I have been running PCs ever since I first started working with computers. Pretty much everything I know about computers centers around the PC running Windows. As I write this, I personally own 4 laptop computers and 4 working desktop computers. And, while I sit here writing this on one of my laptops, I am actually thinking about buying a Mac.
PC Versus Mac
The war between PC and Mac has been a funny thing to behold. It is like watching the war between Windows users and Linux users. Both sides (especially Linux users) are extremely dedicated to their “side”. The recent article I wrote on Can Linux Replace Windows garnered such a response from Linux users that it boosted that article as the most popular article on the entire site. It really does seem like a team sport and Linux users are playing for blood.
The Mac crowd is very similar to the Linux crowd. The number of Mac users compared to PC users is much smaller, however they are really dedicated. Most Mac users really love their Macs. In my opinion, some Mac users are downright cocky about their choice of hardware. The famous Mac versus PC commercials are case in point, portraying the PC guy as a stuck-up nerd and the Mac guy as a cool guy.
I don’t much get into such debates. I have only used a Mac a few times in my life. Being so used to PCs, I actually found some of it confusing. After all, MacOS is pretty different to use. So, why am I contemplating switching teams?
Switching to the Dark Side?
I have my eye on a MacBook. I was recently in Seattle attending Gnomedex 2007. I noticed that a larger percentage of the geeks at the conference were using MacBooks. The guy right in front of me was using a gorgeous MacBook Pro with a 17-inch screen, nice screen resolution, and just a slick package. And what really got my eyebrow up was watching him use Windows on his Mac inside of Parallels.
Parallels is, to me, the saving grace for the Mac. I realize that some die-hard Mac users will think that’s stupid. Why would I want to use Windows at all? Well, I’ve been using Windows forever. I own a lot of Windows software. And, let’s face it, there are some things with I really think Windows is just better at. With Parallels, I can get the best of both worlds. I can run MacOS when I want to use it, and run Parallels inside of MacOS to run Windows applications just like I usually do. If buying a Mac meant a complete switch to MacOS, I would never consider buying one. It is because I can still run Windows that I am considering it.
Apple’s switch to Intel processors, and the availability of Parallels, make Apple something worth looking at.
Where Apple Gets It Right
Apple is an impressive company. They are evolving from a computer company into more of a gadget company. Their release of the Iphone, along with the Ipods that are already out there, has jumped Apple lightyears ahead into the gadget market. Because of these devices, Apple is known for powerful simplicity coupled with some superb marketing. Their hardware is very capable, yet Apple has given their stuff some absolutely gorgeous interfaces which are just easy to use. They really seem to think of design of their equipment more so than PC manufacturers. For example, their MacBook Pro has backlit keys on the keyboard. That is such an innovative feature and is hard to find in PC notebooks.
Mac software, in some cases, also seems to be slicker and better designed than their Windows counterparts. For instance, in some recent work we were doing with webcams, we found a free program called CamTwist that would be incredible. However, it is a Mac-only program. The best alternative we could find for Windows was WebCamMax which is just clunky as hell.
Where They Get it Wrong
Apple is a little bit too exclusive with their stuff, and they have pricing to back it up. For this reason, I do not plan on buying one right away. I understand that this is part of Apple’s marketing plan. They want their products to be perceived as being used by the “it” crowd. So, they price them higher and they put out commercials making fun of PCs. There are certainly PCs that beat the hell out of a Macbook Pro, though.
Subjective, I Know
I fully realize this is a subjective look at the Apple. Perhaps later after I get one I can do a more thorough comparison of the two platforms. For now, though, I am planning on making my next computer purchase a MacBook Pro, then immediately installing Parallels so that I can run Windows. Sure, I’ll use Apple software when appropriate, but I am certainly not ready to throw in the towel and say goodbye to the PC world.
But, I am ready to dabble.
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Love this. I made the “switch” this weekend. After decades of being a PC user my wife and said the heck with it and bought one of the new 24″ iMacs. Three days and it’s been pure joy. But like you, I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for Parallels and VM Fusion. Plus I still have 2 Windows machines and a linux box. No single operating system or setup will ever be perfect. But as long as there are options…
Yes, and that’s the thing – options. Some die-hard Mactards were complaining when Apple switched to Intel processors. But, the truth is it was one of the smartest moves they’ve made. They opened up to the PC world and gave us options. Smart.
The myth that Macs are more expensive I guess is going to take a while to extinguish. You can get a very nice iMac with 20″ screen, all the nice goodies such as wifi-802.11N, bluetooth, dvd burner, nice software (iLife), etc for $1,199. Not bad. Apple just won’t put out an el-cheapo machine like some other companies. Also, lets face it, those el-cheapo machines are cheap for a reason, and most companies use them to bait you to switch to a higher priced model. MacBooks start at $1,099 and Mac Minis start at $599 (use your old Windows keyboard, mouse, and monitor, no need to change those). So you don’t have to be part of the “it” crowd to own a Mac. Please stop spreading the myth that Macs are so much more expensive than comparable PCs.
Follow up comment to Tim — I mostly agree with you. I am not going to lie and say that my little purchase this weekend came cheap. By the time I walked out of the store I spent $2500. That included the 24″ iMac, Aperture, iWork 08, and the 3 yr service plan
Follow up comment to Tim — I mostly agree with you. I am not going to lie and say that my little purchase this weekend came cheap. By the time I walked out of the store I spent $2500. That included the 24″ iMac, Aperture, iWork 08, and the 3 yr service plan (Oddly enough I never have owned a service plan because I have never kept PC parts for three years
In this case I wanted the support in case I got stuck as a switcher and wanted help).
