Thinking about Reverse switching. HELP!

[MacTruck]

Got a new sony vaio desktop to be used for a media machine for the wife and kids. It was cheap. $1279 for the computer. I upgraded with the following:

- Radeon X1600pro 512mb $130
- 2gb ram $90
- 2 x 500gb Sata Seagates $480


The computer has these specs:

- Pentium D dual core 3ghz
- 2gb Ram
- 1.32TB HD
- TV Tuner
- Radeon X1600 512mb video
- Wireless Mouse Keyboard


So suffice to say its FAST!

Now for my problem. I am an apple man from way back like many of you. I have forked over much hard earned cash to apple. I am setup PPC all the way and it cost me an arm and a leg. Now apple switched to intel. To keep up to date I have to fork over another arm and a leg. Plus my G5 his having power supply problems AGAIN.

I want to stay mac but how can I when PC hardware is soooo cheap. I have a fully maxed out system for under $2,000. A mac with the same specs would cost me $5,000 and be just as fast.

Is OSX REALLY worth all this cost and trouble? I am starting to think it isn't. I spent alot of time switching back and forth between apple and pc years ago. Must have switched back and forth 10 times but I have been mac pretty much for 5 yrs now.


WHAT DO I DO?


The only draw back here is OSX. I want it. But don't know how much longer I can hang on with apple. Lots of hardware problems from their hardware in the past couple of yrs. Scary. With pcs you get hardware trouble but you can go down to best buy and spend $400 and get a whole new machine to hold you over until yours is fixed you know. With apple I'm screwed and apple care is expensive.

I am in the process of formatting my 500gb HD on the mac to MS-DOS file system for a system data transfer.


TALK ME OUT OF IT!

 

[cait-sith]

Well you don't have to switch to intel right away.. your G5 will be good for years to come.

Trying to stay on the cutting edge is expensive. Sure you can get a replacement system for cheap at Best Buy, but will you enjoy your experience with it?

Would you apply the same logic to your car? Drive a rusty bucket of bolts because it's cheaper?

Technology is a lousy investment no matter how you look at it or what side of the fence you are on.

 

[Deepdale]

TALK ME OUT OF IT!

I'd like to, but the problem is that you are now giving me reasons to question my own upcoming purchases. I do like OS X but have been troubled by the issues of Apple quality control recently. The basic split within me is that battle between a personal preference that lies with one system versus the question of whether the differences justify the price increase.

 

[EricNau]

Let's compare:



A picture is worth 1,000 words; need I say more?

 

[dops7107]

I feel your pain, Mactruck. When you look at the bare figures it can be seriously dispiriting. Plus, you don't seem to be getting the longevity of Mac hardware that you might expect at that price. I think we have to admit - I am no Mac loyalist here - that to some degree, we're being taken for a ride. We really *are* paying over the odds, but that's fine, because we still like what we get. Whether it's that extra special look, solidly designed software or a little bit of exclusivity, the extra money is worth it to many.

You are of course looking at the very best Macs, and therefore the very best prices. You even have three! Do you need that many? Personally, I have one Rev A bottom-of-the-range Mac Mini (though I added 1 gig RAM straight away). That's Mac on the cheap, and I'm pleased with it. I am doubly pleased in fact, because I think I got a deal - the Minis now are no longer cheap. Obviously it depends on your computing needs, and you have an expensive G5 for a reason. But ask yourself the question: if you did get an equivalently-specced Windows machine, would it still suit your computing needs? If the answer is yes, well then switch to PC; if no, swallow the cost and try to make your Macs last longer. I suspect that a PC would meet your needs, but the truth is you like driving something with prestige, style and underlying quality rather than the latest hot-hatch. Nothing wrong with that, except it comes at a price.

So I chose the style, but on a cheap basis. Suits me (though true, I'd love a new G5 or Mac Intel... )

 

[macenforcer]

Let's compare:

A picture is worth 1,000 words; need I say more?

True

 

[MacTruck]

Here is the best things about the sony.


1. Seperate compartment for hard drives that holds 4 sata drives.
2. The sony makes NO noise at all. I mean it. The only sound is from the hard drive and now the radeon card fan. QUIET please.
3. It looks nice. All black with silver.
4. Included wireless mouse and keyboard with media remote.
5. TV Capture card built in.
6. Software software software.


