For some reason this topic has come up a lot lately, and I realized how much I don’t like using PCs now when I was home for the 4th and had to use my parents’ computers daily (one of which crashed due to a virus before I got back, shocking right?) So as a former Mac-hater turned Mac-peddler (the first one is free…OK, actually the first one is quite expensive), I wanted to weigh in on the issue. I want to start by saying that I have nothing against PCs. I realize they are cheaper, more readily available and compatible, and easier for people to use from their previous experience. However, I do want to try to educate a little about the advantages of a Mac for those who want to make outrageous (or even just rageous ones) claims about the Mac without ever having really given one a chance. I should give a shout out to Greg who is the one badgered me about Macs for years before I finally saw the light.
PC-user complaint #1: There is no right click mouse button.
Response: I know this one well, because it was one of my biggest complaints about Macs when I was against them in college (many of our library computers were Macs). This is just flat out not true, and I am pretty sure has not been for a while. I am surprised this perception still persists, but trust me, there is right click capability…I’m doing it right now…and it feels soooo gooood.
Response: A valid argument, and it took me several months to get completely used to the commands, key placements, and user interface. I didn’t even realize that I had really become Mac-dependent until it took me a second to oriented on my girlfriends PC a little while ago. Nonetheless, it is not that hard of a struggle. And just because interfaces were a certain way (the PC way) for so long, doesn’t make it right. You mean don’t have to time to get a used to an easier interface where everything is right at your fingers tips, where you can click and drag anything from folder to folder, internet to folder, internet to desktop, where everything is connected through USB ports and not a different one for the mouse, keyboard, printer, and storage drives, where…well, you get the point. Is your life really that busy that you can’t make a few wrong keystrokes now to save yourself days of time over the span of your life? Is it, really? I am sad for you…
Response: I have found very few examples of this being true. I have/can run Microsoft Office, Acrobat Reader, Full Tilt Poker, Warcraft, Real Player, etc., and Quicktime is compatible with Windows Media Player files (you know, for all those “funny” videos you have stored deep in your computer). The only exception I can think of is that I couldn’t find a Mac version of SPSS for data analysis (and I’ve even been told recently that this might have changed). Anyways, even if something isn’t compatible, you can run Windows on your Mac OS operating system and boot the software onto there. I prefer to get the pure Mac experience, but to each their own.
Response: Not as expensive as PCs in the long run! Between 2000 and 2006, I bought 3 PC computers. Most of them were running so slow or poorly within a year, that I already wanted a new one. I have had my Mac for almost 2 years, and it is running basically as good as the day I bought it. Plus it comes with so many extras that PCs don’t to make up the cost. For example, it has a built in camera, which I’ve used more than I thought I would (not for that sickos, for posting beard pictures and eventually taping some comedy for all of you loyal readers). It has a 19” widescreen display that is great for watching DVDs, and the operating system actually runs smooth enough to make using it as a TV worthwhile.
#1) iTunes. Even if you don’t have or want a Mac, please, please, please use iTunes. It is by far the best music organization and playing system. No, seriously, go get it now. You can come back to this.
#2) The iPod is directly compatible, which is of course the best music player on the market.
Carter Pewterschmidt: Hey, Bill, can you help me program my Zune.
Bill Gates: Sure!
Carter Pewterschmidt: Oh wait, I have an iPod like the rest of the world!
#3) My Mac asks for a password to install any program that executes, limiting the chances of viruses.
#4) I can’t say it never crashes or runs slow, but it is very rare, and easier to correct.
#5) Justin Long is way awesomer than that guy with the glasses on the commercials.
#6) I can’t say I get no spyware, but I get very, very little comparatively.
#7) Stickies! Post-it notes. On your desktop. Nuff’ said.
#8) You can sound cool and condescending to people who don’t own one! J What?!? If PC commercials can say they aren’t cool enough to own a Mac, then that gives us a right to say it too, right?
I feel like I should get a royalty for writing that or something! I would feel like a corporate shill except that I didn’t get paid a dime for that (so far), I did it out of the kindness of my heart to help you. Um, you’re welcome.
Eh, I'd rather have Linux as my secondary OS. Besides, its a free OS.
ReplyDeleteRe: Complaint #3: There is ample software that is cheap and easy to use (e.g., Parallels) that allows you to install Windows XP on your Mac (it can run in another window, in "simultaenous mode," or whatever suits you best), thereby allowing you to use *every* darn thing that a PC can.
ReplyDeleteBTW they are up to v. 11 for SPSS on Mac.
You forgot to mention that Macs take like 2 seconds to start up and shut down! Man I miss that when I am on a PC.
I do believe though, that the worst part of being a Mac is the supercilliousness that Mac users exhibit, in general. People have different computing needs and Macs or PCs might be a better fit for different people. For a while, I felt I had to defend why I used a Mac, but now I feel like I have to assure people that I am not proselytizing by the mere fact that I use my Mac in public.
Perhaps out of boredom, or having looked at this topic myself, i feel compelled to respond. Being a PC person myself, I understand these arguments, but let me argue why i am a PC person:
ReplyDelete1) I have run into compatibility issues with Macs in terms of gaming. I read that most games are not released for the Mac until 6 months or a year after they come out for PC. This isn't a huge deal, but something to keep in mind if there's a game you're anxiously awaiting.
