand is very pared down compared to the regular version (a pattern that exists with the iPad versions of most programs). Also, I'm not sure how they handle audio input. There are no audio-in jacks or USB ports on them.

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Freebase Dali

I haven't used an iPad yet, but one of the obvious turnoffs would be the lack of a keyboard if you do a fair bit of typing. But I guess if you can do well with the touchscreen keyboard then that wouldn't matter. Aside from your potential processing and ram needs, everything else would be fair game either way for your situation (edit: seeing Jan's post about there being no audio inputs, this is probably going to be an issue for any live recording).

One question I have, though, is if there's a particular reason you're looking into getting a Mac versus a PC. I can definitely understand if your current PC is giving you too many problems and you just want to simplify things. If that's the case, and I were you, I'd probably go for a Macbook. But if portability and intrusiveness is more of an issue, the obvious choice would be the iPad.
If money is the most important issue and PC is not in the equation, then iPad for sure.

Engine

Even as a mac-lover I'll advise anyone that getting an iPad is basically buying a large iPhone (without the phone) for at least twice the price - and that's with the lowest amount of memory. And, even though you didn't ask, a MacBook Air costs about a grand and all you get is an iPhone with a big screen, an analog keyboard, and a USB port or two. An iPad gets you even less for at least $400.

If you wanna fuck with Mac then you should spend the 1200 and get a MacBook which is a real computer and does real computer things. An iPad can't do those things even if you buy the most expensive model. If you want to save money and buy something that gets you online and can record and play music (and more) then buy a cheap PC netbook. No hate - netbooks seem really practical. Then you can buy all the upgrades you want and still save hundreds that you would spend just to use the touchscreen on an iPad.

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