Longterm Mac Users Advice

Hi , I have a mac and so far it hasnt given me any problems software or hardware wise . All computers crash every now and then but OSX is pretty solid. As for hardware failing I've been a mac addict for awhile and I only had one problem and this was with my Powerbook G4 where it was overheating but Apple's AppleCare is like heaven theyre support is the best I've seen so far they fixed it right up even gave me a new LCD screen. I think if you invest in a mac you'd thank yourself for it I havnt seen a windows switcher complain yet.

(OMG it keeps on getting bigger!!!) Gear list: Roland Fantom-X8,Korg MicroKorg,Ibanez Prestige RG2570EX Guitar,BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone Pedal,Peavey Backstage Practice Amp,Mesa Boogie Nomad 100,Alesis M1 MK2 Active Sound Monitors,Dual 1.8Ghz Powermac G5 6GB RAM, Reason2.5 , Arturia Moog Modular v2,Cubase SX2,Garageband.

I have been happily using Macs for over ten years and I never, ever considered converting over to PC. Currently I am running two G4 Laptops and a G5 Desktop - one of the Laptop runs 24/7, while the desktop operates 16/7. Apart from the occasional 'freeze' I had no troubles. I run Logic Pro7, Pro Tools and a list of CPU hungry plug-ins such as Spectrasonics Atmosphere and several Reverbs.

Thanks guys.
Im receiving a Mini on tuesday, ill test it 24/7 for a month or so, and see what happens.

I've had my G5 iMac running pretty much non-stop for a few months now, and I have not had one crash. I'm never going back to pc.

Thread moved to "Free zone."

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

Hi jrevenko.

Long-time Mac user here. I've owned a number of Macs and in that time I've used 2 models as 24/7 servers. The first was a PowerMac 8500. I used it as a 24/7 server for 3 years or so with no problems. I sold it in working condition and replaced it with my current home server, a PowerMac G4 (single 500 MHz). I've been using it with Mac OS X Server (now on 10.4 Server) since I got it in 2000 with it on 24/7. It also doubles as a workstation and I've had no trouble with the original hardware. Ironically, one or two of the (admittedly lower quality) expansions I've added to it have gone bad (3rd party RAM stick and graphics card).

Now, my server load is low. They aren't in a high load, high stress environment, only here at home with 2 other client computers on the network. I use the PowerMac G4 as an AppleShare and CIFS file server as well as Windows Primary Domain Controller, local DNS server, and public web server. I've also owned a Performa 560 and my current PowerBook G4. The Performa lasted longer than it was useful (just couldn't do what I wanted on it anymore) and it ended up in a friend's garage. Still works as far as I know (bought brand new in 1994). I've had no problems with my current PowerBook either (going on 2 years).

Now, this is only anecdotal. It doesn't really prove anything about overall hardware reliability. However, Consumer Reports (non-profit publication form Consumer's Union) has collected hardware reliability data from consumer computer users for years and their data does indicate that Apple hardware, though not perfect, has the highest reliability of any current consumer computer manufacturer (they also currently have the best customer support).

With regard to software stability, Mac OS X has been exceptionally stable in my experience. I would say Mac OS X 10.4 and Windows XP SP2 (assuming a clean installation) are equally stable. Windows seems to become less and less reliable as software and hardware are added and as system resources become more scarce. Mac OS X doesn't seem to be as prone to stability problems under high CPU and resource utilization situations. It is a rare occasion indeed to see a Mac OS X kernel panic these days (and even if you do, you may not recognize it as such since even the kernel panic is pretty). If you have plenty of RAM, the system actually gets faster over time if left on and using the same apps repeatedly (due to disk caching and application code caching).

Here's something to consider. Apple uses Macs for all their POS functions in their retail stores. I'm not privy to stats regarding reliability of those POS systems, but I've not heard of any major problems either (from the person I know who worked in one of their stores).

One thing to consider, however, is that if you're using a web-only interface, you may not want to use Internet Explorer on the Mac as Microsoft no longer supports it and it is frozen at version 5.2.3. If you develop specifically for that browser, you shouldn't have any trouble, but if you need the browser to work on more modern content (latest CSS and DHTML), consider using Apple's included Safari or Mozilla Firefox. If you intend to use Kiosk mode, Neither Internet Explorer 5 nor Safari support this. Opera 6 allows a Full Screen option, but it's not lockable as far as I know.

I'd be happy to try and answer any questions you might have about the OS or Mac hardware.

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

I'm sure you could put together a Linux or Windows system for cheaper than a Mac Mini - and with a monitor and upgradability, if needed at some time - of a midtower box.

Linux and the UNIX core were designed to be up and working day after week after month... after year! (Well, remember Mac OS X has a UNIX core, just not sure how robust it is compared to "real" UNIX/Linux). But if you're not familiar with Linux, may have a little learning to do

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Website: phait-accompli.com
Thoughts & Philosophies: Just Some Thoughts

"That's what real love amounts to- letting a person be what he really is. Most people love you for who you pretend to be. To keep their love, you keep pretending- performing..." -- Jim Morrison

Phait: I think one of his major concerns was size. You can't get a Linux box the size of the Mac mini. Ha, actually Mac OS X is "real" UNIX, at least in the sense that it is really running FreeBSD underneath all the GUI, plus a few modifications and renamed Darwin. In reality, Linux, FreeBSD, Darwin, Debian, Suse, none of them are "real" UNIX. UNIX System V was developed by AT&T. They licensed their core system to a number of companies and eventually sold the OS to SCO. Sun Solaris, HP-UX, and current versions of IBM's AIX are based on System V (five) UNIX. And of course SCO is "real" UNIX. All the free UNIX-ish OSes are based on BSD (Berkley Systems Development) developed by a group of professors and students at University of California, Berkley back in the 70s around the time UNIX System V. They wanted their own UNIX-like OS for research and development that they didn't have to pay large sums of money for.

But, I'm getting off topic, sorry.

Regards,

Nathan Sheldon
http://www.nathansheldon.com/

I need to stop skimming large posts and reading more often

But still - he could go with a Mini-ATX case:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1543946&CatId=0

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Website: phait-accompli.com
Thoughts & Philosophies: Just Some Thoughts

"That's what real love amounts to- letting a person be what he really is. Most people love you for who you pretend to be. To keep their love, you keep pretending- performing..." -- Jim Morrison