Last week I shared an update on our shopping list. I noted that a computer is on my list and I had started to narrow in on a purchase. Then through a series of discussions, comments, and so on from a variety of people, I started thinking of making the leap to the darkside (Apple) -- or maybe that's the light side and PCs are the darkside. ;-) Anyway, for various reasons, I started considering a Mac computer.
So I'm now going to let you all weigh in on the topic -- should I consider getting a Mac or stick with a PC? A few things that might help guide your advice:
- I have used only PCs for the past 20 years. I am vary familiar with how they work and how to use the major software packages that run on them (Word, Excel, etc.) I am NOT familiar with how to operate a Mac.
- I want a machine that can allow me to easily take files from home to work and vice versa. I have a PC at work.
- I need a new machine to primarily run the basics -- word processing, spreadsheet, web surfing, and email -- but I'd also like a machine good with photos and movies (and editting each.)
- I want to be able to move the machine around the house and maybe take with me on some trips, so I'm looking at laptops.
- My kids will be using the machine and I'd like for it to be a valuable education resource for them (something they could learn from that would benefit them in the future.) In a PC world, can a Mac do this?
- I have been told that Macs have some "cool" advantages like they surf the web faster and turn on quicker. True?
- Macs are more expensive, by far. We can afford it, but is it a good value? Consumer Reports rates them as the best laptops on the market, but it's certainly top dollar for top performance (though they are offering a free iPod Touch if we buy in the next couple of weeks, so that keeps me from buying one for my kids.)
- Is there anything else I should consider? If so, please tell me.
Let me know your thoughts. I'm sure all of you out there can provide some great insights.
I am pretty technologically inept and it took me about a week or so to adapt to my Mac, probably a little less actually.
I finally decided to switch after resisting for a long time...and now that I have made the switch I can say wholeheartedly, without exaggerating, that owning a Mac has changed my life. Everything is SO much easier than it was before.
As for it being a good value, that I can't say since I've only had mine for about a half a year. I was switching out PC laptops at the rate of 1 per year, so if it lasts longer than that I'll consider it an even better value than I already do.
For photo and video editing Macs are definitely the way to go. That's pretty much non-disputable.
Posted by: Kyle | August 22, 2010 at 09:42 PM
I'm a long time Mac and Windows user. This is usually a pretty polarizing topic, but here is my take.
As far as user interface, the Mac wins hands down. It takes very little time to figure out where things are, and how to get things done.
For me, stability has always been a huge item. My Mac never crashes. It is running all the time, and rarely do I ever have a program become unstable and have to force it to end. With my work computer on Windows, this is a regular occurrence.
File transfer is a non-issue. If you have a flash drive, you can move files between either operating system seamlessly. For web and word processing, there are equally good software choices for Mac as Windows. More specialized software is more of an issue. In those cases, another big advantage of Mac's is that they allow you to install and run Windows as well. This is really a deciding factor for me. I am looking at upgrading, and would probably get a new business computer, using Windows, even though I like Mac. Since Macs now are able to run Windows, this takes the decision out, and I will get a Mac next time.
Hardware is a toss-up. The components are the same, manufacturer wise. Apple has been upgrading their graphics capabilities, and also their system capabilities to take advantage of faster processors and ram, being completely 64 bit now. This isn't going to matter for day to day use unless you are doing professional video or photo editing.
For kids, again, I think it is a toss-up. There are applications for both, and with web applications being more popular, the computer isn't going to matter so much as the internet connection.
Good luck whichever way you decide! Hope this helps.
Posted by: Russell | August 22, 2010 at 10:18 PM
I definitely love the Macbooks, the coolness factor is incredible. But the price factor gets in my way. I'd love to have one but I'll never spend the money. You can get the same thing for half the price with a PC.
For high end photo and video I'd say get a Mac. But for all the basic word processing and web surfing get a PC.
