Mac vs. PC
This
is one of the most controversial topics when talking about computers.
This document is meant to give a comparison between Apple Macintosh
computers and PC computers running Microsoft
Windows. This page should
be used to help educate users looking to buy a new computer and not as a
method of declaring the best of the two. You should base your buying
decision off what you believe
will work best for you.
| Topic | Mac | PC |
|---|---|---|
| Security | When compared to any PC running Microsoft Windows all Apple Macintosh computers are much more secure and less vulnerable to viruses and other malware. | Most people today are using computers running some version of Microsoft Windows, which makes it a much better target for attackers. |
| Price | Although many may argue you get what you pay for, when compared to a PC an Apple computer, the computer, its peripherals, upgrades, and repairs are almost always more than a PC. | The vast majority of PC computers and their peripherals today are much cheaper and affordable when compared to a new Apple Macintosh computer. |
| Operating System | The Apple Macintosh operating system is a much cleaner and stable operating system than all versions of Microsoft Windows. | Although Microsoft has improved its operating system with Windows 7 many PC manufacturers still bundle crapware with their computers. With this extra software and drivers from dozens of manufacturers, the Windows Operating System can be less stable. |
| Software | Although the available software options for an Apple computer is increasing it's nothing when compared to the software available for Windows computers. However, with Boot Camp an Apple user could still run Windows and many of its programs. | More people are using and developing for PC computers running Microsoft Windows, which helps give it a much larger selection. In addition, there is an almost endless supply of 100% free programs, and for any program that does come out on the PC and the MAC, the PC version is often released first. |
| Quality | The Apple Macintosh computers are often built with a lot better materials when compared with most PC computers. | To help keep the overall costs low some PC manufacturers build their computers from plastics and other cheaper materials when compared to a Mac. However, there are also PC manufacturers who meet and sometimes exceed the quality of Apple computers and Apple still does use plastic in some of its products. |
| Options | When compared to a PC an Apple Macintosh has fewer options for customization. | PC computers are available in almost any imaginable configuration, color, size, etc. If you can think of something that's not available, it's likely someone could still build it for you. |
| Boot time | The boot time on an Apple Macintosh can be a lot less when compared to a Windows computer. | PC computers have an operating system that is designed by Microsoft and hardware that's designed by dozens of different companies. Because of this and other factors the boot time can be greater than a Mac. With the newest version of Windows and hardware, the PC can boot just as fast as a Mac or very close. |
| Upgrades | Although many of the most commonly upgraded parts in a Macintosh can be upgraded, not everything is upgradable like the PC. In addition, parts that can be upgraded are usually much more expensive. | Pretty much every part within a computer can be upgraded in almost all PC computers. In addition because of openness and competition between hardware vendors, parts are also often cheap and first available for the PC. Finally, if you plan on building your own computer the PC is the only way to go. |
| Drivers | Much of the hardware and drivers are developed by Apple. Because of this you are less likely to encounter driver related issues. | PC computers use hardware from dozens of manufacturers and use dozens of different drivers. Therefore, it's more likely you'll encounter driver issues. However, with the latest version of Windows Microsoft have resolved many of the driver issues that plagued previous versions. |
| Gaming | Although many (but not all) game developers release games for both the Mac and PC most of them still release their games and updates to the PC first. In some cases, you may have to wait years for a game to be released on a Mac if it ever releases. | The PC is king when it comes to games and online gaming. All major computer games are released for the PC first. In addition, PC users have the option of running higher performance video cards and getting the absolute best performance from their games. |
| Repair | Many of the new MacBooks and other Apple products are starting to use glue to hold components inside the computer in place. This can make the computers extremely difficult and expensive to repair. | Although PC laptops can still be more difficult to repair than a desktop computer, their components are not glued in place and are often easier and cheaper to repair than a MacBook or Apple product with parts that have been glued in place. |
Additional disclaimers
Not all PC's are the same
- There are dozens of PC manufacturers and thousands of models of
computers, which means not all of the above may apply to your PC or the
PC you're considering purchasing.
My Apple can run Windows - Microsoft Windows can be run on Apple computers using Boot Camp,
which means not everything above may apply to your Mac. In the case of
gaming, you may be able to run the latest games on your Mac using Boot
Camp. However, Boot Camp is not perfect, and it doesn't mean every game
will be able to run on your computer since PC games are not developed
with Apple hardware in mind, it's also not unlikely to encounter
problems and have performance issues.
Windows XP is not Windows 7 or Windows 8
- Windows XP is over 10 years old and comparing a Windows XP computer
to a new MacBook computer is like comparing a Ferrari to a Ford Pinto.
When comparing any technology age is an important factor since newer
technologies like SSD vs HDD
can make a huge difference in performance. If you're trying to decide
between purchasing a PC or a Mac, make sure you're comparing the latest
computers and that they have similar hardware components.
For example, if you're looking at a Mac with a SSD and a PC with a HDD,
the PC will be cheaper, but its also going to be slower.
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