Leopard!

[TekWarren]

PythonWallace: Ever heard of appleTV ?? LOL, I'll be honest I'm not THAT into apple products that I even know all the features of it. The macbook pro is the only apple product I use. Personally I would be in the same boat as you, I would rather have the flexibility of open source software for my media library. There are probably such applications for macs but unless your using their media appliance I don't see to many people being able to afford a "spare" mac and using it for media storage and delivery LOL -Just another personal preference having worked in networking as one of my many duties over the years I would still use good 'ole ethernet for anything delivering alot of data...especially media files.


Brimstone: Your point is well made...in your situation. What something is "worth" and how it applies to other situations varies infinitely. Being able to run OSX and Vista side by side couldn't be more perfect for me and my job. I need to be able access tools to support both mac and PC users on a daily basis. Before I got approval for the purchase of the macbook pro I run now I was always scratching my head for a good 5 minutes or more just trying to figure out or remember where something was in OSX. Now that I operate virtually simultaneously in both operating environments I am MUCH more efficient at addressing my user's issues. Granted you need to have a machine that can handle the work load and in my case I am very happy with the stability. When OSX is able to run on PC's/windows legally and without hacked up versions of OSX it will only make sense to revert back to the cheaper, more easily upgradeable hardware.

I'll say again...I'm no fanboi of either "side" I look at being able to efficiently use multiple operating systems as valuable skill in my career. In technology you don't gain employment by convincing someone that what you know is "better". You definitely increase your chances of employment by being flexible and diverse

Even though this has gone WAY beyond what my original post was about...I think we all have our preferences and everyone's technological needs will vary and there are numerous options out there to fulfill them.

[PythonWallace]

Yeah, I'm no fan boy of either side, either. I use both 5 days a week, and both are fine by me. I'd just rather spend a few hundred dollars for my personal use and be able to download what I need, than spending a few thousand dollars on a Mac and having to buy all the other Apple hardware and software. Apple can be used as a media server, but not for any amount that's even close to a dedicated Windows or Linux machine. We're not in the 3.1x days anymore.

[Brimstone111888]

One thing I do like about Macs is that the run bettwe with less than a PC. Windows is huge compared to OSX, which is why. If OSX becomes more standardized, I would probably get an IMac. god I love those things.

[mlededee]

You always have the money for a PC with Vista

hells no i don't! i don't spend money on crap.

[PythonWallace]

hells no i don't! i don't spend money on crap.

Oh common. You can get a refurb Compaq for like $150. Granted I don't have $150, but if you start saving you'll get there a lot faster than the $3k - $5k for a mac.

[Nate]

Oh common. You can get a refurb Compaq for like $150. Granted I don't have $150, but if you start saving you'll get there a lot faster than the $3k - $5k for a mac.

Well let me make mention that not all macs are 5k. As a multimedia junkie, I NEED performance and i damn sure need reliability! I have literally 20 applications open at once..and If things get going too much on a PC, i hear it scream like a little girl.

The computer I built was a Mac Pro, with 4 gigs of memory, a Quad core processor, 750 gb hard drive, 20" flat screen, and a lot of other little goodies...5 grand is a machine for straight up performance.

The things that others will do on a mac will not ever need that kind of power. A Macbook Pro is around 2,000, mac minis start at 599, iMacs start at 1199....I've spent more on snakes

[PythonWallace]

That's all true, but the cheapest thing you mentioned was a Mac Mini for $600. I bought one and maxed out the ram. It was a complete joke. A $600 Dell with the ram maxed will be 4x the performer the Mini is. I also run a $900 PC with OS 10x, and it runs just as good as my $3000 G5, for what I use it for.

[Nate]

To each their own

[mlededee]

To each their own

absolutely. i don't care how much macs cost--it's worth it to me.

[Kagez28]

i'm on leopard right now... and i love it.

there are 3 macs in my house, and no windows pc's. i can do everything i want to on my macs. i don't need windows for anything. compatibility is not an issue anymore. it's all about simplicity, plug and play.

example- you just buy a new printer. in windows you plug it in pop in the drivers and install them, restart, then try and print. with a mac you plug it in, go to file print, Voila!

i looooooove my macs. i am not a total fan of apple (iphone and itunes store suck at this moment), but i will own a mac till they start planting computers in our brains....