Posted by: 50plusfinance | August 22, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Hmm, I have to admit, I saw a mac laptop during vacation and it looked pretty slick!
I've always been under the impression that when you buy a Mac, it's more to be a bit elitist... Along the lines of "I own a Mac", I'm special...
But in the age of the internet, it's pretty much whatever floats your boat. Since I mainly play in the windows/linux realm, I by the IBM clone technolgy... But the Macs do looks very slick!!!
I guess a PC is like a Ford pickup truck (expandable and a work horse), while a Mac is more like a BMM (cool and flashy, especially with graphic's software)...
At least that's my take. Whatever your choice, it's a win-win :)
Posted by: Money Reasons | August 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
We went through the same discussion a year ago and decided to stick with PC - we didn't have any Windows 7 machines yet, and I have been very pleased with the new OS (hasn't crashed, extremely easy to set up peripherals, very fast). We do a lot of video and photo editing and have been pleased with the performance. I stuck with PC because I already know all the programs, so switching costs for my are high. Also, I like to be able to upgrade and modify my computers as new things come out (like adding a Blu-ray burner when they are cheaper), but won't want to replace my entire machine. I've been told that that is more difficult with a Mac.
For a laptop, I've stuck with a netbook since they are so cheap, and it's not my primary machine. It doesn't have a DVD drive, but on my last laptop I only used the DVD drive maybe a half-dozen times in 5 years. Battery life is awesome, and it can come out of sleep mode in less than 5 seconds.
For the price of 1 mid-range MacBook Pro, you can get a killer PC desktop and a netbook, and still have enough $ leftover to buy an 8GB iPod touch.
Posted by: Curt | August 22, 2010 at 10:53 PM
I've owned several Macs since the 80's and PCs since the late 90's. Today I have 3 PCs and 3 Macs networked in my house. Before Windows 7 I would say a Mac would be the way to go, hands down. Windows 7 leveled the playing field in my eyes because of it's security features and "Aero" graphical interface.
The one major benefit of having a Mac is that you rarely if ever have to mess with the computer. I never had a virus or worm on any of my Macs...and I have never installed antivirus software. I never had to rebuild and reinstall an OS on a Mac. I have on my PC's more than once. Just start a Mac and it always runs! Since I've installed Win7 in Jan. though I have not had one problem and it starts up just as fast as my Macs. Love Win7!
The Macs come with just about everything you need to do the basics as well as video and photo editing software. The only extra software I've purchased is Office. Office files migrate between machines without any problems. With Windows 7 you can download Movie Maker from the Microsoft website, it's free. If you like to play games, don't even consider a Mac. Gaming software choices are limited.
You can run Windows on a Mac using VMware but you can not run Mac OSX on Windows. Mac is very Windows aware and they work well together, because of Mac's features(not Windows). Likewise, if you have an external hard drive, a Mac will recognize it if formatted in NTFS. Windows will not recognize Mac's HFS format, but don't worry...you can format NTFS on a Mac.
My Macs always beat my Windows machines on internet speed tests. My 8yr old Mac G4 connected to a router and dumb hub is faster than my Windows 7 directly connected to the router. Sad but true!
Finally to address the value conundrum...YOU have to make that determination. Value is different based on your expectations. At the mainstreet level (for kids and families) and high end level (artists and video production) I believe Mac provides more value for your money. For a business person looking to be productive with Microsoft office for the least amount of money, a PC will satisfy all your needs.
Posted by: Steve | August 22, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Since Macs now use Intel microprocessors, you can run Windows on them. You have to use software like Boot Camp or Parallels, and you have to purchase a separate copy of Windows so that is an extra expense. From your requirements, though, it sounds like a PC would meet your needs at a much lower price. Yes, you could buy a Mac and probably do what you need to do, buy why spend twice as much?
Posted by: MBTN | August 22, 2010 at 11:13 PM
For the "wants" that you've listed, there is no reason to change what you're doing now. Stick with a PC.
