This is what I'm hearing it handles dependencies better and I'm seeing better results

Aptitude is just a frontend for apt-get.

The main difference is that apt-get only installs packages with their dependencies while aptitude defaults to installing both dependent and recommended packages (you can easily change aptitude's default behaviour). This is the possible reason why you're seeing "better results" using aptitude.

Notice that in Debian the package dependencies are classified into three categories: dependent, recommended, and suggested packages. The program you install won't work without the "dependent" packages. "Recommended" packages bring additional functions and are often useful to have as well. It's up to your own consideration if you really need to install any "suggested" packages.

If you highlight a package in aptitude and press Enter, you'll see a more detailed view of that package, including possible dependencies, suggestions, etc. To get back to the more general view, press q.

For me the reason why I prefer aptitude is the graphical (ncurses) interface that I simply find very convenient.

Actually, I don't use aptitude like that. I use it as a apt-get alternative . for example

APT-GET UPDATE , I do aptitude update
apt-get upgrade , i do aptitude upgrade
apt-get install _______, i do aptitude install ________

Well, in that case I'd say the main difference is that aptitude is "Y2K-compliant, non-fattening, naturally cleansing, and housebroken" http://packages.debian.org/testing/admin/aptitude while APT has Super Cow Powers -- you just cannot "apt-get moo" in aptitude.

The real main difference is that aptitude tracks which packages were installed as dependencies and which were explicitly requested. Then when you uninstall a package it checks to see if any package that was auto-installed (ie, installed only to satisfy a dependency) is still required. If it's not, it marks it for removal as well.

Another feature that AFAIK apt-get doesn't have is that with aptitude you can check the changelog for a package (aptitude changelog <package>).

Perfect for newbies like me