MaximumPC 2008 08

OS X: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

PERFORMANCE ON OS X IS PRETTY DARN GOOD...

The biggest difference between an Apple notebook and its PC counterparts is the operating system. Sure, Apple’s

adoption of the x86 architecture makes it quite possible to run Windows on an Apple machine, but here’s a crash

course in the unique features Apple’s home-grown OS offers and the pitfalls of running Windows on a Mac.

We last compared OS X and Windows performance right after

Apple switched to Intel x86, and the results for OS X were ugly,

thanks possibly to the emulation layer that most Mac software

used. Now two and a half years later, we can say things are look-

ing far better for OS X. Photoshop, which was a total joke in 2006

on the Intel Macs, is defi nitely improved. Though still slower than

on Windows Vista, at least you won’t be fi ring cruise missiles at

John Warnock and Steve Jobs.

In other applications, OS X performance is quite peppy. We

used Bibble Pro to convert 233 Canon EOS 5D RAW fi les to JPEG.

OS X outsprinted Vista. Using HandBrake to convert an episode

of The Rockford Files also saw OS X in front. Not every application

has been optimized for the “Mactel” machines, but it looks like the

worst storm clouds are over for Apple in performance.

Switching OSes is always tough, but Apple

does a good job of making Windows users

feel right at home. Many Windows-specifi c

keyboard shortcuts function similarly in OS X

and basic fi le browsing is the same.

OS X IS A LOT LIKE

WINDOWS

In other ways, OS X is a very different beast. For example, instead of storing

all the bits and pieces of your installed apps in a folder on your hard drive,

everything the app needs to run is stored in a container fi le. To start the app, you

double-click the container. It’s deceptively simple, and we like it.

OS X IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM

WINDOWS

Installing Windows on a MacBook is easier

than installing it on many enthusiast PCs.

You start the installer from inside OS X;

when the Windows install completes, you

run a single app that installs all necessary

drivers. Unfortunately, some commonly

used notebook functions, such as tap to

click on the touchpad, don’t work.

WINDOWS ON A MAC IS A

LITTLE WEIRD

When people see you toting a MacBook around,

they’ll expect that you’re a little more Justin Long

than John Hodgman, and your circa 1987 Lee’s don’t

send that message, chief.

YOU’LL NEED COOLER PANTS

Replacing apps could cost you nothing—or thousands of dollars.

YOU’LL NEED TO REBUY ALL YOUR APPLICATIONS

Using an operating system that’s designed for power users and newbies alike is

truly glorious.

OS X IS REALLY, REALLY SLICK

Replacing apps could cost you nothing—or thousands of dollars.

Best scores are bolded. All tests were run on the MacBook Pro.

BENCHMARKS

OS X Leopard Windows VistaHome Premium

Photoshop CS3 (min:sec) 3:56 3:44

Bibble Pro (min:sec) 14:18 24:46

HandBrake VOB to iPod (min:sec) 4:26 5:41

http://www.maximumpc.com | AUG 08 | MAXIMUMPC | 43