I have to say, I am geeky and tech-savvy, but I'm also a Windows user. Nothing against Apple, but the bulk of the world operates in Windows. (Is this true anymore? I don't know. *My* perception is that the bulk of the world operates in Windows.)
However, if you are looking for something different and you would like to go cheaper, then look at Linux options for your next computer.
Posted by: Anthony | August 22, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Since you're looking to work on files between work, which is PC, and Mac, I'm assuming you need to work on Office documents. I would think it would be easier then to stick with PC.
However, should you want to go Mac, you can as others point out run Windows on Mac hardware. I would recommend VMware Fusion to do this over Parallels. But at that point, you're facing an additional cost for Fusion plus a license of Windows 7. If you're already familiar with PC's, how could a Mac really be much easier to use?
Posted by: Aaron | August 22, 2010 at 11:45 PM
I'm not sure if Windows 7 has it or not, but on the Mac you have access to Parental Controls that allow you to customise how our children use the computer, what programs they can use, as well as internet usage. Very useful if you only want them to use certain functions of the Mac and not mess up your settings.
iMovie on the Mac allows you to edit movies with ease (comes free), and beats the Windows one hands down. You can have a nicely made photo album printed through the photo editing program (iPhoto). In terms of educating your kids, Garage Band allows them to record and/or compose their own music.
Not often mentioned is customer service. If you live near an Apple Store, the staff there are really helpful and will try to solve your problems as much as they can. You get one on one help, which is fantastic. I had my laptop power adapter die on me. I brought it to the store and they found out it was no longer covered under warranty, but still managed to replace a completely new one for me.
The store also frequently runs free classes to help new users learn how to use their new Apple product, so you can pop in and sit through a few sessions if you want.
One thing to be careful of is the Apple Store environment can make you very consumeristic. I am always very impressed when I step into their stores, very often tempted to buy something more. If you have good discipline you should be fine.
Posted by: Tim | August 22, 2010 at 11:51 PM
Who does "tech support" for your family? Get whatever that person is comfortable with.
I'm that person for a good chunk of my extended family. I'm also a happy Mac user. If everyone followed the advice above, there would be a lot less time wasted.
Just one thought on price: you can get the cheapest PC for much less than the cheapest Macs. If you control for comparable size, weight, computing power, assembly quality, and battery life, though, there's little or no difference. Whether you mind sacrificing some or all of those to save money is up to you.
Also, note that Macs are cheaper (and potentially sales-tax free, depending on your jurisdiction) from Amazon than from Apple. That's how I bought my $950 MacBook.
Posted by: 08graduate | August 23, 2010 at 12:03 AM
I would suggest buying a Mac. I was a Windows user for the bigger part of my life, then switched to Mac when I had enough money. I have never regretted that. You rarely hear about the guys or girls that have switched from Macs to PC's, and there is a reason for that. :)
Most important aspect for me is the time: I value my own time so much, that I don't want to spend my time fixing things that should just work. Sure, Macs have some problems too, but they are so rare and small compared to Windows world that they shouldn't even count. Both platforms go bonked if there are hardware problems.
Oh, and there is Ubuntu, which is free. You can stuck it in your old laptop (or desktop) and its good to go.
Best solution for using same files between home and work is Dropbox (let me know if you wan't an affiliate link), for bigger uses I would use USB drive.
Posted by: MacForBreakfast | August 23, 2010 at 01:13 AM
None of the "criteria" you listed relate to your operating system choice. Given your list, the real question you should ask yourself is, "Do I care how sexy my laptop is?" If having a shiny white "sexy" laptop is important to you, spend the extra money and buy the Mac laptop. People who care about marketing will think you've made a sexier purchase.
If you realize this is a marketing gimmick designed to get you to spend more money for less, then don't buy the sexier laptop.
