Do you own an Apple Mac computer?

[Ninety-9 SE-L]

I would buy a mac laptop, I love them, but at the same time I could never afford one, especially with my need for entertainment and fast cars, lol.

Macs are funny, I love them and hate them at the same time.

I love the simple and responsive OS that looks so clean and simple, but I hate no right clicks, apple keys, and browsing.
I love the current mac software on the market but I hate the limited choice in software.
I love the hardware design and virtually wireless integration of pretty much every device, but I hate the lack of expandability.

[rugby]

Well, the competition is porting to the Mac:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/28/s...-for-max-os-x/

[nanook105]

I voted a no and never for two reasons

• I build all of my own PCs. It gives me the flexibility of configuring PCs for specific functions and allows expansion/reconfiguration when necessary. I don't believe that this exists in the Mac world (or if it does, not to the same extent)
• In all of my uses of a PC, I have always found windows based software that fit the need, so I never had to look elsewhere.

I have certainly looked at/considered Linux alternatives, and would be much more interested if this was being asked about Linux

[rugby]

Originally Posted by nanook105

I voted a no and never for two reasons

• I build all of my own PCs. It gives me the flexibility of configuring PCs for specific functions and allows expansion/reconfiguration when necessary. I don't believe that this exists in the Mac world (or if it does, not to the same extent)
• In all of my uses of a PC, I have always found windows based software that fit the need, so I never had to look elsewhere.

I have certainly looked at/considered Linux alternatives, and would be much more interested if this was being asked about Linux

I build all my own PC's as well. I have an Action Pack subscription so have enough licenses for MS software it's ridiculous. The cool thing about going Intel is that the desktop models (including the Mac Mini) are socketed cpu's and not soldered on like the laptops. this means you can upgrade your macs to newer version of the core, core2, and xeon processors. Sure it's not the same as building one from scratch, but it's a start.

I'm the opposite, I've nearly always found a mac application that does what I want so don't have to look any farther. the only exception is Quickbooks. the Mac version sucks badly.

[rakeshagrawal]

Originally Posted by rugby

Well, the competition is porting to the Mac:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/28/s...-for-max-os-x/

Yeah, I noticed that... interesting! I wonder if Apple would ever do their own PVR software. Last time I checked, the only PVR software for the Mac (El Gato) left a lot to be desired.

[rugby]

Originally Posted by rakeshagrawal

Yeah, I noticed that... interesting! I wonder if Apple would ever do their own PVR software. Last time I checked, the only PVR software for the Mac (El Gato) left a lot to be desired.

Yeah, I used it briefly a while back and wasn't impressed. Maybe it's gotten better. The problem is really the cost of the tuners/software is really bad on the Mac. Until recently the only HD tuner would set you back over $300.

Front Row is fantastic, the interface rocks, it's easy to use, and comes on every Mac along with a remote. Too bad there's no pvr aspect.

I do like BTV a lot, but the stuttering for some HD recordings is getting annoying and I don't have time to futz with tweaks. I have perfect signal, I have a super fast Htpc with plenty of storage and I'm still getting stuttering with both live tv and recordings.

[vogelap]

Nope. We're all PCs here, with no intention to change to Macs. My PCs do everything I need, and I've built the technology in my home to support PCs and am not interested in stepping away from that!

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by nanook105

I have certainly looked at/considered Linux alternatives, and would be much more interested if this was being asked about Linux

I have played with Linux, not Myth TV, but Linux. I am actually more interested in moving over to Mac then Linux. There are certain programs, like Photoshop, that I have not found an alternative for. I know there are fans of GIMP, but I find Photoshop far superior.

However, before I click submit, I think you have a point. My above paragraph has more to do with my desires to find desktop programs on Linux is lacking. With regards to PVR, I am not wedded to anyone OS.

You know what, I would love to see a linux alternative for BeyondTV. Especially considering the upcoming Vista release, I am not sure I want to upgrade to vista. I know Snapstream says they are going to continue to support XP, but for how long. I would have no problem moving my BTV server and BTV link machines to Linux. Distro like Ubuntu are easy enough to use that this could be done.

I know the argument is going to come up that people on linux don't pay for software. I know there are people out there using linux have had enough trouble with getting MythTV to work. They also have problems with guide information. If Snapstream kept their price at about 50 bucks, they could probably win a lot of those people over if the product worked right out of the box with no tinkering.

Maybe that should have been the poll question.

[nanook105]

Originally Posted by Mistergq

I have played with Linux, not Myth TV, but Linux. I am actually more interested in moving over to Mac then Linux. There are certain programs, like Photoshop, that I have not found an alternative for. I know there are fans of GIMP, but I find Photoshop far superior.

