could you post a link with some more information on this subject?

thanks.
Frank

http://www.hitequest.com/Kiss/risc_cisc.htm

While the G4 processor by motorola was RISC, Apple has recently changed over to the G5 which is not much more than a regular PC processor. RISC is often used for super computers or where performance absolutely necessary. I think things are changing though, as CISC moves to 64-bit.

The MHz will be faster, but the actual speed will not. I think Apple did have IBM integrate the "Velocity engine" into the G5 though. (This was found in the G4). Velocity is Apple's answer to increasing graphics / media performance.

Rick you get me all misty when you write ;like that

Here we go again... Mac or PC??

I use both and I've used Linux too. I also use UNIX on my Mac (X11). Why do I use both... PC for mainly games, Mac for mainly serious stuff (web design, dtp etc). Which is best.. depends on how you measure these things.

1. price - PC
2. features - Mac
3. Stability - Mac (PC crashes to mac crashes over 12 years is @ 1000:1)
4. Looks - Mac
5. Games - PC etc etc etc

So, decide what you need and buy accordingly. As for which will outlive the other one, my guess is that the one who changes quicker in response to consumer needs and IMHO Apple is ahead of Microsoft on the software front (they don't build PC's or iPods either).

As regards features, Macs do come with a lot of bells and whistles (visual toys, rather than actual functionality) straight out of the box, but only because software is a little scarce on the ground (and expensive) for Macs.

Macs used to have a very poor reputation in the stability front (pre- OS X days), and crashed much more often than PCs. Since OS X, the Mac has become much more stable.

The main causes of crashing are usually software related, and because PC users have much more software to choose from, and typically users will install all sorts of trial software and other applications onto their PCs, then they will also be setting themselves up for possible problems. Both Mac OS X and Windows XP are very stable OSes, and anyone having issues is most likely due to hardware, or software incompatabilities.

Take a look at the millions of Windows PCs that are in use everyday at large/small companies worldwide. These don't crash regulary, nor do they require regular maintenance, yet they keep working day in, day out, always stable.

Claiming that Macs are 1000 times more stable than PCs is utter nonsense, though it may be that you yourself have had issues with PCs and so choose to promote your experience as being the norm, which it isn't. Incidentaly, I like OS X having had the chance to play with an iBook recently.

As to looks, then it all comes down to what you buy. There are some very nice looking PC kit available (e.g. Sony laptops) which are the equal of any Mac for style. but they are as expensive as Macs. There isn't as much to choose from where Macs are concerned because Apple don't allow other manufacturers to make Mac compatibles.

I would say that Macs have certainly come a long way and have a lot of nice user friendly features these days. I expect Windows Longhorn will adopt many of the niceties of OS X, and will be even better under the covers. For users that don't play games, and that don't buy/install lots of software, then they may find Mac OS X to be a better choice than Windows XP currently. Apple seem to be very good at making their software user friendly, so for those with a fear of computers, then the Mac is a very good choice.

I just wish Microsoft and Apple join

Heh, unregistered and brings back a thread almost a year old.

Got any arguments to present on why you think that? I can think of many more reasons for them not to than I could for them.

Anyway. Now with Apple switching over to x86 with Intel, that leaves room for the speculation on an Intel Apple merger, to take on Microsoft/AMD. Discuss if you want.

with the Intel Mac idea, I'm thinking that Apple may be onto something. It would make all desktops x86, but only Macs would be able to run all three of the most popular operating systems, giving them a little bit of an edge. It's good sound business sence IMHO.