Which is More Important: Hardware or Software?

Good hardware doesn’t matter if you don’t have good software to go along with it, and vice versa. A computer may have all of this cool stuff, but if the OS and other software on it is garbage, then there is really no point in getting the system. The same thing if an OS you prefer to use is installed or if good software is installed, but the hardware is cheap, then the software isn’t good. The software is only as good as the hardware it runs on.

I agree. They are both important. You cant do squat with an OS without good hardware, and you are just wasting your good hardware without a good OS (i.e OS X) or by using it with a bad OS (i.e. Vista)

The real kicker on his response there is that he’s only ever used Windows. Being an avid user of all 3 of the major OS choices out there, I’d have to say that they each have their place, and it all depends on your requirements.

Sure, Windows is great if you want things to ‘just work’, but OS-X people are looking for something different, more, if you will.

If all you have experienced is Windows, then it’s difficult to see how anything different could be more than a hobby/toy.

As well, the extras being talked about are not required for the system to function. Not to mention, the extras are a cable and drive, only two more pieces than anyone else would normally carry with them.

I think that hardware is more important because in order to use some software you need the hardware. It’s kinda like that whole thing that you use cam twist. You need a mac to use it. See ya! =]

I think software is more important because as the AppScout commercial says “Your computer is only as good as the apps running on it.” It’s a little more than that, but it gets to the point. Software is more important, and I agree with Chris about the can’t run Mac OS X.

Yup, most people don’t realize apple is primaraly a Software company, the only reason they even make Physical Computers is because they see it as the best way to support there software. Fewer Driver issues, and the features that they want, instead of a 3rd party Hardware developer

If you want Vista then order a desktop from Wal-Mart. MacAir looks good, and Vista looks good. I have my warranty with XP on Compaq. I checked out the new ones and you can get one shipped from Hp for $749.00 with Vista.
For some of us it is the economics of the situation which prompts us to make a choice.

I must say that the hardware itself can play an important factor, but whats the point when the OS you are using either A) Doesn’t use that hardware to its fullest or B) doesn’t contain the functionality that you need? We all have our different tastes.

I still use XP with a shell over it called Blackbox. Blackbox allows me to have multiple desktops as well as the functionality that I need to go throughout the day. The hardware may be small/big, sexy and have excellent performance, but it’s the OS that is controlling that hardware.

I think what also was missed is the very important part of the conversation during the unboxing where it was mentioned that Ponzi needed a laptop with a useful keyboard and display.. the R500 offers neither. I guess some people just don’t get it and never will.. atleast, until they actually open their minds a little and use a product before they question or bash it. A computer (believe it or not) is not always the sum of it’s hardware “features & specs”, there are such things to account for such as usability, build quality, and of course which OS’s it can run just to name a few.

Do you write letters in OS X? Most people use a word processor. Do you perform calculations in OS X? Most people use a spreadsheet. Do you read email in OS X? Most people use an email program. Do you surf in OS X? Most people use a browser. Do you play computer games in OS X? Many computer games won’t run in OS X.

Why do you find OS X indispensible? Do you select a toothbrush, a pair of shoes, an automobile, a tennis racket, or a lawn mower on the basis of it being able to run OS X?

An operating system just loads and runs applications. It’s the applications that count, not the operating system.

If it was easily doable, I would install OS X on my HP Pavilion desktop right now. Sweet hardware is nothing if you don’t have good software to use it with (that’s not to say that Windows isn’t good).

I abso-freakin’-lutely agree. I’m a Microsoft Certified Professional (meaning I work on the OS ALL DAY LONG), and I personally run on a MacBook Pro, my wife has iBook G4, and we’re looking at getting an Air. The OS matters the most.

I think he was trying to say that if she was going to run Windows Vista on it anyway, she could have gotten the Toshiba. That makes sense. And if she wanted to get more acquainted with Mac OS X, didn’t she already have a MacBook? And if I’m remembering incorrectly, surely you wouldn’t be so selfish as to not let her use the Mac Pro :-).

Well he sure had a tough time understanding that you wanted OS X lol

Well chris… i think you are a little short on your answers there…

first of all, you have used windows too all the time, and so far it had worked for you. As far as i know Ponzi is using windows as her main operating system.