Drawbacks?

1. Only can put in 2gb ram. Don't ask me why. stupid.
2. Software software software.


Software is good and bad. First its good in that I can play all great games and get all kinds of cool shareware and stuff. Its bad because its windows and gets viruses and it doesn't have EYETV.

 

[Timepass]

Let's compare:

View attachment 44671 View attachment 44672

A picture is worth 1,000 words; need I say more?

all depends. Yeah the when it is off the apple looks better but the problem comes when I am would be using it all I really saying is the stuff on the screen. I not going to see the set up around it. (and yes I do think the PC one looks pretty poor and the apple one does have that cleaner look to it) I only seeing the LCD screen so any pretty look advatage the mac has is worthless to me.

I care about funtionallity first among other things and well looks of the box is pretty low on my prionity list and a very minor thing. I more than likely a minority here on that but that me. Funitionallity comes first looks are a very dististance 2nd.

I going to guess that the orginal poster of this thread is the same way. That person feels that funitionalily is by far more imporanted than pretty looks and pretty looks is just not worth paying that much more.

 

[EricNau]

Timepass, yes, I would have to agree, functionality is much more important than appearance. My first post was meant to be somewhat of a joke.


Back on Topic:
Sure the Specs of the PC sound good, but do you really need it? There's one thing I've noticed about PC users, they usually go overboard just so they can brag to their friends.
They think it's cool to have 4 HDDs, liquid cooling, the most expensive graphics card on the market, the best processor they can afford, and all the RAM they can shove in the MotherBoard, when realistically, they need half that.
...And after all that there is a compatibility issue and it doesn't work.

MacTruck, maybe you are different, and maybe you really need those specs, but just keep in mind what you really need (not want).

 

[MacTruck]

Timepass, yes, I would have to agree, functionality is much more important than appearance. My first post was meant to be somewhat of a joke.



MacTruck, maybe you are different, and maybe you really need those specs, but just keep in mind what you really need (not want).

Well the problem is I do need these specs. Heck, I need faster. I do lots of video work so you can understand the need for massive Hard drives and dual processors.

Here is a pic of the sony. You can see it is not ugly at all. I am thinking it looks nicer than my G5.

The proble is this. If apple is now a PC hardware shop, I won't feel right about spending $3000 on an apple when I can get the same config for $1300. OSX is the only problem. THat said, maybe I can figure out a way to get osx on my sony. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

Here is the pic. The silver front is where the 4 sata drives live. Love it or hate it?


Yes, I am a GI JOE junkie.

 

[EricNau]

If you do a lot of video work, I would imagine you should stick with Mac.

Why not just have both a Mac and a PC?

 

[The Mad Kiwi]

Whats the point of having a PC for video work when final cut studio is only made for mac?

Weird.

 

[MacTruck]

Whats the point of having a PC for video work when final cut studio is only made for mac?

Weird.

Yep. Researching alternatives now. Not having luck. Leaning towards mac again.

 

[MacTruck]

Keep in mind folks I am not deciding on whether or not to abondon the mac environment all together. Its just too hard to maintain 2 systems for everyday operations. I need one main computer. The mac was that system. But with hardware costs and the switch I am wanting to use this sony as the main system. The G5 will just get retired to the second office to be used for the family.

Its too difficult to have both systems on my desktop. Too many mouses and keyboards you know.

 

[brikeh]

Keep in mind folks I am not deciding on whether or not to abondon the mac environment all together. Its just too hard to maintain 2 systems for everyday operations. I need one main computer. The mac was that system. But with hardware costs and the switch I am wanting to use this sony as the main system. The G5 will just get retired to the second office to be used for the family.

Its too difficult to have both systems on my desktop. Too many mouses and keyboards you know.

What the hell, looking at your sig youve got some great hardware, whats the rush to switch to intel? Id pleased as all hell with that kind of hardware for quite some time to come.

Keep it all I say

 

[generik]

Let's compare:

View attachment 44671 View attachment 44672

A picture is worth 1,000 words; need I say more?

The VAIO is not that cheap you know... a Core Duo will save you enough electricity over the coming months that will make such a direct cost comparison moot.

