Ecosystem showdown: Apple vs Windows

I'd be interested in seeing that. Aside from rearranging laptop parts, the best thing I could think of would be to build a custom case, either using a 3D printer to try to save some weight and physical effort, or by actually going through the trouble to shape some 6061 aluminum sheeting.

Sounds like your IT department sucks. I can't remember the last time I was missing a DLL.

Even if Microsoft is shifting away from it, Intel is shifting towards it with their Smart Response Technology. I don't see why they would though, if anything what needs changing is the algorithm that determines what gets cached, not the concept. Of course, Microsoft generally seems to be behind in that regard.

To be honest though, the only time I ever have trouble with Windows is in poorly written drivers, and that's not a problem that's unique to Windows either. I don't know where you guys have all this trouble with memory, are you using platter hard drives or solid state drives? Because the difference between the two is like the difference between dial up and broadband.

Personally, I use a hybrid drive. I find it is the best of both worlds.

Obviously you've never dealt with users who try fix/change/improve their machines. However, network installs of programs often don't go well.

I really want to have an SSD in my next machine. I'm considering dropping one in my old MBP's cd drive slot. I'm just not sure if it's worth the money to upgrade a computer that won't be my primary machine too much longer. Unless of course that upgrade extends its useful life a couple of years... but then I don't get a new toy, and that is hardly a win.

First world problems.

Going to a hybrid SSD made my laptop run like a new machine.

I have, but the way you phrased your original statement you made it sound as if it was a fault of Windows, not a PEBKAC. As far as idiot users go, there's no operating system that can save you, because even if it is foolproof they'll fuck up the hardware.

This should give you an idea of how good solid state drives are. These are from some benchmarks I ran last week when my Crucial M4 drive showed up.

http://imgur.com/a/N4EUS

I've played with some MacBook Airs that had SSDs in the Apple store and they are way more responsive. Reboot times and program launch speeds are amazing.

Eh, I might get on the SSD train when they get bigger and cheaper. Haven't really had any issues with the 1 TB WDs or Samsungs I have.

You don't need a big internal hard drive anymore. Large files can be stored externally and even USB 2.0 is fast enough for streaming HD video over wifi so what's the point in having all that extra room built in? Give me the speed boost that comes with SSD and I will keep storing my media files on the super cheap 1-2+TB USB or FireWire hard drives.

I have a 60 gigabyte SSD that I use only for the OS and essential software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Microsoft Office. It's more than enough.

Because I don't like having a bunch of externals. Plus since I game a lot, I need a lot of space since games take up more space these days now that they're disk-free, thanks to Steam. Hell if I'm going to run those off of an external.

Skin's been considering upgrading to an SSD for the OS and apps, along side a high-capacity platter HDD for media and documents.

Protip: Max out your RAM first, if you're gong to be working with large documents off the HDD (video editing, Photoshop, etc.)

Do both!

Apple products are for artsy fartsies, teenage girls and retards.

/thread