And In This Corner…Mac Vs PC!

Dear Shiny Computer,

Both systems have advantages and disadvantages, depending on what you’re looking for, and many people are asking the same question.

The first noticeable difference between the two is the designs of the computers. In a Mac, there isn’t many ways to be unique. You have a few varieties of laptops, and a desktop, all in the same colour and shape. The CPU and the monitor are all one single unit, which can limit the amount of cords and space required to run. This very compact design can mean that things are more difficult to fix because all the parts are in one small machine. Because PC’s don’t come from one single manufacturer, there are a lot of varieties and options in regards to colours, styles and types. In the desktops, there are two parts (unless you get an All-In-One), which can lead to more cords, and more space taken up, but it also means things are easier to fix or cheaper to get fixed.

The next thing you will notice is the price. Typically, Macs are more expensive than their PC counterparts. Few Mac computers sell for less than $1,000, whereas there are many PCs that sell for way less than that. However, this doesn’t mean that Macs are more expensive than PCs, just that Apple has built up their reputation and their products to be higher-end computers with better, more expensive components. This means again, that the parts on a Mac would be more expensive to replace, but because they are so well built, with higher-end parts, there is a lesser chance of you having to replace them.

Comparing the technical aspect of both Macs and PCs can be difficult because there are such a range of PC manufacturers. While both of them have similar parts, the speed and capacity of these parts can vary. Macs will generally blow low-end PCs out of the water in regards to performance, which is again, because of the more expensive, better-quality parts. However, when compared to the higher-end computers, Macs tend to lack in RAM, hard-drive space and USB ports.

The features of the PCs can vary model to model, while the Macs have a pretty standard set of features. The PCs can have features such as a touchscreen, BluRay players, HDMI ports and more. Macs generally have a SuperDrive, which reads and writes CDs and DVDs, audio in and audio out, USB, FireWire, which is data transfer, Ethernet, and a magnetized power port.

Operating systems are very different in the two machines. Mac are generally pre-installed with OS X Lion, while PCs are now installed with Microsoft Windows 8. Between 2007 and 2009 while PCs were using Windows Vista, the Macs had a huge advantage in regards to operating systems. Vista was seen as slow, prone to crashing and had annoying pop-up dialogue boxes. With the upgrade to Windows 7, and now Windows 8, these problems have been fixed and now makes the difference of operating systems come down to personal choice of functionality and layout.

Ask Cindy at Technology by Design about her old problem with Macs- the lack of computer software and games. When she had the a Macintosh computer back in the days of walking in the dead of winter, uphill both ways, she was always upset that all computer games were geared towards PCs. This continues to be an issue with Macs, as the gaming companies would have to take a tremendous amount of time and money to switch platforms. Though Apple is making a huge effort to get software such as the Microsoft Office programs and games such as World of Warcraft, Starcraft and Civilization, all of which are now available for Mac, PCs still dominate in this aspect. On the online gaming platform, Steam, there are more than 1,300 games for PC compared to the sad amount of 180 for Mac.

Because the majority of the world’s computers run on Microsoft Windows, most security attacks are geared towards PCs. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t viruses for Mac, just that there are so many more for PC. As Macs become more common, the amount of threats are predicted to rise, but there is a quote floating around the internet that “a Mac owner who runs no security software is vastly less likely to be the victim of a successful attack than a Window’s user who’s protected up to his eyeballs”.

Apple is more selective in regards to who can sell their product, which means that there is a difference in availability. Apple has opened more than 300 Apple stores in 11 countries, but they are focused largely in large population centers. This has lead to a few agreements with companies like Best Buy and Office Max to get their product out there. PCs on the other hand, have a different strategy. The company doesn’t produce the hardware, but licenses it’s Windows operating system to other companies. These companies push their product into as many stores as possible, which makes PCs easier to find. While you might not see an Apple computer in a computer shop, you will see many PCs.

This availability means nothing in regards to customer service, because although the PCs are more widespread and available, the Macs always rank higher in customer satisfaction, no matter which brand of PC they are facing. This is due to the way that Apple operates their customer service. You have a problem with your MacBook pro? Take it to the Genius Bar help desk at any apple store, where they will sort it out there, or get it fixed in the store if needed. What happens if your PC is having issues? You may have to spend a few hours on hold with two or more companies, just to find the underlying problem, then send it off overseas.

Once again, the choice of Mac and PC computers boils down to personal preference and what you’re wanting in a computer. Gamers may want to stick to PCs, while people looking at more advanced operations may want to look at spending the extra money on a well-built Mac.

Still not sure?  If you would like some advice on what computer would fit your needs, call Technology by Design at 204-800-3166.

 If you have a question for our Resident Geek, send it to:  geek@tbyd.ca.  We’ll translate it from Geek-lish to English, so it actually helps!