Why a mac is better than a PC
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- abstrakt0
A lot of good points have been brought up for the PC side, but NOTHING justifying the buying of Macs for this school.
First question, why in the HELL would you want to put up a poster saying how a more expensive computer is better than a less expensive machine that can do the EXACT same thing just as, if not more, efficiently? Yeah, that's teaching these kids a great lesson! They should also all buy a Ford Mustang for their first car instead of a Honda Civic, right? Maybe put up that poster too. And FYI, Mustangs look somewhat good but they're clunky and fall apart. Hmm, I think we can draw an analogy from that one. (Mac notebooks chipping paint, keyboard scratching the screens, and not turning on for example?)
If these 1,000 computers were for a video editing lab or some computer arts-related class, I'd say Macs would benefit the students. But how about the fact that only a very small percentage of these students will actually be using a Mac computer in the professional world? In my opinion, forcing students to use Macintosh computers in schools is hurting them. Lets say a student decides to apply for a receptionist position for her first job, but the data management software is all PC-based. Her resume will be looked over and a person with PC knowledge will be chosen. Now, if in highschool and college she learns the latest video editing software and goes to work as an animator or editor, then I'd say her highschool experience using a Mac benefited her a great deal. But lets be realistic. How many people will there be like her out of a crowd of 1,000? How many of them will go into computer arts? How many will decide to go into accounting, legal, healthcare, automotive, financial, real estate, law enforcement, food, science, etc. etc. I'm just trying to make my point that computer arts is not the only field of work out there for students, and that is one of the only fields that mainly uses Macintosh. Also keep in mind that many of the large animation studios have converted to Linux.
One good point brought up was that PCs get viruses more than Macs. Almost all viruses that are infecting computers these days are spread through e-mail; Microsoft Outlook to be more specific. If you don't use Outlook, you'll avoid most, if not all, viruses currently being spread. Anti-virus software should take care of the others. Personally, I use Windows XP, I have no firewall, I haven't had anti-virus software for at least 4 months, I use Microsoft Outlook, and I download shareware. I've received over 150 of the MyDoom viruses in my e-mail, as well as other viruses. If you're a knowledgeable PC user you won't get viruses, but every now and then I'll run a free online virus scanner just to give me peace of mind. And don't forget that Macs get viruses as well. I once read in an article that a huge security issue with Macintosh is its users thinking they're too secure.
I'm not going to get into stability, because that's really not the issue here. But lets just say that I'm a skilled Windows PC user and my computer doesn't crash. The skilled Mac users at work have computers that crash.
Honestly, the problem with our schools is that people like you are acting as consultants. Do you think of the students when you push for Macintosh computers? Do you honestly think Macs will benefit them when they're out of highschool? Think of their computer as a text book. You don't try to give all students a specialized education (3% Mac), you give them a general education (97% PC). Why not do just that? Buy 97% PCs, and 3% Macs? Teach the students largely on the cost-effective PCs, but give them Mac knowledge as well.
- mrdobolina0
great points abstrakt.
- ribit0
...except nobody is actually answering the question: Ideas for a poster.
- abstrakt0
Screw his poster. the education system is (excuse my language) fucked up. they spend way too much money on things that aren't needed, and not enough on what is. they don't need to spend the money on Macs. Microsoft would give them discounts on PCs as well. The school should NOT be buying all Macs.
- mrdobolina0
can't think of ten reasons why.
- mrdobolina0
most of the reasons stated here don't apply to kids in school, especially if they are disadvantaged kids.
- auricom0
that's it, gloves are off. let's rumble...haha. kiddin. education systems are crazy these days. board members making all kinds of decisions that make no sense at all.
i say for the posters just list the facts for each then go from there.
focus on the needs of the students such as what type of software they want to use. facts will overcome opinions. unfortunately board members focus too much on cost rather then what students will really need.
- Vain0
thumbs up for starting a thread that hasn't been beaten to death a million and a half times already.
- hellraising0
go pc, stop wasting money
hey, teacher, leave them kids alone
- abstrakt0
on http://www.apple.com/switch/whys… it only lists two reasons that would make them a better computer. the first reason is grossly exagerated and the second reason is just a flat out lie. "2. It doesn't crash". What a load of crap.
- sexypixel0
jesus
- auricom0
the horse is dead.
- Pixter0
MAC is a fetish, not an operational system
- wesfx0
i've got a pc at home and a mac at work. i hate the mac. it doesnt help that its still running os9, photoshop 5.0, and illustrator 8.
=(
- aurablue0
I worked for the Univeristy Of Penn as a IT support provider. They have at least 50 PC IT guys and about 2 mac guys in the department I worked for. One of the main servers was UNIX and the other was a Dell. The PC guys were always busy updating, tweaking, rebooting, creating new images, and supporting the main server and all the lab PC's. The mac guy ran regular updates in a matter of minutes and other than that the machines just worked. No major viruses, and yes whether you believe it or not- since the move to OS X next to none system crashes.. (this was the mac IT bragging points).
I used a G4 as my main office computer when all the other were Dell's. The Dell's would be serviced weekly if not daily with some little glitch here or there. I just kept working.
You want to talk expense? Think of all the salaries being paid to update the PC systems, plus the Windows liscensing fees.
From an inside point of view where I spent alot of time helping to keep the PC's running and next to none to keep the imacs cooking... I truely believe that macs were a better choice.
The main IT guy use to joke saying he loves Microsoft because it guarantees him a job in any town he chooses to go. A direct quote:
"Yeah Microsoft is great- cause it's always broke and they always need someone like me to fix it."
- abstrakt0
"The PC guys were always busy updating, tweaking, rebooting, creating new images, and supporting the main server and all the lab PC's."
this sounds like you're talking about software updating, not problems with the operating system or system. the servers obviously weren't the macs so they didn't need to be updated regularly.
- krts0
http://www.forgetcomputers.com/~…
"In mid-2000 our local K-12 school district decided to "standardize on the Windows/PC platform." At that time 90%+ of their computers were Macs. A group of local taxpayers felt that this was very unfortunate from several perspectives and started working on reviewing the merits of this decision."