2) Along the same lines, Mac keyboards and mice are generally bad for gaming, with no scroll for the mouse, no number pads for some keyboards. The fact that you have to hold a keyboard button for the right mouse click is also very inconvenient. The point of the right-click is to be able to execute commands with only 1 hand! I also hate the wireless keyboards. Ever been typing a manuscript and had to stop mid-sentence because your batteries died in the keyboard? I have. All in all I just hate the mac accessories.
3) Unlike a lot of comments I read, I personally have not had trouble with PC's crashing or getting virus's. The few times i have had issues, i have simply removed them by running an anti-virus or spyware program, or it was a specific old component died (e.g., i had an old video card which finally crapped out). I have had my current PC for over 2 years now and it still runs great, no problems. Also, I have seen Macs have issues before, so they are by no means foolproof. I know nothing about how to troubleshoot issues in Macs, so if something were to happen i would actually have to pay someone for repairs vs. repairing it myself. I also imagine they will have more issues in the future as more people use them, and they draw the attention of more hackers.
3) I love that I can trade out my RAM, my video card, my display, whatever, on a PC. MAC is a one and done. You buy it, it stays that way until you buy another one. Some people see this as a good thing but I don't. Can't afford a great computer all at once? Buy a good PC processor, and then you can just add better components as money frees up. With a mac, you have to either wait until you can afford the great computer, or settle for a mediocre one. in general, i feel like i can get a better price and better customization by avoiding an "all-in-one" computer.
4) Finally, macs, like PCs, come with a ton of programs i would never use. I like Itunes (although it is more unstable than "winamp" was), but i don't use most of the other "I" applications, rendering a new Mac just as bloated with software to me as a new PC. At least I know how to remove software in a PC.
My thoughts,
Matty P.
P.S. Justin Long is a tool; at least the PC guy is funny, even if also a tool.
Aw man, I so miss Winamp! "Winamp, Winamp, Winamp, it really whips the llama's ass!"
ReplyDeleteGlad to see my topic of the day has spawned a lively debate. I did not, of course, mean to suggest I knew all the points about Macs and PCs, just wanted to list some reasons why I love mine. All great points made on the comments. I will say that my mouse and number pad did work fine when I was playing Warcraft. Otherwise, that thing would have been shipped back the next day! :)
Joe,
ReplyDeleteSo much for the Mac advantages:
1,2)I'm a PC and I have Itunes and Ipod.
3)Windows also asks before installing any executable file.
4)My PC never crashed, and my old Dell crashed 2-3 times in 4 years.
5)Both are getting paid. See what Matt said.
6)No spyware on my PC, there are tons of free software for that.
7)Have you heard of One Note? Not that I would ever use post-its on my desktop
8)Yeah, buying every expensive crap just because it's made by apple is really cool.
Dan
Since my life revolves entirely around computers, this sparked my interest. Allow me to start out by saying that both Macs and PCs are very similar to each other nowadays, the only real difference is the OS and price. Most Mac enthusiasts became so decades ago when there really WAS a difference and certain applications (mostly graphics) were more Mac-friendly.
ReplyDeleteSo as far as the OS goes, it's generally more resistant to spyware/viruses. If you're prone to getting this stuff (that is, if you like to download FREE stuff, or click on everything you see without reading it) then the Mac OS might be the right choice.
It probably doesn't need to be mentioned, but the price difference between both platforms is pretty amazing. You can buy a brand-new PC laptop for $399 very easily nowadays. It's hard to touch a new Mac laptop for under $1k. Don't really have to say much more than that.
One of the biggest problems new PCs have is the fact that most of them come pre-loaded with a whole bunch of junk software, trial software, manufacturers pet programs which drastically slow down PC performance from Day 1. That even includes pre-loaded Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware applications (don't get me started on these...just let me say these are the biggest, baddest resource hogs that cause probably 50% of the problems which they were advertised to resolve).
I think the other advantages/disadvantages are very debatable; most are either irrelevant 99% of the time, or have practical workarounds (you can plug in any keyboard/mouse that you like to a Mac and it works -- I certainly do this).
Also accommodating both platforms in the workplace is a nightmare since they don't play by the same rules hardly ever...
In fairness, I should add that if I were to buy a new laptop instead of desktop, I would consider getting a Mac if I found one comparably priced with a PC (which may not happen, according to ZaRocks). Brief reasoning follows:
ReplyDelete1) All laptops are pretty much "all-in-one," so the customization/upgrade options I love with desktop PC's kind of gets thrown out the window there.
2) With laptop, I don't have to buy a new keyboard, and would have to buy a mouse anyway with a PC. With desktop Macs, I would want to spend extra just to get a keyboard and mouse that I actually like. This makes an already expensive computer more expensive.
3) I would rarely game on the laptop, removing the issues I have with that.
In the end, the differences aren't huge; I could still get work done and game if there were only Macs. But as long as we have a choice, I am sticking with PC desktops :).
Also forgot you could just run a vm Mac workstation within Windows, I might try that at some point.
ReplyDeleteGaming on Macs is rough, as if a game does release for Macs, it is well after they've been released for PCs and other platforms.