What's better: A PC or a Mac?

Question

I have Windows XP on my home computer, and my friend has a Mac. She says that her kind of computer is better and I want other opinions. It's kind of like a survey, I guess. I want as many answers as possible so I can have honest data I can judge.

Answer 1

heres your answer... would you rather be riding the tricycle... which is the mac... or the really fast amazing motorcycle... which would be the pc. One big thing with macs is that they're over priced, limited to do only what they are design to do and are very incompatible with a lot of software. Pcs on the other hand you can do what ever you want with them. And if you know how to configure vista properly its very nice. Macs are for the people who want to play it safe and not do much and the pc is for the people who want to actually create something.

Answer 2

As the user of both types of computers, I say it depends on what you want to do with your computer. I have a new macbook pro, a compaq laptop, a new compaq desktop and a probably ten year old ruby iMac. The reason I have multiple computers is because while I prefer Macs and always have. I program in the Windows world for work. A lot of the programming I do is in Excel using VBA. While the Macintosh also has Microsoft Office, it is not compatible with that type of programming. So I do have to have the Compaq.



On the day we moved into our home, 8 years ago, I decided to set the iMac up as a file server. It has run non-stop since that day with no problems or glitches, including updates. It is also responsible for my ever expanding file storage and keeping us able to print to multiple printers. It has been an excellent system.



The MacBook Pro is my third one thus far and I have to say they are excellent little machines. I have found quite a few programs that there are no Windows world equals, including iPhoto and the web design program Sandvox. While I know it is very likely just a matter of perception, I think even Photoshop just seems better on a Mac.



Now, that being said, there is no Mac version of many, many programs produced in the Windows world, and no Mac can run Civ IV quite as well as in WinXP. There are also limited printers,scanners and other items for the Mac. Not that they don't exist, but the choice is not quite as varied and it really annoys me that I can't get my HP Color Laserjet 1600 to work with my Macs, however other printers in my house are just fine.



So, is one really better than the other? I think most people are scared by Macs because of the initial investment, however, as my iMac has shown, they are greatly more durable. It has outlived 3 other Windows desktop counterparts. I could probably get by without the Compaq laptop, by using BootCamp or Parallels or VMWare on the Mac, but I tried and I don't get the performance I need to run Family Tree Maker under these options (and with Boot Camp, I loose the use of the Mac in favor of the PC) That seems like a lame excuse because there are genealogy programs for the Mac, but I really like FTM.



So, no, I would say your friend's Mac is not better than your PC. It is likely a better built machine, it should be, it probably cost more. But you have the advantage of thousands and thousands more commercial software titles. However, the bottom line should be what you need your computer for.



If you just surf the net, send email and putz around, either is fine.



If you want to spend a great deal of time working with photos, graphic design, making movies, designing a personal website and the like, I have to say hands down, the Mac wins. Out of box it is more suited for these tasks.



If your playing games, running spreadsheets, working with databases, I think the PC wins.



Nowadays, with the exception of anything running the Vista OS, computers are pretty comparable for the average user. So, best of look in your search for a true answer to this question, because they will be as varied as the users that are out there.



As far as Justin's answer is concerned, it is not true that Macs are built to do little specific tasks. A person who would answer in that fashion has simply never used a Mac, or they would know better.

Answer 3

You will get lots of answers on both sides. Keep this in mind the initials PC stand for Personal Computer. A MAC is a PC as are the IBM clones. Since MACs now use Intel chips the main difference is the case and the software. Which is better all depends on the use. Clones are much more appropriate for business use and are much cheaper for personal use. MACs are preferred in the newspaper industry and by artists. Where do you fit in?

Answer 4

Personally, I believe a PC is better. First off, if you do get a PC, do not get Vista. It SUCKS. One reason I believe PC are better is that they are compatible with TONS of stuff!(except Vista) Macs on the other hand, aren't at all. Macs are also expensive. They may look cool, but they aren't that great. If you want to buy the better computer, buy a PC.

Answer 5

Either one will be fine for general purposes, such as; Surfing the net, listening to music, watching movies, word processing (Office Suite), photo editing, and web design. I do all of the the things listed above using Ubuntu with no trouble at all. If you are going to run programs such as Cad/Cam or any other special (and expensive) software, then you are better off with a PC running Windows.