Let me explain. Macs and Windows both run on PCs so no matter what you buy you're getting a PC. Mac and Windows both run Firefox, Safari, and Chrome, so no matter what you buy, you get the same web browsing experience. Macs and Windows both run Microsoft Office, so they both work with word files and spread sheets in the same way. Macs and Windows both run Photoshop for editing pictures in the same way.
Both even copy files in a similar way. Mac used to be easier, but Windows 7 is easier now too.
Both laptops move the same way, as the only real difference between the hardware is that one is white and has a glowing apple and the other does not.
Your kids will get the same "education" aka myspace, facebook, and video games from the both computers.
In fact, you'll get all the features you requested from all three operating systems, Mac, Windows, and Ubuntu. So, you should be asking yourself, why am I not buying an Ubuntu laptop from Dell. and why do I want to spend so much money on a "sexier" laptop?
.
Posted by: Greg | August 23, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Mac, hands down. I use both Mac and PC, and the Mac beats the PC every time in every way (with the exception of software availability)
The interface is much easier on Mac (even now with improved Windows GUI, the Mac's GUI is better), they crash less, they tend to get less viruses, they're faster (WAY FASTER at turning on and off than the PC, and faster at browsing the web) and they have great customer service.
True, the amount of software available for the Mac isn't as extensive as the PC, but nowadays, pretty much anything essential comes in a Mac version.
Posted by: BD | August 23, 2010 at 04:10 AM
There is a reason 80%+ of the machines sold are PC's. That's about the number of people who like function over marketing.
Posted by: Traciatim | August 23, 2010 at 05:59 AM
This is a big mac attack but all my work PC have been windows, we run microsoft products because it is easier to hire and cheaper to hire someone who knows windows and microsoft products and yes there are some programs that are not supported on a MAC. The developer is in such a tight in there development that it is not financially possible for them to support two platforms( PC only no MAC).
I bought a Apple years ago under the hype of it being a better machine but I was duped by slick marketing and did not realize the cost of all the software I wanted. Needless to say it was my worst investment ever made but best learning experience convincing me NEVER to by apple products. Yes my sansu mp3 player is well over 1/2 the price of your ipod.
I now have a Toshiba laptop and it has been the best computer have ever owned next to my HP destop. Two of the best computer according to our IT department.
Posted by: Matt | August 23, 2010 at 06:40 AM
I've purchased both PCs and Macs for years for my laboratory and also for home use. I also work with lots of graduate students (I'm a professor) who come to school with their own laptops.
The old differences between Mac and PC just don't apply anymore in my opinion.
Here's what I think does make a difference:
1) Not sure how old your kids are and what kind of school they might want to use the laptop at, but in any academic environment the structure is almost all PCs (because of cost). This is mainly important for the peripherals, which in any school will be OLD--schools don't upgrade most peripherals (or network software) until they literally fall apart. This means that my students with Mac laptops often can't get them to display on the schools old digital projector, and may have trouble getting onto the school network etc. Maybe check with your kids' school to see what they can accomodate?
2)Games: there is way more software (games, educational software) available for the PC than for the Mac. Sure you can get a Mac and run Win7 on it for this purpose, but then why get a Mac in the first place?
3) As noted above, Win7 is very fast and stable. I find that a on a decent quality PC laptop, Win7 runs and boots faster than the iMac.
4) Office software: Powerpoint and some Word functions are not transferable between Mac and PC. ie a document/presentation prepared on a Mac won't open correctly or run right on a PC (or an older digital projector) Again you can get around this by running Win7 & the PC version of Office on your Mac. You can also avoid this by converting all your Office documents to a pdf before trying the transfer. But, who needs the hassle?
5) On the boards, I was surprised to find that Mac PC owners invariably purchased a warranty--because they always needed repairs. I purchase decent quality PC laptops at work and don't bother with a warranty--they're not going to break during their 3-5 year life (even if you haul them all of the country on planes). (yes, we use each of our PC laptops for 3-5 years.)
