Choosing a PC or Mac
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-06-09 13:15:00-04:00
PC or Mac? For years that question has plagued computer buyers. As I write this, Apple has less than 3% of the computer market, so it is obvious that most purchasers are opting to buy PCs. There are, however, still reasons to buy a Mac.
Let's start at the beginning. First, Macs and PCs perform the same basic computer operations but the methodology is different. In a Mac, menu items are different, functions are found in different areas, and even the keys and keystrokes used to perform certain operations are different. They are not necessarily better or worse, just different.
This means that if you are a beginner, both operating systems will take some learning. If you already know how to work with one operating system, learning the other will still be an endeavor that will require some time and effort.
Sometimes it is advisable to let those who surround you influence the type of computer you purchase. If your family, friends, and potential computer tutors use Macs then you may want to move into the Mac camp. If they use PCs, purchasing a PC may be the better option for you.
Mac computers have two basic advantages over PCs. The first is that the Mac operating system has traditionally been more stable than Windows. The main reason for this is that since Apple produces both the hardware (Mac computer) and the software (Mac operating system), they have better control over the integration of the entire system. Since the Windows operating system can run on hundreds of different types of computers, variations in hardware configurations within those computers can cause stability problems. The second advantage is that Macs are traditionally less of a target for viruses attacks since hackers and virus creators prefer to zero in on the more popular Windows platform.
PCs have a few advantages as well. In general, PCs are cheaper than Macs. There is also much more software available for the PCs, which are better than Macs for use as gaming machines since most high-end games are created for the PC.
In the past, the lack of software was a big issue for Macs. Some of the available Mac software, like iLife and graphics and desktop publishing programs are excellent, but many software programs are written to work only on the PC, forcing purchasers toward the PC camp.
Recently, Apple began installing Intel processors in their Mac computers (they had previously used only Motorola chips). Apple also recently announced the availability of a free Beta-test program called Boot Camp that allows the Windows XP operating system to run along side the Mac operating system on the new Intel-based Macs. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the Mac and allows Mac users to switch to Windows while on their Mac computer to run Windows software as if they were using a PC.
To use Boot Camp to dual boot the Mac computer to Windows you will need to purchase a separate copy of Windows XP, at an additional cost. Also, if you decide to use this solution, you will need to learn how to use both operating systems. It's also worth noting that running Windows on a Mac will expose that computer to viruses targeting the Windows platform.
Deciding between owning a PC and a Mac may have become a little easier, since with the additional capability of having access to Windows XP you can now run PC software natively on a Mac.
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