However, before I click submit, I think you have a point. My above paragraph has more to do with my desires to find desktop programs on Linux is lacking. With regards to PVR, I am not wedded to anyone OS.

You know what, I would love to see a linux alternative for BeyondTV. Especially considering the upcoming Vista release, I am not sure I want to upgrade to vista. I know Snapstream says they are going to continue to support XP, but for how long. I would have no problem moving my BTV server and BTV link machines to Linux. Distro like Ubuntu are easy enough to use that this could be done.

I know the argument is going to come up that people on linux don't pay for software. I know there are people out there using linux have had enough trouble with getting MythTV to work. They also have problems with guide information. If Snapstream kept their price at about 50 bucks, they could probably win a lot of those people over if the product worked right out of the box with no tinkering.

Maybe that should have been the poll question.

While I want linux for both server and link, I would settle for just having link running linux. If the complications are tuners/drivers (which are on the server), shouldn't that make it simpler ? I would think that it would also make it easier to move the link to an extender.

[oklahomazeke]

currently running, I have 3 self built pcs (XP), 3 notebooks (2000 & XP), and one Apple 17"G4 laptop (which I'm using now in the backyard- it has the best screen for outside use).

The Mac laptop was bought to run music applications such as Protools and Reason.....I've tried running them on PCs with better specs, but they never work right...always have latency issues & something else commonly goes wrong.

I have to admit it is the best laptop I've ever bought....better design, engineering, and performace.

I've edited/compiled/burned video on both platforms and have to admit that the Apple works much better, even using the basic free software- I can't imagine how nice the pay packages must be.

On the PC, I like the abiltiy to upgrade compenents as I go, and, the Apple killer, play games.

personal computer history:
Vic20
Commodore64
Mac SE
Packard Hell 386
self builts since
numerous Dell/Toshiba laptops
Apple Powerbook G4

next????????

if its a laptop, Apple, hands down, no question about it

quad core something for my next box compy

self built, or Apple????????
hmmmmmmm


I may need one of each, if only for the gaming

[Thorvald]

God not another "Mac Vs Wintel" debate...

Anyways, I own both, always have, always will. In the 20+ years I've been at PC's and various older systems, I've migrated to my PowerMac G5 as my primary machine for surfing, photo, movie, mail, ec. Apple products are something you practically "fall in love with", PC's are things you "tinker with" and rarely are considered "works of art".

I keep my PC's for games, hacking, etc. Nothing beats a killer massive simulation on a well tricked out PC for complexity and immersion.

With the price of the Mac Mini and how small and loaded it is, I'd love to see a BTV Link Mac client for it, though of course we could just dual-boot into Windows (thanks Apple for using Intel!).

[jgourd]

I would buy a Mac Mini if BTV Link ran on it. From what I am reading there is a new app that runs windows apps natively in the Mac OS without boot camp. If BTV Link works in that scenario, I'd get a Mac mini tomarrow.

[Thorvald]

I'm of the same mind. If they would release a Mac BTV Link client, I'd be all over it.

I see that SageTV now has a Mac client and are testing a Mac server as well (I prefer my PC's for the server, more room in the cases etc) but the Mini is a super cheap perfect little box for the living room.

Being able to minimize the BTV Link client and use the native Front Row apps and surfing with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse would be a huge plus as well. Just need to add a "BTV Link" to the Front Row menu :-)

[gbranche]

Originally Posted by jgourd

From what I am reading there is a new app that runs windows apps natively in the Mac OS without boot camp. If BTV Link works in that scenario, I'd get a Mac mini tomarrow.

There are two solutions that I know of:

Parallels is a virtualization solution, which runs a Windows environment on top of Mac OS X.

Crossover is supposed to run Windows apps directly on OS X, without needing a virtual environment.

I haven't tried BTV Link with either, as I don't own a copy of the Link software, and am hesistant to shell out the $$$ just for testing purposes. (hint, hint )

[Ninety-9 SE-L]

Technically, you can install WinXP on any newer Apple, full version, clean install or dual boot/dual partitions.

A virtual machine is too resource dependent, and it's not exactly a new idea. That Crossover program looks really nice. Does it run ANY XP programs? for example Snapstream. Also, I own a LOT of programs I need for engineering (MathCAD, StudioMX, PhotoshopCS, MATLAB, VisualC++, SolidWorks, to name a few), I'm sure almost all of these are available for Mac, but I only have the windows version (I think), would it allow me to install all of that too?

I like the OSX environment better (in certain ways), not to mention, I like the simple design of their machines. The only thing I dislike is the apple key replacing all the shortcuts I'm familiar with and the lack of expandability. The Mac mini would be excellent as an HTPC, except that the tuners would be external, a large capacity HDD would be external, and isn't the video card external as well?