Let's talk Mac vs PC

It's the eternal battle, are you a Mac? Are you a PC? Which is better?

http://cultofmac.cultofmaccom.netdna-cdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/macvspc1.jpg

I used to be pretty hard-core against Macs, but I've mellowed out a bit (I'd like to believe) in recent years. I'd just like to take a second and try to look objectively at both computers.

Let's take a closer look:

The Mac: part of Apple's wildly successful branding operations. Owning a Mac makes you hip, creative, and cool. But what does a Mac actually have over a PC?

1. Branding. As I just mentioned, Apple knows how to create an image. When you buy a Mac, you're buying that image.

2. Hardware. Is Mac hardware particularly better than PC? I don't believe so. Macs use exclusively Apple-made hardware, so when you buy one, you definitely know what you're getting. PCs will get their hardware from whoever can get it made for less though, slashing prices dramatically (more on that later). Are Macs more stable than PCs? Perhaps, but the difference is so small it's negligible.

3. Software. Here's the crux of the matter. When someone says "Mac vs PC", what they really mean is "Leopard OS vs Windows". The Mac OS is a lot more closed off to the user, promoting a "safe" environment for the less computer-savvy. This can prove to be frustrating to those who are used to high levels of customization though. I have heard that the Mac OS is also more "intuitive" to use than Windows. Maybe it is, in theory, but then, cursive is also theoretically faster than print, but because of practice and experience in print, that typically isn't the case. I believe that is the same thing with Leopard vs Windows. Most people have grown up with Windows, so Windows is much more intuitive to them. On a more anecdotal note, it takes me exactly one key to grab a screenshot off my computer. It takes a Mac user at least 3 (which, if my English 103 class freshman year was any indication, the majority of users don't know, and have to look up online).

4. Price. Here's where I come full stop against Macs. They are simply far to expensive for what they offer. Consider this image:

http://www.meh.ro/original/2010_04/meh.ro3856.jpg

 That's nearly five times as expensive to purchase a computer that has exactly the same hardware. It boggles my mind. Not everyone is like me though. Some find it a justifiable cost for what a Mac offers vs what a PC does. As long as they don't think they wasted their money, they didn't.

5. Security.  I can't count the number of times I've heard "Well Macs don't get viruses". This is an image that Apple works very hard to promote. Yet according to this article, Macs are actually less secure than Windows. Are Macs more secure? Yes and no. In terms of actually being able to stop hackers and viruses, Macs are indeed weaker. But because Macs contain such a small share of the overall computer market, there are virtually no hackers or viruses designed to target Macs. Just as an aside, I haven't had a major virus issue on a PC since middle school. I haven't had any viruses/spyware/malware on a PC since probably my Junior/Senior year of high school. Stupid mistakes are what get computers infected. Browse smartly, check for spyware regularly, and you won't have an issue.


Conclusion?
So the final verdict? Which is the superior machine? The answer is neither. Macs are good at some things, PCs are good at other things. If you're not the most tech-savvy person and are afraid of viruses? Maybe a Mac is what you need. Are you a dedicated gamer or looking for a cheaper alternative? You probably want to look in the PC section.

I'll leave with this funny web-comic, because in the end, I'm still a PC.

:)