Mac or compatible | PC or compatible |
|---|
| Price, performance |
|---|
| Faster...The cheapest single-processor Mac available (iMac G3/233 MHz) is 40% faster than
the fastest single-processor PC available (Pentium II/400 MHz), and more than twice as fast as entry-level PCs
(Celeron/266 MHz). The fastest Mac Powerbook is roughly twice as fast as the fastest PC laptops. |
Computers today are so fast that most people don't notice the difference on everyday
applications. Also, mathematical benchmarks are not necessarily a good indication of real-world application speed.
Plus, there are lots of things besides the processor (video, disk, memory, etc.) that affect the speed of a machine.
|
| Cheaper comparably equipped machines...The PowerMac G3/233 with a 17" monitor, for example, is
roughly $400 cheaper than a comparably equipped Dell Optiplex E1 (with sound and SCSI), and more than twice as
fast. |
If you have the technical know-how, you can build your own PC cheaply. Plus, features like SCSI aren't
actually necessary for most people, and excluding them brings the price down. |
| Low-end PCs are unreliable for networking. Also, low end Macs are more than twice as fast as low-end
PCs. |
Cheaper low-end models...You can get a Pentium PC for as little as $500 (without a monitor),
perhaps less if you are willing to build your own from parts. |
| Ease Of Use |
|---|
| More user-friendly...Macs are easier to use, and much easier to figure out for total novices. The
graphical user-interface is simple and intuitive. Macs are intended to be as easy to use as your average household
appliance. |
When running Windows 95, PCs are now almost as easy to use as Macs. Context-sensitive right
mouse button provides relevant options and makes learning new apps easier. Extensive help helps. |
| Easier to setup and install software...It works as soon as you take it out of the box and plug it in.
The operating system comes pre-installed, and installing software (or re-installing the OS) is painless. No
blue-screen-of-death. |
When Windows 95 is pre-installed by a major manufacturer, PCs are now almost as easy to
setup as Macs. |
| Easier to network...Necessary software is built-in to the operating system, and configuration is
simple. |
When Windows 95 is pre-installed with the necessary drivers for the ethernet card, PCs are
now almost as easy to network as Macs. |
| Friendlier operating environment...The graphical and audio interface of the Mac OS was designed to be
less intimidating. |
The Windows OS has made consistent strides towards being more user-friendly. |
| More consistency between applications...Common commands have universal shortcuts in most software
applications, even applications from different companies. For example, Command-A will almost always select the entire
document. In addition, most applications look and feel the same, since Apple provides detailed guidelines and code
for software-developers. | Windows commands and appearances are becoming more consistent. |
| Easier to troubleshoot...Due to design considerations, Macs are easier to fix when there are
problems. | |
| Choices, options |
|---|
| With Apple's simple but varied product line and build-to-order options most
people can find a Mac configured to meet their needs. In addition, the limitted number of options (and vendors) makes
picking a machine easier.
| More clones, more options...The PC hardware market is fiercely competitive, with a vast number of
vendors. For the consumer, this means lower prices and more choices. The latest and greatest technology is available
sooner, and as cheaply as companies can sell it. Direct mail-order companies, which build state-of-the-art machines
to any configuration desired, provide the best PC buys. |
| Most features come standard...All Macs come with built-in sound, bootable CD-ROM, and SCSI (or USB)
standard. |
If you buy a pre-packaged bundle, it comes with most of what you need included. |
| Uniform standard for hardware...Many companies make and sell PCs, with varying degrees of
reliability. All Macs are made by Apple, and conform to the same standards. | |
| Smoother interaction between hardware and software...The company that makes the OS software also
makes the hardware, so the two work elegantly together. With PCs, since there are so many manufacturers and OS
options, compliance to standards is inconsistent, and special software is often needed. |
The company that makes the dominant OS software (Windows) also makes the dominant productivity
software (Office (Word, etc.)). |
| More configurable for power users...You're closer to the operating system, so you
can do more tweaking if you like. |
| There's no shortage of service centers or parts for Macs in this area (and other urban areas). Plus, there
are many discount Mac mail-order catalogs. | Parts are more readily
available, and cheaper...As with computers, choices abound. |
| Most Macs are fully expandable, with plenty of upgrade options. Plus, many people want a simpler computer,
and will never open it up or upgrade. |
More upgradeable...Most PCs are inherently modular, making it easy to swap or add components.
Plus, as with computers, choices abound. |
| Compatibility |
|---|
| More common in the workplace...Over 90% of businesses worldwide use PCs. The
consistency between different businesses makes it easy to transfer knowledge, experience, and files to other
companies, or to new jobs. |
| Cross-platform compatibility built in...The Mac OS can read PC disks, and translate PC files. PCs
need special software to read Mac disks, and translate Mac files. | |
| Can run PC software...Macs can run PC software using the Virtual PC or SoftWindows programs, which
fully emulate the PC operating system. In addition, PC compatibility cards allow your computer to BE a Mac and a PC.
In either case, switching from one OS to the other is effortless. |
Older, slower Macs run emulation software slowly, and PC compatibility cards cost up to $1000.
Besides, most software packages have PC versions available. Very little software is available only for Mac, so runing
both kinds of software insn't that usefull. |
| Apple is stable and gaining market share. You shouldn't base your purchasing decisions on stock prices, you
should base them on the products. |
Apple seems to have had poor management the past...Public perception is that Apple has been
unstable and in danger of folding. Despite seven quarters of growth, the perception persists -- but it is just that, a perception. |
| Software |
|---|
| Most standard software is made for both Mac and PC. Plus, you can run PC software on Macs if desired. |
More software and OS options...Many companies develop software exclusively for PCs. Also, many software
packages are released for PCs long before they are released for Macs. Several different operating systems are
available. In addition, most smaller developers nowadays develop for PCs (mainly Windows 95); if the software is
successful, it is then developed for Macs. This can be a considerable delay. |
| Better for graphic design...More speed, superior software, and better color matching make Macs far
better for desktop-publishing, web page design, video rendering, and other graphical applications. |
If you don't need precise color matching (generally reserved for graphics professionals), much of the
same software and comparable hardware are available for PCs, and sometimes cheaper. |
| There are many games available for the Mac, and some developed specifically for the Mac. Also, as with
other software, you can run PC games on Macs. Besides, you should be spending time on your studies. |
Better games...Many more games are available, and cutting edge games are usually developed for
the PC. Games developed for both platforms come out much later for the Mac. |
| Mac OS 8.1 is very stable. Most PC users use Windows 95, not OS/2 or NT. Also, fewer OS choices makes
picking one less confusing. |
More stable OS options...PCs running OS/2 or Windows NT crash much less often than most desktop
computers. |
| Fewer viruses...There are over 100 times more PC viruses than Mac viruses, and Mac viruses are less
infectious that PC viruses. |
Most PC viruses are simple enough to be easily detected and removed by PC anti-virus software,
whereas those few Mac viruses are complex and often more difficult to detect and destroy. |
| Stanford |
|---|
| Used by more classes...More classes require or recommend Mac use than PC use. The Computer Science
department, for example, runs most classes using Mac software. You can do your classwork on your own computer. |
Aside from CS, most Engineering classes use PC software. |
