OS X v. Windows XP reliability studies?

Craig · 02-05-2004, 04:40 PM

I am in the market for a new computer and want to avoid the main problem I have had with Windows 98 2nd: over time (12 - 18 months max) the os files become corrupted and the os therefore slows down and frequently freezes the operation of other programs, especially Outlook and Internet Explorer, but less frequently Word, causing me to have to either open only one program at a time, reboot frequently, or take the more drastic step of reformatting and reinstalling the os and all other programs and backed up files. (I hardly ever get the "blue screen of death" - just this other problem, which is probably related.) Norton System Works doesn't correct the problem, but does manage to keep the OS hobbling along. I could use a program like Ghost and make a dvd copy of whatever new os I select, plus my newly installed and updated programs and settings before I install the backed up files, so that it's easier to reformat and reinstall when it again becomes necessary, but I'd like to avoid that or increase the time period before I have to do that. For my purposes, I'm looking at Mac OS X and Windows XP only. (Mac's have sufficient programs for my purposes.) Consequently, I am looking for any studies (not just annecdotes) comparing Mac OS X and Windows XP on this one issue. Has anyone come across any such studies? Thank you.

Rick G · 02-05-2004, 07:34 PM

Not too many people compare Macs to Intel/AMD because their apples and oranges. They both work very well. I've used both and really don't see that much difference except the mACs are so bautifull, I want one, but too much money and evrything is expensive as it is all proprietary to Apple.

Windows O/S's pretty much suck below win 98 se. 2000 and XP are not a DOS based system like their predesesors, they are NT based so they are much more stable. On the flip side my wife has an old 98SE on her computer and always has 6 or 8 apps open at all times. Never a glitch or problem. I on the other hand can't keep away from tweaking and overclocking so I have a few glitches but never a serious problem.

You might try going into my computer, control panel, systems and you will see a tab towards the bottom that says virtual memory. Write down the virtual mem number and the set vit mem to 0, yes 0. Reboot and duplicate directions except this time select vir mem and plug back in the original number and reboot again. This will speed things up. also go to window explorer and delete all history files, cookies, temporary internet files and do a defrag.

vladimirbot · 03-20-2004, 02:46 AM

theyre both osm, but i prefer the windows enviroment and work area, and the mac view and layout, so i downloaded the mac wallpaper to my lapptop and the yz dock. now it looks osm!

02-05-2004, 04:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Craig New Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1	OS X v. Windows XP reliability studies? I am in the market for a new computer and want to avoid the main problem I have had with Windows 98 2nd: over time (12 - 18 months max) the os files become corrupted and the os therefore slows down and frequently freezes the operation of other programs, especially Outlook and Internet Explorer, but less frequently Word, causing me to have to either open only one program at a time, reboot frequently, or take the more drastic step of reformatting and reinstalling the os and all other programs and backed up files. (I hardly ever get the "blue screen of death" - just this other problem, which is probably related.) Norton System Works doesn't correct the problem, but does manage to keep the OS hobbling along. I could use a program like Ghost and make a dvd copy of whatever new os I select, plus my newly installed and updated programs and settings before I install the backed up files, so that it's easier to reformat and reinstall when it again becomes necessary, but I'd like to avoid that or increase the time period before I have to do that. For my purposes, I'm looking at Mac OS X and Windows XP only. (Mac's have sufficient programs for my purposes.) Consequently, I am looking for any studies (not just annecdotes) comparing Mac OS X and Windows XP on this one issue. Has anyone come across any such studies? Thank you.

02-05-2004, 07:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rick G Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Las Vegas, USA Posts: 294	Not too many people compare Macs to Intel/AMD because their apples and oranges. They both work very well. I've used both and really don't see that much difference except the mACs are so bautifull, I want one, but too much money and evrything is expensive as it is all proprietary to Apple. Windows O/S's pretty much suck below win 98 se. 2000 and XP are not a DOS based system like their predesesors, they are NT based so they are much more stable. On the flip side my wife has an old 98SE on her computer and always has 6 or 8 apps open at all times. Never a glitch or problem. I on the other hand can't keep away from tweaking and overclocking so I have a few glitches but never a serious problem. You might try going into my computer, control panel, systems and you will see a tab towards the bottom that says virtual memory. Write down the virtual mem number and the set vit mem to 0, yes 0. Reboot and duplicate directions except this time select vir mem and plug back in the original number and reboot again. This will speed things up. also go to window explorer and delete all history files, cookies, temporary internet files and do a defrag. __________________ New Sys Abit AW9D Max OCZ Plat @ x 1gig OCZ Gamextreme 600 PSU 8800 GTS 640 sony dvd burner WD 200 gig sata hdd Thermaltake shark case Viewsonic 22" widescreen

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03-20-2004, 02:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
vladimirbot Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 33	theyre both osm, but i prefer the windows enviroment and work area, and the mac view and layout, so i downloaded the mac wallpaper to my lapptop and the yz dock. now it looks osm!