6)If you do buy PC--don't buy the cheapest you can find. There are huge differences in quality even though the processors are often the same. You pay for the solidness of the case and the engineering of the keyboard/screen and how carefully the board components are put together. You also pay for the overall design of how the components work together, ie whether the chips/graphic cards etc are really appropriate for working together etc. If you want, you can look at the reviews for various models on ratings sites like PC Magazine. Or you can buy based on company reputation. Currently, Dell consumer computer models do not have a good reputation, while business models do. Toshiba is the top currently for consumer laptops. If you really care about a certain application (ie gaming), then you should buy a computer based on how well it runs those types of applications.
7) viruses: yes, they do exist for the mac--they are just rare. It is not a problem with PCs as long you have basic antivirus programs and you don't have a habit of surfing sketchy websites. Win7 comes with a decent one plus you want to supplement with a commercial one.
8) Win7 lets an admin (you) determine the programs and settings for kids. If you want, you can have their logon "run" a completely different looking version of the computer. If they change settings on their version it will not affect your version. (personally, I wouldn't let my kids touch my laptop! They have a (much cheaper) desktop and it's in the family room (I like to see what they're doing on it).
Posted by: KH | August 23, 2010 at 07:01 AM
Macs are overpriced for the features. Apple makes it very hard to do anything with them other than what Apple will allow (might be consideration if you eventually have external access to your company's network). For the money, PCs are better.
Posted by: Marc | August 23, 2010 at 07:54 AM
Re: KH point #5. I've gotten Apple's extended warranty--the hard drive on 2 laptops crashed three times between them (the first eventually lasted 5 years; the second is now 4 years old). Two replacement drives were covered under the extended warranty; Apple refunded the cost of the third when they discovered that laptops shipped during a certain period may have been installed with a faulty hard drive (they emailed an alert).
Posted by: EXS | August 23, 2010 at 08:16 AM
eMachines eME527-2537 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)
Buy new: $279.00
not a screeaming game machine but quite a value for things you want to do at home This is at Amazon
Posted by: Rockbell | August 23, 2010 at 08:44 AM
My husband has a Macbook Pro for work that was purchased to work on training videos. He runs Parallels because everything else at the office is Microsoft. He likes the video and picture editing features, but many other tasks that he would do on a Windows or Linux laptop are cumbersome. The Macbook doesn't have an HDMI port, and a separate adapter had to be purchased for that connection. Another adapter had to be purchased to connect to the projector at work. Anything a PC laptop can do seems to be an extra cost option on the Mac. Also, anytime you want to unplug something from the Macbook(even a USB drive), you have to click on something to close the function. To me, it seems like everything requires extra steps.
If you email pictures from the Mac to friends and relatives who don't have a Mac, they may have trouble viewing them. My father-in-law has a Mac, and because he uses the Apple email platform, we can only view the graphics in his emails on our iPod touch or on the Macbook. The option to change how pictures are attached required programming code instead of a simple checkbox option in the properties folder.
Even my high school aged daughter, who uses Windows, Apple & Linux at school, prefers our HP laptop for her projects. She uses Open Office at school, and converts everything to Windows when she gets home. She refuses to use the Apple office software at home, she doesn't have a choice in some classes at school.
For the money, I think PCs are a much better deal. Also, I honestly think there are Apple people and PC people. Most of my friends who love & rave about Apple products have trouble using a PC. I understand the Windows and Linux systems, and Apple software drives me insane. If it works for you, great, but I think everyone in your family should spend a few hours at the Apple store playing around on the computer before you make the final decision.
Posted by: First Step | August 23, 2010 at 08:46 AM
I've been using a Mac (for work) and PC for home for the last few years (I grew up using both, actually). No problems going back and forth between the two platforms and sharing files.
One BIG difference I've noticed between the two is that I have had far less problems with the Mac than the PC. No freezing, no crashing, no endless Windows updates, and far better protection from viruses. I've wasted a lot of time dealing with viruses/malware in the past couple of years, despite being very careful with my computer and almost obsessive with the virus scanner and firewall.
