In this day and age, we have lots of things to argue about. Wars in the Middle East, Korea and Iran’s nuclear stashes, Obama’s Nobel, corporate bailouts, global warming, human rights, etc. etc. But hailing from the year 1981, an argument that has yet to be settled ensues, and its animosity and victims range worldwide. I am talking, of course, about the ultimate question: Mac or PC?
“Ha ha ha!” you chuckle, straightening your polo shirt and finishing your 204, 667th line of C# code on your new survey analysis program. “PCs are far superior to the unwelcome menace of Apple computers! Stability is 100%, customization is near infinite, and mechanic control is unfathomable! Death to the infidel, Windows!”
Or perhaps you’re quiet, with a knowing smirk and a quick glance down at your iPhone, checking the DOW offhandedly. “Apple’s the future, bro. They have the look, the goods, and the graphic speed and accessibility to back it all up. Get in while you can, or it’ll be just too cool for you.”
(I failed to mention you..yes, YOU, off in the corner, popping your third pimple and drooling on your already-dirty keyboard as you yell in an obviously-uncultured voice, “LINUX! You fools!”, because no one’s listening to you. Nerd.)
Actually, for the many years this argument has been in the “ongoing” queue, Apple’s side has been relatively ungrounded, resulting in plenty of fans and not enough power or software. Only recently has its popularity skyrocketed, starting with the release of the iPod, Apple’s version of the MP3 player. Powerful, simple, elegant, and totally not worth the $300, it grew so popular that it is now near impossible to find someone who does not own some form of this music player. Since then, Apple has released a constant stream of original, hip, and expensive products, and is now coming head-to-head with Microsoft after all these years. The long-awaited battle is now set to begin.
O RLY!?! Maybe not. As it turns out, neither is better than the other in the general-use category, because the average home-use user (women who surf the internet, kids who play games, men who do their taxes, etc.) depends on programs, and of course, preference. This is the cause of the big fight…programs that are made only for one of the two systems; price of the whole shebang (computer, monitor, speakers, mouse/keyboard, accessories); familiarity with the operating systems; connections to different products…it should be user preference that guides the purchasing decision. Because if there’s one thing it’s not, it’s the “speed” or “size” of the computers.
Where the two companies need to strive for customer loyalty is in the corporate and hobbyist’s league. It’s true that Windows is the named machine when it comes to spreadsheets, presentations, calculators, corporate programs, and mass purchasing. And it’s also true that Apple is the answer for the graphic designers, film and video producers, and multimedia enthusiasts the world over. (It’s also making an enormous impact on schools and colleges all over the United States. Surprising.) Major programming and sales companies (IBM, Intel, Hitachi, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, etc.) run with Microsoft server technology and operating systems, and Apple has a surprising amount of loyal media companies, none of which will provide me with their names. (Seriously, I couldn’t find one…I just know these things.)
So for all of this, my opinion on the differences between Macs and PCs really comes down to “What do I use my computer for?”
If I’m going into the corporate world, one filled with an endless number of documents for filing, filling out, creating, spreadsheeting, and so on, I will invest my money in very nice Windows-run computers (probably from Dell). But since I’m not, and most of my time on the machine is spent on the interwebs or designing graphic media, I will let the world know that the next computer I get will most likely bear an Apple logo on the front. Here are MY reasons:
- Apple’s recent product releases have me drooling. They are the most beautiful pieces of equipment I’ve ever seen
- I love my iPhone, and want more
- The hardware is reliable, and needs fixing less
- The software I’ll be running (Adobe Master Suite, Firefox, maybe some games) works smoothly and effortlessly. Windows still can’t top that
- The computers all work together seamlessly, and if I change to all-Apple, I’ll be well on my way to a great network
Some of the things I’m not thrilled about:
- The operating system. Mac OS has always bugged the living daylights out of me. I don’t know why.
- If something does break, I can’t just fix it (usually needs specialist, and therefore, loads of money)
- I’m going to be paying a good amount more for the same amount of speed and space as a Windows machine. (Of course, quality costs, but we never like to admit that at the counter.)
- If I DO want to run software, I always need to check if it’s compatible. Windows never required that, because it always was.
- I will be shunned by all of my friends, except that one guy who has a Mac.
Those are my reasons. They are part of me. They DEFINE ME…maybe not, but still, I’ve tried to be fair. I’m a diehard Windows supporter…I believed in Vista, even after it totally screwed my computer over, and now with 7 out, I see Windows redeeming its name, which was thoroughly trashed by Apple’s ad campaigns (which I laughed at). Both sides have valid reasons to be on my computer, but at the moment, with my interests, and money-making skills, and the necessary needs to fulfill my requirements, Apple and its Mac line-up are meeting those needs.
Congratulations, Mr. Jobs. You’ve earned another loyal supporter. Don’t let me down now.
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