Mac vs PC

It's always a big question for consumers what computer they must buy and their choice will most probably fall between a Mac or a PC, while trying hard to probe which is better between the two. To determine which is better in the two similar yet still different systems leads users to an ambivalent situation.

To say that there are pros and cons embodied to each system may be incongruous because a certain feature of Mac may not be present in a PC and vice versa. Nevertheless, users must choose the appropriate computer for them according to their preferences and their purpose of use.

Some might not be aware that both Microsoft and Apple share a good deal of technology since both Windows (PC) and Mac use hundreds of patents shared between the two. In this article, Mac and Windows are compared according to four basic categories.

Usability

Although Mac has consistently been in the edge in this category, PC has made huge progress to provide a decent user interface especially with the release of Windows XP and Windows Vista. Mac, on the other hand, hasn't offered anything significantly new.

Mac will always appear easy to use with the dock at the bottom of the screen that displays some of the major applications. Windows on the other hand, has all its application found on the Start menu. In reference to applications, a lot of Mac applications are easier to use than their PC equivalents. Mac's iPhoto is a good example.

Software Availability

Mac has all a typical user needs but almost all of these are generic task software. PC caters more niche areas - industry specific software.

Performance

It's not always true that Macs are faster than PCs since PCs can always be upgraded and troubleshooted. Mac is a package, it works the way it works and there's a less chance of failure because all parts such as the motherboard come from Apple.

Adding a peripheral device or installing a software is rarely difficult to a Mac and it's amazing how Mac can easily be maintained. Unlike PCs which are always threated with the proliferation of viruses and worms. Macs don't have problems with it that most Mac users rarely install anti-virus software at all.

Cost

If full desktop systems are concenred, Macs are besically more expensive than PCs but if one looks at the operating systems alone, Macs are actually cheaper. PC may tend to be cheaper because one can choose to buy and assemble all the pieces from a local store unlike Mac.