Deciding whether to buy a Mac or a PC should be based on two main
points: your budget and whether the computer is primarily for business
or pleasure. Both types of computers are excellent for specific tasks,
although if you are planning to go to work and bring your computer with
you, you may need to consider what types of computers your coworkers
will have to make it easier to swap files or compare notes. Here a few
basic tips on how to choose the right computer for you.
Budget
There’s no debate—Macs are far more expensive than PCs. If money is a
big issue for you, you’ll want to buy a PC. However, Macs aren’t
overpriced. Unlike PCs, each computer is designed for maximum efficiency
in both processing speed and ease of use. While PCs frequently crash
and are vulnerable to spyware and viruses, Macs resist most viral
attacks and operate at a consistently high standard with virtually no
technical issues. If you can afford it, a Mac is an excellent investment
which will work for you for years.
Business
While Macs have always been the preferred computer of graphic
designers and other creative individuals, for most corporate office
work, PCs have long been favored over Macs. For this reason, PCs still
dominate in most business settings.
Up until a few years ago, the major software designed for business
suites, like the Microsoft Suite, was designed chiefly for PCs. However,
the popularity of other Apple products such as the iPod and iPad has
started to change the way Macs are perceived in the larger corporate
world. Most business software now has versions available for both Macs
and PCs. Because of their heftier price tag, Macs still have a long way
to go in making a dent in the corporate world, although in terms of
functionality they perform just as well as a PC.
Graphically, Macs have richer displays and a Linux based operating
system that makes them ideal for manipulating complex information such
as layered graphical displays. Photoshop was initially designed for the
Mac. If you are buying a computer for use in a professionally creative
setting, your coworkers will likely also be using Macs.
Programming
Computer programmers are evenly split on whether Macs or PCs make
better programming tools. The truth is, it comes down to a matter of
personal preference. Macs developed a comprehensive suite of developer
tools with their OS 10 which, if used properly, can help you get to the
moon. PCs have always been oriented toward programming; in fact, the
DOS/Windows interface was developed mainly as a way to stay competitive
with the user friendly Mac interface. However, many programmers have
complained that Macs are slower than PCs when it comes down to executing
large amounts of freshly programmed code.
Personal Use
If you enjoy playing video games in your spare time, buying a PC is
probably the best choice. This is partly because PCs are easier to hook
up to auxiliary equipment like television sets or other devices.
Although USB ports are evenly distributed between Macs and PC, the
higher data transfer portals of a Mac do not always adapt easily to most
conventional televisions, making it difficult to quickly relay
information between the two devices, whereas the higher data transfer
portals of a PC are usually very adaptable to auxiliary devices.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to design or develop creative
projects in your personal time, Macs are a much better choice. Because
Apple has invested so much time in making the user interface incredibly
easy to use, spending time creating music or drawing or editing movies
becomes less about the computer and more about the activity; you forget
you are using a computer, and can instead focus on the act of creation.
PCs have a more rigid approach; it’s hard to forget that you’re on a
computer.
Cloud Computing and the Future of Virtualization
Of course, with the tech community excited about the potential of
cloud computing, computer memory is going to become less of an issue,
with flexibility, mobility, and processing speed becoming increasingly
important when making purchasing decisions. Mac’s suite of mobile
devices are far better adapted to shifting between different
geographical areas while also offering enough functionality to make them
viable business tools. However, for now you should buy the computer
that best suits your needs, and plan on the inevitable: no matter what
you buy now, in a few years it will be completely outdated anyway!
