We own PCs too.

[ImageX]

Opening this thread wasn't under the intention of getting more arguments on why Macs are PCs etc., but more to let people know that everyone knows the definition and that it's just how it is. PC = PC. Mac = Mac. No need to be so technical unless you're going to provide a tried and tested and well-known term to use for "PCs".

 

[iPod Nano]

^Well I won't start a flame war but as we have already pointed out in multiple places what you say above is only about 1/2 right. The truth is ANY computer meant for use by a single person at once is a PC

 

[Mac SK]

Good one Vansmith...I was thinking the same thing when I saw this thread this morning...but I resisted as to not "fan the fire"!

- Nick

Fan The Fire...Fan The Fire! Or its just a box of parts.

 

[Kash]

I think arguing over semantics is just plain silly. When you say PC, everybody knows you mean a computer that runs Windows on non Apple hardware. People who pipe in and say "but PC means personal computer and a Mac is a personal computer so blah blah blah" are just being annoying. It's a colloquialism, we refer to Windows computers as PCs because that's what we've always done. Let's not get all bent out of shape because it's not politically correct.

I have a PC that I use primarily for entertainment purposes: games and media. I have it connected to my TV and Windows 7 Media Center is just fantastic. Looks great on the TV and is very functional and versatile. I like it much better than Front Row, which I find to be far more limiting than Media Center.

 

[Chris H.]

I think arguing over semantics is just plain silly. When you say PC, everybody knows you mean a computer that runs Windows on non Apple hardware. People who pipe in and say "but PC means personal computer and a Mac is a personal computer so blah blah blah" are just being annoying. It's a colloquialism, we refer to Windows computers as PCs because that's what we've always done. Let's not get all bent out of shape because it's not politically correct.

I have a PC that I use primarily for entertainment purposes: games and media. I have it connected to my TV and Windows 7 Media Center is just fantastic. Looks great on the TV and is very functional and versatile. I like it much better than Front Row, which I find to be far more limiting than Media Center.

I've been counting the days to no avail about Apple putting a TV tuner card in some of its product line, and dropping the Apple TV or integrating it into working with a Mac with Front Row (provided that Front Row gets a TV tuner). Apple would definitely be taking a stab at Windows Media Center and WinTV here. However, I've found hardware from the makers of WinTV for Mac that allows you to watch TV, albeit on their own software. I like Front Row. It's black, and mysterious, plus it emits lower light levels in a dimly-lit/dark room than WMC does (blue gives me a headache!).

 

[December]

Still running a PPC Mac here... so not really a "PC" in the most used sense, but technically a "personal computer" by my definition.

But I do own 2 PC's which I use almost daily, and about 20 old ones collecting dust in my closet.

 

[wrongmark2]

As mentioned in another post, I'm ordering my first ever mac this week. I don't really have a clue about Mac OS apart from a few tutorials that I've read on the net.

My PC died the other week and it was the last straw. Also a good excuse to splash out on something new. I could have probably fixed the PC if I wanted to and wiped and done a fresh install etc, but enough is enough.

I'm choosing to "believe" the Apple marketing and trusting that Macs do "just work". I've literally put the PC in the bin (destroyed the hard drives first obviously).

I have a Thinkpad that belongs to work, so in emergencies I have it to hand. I was thinking of installing windows on the iMac when I get it, but I've since changed my mind and intend to embrace the Mac fully.

I thought about it, what do I want a home computer for? Photo's, occasional bit of video editing, iTunes, surfing the net... that's about it. Thought I may aswell get a mac and be done with it.

 

[vansmith]

Still running a PPC Mac here... so not really a "PC" in the most used sense, but technically a "personal computer" by my definition.

But I do own 2 PC's which I use almost daily, and about 20 old ones collecting dust in my closet.

Aside from processor type being irrelevant, you might want to look up what PPC stands for.

 

[December]

Aside from processor type being irrelevant, you might want to look up what PPC stands for.

Of course, but PPC was pretty much exclusive to Macs, at least in the consumer market.

 

[vansmith]

Doesn't matter. As the Wikipedia article says, "Originally intended for personal computers, PowerPC CPUs have since become popular embedded and high-performance processors" (emphasis added).

On top of this, the article adds that "When the first PowerPC products reached the market, they were met with enthusiasm. In addition to Apple, both IBM and the Motorola Computer Group offered systems built around the processors. Microsoft released Windows NT 3.51 for the architecture, which was used in Motorola's PowerPC servers, and Sun Microsystems offered a version of its Solaris OS" (emphasis added). If we conflate Windows with idea of "PC", then a PowerPC machine can be a PC as well.

As a side note, my previous wording was awkward. Instead of "what PPC stands for", I should have said something along the lines of "how PPCs were used".

 

[iPod Nano]

^Did you check the citations on that

I'm not saying it's wrong but Wikipedia isn't always right either

 

[Kash]

Wikipedia is right more often than not.

 

[vansmith]

^Did you check the citations on that

I'm not saying it's wrong but Wikipedia isn't always right either

There aren't any sources for the info so until someone proves me wrong...

Plus, as Kash said, despite being editable by anyone, it's pretty accurate and reliable. Not "use in school assignment" reliable but "forum discussion" reliable at the least.

 

[cwa107]

Opening this thread wasn't under the intention of getting more arguments on why Macs are PCs etc., but more to let people know that everyone knows the definition and that it's just how it is. PC = PC. Mac = Mac. No need to be so technical unless you're going to provide a tried and tested and well-known term to use for "PCs".

Since these two threads are basically discussing the same thing, I see no reason to have them both open - threads merged.