Opinion Poll

[hauser]

I know this has nothing to do with cars but it's a necessary tool for using this site.

Need to purchase a new PC and would like to hear your opinions.

XP or Vista

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[66andBlue]

[:0] Neither one!!

Buy a Macintosh  
and you'll spend more time using it and less time worrying about viruses and worms and how to hook up peripherals.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[cascadia]

Yep, buy a Mac, you'll never go back.
Bob in Portland

[J. Huber]

Hey Hauser. I have XP at home and at work. I haven't tried Vista. The XP has been fine -- although I have the luxury of IT people racing around fixing things at the college. I have heard that it is going to be harder and harder to find new machines with XP -- as Mr. Gates wants us to use Vista. Having said all this -- I too am a closet Mac guy! I have had several -- I just had to go PC because of work (and price!). My kids have an Imac and their entire school is set up with the new Macs. Really slick. Macs are like new Mercedes, PC are the GMS, Toyotas, and Hondas.



James
63 230SL

[nick350]

MAC is the only way.

[sjiatrou]

Why not an iMAC with Windows XP? You can run an iMAC with both both OSs.  You have to buy your own copy of Windows (I think MAC only supports XP home or XP professional at the moment) but you can install it using MAC's Boot Camp program (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/) or by purchasing a product called Parallels (about $60 I think).

I bought a Mac Mini for my son and it runs great but there are very few games for MAC and some internet content will not download properly so I picked up copy of XP (Tiger Dirct or PCMALL for only $90) I used the MAC Boot Camp and it works great.

Oh, and the iMAC is a nice white, just like the finest pagodas you see on the road today!

Steve

Steve
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[jsaylor]

I always knew this was a special group...If you like a computer that performs, simply, quickly, with few issues and is less prone to viruses then by a Mac.  They just work better.

Jim Saylor
Kauai, Hawaii
'65 230SL

[lurtch]

Just a Note: Apple computers command only 6 %  of the new PC market. The reason for this is far too complicated for me to understand. All I know is that the machines are elagantly designed, do not get viruses or worms, and  perform exceptionally well. Now that the new ones use Intel processors and can run Windows, why not switch to a better machine?  The OSX operating system is bullet-proof and is COOL beyond words!  Microsoft has been playing copy-cat for years.

Oh yeah - one more thing, Steve Jobs lives less than a mile away!

Regards, Larry in CA

[hauser]

Okay so only six percent  new share and how about overall?  Could it be that there aren't enough Macs out there for the hackers to make it worthwhile for them?

Found this while seeking more answers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HELrxLdP85c

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[doitwright]

I have always used a PC and currently have XP.  The predecessor to XP was windows 2000 and before that was 98.  Most new software today will not run on 98.  Some pre Vita software will not run with Vista or will have issues with it.  Now if it were me, I am ready to give Mac a try.  Especially since it will run with XP and my old software.  I am tired of the virusses, pop ups, and lockups and crashes of XP and internet explorer.  I am still using Microsoft Office 2000 and have not seen a reason to upgrade.  I do not believe it will run with Vista.  Oe more thing I have heard is that Vista has a way to determine if you are installing authentic registered software.

Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Light Ivory

[Peter van Es]

Dear all,

as your system admin and resident techy I'll throw in my $ 0.02 worth...

I've got Windows XP machines, a new laptop that came pre-installed with Vista, and I run Linux on servers and on a laptop. I've used MAC OSX and like the machines.

Here's my recommendation:
 

• if you own a lot of software, with XP, that you don't need to upgrade and will continue to use, buy a good laptop with XP preinstalled. They are still available and cheaper now than ever. Upgrading to Vista is likely to give you headaches
• If you own specifically a PDA or Smartphone, which you synchronise with your current PC, ensure that the synchronisation software is available for MAC OSX or Vista before considering them. The same applies to non-standard devices such as scanners or specialty hardware (video camera) you may have. Digital camera's, external harddrives, especially if they are recent, are not a problem
• Going from XP to Vista is a switch. There's a whole new learning curve. And the need to buy new software. If you're making a switch, you might as well switch to Mac OSX. The biggest advantage: because the hardware and software are so tightly integrated, there's less room for problems.
• On saving $300. Always just went out and bought Microsoft Office? Check out http://www.openoffice.org/. Free software, fully compatible with Microsoft, excellent functionality, backed by Sun and now IBM. I use it. It works. It's free. If you don't like it, you can always buy MS Office later.
• On buying a PC. Don't. Buy a laptop. These are screaming fast, with big screens, take up less room, have lots of (wireless) connectivity built in. In fact, you could check your favourite site close from your garage.  
• If you want MAC OSX, buy an Apple. If you don't, do some careful comparison shopping. Dell always advertise lowest cost, but somehow the price always seems higher by the time you check out. If you do a feature for feature comparison, HP often ends up being cheaper. It pays to do your homework.
• Final recommendation... most manufacturers have both a consumer notebook line and a business notebook line (With HP, the business line is called HP Compaq, and the consumer line is called the Pavilion. With Dell the business line is called Latitude, and the consumer line the Inspiron). The business notebooks cannot typically be bought in a store. However, they are sturdier, have longer battery life, sometimes better graphics. I'd buy one of the business models, especially if you travel with it, move it around or have it in the garage. Consumer models are usually better on things like HDMI interfaces to entertainment systems, so if that's what you want, buy one of them.