And since the laptop is mainly for her, i think Krish has a point.
you dont have to carry along all the “extras”. Sure you can put windows on a mac, but you have too see what the laptop is used for.

the toshiba also has more inputs and outputs, like vga , 3x usb, card readers and sound ofcourse. the toshiba also has 40GB more HDD. capacity. it is also lighter than the macbook air and smaller.

in terms of internet connectivity the toshiba has ethernet and wireless, and the macbook air only can go wireless. u can go wired, but then u need to buy an external ethernet adapter wich costs money, and again u have 1 external device more. Sure u almost can go wireless, but not everywhere…

The only point to argue about is the price, but if money is not really an issue then it doesn’t make so much of a difference.

Now if i look at the topic of this blog, u point out that software is more important than hardware, but the way i see it, i think your choice is more hardware related instead of software.

Software is much more important. What’s the point in having hardware if there’s no software to run on it?

The bottom line is that you want to be able to have freedom to run the software or operating system you want. Only Mac has that ability right now, but the price you pay is generally a higher cost for the hardware so I’d say its a trade off.

Linux is lower cost for the hardware but more work to install. Windows is higher cost for hardware and software than Linux but easier to use than a Linux and less expensive than a Mac. The drawback is ia Windows machine much less flexible than a Mac vis-a-viz software it will run.

The problem comes is when you want to run certain software with certain tools… you can have great software (like OS X) but if it won’t support the hardware you want, well, then it’s back to windows… it’s sort of a vicious circle…
Asking what’s more important, software or hardware, it’s like asking what’s more important, heart or lungs. You can’t live without either one of them.

I just want to follow up after reading some of the comments to say that Apple actually is very much from a financial standpoint, a hardware company. Apple makes Billions on hardware, they make Millions on software. This is easily proven by quickly looking at any of the quarterly earnings reports. However, they actually are very much about the entire “experience” and understand that in order to continue to make nice profits in hardware, they must offer compelling software solutions. Apple has always focused on selling and controlling the entire “widget”, meaning when you purchase an apple product there is only one person to blame when you have issues, and one company to support your issues. This is actually a very refreshing thing for most people, no longer are you mercy of dell support telling you to call microsoft, or vice versa.

My main point here is that Apple actually is very much a hardware AND software company. Their focus lies on the entire user experience and by controlling both sides, are able to offer a more tightly integrated and defined user experience. In the world of computer makers and software companies, Apple stands alone in this unique structure. This is what makes Apple as a company very successful and very profitable. They would loose this unique edge that they have if they were to only mainly focus on software (like MS), or hardware (like Dell/HP)

Hardware and software both mater, what is hardware without the software it runs with, and vice versa. As for needing OS X, i’d love to be able to use OS X on any computer.

First of all,when did my post become a question of hardware vs. software. All I was doing was telling Chris my recommendation. As far as I know, Ponzi was looklng for portability. BTW it was wrong for you to say I didn’t understand. I did know which was why I began talking about how Windows isnt bad.Plus, as far as I know Ponzi put Windows Vista on her macbook Air. Also,what was the point buying the Macbook Pro. The only use that comes to my mind is number crunching. Do you do number crunching?

if you buy a Macbook then you should stick with pre-installed OS, it is good to learn new stuff if you want Vista then you should buy a laptop pre-installed with it.

I’ll answer this by asking another questions. Which is more important, your lungs or your heart?

if you still don’t get it. BOTH, one can’t survive without the other.

Think also that Microsoft made posibble to run Vista on a MAC (you can buy the software to run on an Intel platform), but you are not able to run OSX on every intel platform (thanks to Apple).

At this moments, the MAC air is really in air, for Windows are more portable and performant machines. Still waiting to be able to buy on OSX disk to install on an really performant machine, like those designed for Windows…

And so to have a power machine with a power os…

First, I would like to thank Ponzi and Chris for sharing the unboxing with everyone. I have been looking to get a second Mac (either the Air or an iMac) and from my short experience with Macs, I thought the Air wasn’t too bad on speed. It’s not as fast as a MacBook or MacBook Pro but it’s not bad. Plus, it looks a whole lot better than the kinda cheap looking MacBook. Also, the ability to run OSX and Windows is always a big plus. I wouldn’t put Windows on an Air personally (due to the small hard drive) but to each his own. But the price is what drives me away from the Air. If Apple priced it at $1300 to $1500, I would already own one. For now, I will keep pondering a second Mac purchase.