And in answer to one commenter's question, NO, the world is not all PC. That's an outdated notion. Even in PCs' hey day, creative departments used Macs because they were more stable and better suited to multimedia.
One tips to consider: you have to compare quality to quality. True, you can get a PC laptop for like $500, but the quality isn't as good as a $1200 iBook. When I was shopping around, I found that good quality PCs were comparable in price in Macs. The difference is that Apple doesn't deal in the low-end cheap stuff like PC producers do.
Posted by: Beth | August 23, 2010 at 09:04 AM
Let's see, I went from being an Apple II user to being a PC user to being a Mac user (with prosumer video editing experience) and now back to PCs....
* Both Macs and PCs will handle basic office productivity tasks equally well.
* Transfering files from Mac to PC can be more problematic than it is to go from PC to PC. However, this is largely a software compatibility issue, not hardware or operating system.
* Without a doubt in my mind, Apple's iLife suite of apps (such as iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD) are much more intuitive and even fun when it comes to tasks such as music and video editing. The PC has software that is just as capable, but it's not nearly the same level of user experience in my opinion.
* For laptops, Macbooks and Macbook Pros are some of the most well-designed and well-built laptops in the market right now. The tradeoff is that they are also more expensive than their PC counterparts. Whether that translates into a better value for you is up to you to decide.
* Macs are well-known for their educational software and emphasis. However, in terms of sheer software compatibility, PC is still a safer bet. In other words, you may want to research, in advance, to see if all the software you want is available for the Mac before buying a Macbook. This includes children's educational software.
* It is a myth that Macs can turn on quicker or surf the web faster. There may be benchmark differences that vary up to dozens of seconds, but from a normal user standpoint, you won't notice much difference between an equivalent Mac and PC. However, while both are capable of bloat and slowdowns, I will say that, given Apple's tight control over their small hardware line and development environment, it is easier for developers to write efficient programs than it would be for a much larger world of PC hardware and their associated compatibility and efficiency issues. This consequently translates into the perception that Macs are quicker and more reliable somehow.
My computer choices have always been made based on what I wanted to do on a computer first. Then, I research what kind of software best fits the job. After that, then I find the best hardware platform to run the software. Again, I recommend to assess your needs first, then find the software that best fits the job, then best hardware available to run that software. I wouldn't start with hardware first. Good luck!
Posted by: Eugene Krabs | August 23, 2010 at 10:01 AM
I'm still using my 7-year old PC (single CPU) without any problems in photo/video editing, normal office work and surfing the internet. I don't really have problems in virus or crash, I think it really depends on how you use the computer, what website you are going. Remember, once you are in the internet world, you are risk in getting virus.
One thing to consider for a Mac is its accessories. Generally, Apple's products and accessories are more expensive, and you have to stick with Apple in order to make other hardwares compatible with your Macbook.
As this computer is also your family computer, I would make sure everyone likes it and user-friendly to them. Personally, I don't like to carry a heavy laptop on the road. So, I have a desktop which is easier to do upgrade and a bigger screen, etc. While I'm in traveling, I have a 12-inches notebook with me.
Posted by: jbhk | August 23, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Owning a Mac screams to the world, "I am a unique and creative individual!"
Because you must own a Mac to creatively surf the internet, read email, and check Facebook. None of this can be done creatively on a PC.
Posted by: Bad_Brad | August 23, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Hmmm so Bad_Brad because I am an architect and the 3d program that I use for my 3d modeling CANNOT run on a MAC only windows I guess I am not a creative individual?
Face it. If the MAC is so superior then why is apple putting there efforts into Ipods, Iphone and Ipads?
Becasue there is no growth for them compeating with a laptop.
