Forum Moderators: travelin cat
I used to develop on a mac but for web stuff its not a good idea due to the gamma differences, quirks in IE and the simple fact that the mac is a minority platform and you are developing for a majority platform (PC).
I've been developing Web sites for about 10 years, using both Macs and PCs, and I still prefer Macs, and have happy clients. So that's my angle. But I'll try to give straight answers here.
If you develop on a PC, you'll have the majority browser (IE for Windows) at your fingertips. You'll have a wide variety of software to choose from to help you do your work. You'll become familiar with Windows, which is a boon if you end up using Windows-based Web and database servers.
If you develop on a Mac, you'll be able to run Windows in emulation when you need to. Emulation is a drag to do all day, but for testing Web sites, it gets the job done fine. You'll have a smaller selection of software tools to choose from, but the software is of competitive quality. With a little effort, you'll become familiar with Unix, which is a boon if you end up using Unix or Linux-based Web and database servers. (Also, if you spend any time at online message boards, you'll have to put up with an endless parade of clueless Mac bashers.)
When I work with Microsoft technologies (ASP, .NET, MS SQL Server) it can be a bit of a drag to work on a Mac (i.e., too much time is spent in emulation). When developing for a Unix rollout, developing on a Mac has advantages, since a Mac itself is a Unix workstation, among other things.
The bottom line is that neither choice is a bad one. Each platform has its advantages, and its pitfalls to avoid, but you can become a good Web developer regardless of the computer you buy.
Thanks for you advice.
And did I mention that its free...?
Admittedly, it is easy to connect to Access with ASP. You would be probably be better served with MSSQL if you want to go that route.
If you learn a little abotu database connectivity standards (ODBC, JDBC) it's pretty easy to connect any common Web app (in PHP, Perl, .NET, etc.) to its database (PostreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL, Oracle, etc.)
Good luck!
I could never survive without OSX.
BZ
My sites look fine on the PC (I do occasional browser checks), so it's good to have access to a PC (for the site checks). But for my needs, a Mac is more than adequate.
Macs have all the applications for assisting design (Adobe GoLive, Dreamweaver.. etc..)
MySQL and PHP modules are easy to install and use, with terminal making it easy to integrate with your database (MySQL). And TextEdit is the best basic text editor around if you choose to write your webpages from scratch like me.
I have SQL server, mySQL, asp, php, asp.net, cgi and its all supported. The PC has all the same designs and web programming tools (visual studio .net anyone? ;P) as the MAC.
Mac is more expensive and isnt better than a PC.
PC alot more programs than MAC.
Mac doesnt outperform a PC of the same price. (yes I actually said that)
I dont say there isnt any flaws with the PC, but advantages outweight the disavantages.
I say go with the PC.
I say go with the PC.
No, I don't see any compelling reason to go with a PC. I have a PC, I don't think it's a bad machine, it's very useful to me, but I am glad I have a Mac and I do almost all of my web development on my Mac.
It seems that the people who think that we should all go with a PC are forgetting that it isn't always about cost, or about "what you can do," (on paper, anyway). It's about how you are not annoyed or aggravated or inconvenienced by some of Windows' antics. It's about how you simply prefer OS X. Just prefer it—like it a whole lot. It's about how you like what you like, even if someone else doesn't "get" it.
The computer is just a tool, but it is a tool that you've got to like using. I don't care how many times people list hardware stats and hardware prices, if I like working on a certain platform, I'm going to continue to use it. Waving hardware stats in my face (as some will try to do), or saying, "But you can't play as many games!" (I loathe most games) isn't going to cut it.
Generally there is less of an investment in price.(good for general bussinesses)
More drives available for add ons.(the new powerdrive on the apple which can do anything but burn on the fly not much room for adding on an apple because your addons may all have to be external)
A 3 button mouse is better when your used to it.
I enjoy Internet explorer over alternatives.(the apple's IE version isn't quite the same)
Reasons for Apple: The DOck at the bottom of the screen is more convenient and organized in my opinion.
If you wotk with heavy or large graphics in photoshop I think Apple wins. Ihavent used an apple with DW yet.
My personal turnaround on learning how to use the Apple was much quicker than I expected.
A mouse with 3 buttons does work. The scroll wheel works fine and I heard that you can set the computer to do what you want with the mouse.
An apple is supposed to easily reconize a PC file, but PC may have a tougher time opening an Apple file.
I like both, PC and MAC. As a business owner, webmaster with SEO and SEM I prefer using PC. As a student and working with design, art, and images I like Apple more. I wish I owned one but the prices will have to fall soon.
For PC Laptop Verses MAC Laptop you're on your own. Good luck. I think you'll be happy either way. You should play around and make sure either one is capable of performing your requirements. Make sure the MAC has software you need available. I hear working in Vitual PC isn't that fun(a little slow, but to bad pc isn't thoughtfull enough to allow cross platform software)
[edited by: Macguru at 11:34 am (utc) on Sep. 2, 2004]
[edit reason] Linkless URL [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]
