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Introduction
I'm assuming that most of the people that reach this site are looking to buy a personal computer, not a Macintosh. This is because a Mac comes in only a couple of forms and the one you buy basically comes down to how much you want to spend.
However, I still think it is worth edifying the general public that a Mac should not be a status symbol of what you can afford, but that it has it's place and in some cases is a better purchase than a PC.
Index
Price
Software
Operating System
Viruses
Final Words
About Me
How to buy a Desktop Computer
Price
People like to bring this up a lot. No matter how you do the numbers PC's are cheaper than a Mac (period). There is no such thing as a $300 Apple laptop, for $300 Apple will give you an Mp3 player.Software
Now the real question is whether or not the price of a Mac is more than a PC when you have identical hardware configurations? You can Google that question, and I'm sure there will be results but I don't really care.
The point that I think should be made is you don't buy things based on price unless it's a question of affordability. If you don't have the $1000 to purchase a Mac then you're stuck with nothing or a PC, and until that changes little else matters.
Bottom Line - It does not matter, make your purchase based on your needs.
A PC will always have a greater variety of software than a Mac. However, there is a question of quality over quantity. If as a Mac user the software you have is sufficient and you take greater joy in using it then you will be satisfied with your computer experience.Operating System
As for software reliability I've used both a Mac and a PC for extensive periods of time and at least when a PC crashes you have the option to ctrl alt delete (apple Q is not the same). I will say that most of my trouble with Mac programs was with programs that came with the computer itself so they might be just as bad on a PC.
Bottom Line - If you're happy with the choices you have on a Mac then you're good to go, otherwise you'll never be limited by what you want to do on a PC.
If you've been using Windows all your life, switching to a Mac is going to be a struggle. Even though they claim they have a better user interface and it's easier to use, you still have to learn a new complicated interface. One example of this is how you eject a music CD ... you drag the contents into the recycle bin. To me i just deleted all the contents on the CD... which I know can't be done but who knows what you can do on a Mac?Viruses
To be fair windows isn't without it's share of problems but everyone knows how to use a window unless they've grown up on a Mac (some .001 % of computer users in the world.. just a guess). If you really want to you'll be able to learn the interface after a few headaches just like anything else.
Bottom Line - Everyone knows how to use a PC. Given enough time you'll pick up how to use a Mac as well. Mac Pro Tip : drag the CD/DVD into the recycle bin to eject the disc.
Both operating systems get viruses and spam ware. In the future Apple is going to have to deal with a greater number of threats and exploits due to its growing market share. A hacker unlike popular belief is not always out to do malicious things for fun, they're trying to make money. This means that they want to hit as many possible victims as possible. When 99% of the world uses a PC, then that is who you target with your viruses and spyware.Final Words
Now I don't want to defend Microsoft too much because there is lots of argument that they have not done a good enough job. However, we might have Google to thank in the future as they have made a claim that their OS will make it so that "users will not have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates". We'll just have to wait and see what that means.
Bottom line - Both operating systems deal with viruses and spam, currently Windows users will have to deal with it more.
If you read my about page you'll find out that I am a PC user. I did for six months have to use an Apple at a startup I was a part of, so I feel like I've been on both sides of the tape.About Me
My biggest complaint isn't against Apple but against the rest of the computer industry for not being able to have an answer. There is no reason that it has taken Dell or HP, both companies that dwarf (or used to dwarf) Apple in size, too respond with their own savvy marketing and slick computer design. Either of them could have mimicked Apples ability to create beautiful computers but they dropped the ball.
If you're not sure which computer you want, then you should probably stick to a PC. If you want a Mac you should know why you want it, for specific image/video editing software. Because you like how it manages your music and your photographs. Have a reason, don't spend money because you think it's a status symbol.
Bottom Line - Choose a computer based on needs.
Who am I to be telling you what to buy with your hard earned money? Check out the about page to decide for yourself.
Bottom Line - Check it out; I even talk about my own computer buying experience!
