I'm having a 'discussion' about the alleged superiority of a Mac (eg iPad) especially for 'doing anything creative'.

Any opinions on what this might mean, and whether it's true?

A good workman never blames his tools - both are tools neither makes you more creative or facilitates creativity. You use whatever device as a tool... creativity is that of the user. Anyone who says that using Device A or B makes them more creative or enables them to be more creative is just using it as an excuse for their "lack of" IMO...

Apps are available across most platforms now... so in reality all we are talking about is a piece of Tin... which makes the statement even more hilarious

For photos, videos, addresses, general googling and portability iPads are great. For more serious use, because somehow the previous post is invisible to me, I'd go for a Mac(Book) every time as it's clear, clean and tends to be virus-free.

Enquire on the free phone number about educational discount? Just send them a pic of your uni ID

Yes, but what do these things actually mean?

I used to always run desktops and laptops with windows OS
Last machine being a high level viao, been using iPads for years along with iPhone and my next purchase will be a mac book pro.
IMHO for my purpose they are ideal - the money I've spent over four years on laptops justify the cost easily, I won't get into anymore detail as I'm sure the Mac haters bus is ready to arrive

Its not about mac haters and windows bummers
guys the era of the operating system is dead. No one gives a crap anymore if its windows, mac, linux, html5 etc

its all about the apps and the usibility of the hardware / interface with those apps.

But it's also about the availability of those applications; their security; the ability to make one's own applications; where data about your habits goes and so on.

For the default granny googling, mail, youtube use case there is no practical difference in use, but a Windows box is such a ubiquitous device that virus/spam/trojan writers consider it rather a target rich environment; I would not run a Windows box without very careful attention to detail in the antivirus department. A mac box is probably more expensive but has the advantage that because Apple control the entire computer you *should* have no problems with incompatible drivers. A linux box is equally fine but that's not the target audience; granny may find it difficult on occasion to plug in a particularly new camera or phone. But the days of compiling the kernel are long gone unless you're a kernel developer.

Macs are lovely to look at and are supposedly really good to use! all my in laws have them and swear by them!

But you can buy 3-4 windows laptops for the price of one mac
and 4 odd desktops for the cost of one mac

I would love a mac but i chose a Fiat Coupe instead, so cant afford one now!

+1 what Neil said.
I believe Macs have the edge when it comes to desktop publishing but I have no idea if that still stands true today. Would love to hear how an ipad or any touch screen device can possibly be a superior platform for creativity.

Creativity is in the head. I have seen a professional artist do something better on an etch a sketch than a graphic artist could do on the most powerful mac/windows machine.

Computer platforms are like modern cars, they are all more than capable of doing the job but people will still want a supercar and drive it to the shops

Being as David Hockney uses an iPad very much doubt its a hindrance.

Its like a type of paint or brushes yes a user may be more suited to a particular medium but that does not directly effect the creativity, although it may perhaps impact the realisation of that creativity.

Also the price argument for how expensive Mac are is generally over played. Like for like spec of similar premium brands they are not that dissimilar in price (although I will admit it does vary on the apples refresh cycle which is typically slower/less often than other brands.

Not suggesting touch screens are useless but I'm struggling with the notion that an ipad is as a generalisation "superior". Sounds more like a statement of passion rather than well balanced insight.

Well I guess it depends on how you define the question. As an out and out tool possibly not. As tool your more likely to have with you when out and about, or just close to hand to note down that idea/sketch/whatever - yes definately. As the saying goes the best camera you can get is one you have with you - likewise in this case.

I have Windows PCs and laptops and iPad, iPod and iPhone. I use the Windows machines for serious stuff and all my internet use and the Apple stuff as portable toys. When I bought my desktop PC it would have cost 4 or 5 times as much to have an Apple computer approaching the same capability, and that makes no sense at all to me.

Well, at least the conversation has moved on. Only two or three years ago there were plenty on here saying iPads were a fad and would never catch on and would never be used in business etc etc Certainly in my business, they're the tool of choice. People also buy their own MacBook Airs rather than use the company-issued reasonably-spec'd but heavy Windows laptops. In my last business, the research guys chose iMacs to run their critical simulation software.

And the Power Mac thing looks amazing - the form factor is great.

I understand that their are those that will never accept the Mac - that's fine

I don't think it's a case of "never accepting the Mac", I just think that for some people the benefits of Macs are not worth the extra price or are out of reach. Much as MrsC, a professional artist, journalist and other things besides, would love a Mac of any sort to replace her MacBook that has fallen apart disgracefully in the 4 years she has had it (legendary build quality my arse), but we simply haven't got what it costs. A budget laptop, on the other hand we could just about afford.
It doesn't mean Macs are better or worse or that "spec for spec" they aren't competitive, it just means they cost more to buy at entry level.

I'm not saying it's everybody, Jim, but there are plenty of folk who don't get it. Without rehashing all the old arguments, there's more to a Mac than a simple "on paper" spec in the same way that if you compare a Merc to a Kia on paper, it's hard to justify the difference. And yes, some of it is the label/brand but it was ever thus.

My best mate runs a music school and has Apple everything at home. iMac, MacBook Air, iPad, iPhone, etc.

He loves them and will never go back and I must admit that they are beautiful to behold and use. They all feel premium and satisfying.

