Hi, as a non-Mac oriented computer user (Sun, IBM PC, & SGI) I would like to know if the average Mac user thinks that "PC = Windows", even though there are very many other operating systems that run on the IBM-PC hardware platform. From the Mac commercials and the people I have spoken to that use Mac, it seems that they don't even consider that a PC runs anything BUT Windows.

Any input on this would be great.
Thanks :)

And what purpose will this little survey
serve? Why bother?

You're right ... why bother...
Its only of personal interest.

I am a PC user but I am familiar with Macs. I am wondering why some people choose macs. A reason I thought of was macs look different and some ppl like it. But the performance isn't that good I think.
Anyone dissagree?

"PC" is a horribly generic term like "Kleenex" that has *come to mean* "a personal computer running a Windoze-compatible OS."

Hell, most *Windoze* users think a PC is what they have, and a Mac is what the weirdo lefty communist down the block uses.

The technologically ignorant will always think a PC is anything with a Microsoft OS, no matter what OS they use. The technologically informed know better, and don't have any need to convince themselves of this fact (except for, perhaps, the few arrogant, self-absorbed pricks who think they're God's gift to computers).

Why some people choose Macs over PCs is probably about the same reason some people choose an Acura or a Lexus over a Chevy or a Dodge. If you're serious about wanting to know advantages and disadvantages of the two platforms, I suggest you do a bit of digging on Apple's WWW site, Google, and places like PCWorld.com. Avoid forums because you invariably get silly biased commentary (like my own, to an extent) that has no grounding in reality. Forums are great for answers to specific questions based in fact. They're horrible for getting opinions in most cases.

p

I think Apple needs to make its cpu speed a tid bit faster because the Pentium4 can go at 2.53ghz whereas the apple g4 for new imac can go at only 800mh
And the value doesn't seem that perfect at all.
With a "pc" you can get a lot more for $1999!

But Apple Has to make everything by itself...monitors...keyboards...cpu...etc so I don't think it can take that much of a load and still be the best computer maker around.

Sorry mac fans, but I still think the "pc" is better.

I hate to get into these arguments.. but ...the fastest workstation in the world is the 1.05 GHz UltraSPARC III Processor. Quite a bit slower than the 2.53 Ghz dont you think? CPU speed says a lot but not enough about the performance about the machine. You also have to look into the architecture of the CPU. The RISC chips used by Apple and Sun can beat the Pentium anyday!.
And probably the only reason that you would need a 2.53 Ghz Machine is that windows wouldnt run on anything slower...if it does now...stick around..itll change!

Wow - I didn't think my question would generate this much controversy. I never intended this to bring up 'Which is better' or processor speeds. Personally, I think Windoze is slow as molasses at the North Pole, but has a ton of software to make it popular (thanks to M$'s bullying of hardware and software companies). Personally, I like BeOS for its speed and stability (and it does everything I need/want). Yes, I run Linux Mandrake 8.2, Red Hat 7.3, Solaris 8, New Deal Office 2000 Geos and Windoze ME (rarely ever boot into Windows, though). I have been contemplating buying a used iMac to get my feet wet in the Mac world and just wanted to see what people thought in here. Amazingly enough, the reaction was approximately what I thought it would be. I like computers built with IBM-style compatable hardware because it is inexpensive and has several operating systems available for it. I'd like to try Macs out, but I am a little hesitant to buy because I can't buy and build part-by-part as I do with the x86 based hardware. If only there were a recent Mac OS available for x86 based hardware, I'd happily buy it. For example, Solaris was orrigionally built to run only on the Sun hardware platform, but they have made x86 builds that work quite well. I know that people who are die-hard Mac users would NEVER want their beloved OS to run on the x86 platform, but I think it could have advantages of being more widly used, but it would also have more disadvantages for the sales of the propritary Mac hardware. So, I'll just find a good, used iMac to play with and learn on. It will be fun to TRY to network Mac, Windows, Linux, BeOS and Solaris and make them all share a DSL connection with a broadband sharing 'router' (I use the term loosely because they are not really true routers, but that is a totally different discussion for another forum!). :)

Best wishes,
EFM