Today’s computer shopper has a choice of two great software platform standards in Windows and Mac, but lines have blurred between the types of hardware, which generally share Intel® CPUs.

Today’s computer shopper has a choice of two great software platform standards in Windows and Mac, but lines have blurred between the types of hardware, which generally share Intel® CPUs.

Jun 16, 2018  Ex-Google tech lead Patrick Shyu reviews Mac versus PC for programmers and software developers. For the tech field, is there a clear choice on which laptop/computer to. Before the Mac vs. Pc war fires up, I just want to say that hp computers by themselves are awful in my opinion. Even when you don't compare them to other notebooks they're build quality by any standard is outright terrible. They really are not designed to last and are more for people who are used to switching computers every 2 years or less.

Which Platform Is Right for You?

• Consider if you like the Mac hardware and software aesthetic or would prefer the roll-your-own configurations that come with PCs.

• Decide whether you will use touch and voice input capabilities.

• Determine what software you’ll use and where you’ll keep it—on your computer or in the cloud.

• Consider whether your future needs might require upgrades and additions to the computer.

In computing circles, “PC vs. Mac” has long been a topic of debate—advocates on both sides felt so intense that it was better to steer clear of the subject unless you were up for a furious debate. While Macs and PCs still both have passionate followings, the differences between the two types of computers have dramatically lessened over the years. The result is your decision comes down to subtle preferences—but you really can’t go wrong with either choice. It has become less a matter of hardware and software than of style and personal taste.

The Ecosystem: Do You Think Less Is More or More Is More?

When you buy a Mac, you’re buying a philosophy as much as a piece of computer technology. The same company produces the hardware and software, and the computers share an aesthetic sensibility with Apple* phones and tablets. Mac offers just six computer styles with a limited choice of configurations—a “best of the best approach” that eliminates the need to wade through an excessive amount of options. If you don’t like deliberating over RAM, disk space, and other hardware components, Mac does much of the work for you.

With PCs, roughly a dozen major manufacturers produce the hardware, and most run the Windows operating system. You can have hundreds of choices of style and configurations, allowing you to find exactly what you want, though it may take more time and deliberation. Whether more is more or less is often in the eye of the beholder.

Price: Look Beyond the Price Tag

Mac Vs Windows For College

Macs have long carried a reputation for premium pricing compared to PCs, though advocates would say that was simply the cost of higher-end components that provide better performance and reliability.

Making an apples-to-apples comparison on price for PC vs. Mac has always been difficult, though, because PCs and Macs typically have different pre-installed software and components, such as graphics cards, ports, and processor speed. The standard model Macs tend to offer less memory and hard drive space, so you need to take the specs into consideration.

Because of their lower cost, PCs have often been the choice for people who needed basic computing functions, like word processing and web surfing, while creative professionals who perform tasks such as design or video editing have been willing to shell out extra money for the apple of their eye. That said, the premium for the Apple know-how has shrunk to a couple of hundred bucks, making price a smaller consideration.

Maintenance: Are You a Troubleshooter?

Just as Macs offer a narrow number of choices, the systems tend to stay as they are – typically only the hard drive and RAM can be upgraded. PCs, coming in so many models from so many vendors, usually allow any of the individual hardware components to be switched out, from the central processing unit (CPU) to the displays. Whether that matters may depend on how you use the computer, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you are adept at handling some of your own maintenance.

Because Apple makes both the hardware and software, you have one primary place to turn when you have an issue, and issues can usually be resolved quickly. With PCs, different vendors make the hardware and software, and problem solving can be more complicated. Partly for this season, Apple has always received high marks from Mac owners for customer service.

Software: Your Choice May Be Up in the Clouds

In the past, it was easy to pick a Mac or PC based on the type of software you needed. Business productivity tools were domain of the Windows operating system, while editing, photo and other creativity apps were clearly a Mac world.

And though the PC tends to dominate in the workplace, many software programs for professional use—including Microsoft* Office and the Adobe* Creative Suite—have versions for both operating systems. The software has also become a smaller issue as many people no longer load software on their computer but maintain subscriptions for software they can access via the cloud. If you stream videos on YouTube, for example, your browser doesn’t care what type of computer or operating system you’re using.

Playing Games: Close the Window on This One

Gamers have always flocked to PCs, and that won’t change anytime soon. PCs can now stream games from Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and the number of titles available on a PC dwarf the Mac. So if gaming is more than just fun and games in your house, the PC wins hands-down.

Getting Touchy-Feely: PCs Emphasize Speech and Touch

For all the passion of Mac users, PC advocates can now honestly say they have a more touchy-feely relationship with their computers. Recent versions of the Windows operating system have embraced touch and speech, such as the new feature Cortana* in Windows* 10, which enables voice commands to schedule appointments. Apple has integrated its voice recognition software, Siri, into its desktop models but has been resistent to introduce a touch feature into its operating system, OS* X.

So if you prefer speaking to your computer, or moving your finger across the screen, to a keyboard and mouse, PCs offer a clear advantage.

Security: Mac Still Gets the Nod

At one time, PCs were known for frequent crashes, but the Windows operating system has become significantly more reliable. While Mac hardware and software is denoted by its stability, the difference here has lessened.

The odds of getting a virus or malware with a PC remain higher than with a Mac, but this is more about the numbers game than technology. About 7.5% of the computers in use are Mac, according to IDC, so hackers spend more time and creativity attacking PCs.