Posted by: Matt | August 23, 2010 at 03:41 PM
If you're not looking for a laptop and still have your monitor, keyboard, and mouse for your PC, I would suggest considering a Mac Mini (~$800) and KVM switch (~$50) instead of spending $1,200 - 2,000+ on an iMac. The iMacs are gorgeous, but you are paying for an entire setup that is difficult (if not impossible) to upgrade. No sense paying for a computer with a monitor if you already have a good monitor, and it's definitely a cheaper foray into the Mac world.
I've been primarily a PC user at work and home for many years, and only entered the Mac world in the last 3 years. I bought a basic MacBook initially and enjoyed it, but that's been sold and replaced with an iPad. I now have a cute little Mac Mini sitting on top of my desktop PC, and they share monitor, keyboard, and mouse via KVM switch. It's the best of both worlds for me.
Posted by: Dar | August 23, 2010 at 03:44 PM
Matt - I think your sarcasm meter is broken ... :)
I'm baffled at the people who spend hundreds of dollars more for a comparable machine when all they do with their machine is the things I mentioned (surf, email, Facebook, etc).
Posted by: Bad_Brad | August 23, 2010 at 04:45 PM
Just purchased a new computer - got a great deal on an HP at Staples.com. If your bottom line is value - there are no bargains on Mac machines but plenty on PCs
Posted by: Diane | August 23, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Sorry Bad Brad. Misinterpeted.
Wife and I had a great weekend away from kids and life in general and misread your post.
Re-entry back to reality of work is difficult.
Posted by: Matt | August 23, 2010 at 07:29 PM
I have owned a MacBook for going on 3 years now. I got it for high school graduation gift. I have used tons of PCs and until graduation had never touched a mac. I had never been able to keep a PC more than a year without having to wipe it clean and start over again. Mac is a far better machine for many of the reason listed above and more! I have said many times over I will never own another PC. Mac is compatible with windows but not the other way around. a reason for this is because Bill Gates used a lot of what Steve Jobs had already been working on to make Windows (watch movie Pirates of the Silicon Valley).
-Matt - Dell makes TVs and Microsoft makes gaming consoles and they own the PC operating system market. Apple isn't making those because they cant sell computers.
Posted by: Lance | August 23, 2010 at 09:16 PM
Another thing I left off is a reason Macs work so much better is because Apple makes the computer and the operating system to run it, (never had a virus or any problem in my 3 years with a mac can't say the same about a PC in 6 months of use). As for a PC all the companies make a computer for you to load whatever OS you want, be it Windows or Linux.
Posted by: Lance | August 23, 2010 at 09:23 PM
There isn't a clear reason one way or the other, but there are intangible reason to prefer the Mac which actually matter. When I use a Mac it feels like it is my computer. When I use a PC I feel like it is on loan from someone else. Your experience may vary, but every PC I set up (I professionally manage IT operations in the private sector) comes with junk pre-installed by the vendors. I never have to fix a new Mac like I do with PCs.
At home we use Macs. I'm the support person for our home computer and by far I have less issues to deal with. Each family members has their own account and it "just works".
Posted by: Duane | August 24, 2010 at 11:39 AM
A few things that haven't been mentioned (as far as I've noticed):
1. Macs seem to run more efficiently and quieter than PC's. My PC's fan would run all the time. My 2 Macs at home and 2 at my office are whisper quiet.
2. In general, Macs are more energy efficient. The new Mac Mini (which my office assistant uses) is, I believe, the most energy-efficient computer ever.
3. Macs take up less of a footprint on, or under, your desk. A desktop Mac has no tower. The entire computer resides processor and disk drive resides in the monitor as an all-in-one unit. And again, it runs silently. I'm surprised that PC makers haven't figured this out yet.
4. If you buy a Mac right now through early September (back to school special) you get a free iPod Touch. If you're an educator (we home school), you get an educator's discount. We got $100 off the cost of our computer, plus a nice discount off the "extras" we bought.
Posted by: Rich A. | August 25, 2010 at 01:17 PM