Apple's Supercomputing Scientists

Use an IMac, 256mb Ram, 80gb hd, 1ghz processor. OSX 10.2.8

>>Application errors are generally not a platform issue.

Actually, unless all the code is assembly/C/C++, the problems tend to lay in the way the OS handles memory management, request to libraries, etc.

As far as infinite loops are concerned, not too many production programs on the market have infinite loop problems. (More thread related if anything.)

>>Are you referring to an Apple Xserve

Yes, sorry typo. Sexy server IMO!

Like I said, Macs are no longer "better" -- they are simply sexier! Almost every PC out there pales when sitting next to a Mac -- both externally and in the GUI. Apple must have hired the best designers in the land, cause MS sure doesn't have them!

Graphics on the Windos GUI are a joke. I had to download Mac Icons and run Windows XP with 128x128 icons to even get my desktop to look decent. I also created my own OSX like docking bar (yea, I stole the Icons from the Mac, so sue me.)

But a sexy GUI does not make the Mac "better". It makes it
more enjoyable. In terms of the needs of the average employee, PC's offer much more. The extra overhead is well worth it.

While much of one's daily work can be done on a Mac (with Office for Mac) the files don't always work cross platform. We've had some cross platform problems with PowerPoint for OSX and Office XP. Office 2003 solved some of them, but not all. (Yea, on Office OSX the file was saved down to an earlier version "compatible" with office XP/2000.)

While this isn't a platform issue, it does mean that it's easier to have XP and pay the higher overhead since clients and employees have PCs. Trying the cross platform thing will jack up overhead costs and thereby negating any savings for using a Mac.

Use an IMac, 256mb Ram, 80gb hd, 1ghz processor. OSX 10.2.8

Thanks for the info. That rules out some of the more common reasons for problems (typically an obsolete OS like Mac OS 8.5 or antiquated hardware).

Actually, unless all the code is assembly/C/C++, the problems tend to lay in the way the OS handles memory management, request to libraries, etc.

Yeah, library bugs are platform issues, but I was referring to garden variety logic errors that can freeze an application, e.g. "while (1){/*my infinite loop*/}".

Like I said, Macs are no longer "better" -- they are simply sexier!

It's more than just the aesthetics. For most computer users, I think Mac technology is fundamentally better in every aspect (hardware, OS, security, reliability, productivity, TCO, etc.).

But a sexy GUI does not make the Mac "better". It makes it more enjoyable.

The Mac GUI is better because it is easier to use and more productive. These qualities do have a positive impact on the bottom line.

In terms of the needs of the average employee, PC's offer much more.

Got an example? I'm trying to think of a way in which "PCs offer much more". All I can come up with is much more bugs, much more worms and viruses, much more problems, etc.

Of course, there are many specialized applications and games that are only available on PCs - AutoCAD being a prime example - but that is not an issue for a typical computer user who needs applications for office and Internet usage.

While much of one's daily work can be done on a Mac (with Office for Mac) the files don't always work cross platform.

Macs are much better at cross-platform interoperability than Windows. For example, Macs can run Windows XP - but Windows can't run Mac OS X. Macs are also better for connecting to Unix and Linux machines - or running software designed for those platforms.

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