That said, a sprinkling of Mac-attacks have begun to appear, such as last year’s Keyranger ransomware which attacked the OS* X operating system and encrypted all files on a hard drive until users paid an extortion fee. The proper antivirus program and other safeguards will keep either system safe, but PCs will be at greater risk.

The Choice:

PCs and Macs do offer some clear-cut differences; which of those differences are the most important is something that each person has to decide for his or herself. Due to price and availability, PCs tend to be the winner, while Macs remain the choice for the more elite or anti-Windows computer users. Either way, you can’t really go wrong. It truly is the golden age of computers.

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Posted By Staff Writer on August 30, 2017

It’s an argument as old as the digital stone age, and it rages on in forum threads and comments sections across the interwebs. Everyone insists that their computational preference is the true path to electronic enlightenment. But between Mac and PC, is one really better than the other? Can we finally crown one of them the Supreme Sovereign of Silicon?

Windows PC

Microsoft preceded Apple by about a year and, unlike Apple, has dominated the computer market with phenomenal success essentially since its inception. Becoming famous primarily with Windows 95, Microsoft has a long history of being top dog in the computing world. It’s had its share of mistakes with some of its products (Windows ME, Windows Vista, Windows 8), but that hasn’t stopped them from seeing unprecedented success. Known for machines that can get down to business, computers running a Windows operating system are still the standard for offices both home and corporate across the world today.

Pros:

Customizable and maintainable—PCs are typically designed so that broken hardware can be replaced, and old hardware can be upgraded

PCs come from a variety of manufacturers, creating a variety of options in areas like price, performance, and appearance

Easy to find an inexpensive option if all you need is a web browser and a word processor

Often, options equal in performance to Macs tend to be cheaper

You can build a PC on your own (or have your techie friend do it)

With available performance options and upgrading capacity, PCs are better than Macs for hardcore gaming

Windows holds the majority share of the market, which means that the majority of software is developed to run on a Windows operating system, rather than Mac

Many PCs on the market have touchscreen capabilities

Cons:

Mac Vs Pc For College 2018

With these additional resources, we strive to ensure that useful resources are always available to our students, graduates, and community. After all, knowledge is power, and that is what Independence University works hard to provide.

Windows operating systems have historically been less stable than Mac ones, and thus are more prone to crashes and “blue screens of death”

Without a solid antivirus software suite, PCs are less secure than Macs

Cheaper PCs tend to be built with lower-quality components, making them more fragile and less reliable

Because of the diversity of hardware and software on the market, not all of its features function as smoothly as designed, resulting (for instance) in driver-related issues

Apple Computers (Mac)

While Microsoft was the first to incorporate, Apple was the one to invent the GUI-based technology we’ve all come to know and love. If it wasn’t for them, we might all still be using DOS prompts to get things done (though, that might mean we’d all be a little more tech-literate, if you’re looking for a silver lining). It took Microsoft a full two years to replicate this system, and since then, it has been the standard for nearly every operating system on the market. Apple hasn’t always been the successful technology juggernaut that it is today. In fact, they had to bring back founder Steve Jobs to breathe life back into the company, and that he did. With the iMac, the company regained profitability and began to take its place as a true household name. After that, products like the iPod, iTunes, and of course the iPhone, have turned Apple into one of the world’s most profitable companies.

Pros:

Up until recently, Macs have been virtually virus-free

Macs are designed as a whole unit, typically using high-quality parts and software, making them durable and long-lasting

Mac operating systems tend to be more stable, slicker, and faster-running than Windows

With nearly all of the software developed in-house, Macs encounter much fewer driver issues

Mac computers integrate seamlessly with other Apple tablets and mobile devices

For software that needs a Windows operating system, you can always run Windows inside of a “virtual box”

Mac Vs Pc For College 2019

Though it’s starting to change, Macs have traditionally lacked the customizability of PCs

Mac designs are elegant, but they’re one-size-fits-all; there are no alternative options if you want a different look

Mac designs tend to be less gracious with hard drive/SSD size than PCs

Mac OS-specific software and programs are sometimes more rare in comparison to those designed specifically for Windows

Macs frequently lack the specs for high performance, hardcore gaming

Apple Or Windows For College

When Macs break, typically the only solution is to send it to the manufacturer or an authorized repair shop, both of which can be expensive

Mac Vs Pc For College Biology Major

What's the verdict?

Macbook Or Windows For College

In the end, there’s no clear victor in this computing contest. Speaking to his experience as a Pixar animator, Craig Good said: “Most administration, management, storyboarding, painting, motion graphics, sound and picture editing are done on Macs. Some people in accounting and a few other specialties have to use Windows.” The competition between the two companies has created incredible products like the iPad and the Microsoft Surface. It may be that this fight will continue to rage into the future, with no one claiming “King of the Hill” status. There are just too many variables to consider (and we haven’t even mentioned Linux yet), so your best bet is to choose which kind of computer best fits your personality, or best fits your needs. A good computer is an indispensable tool when it comes to earning a college degree. That’s why new Stevens-Henager College students receive a tablet for the first day of classes and a laptop when they begin their fourth module. And, with a selection of classes both on campus and online, it’s never been easier to earn a degree. Contact us today to learn more. PC vs. MAC Infographic