And it is silent.

And no howling wind tunnels on your CPU.

I won't even touch on that virus and spyware thingy.

 

[viperguy]

I just have 1 thing to say: In case you choose to go back to Apple, I supose you're going to buy the best PowerMac available. But then, again, I'd wait for the Intel PowerMacs. (and yeah, I agree, macs are more expensive)
Just my 2 cents

 

[marchcapital]

id say switch to the VAIO for your main computer. its a sweet pc, with lots of horse power. its a good alternitive to a mac because it looks so good, and its black so its more masculane then a white or silver box anyway lol. keep your favorite mac to use in your spare time.

i am stuck with your same delema. i love OS X, but hate the hardware and the prices even more. if apple would offer liscened copies of OS X for installation on a pc i would be in heaven.

 

[maya]

The VAIO is not that cheap you know... a Core Duo will save you enough electricity over the coming months that will make such a direct cost comparison moot.

And it is silent.

And no howling wind tunnels on your CPU.

I won't even touch on that virus and spyware thingy.

Please dig they own graves.

I get paranoid at time when using windows.

id say switch to the VAIO for your main computer. its a sweet pc, with lots of horse power. its a good alternitive to a mac because it looks so good, and its black so its more masculane then a white or silver box anyway lol. keep your favorite mac to use in your spare time.

i am stuck with your same delema. i love OS X, but hate the hardware and the prices even more. if apple would offer liscened copies of OS X for installation on a pc i would be in heaven.

The problem is that people "chose" to be on the cutting edge of the computing hardware consumer market that they end up paying more for bragging rights.

Live in reality if you have your own business of such the cost of HW and SW would not be an issue regardless if its OS X or WinXP. All these home users thinking they are PRO's just to gloat.

 

[MacTruck]

The problem is that people "chose" to be on the cutting edge of the computing hardware consumer market that they end up paying more for bragging rights.

Live in reality if you have your own business of such the cost of HW and SW would not be an issue regardless if its OS X or WinXP. All these home users thinking they are PRO's just to gloat.

I don't think people get fast hardware to "gloat". You need the fast hardware if you do anything besides web surfing and using office. Heck, recording TV and formatting for ipod takes a quad G5 if you want it done anytime in the day.

 

[miniConvert]

The computer has these specs:

- Pentium D dual core 3ghz
- 2gb Ram
- 1.32TB HD
- TV Tuner
- Radeon X1600 512mb video
- Wireless Mouse Keyboard

<snip>

I want to stay mac but how can I when PC hardware is soooo cheap. I have a fully maxed out system for under $2,000.

Fully maxed out by Sony's standards for that particular machine maybe, but hardly maxed out in terms of PC's or Mac's in general. Plus look at the thing, it's ugly!

As a long term Mac user you already know the pros and cons, as I'm sure you do with Windows also. If you like the Vaio and Windows more then go with that. Don't buy another Mac just because of loyalty.

However, if it's just the money side you're mmming and ahhing over, then I really don't think you've got too much to worry about given that you just bought a $2000 Sony Vaio and are thinking about upgrading a G5 system already.

 

[igucl]

Well, I was just studying the XvsXP site last night, and I have to admit that there are some things XP does slightly better. I know that I would miss OS X, and I'm sure you will too, MacTruck, but we are amazingly adaptable creatures. It's really a matter of what you grow accustomed to.

The virus world is scary, as we have been enjoying a utopia of security for quite some time, but I believe there is danger on the horizon for Mac users as well. Maybe the sooner we come to terms with the dangers of the real computer world the better off we'll be in the long run.

That is a good looking machine with outstanding specs; I still would prefer no advertising stickers on the front, though.

 

[count chocula]

i think i'm gonna puke

 

[FF_productions]

Think Different.

 

[FF_productions]

My opinion on this whole matter is kinda mixed. I chose a mac for the software, looks just came along with it. Yes, they are expensive, everyone who owns a mac knows (or should) that. But when you think about it, it was worth the extra $$ to get a good OS.

Then my other side says, "Damn, thats a Nice Sony Desktop", and it is really cheap, and costs about 75 percent less then a mac. It all depends on what apps you are going to run. That's the entire purpose of a computer: RUN applications.