The Non-Hostile Overview Of Choosing A PC Or Mac For Your Computing Needs

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For most computer users, deciding between a PC and a Mac is not usually a life and death decision, but try telling that to the diehard technology buffs, and you will have just stirred up a hornet’s nest. The PC or Mac debate is one of those tempests in a technological teapot that never ceases to calm down. Some have dubbed it the new Cold War, where getting an unbiased opinion from experts over a simple purchasing decision like a PC or a Mac is often an exercise in futility, leaving you wondering if that old Underwood Five typewriter is still in the attic.

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But do not despair. By the end of this article, you should be able to draw conclusions about your preferred choice and maybe add to the ever-dividing fan base of either Gates or Jobs.

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Today, the personal computer endearingly called “PC” is commonly understood to be associated with Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Although common sense says that the Mac is also a personal computer, it has become sacrilegious to refer to it as a “PC.” The Mac uses an operating system known as OS X, and its operating systems are often legendary for their prettier interfaces.

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When deciding between these two computer titans, it’s important to consider your needs before making any purchasing decision. This decision would have been fairly easy if we were to turn back the clock to the 90s. The Mac was the design and print industry’s choice for graphic-orientated things. On the other hand, the PC was confined to everyday use in the office and the home. This would have explained the exorbitant pricing discrepancy between both desktops then.

Today, this distinction has been blurred. Although the Mac still costs more than the average PC, it’s in more homes and offices than at any other time in Mac history. Therefore, dissecting the pros and cons becomes all the more important before investing cash in these oversized gadgets.

So, let’s break it down and get you moving in the right direction. These comparisons do apply to both desktops and laptops.

Hardware and Performance The PC

Dollar for dollar, the PC offers more hardware specifications than the Mac, which for the budget-conscious, getting a PC requires no further deliberation. Intel-based dual-core CPU allows for a blistering pace on the PC, even for the most general-purpose PC user with a budget of less than $1,000. If you drive a hard bargain, head to Best Buy, and you can get a PC for less than $350.

Various PC desktop sizes are also available, from the small form factor to the full tower case types. Again, sizes directly relate to the user’s needs, so do not mistake an all-in-one like the Sony VAIO for having the same power handling and speed as a mid-tower case like Dell.

Even as a power user, whether using the PC for gaming or turning it into a mini home-theater system while running business applications, the PC can still meet all those demands at a very reasonable cost. Bargain basement prices are the main reason PCs dominate the desktop and laptop markets. It is economically driven and caters to all segments of the buying public. Try as you might; you may never get a Mac for anywhere close to $350.

Performance-wise, PCs are still very cost-effective. Upgrading the graphics card, RAM, or hard disk space is much cheaper than buying a new PC. This makes it easy for anyone to customize their PC without worrying about maxing out their credit cards. Another advantage is that businesses running multiple PCs will have a much easier time finding replacement parts or upgrading components because it’s so widely available at a meager cost.

Regarding the operating system, Vista is the latest introduction from Microsoft, although Windows XP is currently the more stable version. According to Gartner, XP will be installed on over 77 percent of PCs worldwide by the end of 2007, while Vista might crawl to just about 12 percent. This suggests that buying a PC with Windows XP installed is still the preferred choice over the latest Vista if you plan to get a PC.

The Mac

If you’re shopping for prestige rather than price, then Apple’s Mac is about as prestigious as it gets. Macs are about status, and status usually comes with a hefty price tag. Unlike the PC, there is no such thing as a truly “stripped-down” Mac. Hence, the PC is a better value dollar for dollar. But on the other hand, the Mac was never truly built for the budget-conscious. Rather, it targeted those craving an “appliance” with style and innovative design, and Apple rarely fails to deliver on this. You would only have to visit an Apple store for proof.

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As far as performance goes, Macs are up there with the best. At a point in history, PCs were leading the pack regarding how fast they performed. Mac’s G4 processors were never thought to be quite as quick as the PC’s Intel Pentium 4. But Apple changed all that last year when it announced that their Macs will now carry the Intel processor, just like PCs. Apple’s migration to Intel processors has made Intel-based Macs two to three times faster. But that’s not all.

Apple has a new Boot Camp technology allows you to run Microsoft’s Windows on Intel-based Macs. This means you can have the best Microsoft and the Mac on one elegant-looking computer. Software compatibility issues will soon be a thing of the past, although power users will still find it difficult to customize and upgrade Mac’s hardware. The same problem applies to businesses using Macs because Apple maintains a tight grip on its supply chain.

Mac’s current OS X operating system is reportedly far superior to Microsoft’s operating systems. Its selling points range from user-friendly interfaces with attractive, intuitive features to a more secure, stable, and virus-free operating system. These factors usually get the more security-conscious shoppers to board the Mac bandwagon.

Software, Applications, and Uses

The PC

PCs certainly have a much wider range of software of varying purposes available than the Mac, giving consumers various options. This is why most hardcore gamers prefer PCs over Macs due to gaming software availability.

Business users will find that Microsoft Office is sufficient to manage their documentation and presentations, hardly requiring extra bells and whistles to meet their business needs. Small businesses rarely need to go beyond Microsoft Office 2003 and the latest Office 2007 offer, using add-on software only for better productivity. Also, compatibility issues are seldom a contention with Microsoft Office because most computers recognize its format. In other words, if you’re running a business and Office applications are all you need, then choosing a PC would be your ideal choice.

Other uses for the PC, such as web surfing, chatting online, and e-mailing, usually come as bundled software containing these applications, while additional peripherals are widely available in most electronic stores. Like Dell, PC manufacturers have made installing other peripherals extremely easy, so long as your PC has the right ports (USB, FireWire, Ethernet, audio, and video ports) available. For instance, if you’re an avid photographer, loading photos onto your PC would require a USB or FireWire port to connect your digital camera to the PC. Most PCs today come with these ports pre-installed, so not to worry.

The Mac

The lack of software choices is the tradeoff of having a secure, albeit tightly controlled, Mac operating system. Mac fanatics argue that this lack of software compatibility means lesser technical issues. A positive way of looking at things, but Mac users have no real need to complain about software issues. Business users on a Mac can easily exchange Microsoft Office files with colleagues or clients on a PC.

But where the Mac shines in terms of software and applications is in multimedia. Honestly, the Mac is far superior to the PC regarding multimedia applications. Getting a Mac is necessary if your business revolves around multimedia or multimedia is a serious hobby.

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The iLife suite with the Mac provides full multimedia capabilities, allowing anyone to create professionally finished products. It is set up so that a complete novice will have no problems churning out quality audio or video products on the fly. Whether buying music from the iTunes store, recording and burning DVDs, setting up a photo studio on your computer, chatting and communicating online, or blogging, the iLife suite has you covered. The Mac has become a necessary solution for the digital lifestyle enthusiast.

Conclusion

Choosing between a PC and a Mac boils down to what you want to do with your computer and how you will use it. The PC is the way to go if you wish to have more bang for your buck or more gaming options. If you’re leaning towards better stability, fewer system crashes, and security breaches, the Mac is the superior choice.

Weigh the pros and cons against your needs, and you should be able to draw conclusions about the worthier computer. But, for the ultimate experience, why not buy an Intel-based Mac and run Windows on it? That could probably be the closest thing to enjoying the “perfect computing experience.”