Apple vs everyone else

[Spongebob]

This thread is likely a rehash and I apologize if it is so.  I'm curious who here is an Apple fan versus other brands, and I'm open to PC platforms as well as phones.  Which hardware and/or software do you prefer and why and I would prefer this not to degenerate into conspiracies, just speak from your experience about what you like and dislike about the brands.  I have used both Apple computers and phones as well as Windows computers, Linux, and Android phones, so I have a broad range of experiences and will throw in the details later.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

This thread is likely a rehash and I apologize if it is so.  I'm curious who here is an Apple fan versus other brands, and I'm open to PC platforms as well as phones.  Which hardware and/or software do you prefer and why and I would prefer this not to degenerate into conspiracies, just speak from your experience about what you like and dislike about the brands.  I have used both Apple computers and phones as well as Windows computers, Linux, and Android phones, so I have a broad range of experiences and will throw in the details later.

I have an iPhone and a PC. No brand loyalty whatsoever. 

Boru

[brewer]

This thread is likely a rehash and I apologize if it is so.  I'm curious who here is an Apple fan versus other brands, and I'm open to PC platforms as well as phones.  Which hardware and/or software do you prefer and why and I would prefer this not to degenerate into conspiracies, just speak from your experience about what you like and dislike about the brands.  I have used both Apple computers and phones as well as Windows computers, Linux, and Android phones, so I have a broad range of experiences and will throw in the details later.

I don't know about "fan", I can only say I've only limited experience with Apple. In my business life I evolved with PC, that's what I know, that's what I'm comfortable with in my dotage. My kid's is an Apple guy all the way when it comes to personal use. But he's going to school for and makes a living from teaching, monitoring and fixing PC.

My wife loves Apple, but she's only a player/surfer.

[Angrboda]

I think a better distinction exists between Apple and poor quality non-Apple stuff, as that's what most people are comparing it to. Apple makes quality stuff, as long as you're willing to pay for it. If you're willing to pay for it, you can get quality PC stuff as well. The main difference is in software. The PC software market is driven by bottom feeders to an extent that Apple is not. Though things might have changed over the years, as my experience with Apple has mostly been second-hand for a long time.

[no one]

I rewired my old Atari 2600, I think it created the internet.

[Spongebob]

I think a better distinction exists between Apple and poor quality non-Apple stuff, as that's what most people are comparing it to.  Apple makes quality stuff, as long as you're willing to pay for it.  If you're willing to pay for it, you can get quality PC stuff as well.  The main difference is in software.  

This is a good point, boda.  There are a plethora of low end devices that can run Windows, but there's no corollary with Apple.  There's no third party hardware running Apple for the most part; I'm sure some hackers have done so.  So yes, hardware comparisons should be made on equivalent quality hardware.

The PC software market is driven by bottom feeders to an extent that Apple is not.  Though things might have changed over the years, as my experience with Apple has mostly been second-hand for a long time.

I'm not sure what you mean here.  Are you speaking about the low end hardware?  If that's the case then no, I don't think its changed much at all.  There are still both high quality and cheap devices running Windows but Apple is Apple.

---

This thread is likely a rehash and I apologize if it is so.  I'm curious who here is an Apple fan versus other brands, and I'm open to PC platforms as well as phones.  Which hardware and/or software do you prefer and why and I would prefer this not to degenerate into conspiracies, just speak from your experience about what you like and dislike about the brands.  I have used both Apple computers and phones as well as Windows computers, Linux, and Android phones, so I have a broad range of experiences and will throw in the details later.

I have an iPhone and a PC. No brand loyalty whatsoever. 

Boru

I would say that describes my position as well.  No brand loyalty, but definitely a preference for quality devices/software.  Whichever can deliver, I'm interested.

[arewethereyet]

I also have an iPhone and use a PC. I like the phones a lot and went to them when I moved to the smart phone. I have never used an android.

My experience with a Mac is pretty limited with one contract assignment, I don't know enough to say it was good or bad. However, the cost of a Mac pretty much keeps me from looking any further into them.

[Fireball]

My one experience with a Mac computer was in '91. I was writing FORTRAN code. That thing crashed on a regular basis; I got to the point that I saved after every carriage return. It may well be because it was shielded to keep it from emitting RF as a security concern. Maybe it made it run hot, I don't know. But it soured me on anything made by Apple. I did break down and buy an iPod many years ago, and that thing crashes, too.

As for platforms, I've used everything from just plain PCs to DEC PDP-11, VAX 750, 780, 8000 series, IBM 360 and Crays. I have a Lenovo laptop and I just bought an "All-in-One" to replace it because it's about 10 years old and the keyboard is wearing out. No complaints, other than that. I hope my new machine lasts that long!

[Spongebob]

My one experience with a Mac computer was in '91. I was writing FORTRAN code. That thing crashed on a regular basis; I got to the point that I saved after every carriage return. It may well be because it was shielded to keep it from emitting RF as a security concern. Maybe it made it run hot, I don't know. But it soured me on anything made by Apple. I did break down and buy an iPod many years ago, and that thing crashes, too.

As for platforms, I've used everything from just plain PCs to DEC PDP-11, VAX 750, 780, 8000 series, IBM 360 and Crays. I have a Lenovo laptop and I just bought an "All-in-One" to replace it because it's about 10 years old and the keyboard is wearing out. No complaints, other than that. I hope my new machine lasts that long!

That sounds like an unusual experience with an Apple product; most of the time they are solid.  I owned an early Macintosh and used them at work for a while and they were exceptional machines compared to the equivalent machine running DOS at the time.  This was before Windows 95 hit the market and the experience with a Macintosh was years ahead anything Mircrosoft had to offer.  I only say this because I learned most of my early computing skills on DOS machines, VAX systems, and the Commodore 64, but got exposed to the early Macintosh around 1989.

As a side note, years ago my sister was using some old crappy Windows machine and every other week she was calling me in a panic with some computer problem.  I got really tired of being her tech support, so I suggested she throw that thing away and buy a Machintosh.  This was around 2000.  She did and after that I never got another tech support call from her again.  I didn't own an Apple at the time and figured I could claim ignorance if she did call.

[Silver]

I tried the Apple phone once. It was overrated. So I went back to Android.