However, for his business he won't use Apple products citing them as too expensive and having to be replaced to frequently due to software upgrades making old hardware as good as obsolete.

Personally, I have an iPhone which I like and probably won't move away from. My needs will never be able to justify buying another of their products though.

OK, so what does that actually mean?

For me the screen is clearer, less cluttered. The layout is neater, links with iPhoto useful, and I prefer the 'traffic light' system i.e. way the window is minimised or closed. The 'smoothness' of any operation is evident.

The main attraction for me too was the white keyboard with black lettering - not sure if this is still available?

Just my personal views. You'd need to try one I think if you're that uncertain. The educational deal admittedly made it more attractive.

Enforcer. If you are actually looking for any specific arguments I would suggest you pose several different/more detailed questions. You are only going to get anecdotal comment that you just question like above otherwise.

Are apple considered a premium product?
yes, probably.

Are apple technologically more advanced?
No not especially.

Is the operating system more advanced?
Arguements either way. Generally I would say not especially.

Are apple more secure?
Possibly, but its as much the user and the limited numbers compared with MS that plays a part here.

Are apple "better"?
Entirely subjective.

Are apple worth the "premium"?
Entirely subjective

Are apple must haves in any field?
Debatable but probably not. If anything this is where windows takes a win as there software on windows not available on mac os.

Are apple easier to use?
Debatable again. Nothing specific springs to mind.

Great post hyperlink

Apple products look and feel like they're solidly built. The panel gaps are very consistent. Nothing on my iPhone 5 rattles or is loose, despite it being two years old and subject to daily dropping/chucking on my desk.

Against some friend's Samsung phones I've had experience with they feel and look like they are made from cheaper materials.

My work laptop (an HP) creaks when you open it and a lot of the keys have sideways travel. My best friend's MacBook Air, by contrast, doesn't.

As others have done I'd liken it to the difference between premium car manufacturers and the cheaper alternatives (BMW vs Kia, as an example). It appears as though more time, consideration and money has gone into building the BMW than the Kia.

I think one of the key differences I experience between Mac and Windows is one that tends to divide opinions: Mac stuff tends to just work out of the box - there's very little configuration. If, like me, you've wasted years of your life configuring Windows stuff, then this is a Good Thing. If you like to tinker, adapt, customise then this is a Bad Thing because it tends to be a more closed ecosystem. It's a choice you make

I love my iPhone,it does every thing a smartphone needs to do , is easy to use and looks good - but, it has had a tiny rattle from day one, and we have had to send back one iPod as simply not working, another will not hold charge at less than 2 years old and I dislike the fact that you can't expand memory easily via microSD cards. Don't Samsung make most of the parts for Apple products anyway?

I have to agree, I used to spend a lot of my time repairing windows and it's associated hardware. Rebuilds were common, trying to get drivers that worked and were bug free was always a challenge.

I then purchased a Mac mini and have since never had to rebuild a single mac. That is my experience and there have been issues with some of the software. My time is important and whilst the first couple of rebuilds are fun, if you lose something critical and then have to spend weekend and your time recovering then they are not so fun.

Forget all the rubbish about creative stuff, the real reason people use them is they are reliable. Have a look at DJ'S, the vast majority use macs because they don't blue screen in the middle of a set. And because they are using them more music apps are built so it's a virtuous circle in my opinion.

Got to agree with above that Mac hardware generally is well built and reliable.

I have a 5 year old MacBook Pro which has never missed a beat and is coming up to twice the age previous laptops lasted. It is still acceptably quick as well seeing it is now 2 generations of hardware behind.

I also have 2 Mac Towers, the multi-processor multi-core Intel variety which I picked up cheap re-furbed via eBay or similar. Both have never missed a beat, are high performance, and an important thing for me, run almost silently.

Now on all these machines, I run Windows 7, not for any other reason than I was bought up on Windows from 3.1 onwards and have never had time to work out another OS, although Snow Leopeard didn't seem so different, just less configurable and a little smoother.

I believe the hardware is well thought out and well built generally.

Edit, also have an iPad 1 which other than generally decreasing battery life in the last 6 months has worked flawlessly since buying it when they were first released, have had iPhones since the 3, and just used the wife's tescos vouchers to buy a new iPad for her - not quite iPad for free, but nice way to get one! I quite like Apple design and other tablets and phones do have a cheaper feel about them to me.

OK, all fair comments. I just want to say that I've had XP Pro on my desktop PC for ten years now, and it's been excellent.

i have windows 7 ult but the big difference with my hardware is i have a SSD it makes windows how it should be fast .... its still not perfect ..... but with the SSD its brilliant

Im trying to get in the mac thing to see the fuss.
I have just picked up a mac mini core solo cheaply.
Im rebuilding with a new processor, ram and 500gb sshd with Lion or Mountain lion if i can sort graphic drivers.

I cant justify the amount of money for a new mac.
A brief encounter with osx seemed like it was a glorified linux os.

I need to know what the hype is though before discounting them completely.

I always tend to buy on a budget for necessity rather than luxury when using buying pc's though.

I have just purchased a core 2 duo hp elite book with 4gb ram .... for £60. Think should do me fine for 1-2 years and still less than the 8 year old mac mini i got cheap!