Dear All,
Do scientists prefer to work with a PC or a Mac?
Guy

I currently and grudgingly use Windows XP both at work and home!

I can't get over all the positive reviews the major PC mags are giving to the Mac OS and what a let down Vista has become. It seems to me that Apple has quietly taken over the superiority of operating systems and its just a matter of time before the rest of the world realizes that they are using the inferior product. Vista is simply implementing features that Apple has offered for several years without having to worry about the virus and spyware infiltration that MS OS allows.

The next system that I purchase will most definitely be running a Mac OS.

Like Tony I begrudgingly use a PC mainly because the pClamp electrophysioogy software is so intimately tied to the PC operating systems.

I have not however looked into whether you can now run pClamp 10 in MAC or in a Windows Parrallels system on a MAC

Anyone know?

I use a Mac and love it. I switched from a PC when I joined my current lab that was very Mac dominated and I figured it would be easier for sharing files. I am so glad that I made the switch. I have had far fewer problems, no crashing, no viruses...the commercials are right.

My lab is also MAC dominated. Until I saw the commercial about MAC, I didn't realize how compact the MAC is now. I just started using MAC after I have been using PC for more than 10 years. Still feel needing a little bit time to adjust.

For all of you who are ready to tear out your hair in frustration with Windows, and its abysmal file handling and memory management (and not having successfully created a new system, Vista will have many of those issues, though I'm sure it will be much better integrated): help is at hand!
I've been using a Intel IMAc since ~April last year, and a MacBook from ~Nov. They are beautifully engineered, and using either BootCamp (free; either/ or setup) or Parallels Desktop ($79; simultaneous/parallel operation setup) you can run XP, and all the Windows only analysis programs that you need. I also use iWork (YES - I actually do that sometimes!), MS Office and Photoshop on MAc OS X10.4.8, but do switch back to Windows for some of the confocal and FACS analysis tools.

I just started to work with a PC that have got the Vista.
As many says, nothing is new under the sun. The vista is trying to do what apple manged to do long time ago.
If you look closely you can also see the resamblance of the screen saver pattern. Same as in the Mac OS X.

An additional point/thought.

I use a PC. My wife uses a Mac. We are both scientists.

I swear at my computer on average 10 times a day.

My wife probably only swears at hers 10 time a year.

Any LINUX users out there that want to add their 10 cents?

I'm a MAC user and love it, but have noticed that the PC users I know that run LINUX are happier than the Windows folks. Then again they tend to be people that know a lot more about how their computers actually work.

Thoughts?

We use all PC software for our lab stations that are connected to the DNA sequencer, all of our automated lab equipment (liquid handlers and plate prep), as well as for our gel stations.

I'm all Mac, except for the windows machines I have to use attached to equipment. BD's switch to PCs on their flow cytometers has me swearing at least once a week.

People should be allowed to use what machine lets them work the best.

My main gripes with PCs and even some Macs in the lab is the poor quality software that was designed without taste or common sense. All lab software would benefit from the Apple treatment for usability.

I also hate the big boxes one older machines, they waste too much bench space. Laptops or Mac minis only please!

First let me thank all of those who voted.
I use both Mac and PC.
At home I got my PC and at work got a Mac.
I think that both preform quite the same. I know that Mac dont have any (till now) virus issues and thats one of it great advantages.
Overall I like working with both.

What I like in the Mac, That you dont have problems with viruses, and the computer never crashes ( work for 5 years and still going)

I think most scientists use the PC - thats what we use in my lab right now...and most of the building. I was just looking at Biocompare.com and Invitrogen has a great PC system for sale there....if Invitrogen uses it then it must be pretty good....