Hope this helps

Peter

Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280SL

[enochbell]

And another $.02,

I agree with Peter on everything except the openoffice.  Yes, it works but if you do a lot of business and file exchanging with others in a business environment then openoffice can be a pain.  File formats are compatible with MS but you need to accomodate the fact that they are not the same by saving and converting in the format you need (or your client needs).  Other than that, I can't add anything to the software/OS arguement.

On the other hand, I have a serious jones for a bright, crisp display and I have found the best I have ever seen in the recent release of Sony's VAIO line of laptop.  My laptop is really tiny, weighs just about 2 pounds and has a very small screen and a slightly smaller-than-standard keyboard.  But it suits my travel needs and it gets a realistic 5 hours (claims 7.5) of battery and I can work outside and still see the screen. The model is a TX750P.

Best,
g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[Miloslav Maun]

I do not recommend Vista yet. Maybe in a two years, when they kill all the bugs. I bought a laptop with preinstalled Vistas and after trying to use them for two weeks, I formatted the hard drive and installed XP. Much faster now, all the peripherials work (my printer did not work with Vista etc.)
Vistas are visually nicer but much much slower and less compatible.

[Peter van Es]

Dear enochbell,

 

quote:except the openoffice. Yes, it works but if you do a lot of business and file exchanging with others in a business environment then openoffice can be a pain. File formats are compatible with MS but you need to accomodate the fact that they are not the same by saving and converting in the format you need (or your client needs).

Actually, the same holds for Microsoft Office 2007... if you save files in default format, people with Office 2003 cannot open them either without downloading fileconverters. Many people are stumped by this.

I agree, if you need it for business or clients it is safest to stick with MS Office. If it is for personal use mainly, try out  OpenOffice. You could save 10(!) years of sl113.org subscription!

But again... try it, it's free! If it does not work for you, you can always buy MS Office.

Peter

Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280SL

[enochbell]

Peter,

Thanks, maybe it is time to give openoffice another go.  The last time I used it was several years ago when my greatest hope was to keep from sending Bill Gates another $ (nothing against capitalism, mind you, its just that I really want some competition along with my capitalism, please) so I will try it again.

Your work is really appreciated, thanks.

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[dwilli3038]

for what it is worth...My laptop with XP bit the dust sorecently bought a new laptop with Vista preloaded. I HATE IT....it is full of problems....if possible avoid Vista for another year until they get the bugs out

Daryl
'64 230 SL Buckeye Benz Scarlet interior and Grey top Serial # 508
'77 280SE

[Raymond]

I have 14 computers; six Macs and eight PCs. The Macs are not without problems, but we push them.  Most issues are with storage.  I have a software designer in our office who works on a Mac writing for the PC envionment.  He's a licensed Vista developer.  Overall, the Macs are less trouble for people who don't have advanced computer skills and are more resistant to attack.  But, their reputation as "flawless" is as inflated as Steve Jobs' ego.  We have the PCs because we interface with businesses and Macs are 6 percent of the world market old and new.

If you have to go with PC avoind Vista it at all possible.  It's not ready for prime time.  Windows XP is quite stable and the business world is not rushing out the Vista window.  

I sold my Dell stock after having some of their machines for a while.  The HPs are fine so far.  My new HP laptop screams.

That said, you can run Parallels on a Mac and still run all the software for Windows XP.  For personal use, you'll curse less using a Mac.  

Decisions, decisions!  Good luck.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[ted280sl]

I sell software for a living. There is a defined user class referred to as "early adopters". This group will suffer through all of the esarly problems associated with the release of any new program. I would much rather use a program after the bugs have been worked out. The bugs in Vista will eventually be worked out and there will be advantages to using Vista over XP. I would suggest waiting to use Vista.
Regards,
Ted 280SL 4-speed manual (no PC onboard)