But you are right. It is a myth that the basic cost is higher. Sure you can get a POS PC for $300, but by the time you make it something worthwhile you have spent 800-1000. Out of my purchase, about 550 was software/service, and about 200 tax. Take 750 off and the iMac itself was only 1799. Have you priced 24″ monitors lately? Heck, 1799 is almost a steal
Buy a refurbished machine from the Apple Store online – the link’s at the bottom right of the page. You’ll get a good-as-new laptop reduced by $200-$300, and Apple treats it from a warranty point of view as a new machine – exactly the same coverage. What’s to lose? I’ve bought a lot of Macs that way with excellent results.
Recently I ordered a MacBook Pro, once delivered I had the computer set-up, and all files transfered inside of an hour.
The migration was drop-dead easy.
This was something that Windows could improve on, although Vista might be better.
Thanks for writing this lucid article. You seem like an honest thinker, seriously trying to separate the chaff from the wheat.
I never answer these Mac v. PC propositions, but I make an exception here: The Mac is not over-priced — especially these days. You don’t always get what you pay for, but It is false economy to choose a product that will:
1) “End of Life” more than twice as early as a Mac, on average;
2) Keep you running to the store for add-ons – $69.95 here, $459.79 there, and on up;
3) Underachieve the Mac software cornucopia that is enough to keep you and your kin facile, amazed and smiling for a long time;
4) Run a lot noiser. With virtually any Mac you will feel better, happier after long sessions;
5) Migrate to the landfill without the typical high Mac resale value.
Apple was founded as a “gadget company” in a way. In 1976, a “computer” was what we call a server, and you accessed it via a terminal. Anything self-contained was a “microcomputer” – and you usually had to solder it together yourself. The fact that Apple was selling a complete ready-to-use machine with molded plastic, curved edges, and an interface that mere mortals could use (a keyboard? where’s the switches and punch-card interface?! This is a toy!) made them more gadget maker than computer company.
It wasn’t until 1985, with the ousting of Steve Jobs that Apple became just another beige-box maker. When he returned in 1997, everything went back to the was it was before. Only now, 10 years later, do people “get” what he’s doing (and what he’s always done).
Like televisions, microwaves, and VCRs, SJ believes closed boxes make better products for MOST people.
…and until 1995, only The Enterprise bought computers (and still makes up 90+% of sales). Most home computers were used for geek work and geek play. Non-geeks need not apply.
Because of this reality, all other computer makers design their products and services around the needs of the corporations.
Apple makes computing gadgets (aka “Macs”) for “the rest of us” (non-Enterprise, non-geek users).
Pretty good article — for a twelve year old.
The “it” crowd; price them higher; make fun of PCs; die-hard Mactards? Are you serious?
I might return when your voice cracks.
You pretend to be a journalist. ‘Damned with faint praise’ — look it up.
You buy a Mac for the OS. The clean looking hardware is just a bonus.
Apple does not sell junk. You get what you pay for. If you trick out a PC to make it a close comparison with a Mac, in most cases, the Mac is the same price or cheaper. Unless, of course, you live in a protectionist country trying to protect the local PC manufacturer with import duties.
Still, with a Mac you spend your time working or creating or playing, not rebooting or searching for malware or updating virus definitions. Then, when you want a new model, your old Mac has a much greater resale value. Your total cost of ownership can be up to half that of a cheaper PC.
I hope you will get Leopard, due in October, if you buy a MacBook now. I agree about the big hole in Apple’s hardware. They’ve never used Intel’s desktop chipsets. It’s portables and servers/workstations. I’d like them to bring back a compact desktop in addition to the portable behind a screen, aka iMac. I’m sure you’ll find the numerous software solutions to increase effeciency and keyboard shortcuts. There’s just a lot more quality shareware and freeware on average for OS X. You should also enjoy he command line.
You can also set up your new Mac as dual boot with Apple’s free Boot Camp. Parallels works slick in Coherence Mode.
Iv’e always used Mac. It’s very simple and comes with beautiful applications like iMove, iPhoto, and many other simple to use, yet powerful features. When I got my new iMac with an Intel processor, I downloaded bootcamp and fully installed Windows XP SP2. Thus I could choose my operating system at startup.
I was (still am) a mac user for years and just built my first custom PC. There are undeniable pros and cons to each side. Having the option to use either is great. I installed boot camp on my macbook and can now run windows natively on my Mac laptop… what a brave new world we live in.
Make the purchase, you’ll love it.
I own a G4 Powerbook, four Windows boxes, and several Linux machines that I run as servers.
For every day use (email, browsing the web) and for photo editing I use the powerbook exclusively. About once a month Apple pushes out updates and I reboot my laptop. Every other day I open the lid and within a few seconds I’m typing up a storm.
I use the Windows machines for testing purposes and playing games. It supports the newest hardware and I only spent a few hundred dollars to build a powerful gaming machine. However, I had to spend several hours two weeks ago because a Windows update ‘updated’ my Video Cards driver and I had to restore to before the update and reinstall the proper driver.
One of my Linux servers hasn’t been rebooted in two years and has run flawlessly as a web server, an email server, and an SMB file server.
Each OS has its place in the world and each user has to decide how they plan to use their computer to make an intelligent purchase.
On a final note, Windows breaks the most frequently but finding an MCP to fix your machine is cheap because there are so many. Engineers comfortable with working on Mac OS are more costly and finding a Linux engineer is just expensive.