Answer 6

i have a pc with VISTA.

dont get vista.

it sucks.

my school teacher has a mac.

its pretty cool.

you can do LOTS with it.

the only downside is that its expensive.



if i were you id get a MAC & spend the extra cash

Answer 7

PC is better, here is why...



PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support

Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..



Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. They use a lot of the same parts as PCs. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.



Today, Macs use the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Look below.



WINDOWS ADVANTAGES:



Aprox 90% of the market is Windows. Most PCs include windows already pre-installed.

1) There are a number of websites that still require Internet Explorer to view and IE for Mac Stinks..

2) More supported peripherals (printers and other things you hook into the computer) on Windows.

4) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.



I Would also install Avira AntiVir, Avast, Comodo Firewall on the Vista since there are free versions.



LINUX ADVANTAGES:



1) Install Linux, and then get tons of stuff for free. Updates done, etc.. Linux is very easy and has tons of software that will be updated automatically. (Checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (Add/Remove or Synaptic Package Manager), search for something I want, check a box and click apply)

2) If you like the effects on a Macintosh go yahoo or google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more...

3) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator.

4) Linux is MORE SECURE. I surf the internet and can even run some windows programs on Linux.



LINUX OS

If you are worried about viruses, spyware, security, Try Linux (it is free), I have included some information about Linux and links so you are not lost if you decide to try it.



Easily turn your system into a Dual booting computer with Linux, fast, safe and secure, easy to use (contrary to belief). You then get the best of both worlds (Windows with all of its supported products, freely go online without the worry)



My Recommendation would be either Ubuntu (Most popular and well supported linux), Kubuntu (KDE version of Ubuntu),

Freespire (has all windows codecs for watching videos, dvds out of the box),

PCLINUXOS (very nice Linux, easy to use and polished),

There are so many good versions of linux besides these.



PLEASE NOTE: In linux there are many forms of Windows Environments, the two main ones are KDE (K Desktop) and GNOME. Ubuntu uses GNOME, KUBUNTU is a KDE version of Ubuntu, PCLINUXOS, Freespire use KDE... The differences in the window environments (DESKTOPS) control how you configure, open close the windows, the appearances of the windows... linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting helps with printer support. ScreenCasts.ubuntu.com shows video and non-video help with learning to work with Ubuntu.



There are many good Linux distributions for different reasons, distrowatch.com, polishlinux.org, desktoplinux.com

are good websites for overall understanding linux.



Installing Linux in general is very simple and much more secure than OS X(Macintosh) and free.

Also, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD which means you can try without installing...

UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, FREESPIRE, PCLINUXOS, etc.. all have live CDS.

All you have to do is..

A) to download .iso file off the internet from the Linux website

B) burn the .iso file to a CD or DVD (Make sure your burning software can burn an ISO)

C) restart the computer with the CD in the drive

D) As computer is restarting, press on F12 Key a bunch of times to get a boot menu

E) Select the option to boot from CD or DVD.



ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: People have been able to run OS X on a PC since the PC and Mac use the same hardware. This is not legal and I would not recommend it for security and legal reasons



But, I have included a link to show you, purpose is to show that there is nothing special about the MAC.



A)Price...

A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)



*****************(LAPTOP)

Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799

15" Screen

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks



Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224

13" Screen (SMALLER)

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)

Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)

Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)

Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)



****************(DESKTOP)



PLEASE NOTE: I am comparing Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you decide that you must have an all-in one. The Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you upgrade the Imac to try to match. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.



PS: Apple knows that they must make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.



Dell: (Right Now) Specs Below costs $809

CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: 3GB Ram

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer

GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB



The Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.



IMac ($1400)

CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)

HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB



************************END OF DESKTOP



B) SECURITY:



Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered.

All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera.

Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.



C) VIRUSES



The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses, a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".



Google/Yahoo Mac Viruses





D) WINDOWS LICENSE is discounted with PCs



You do not pay the full price, for instance Dell -> you pay $50 or less for Vista Home Premium If you buy a Mac and want Vista, you pay full price.





D) EXPANDABILITY & REPAIR...



With AppleCare you have to put down $300 and there is no guarantee the computer will be fixed, may cost more.. Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.

With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.

IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.





E) PROBLEMS



Macintosh's are far from bug free. Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.



http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/

http://www.avast.com/

http://www.free-av.com/

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

Google/Yahoo OS X on PC