Reviewers and pundits hotly debate the relative value of a Macintosh versus a PC. Now that all Macs can run Windows (because they now use Intel chips), it’s no longer entirely an apples-to-oranges comparison (no pun intended). However, the Mac OS will only run on a Macintosh computer, which still makes the product line unique. Although there are arguments for both sides, Macs seem to have a leg up in terms of performance. Still, the majority of Americans uses PCs, and PCs are still notably cheaper — as Microsoft’s recent “Lauren” ads aim to demonstrate.
Used NotebookIn price-point tests conducted in April 2009, James Martin at PC World attempts to find out what features and specs you can get on a Mac and a PC laptop costing $1,000.
In his view, this more closely replicates the decisions real people make when shopping for a computer. Martin compares the previous white MacBook to the HP Pavilion dv3510nr and the Dell Inspirion 13. As he explains, “your dollar definitely goes further with the Windows laptops.” In an older article, Martin obtains a similar result at the £1,700 level. However, both reports predate price reductions and/or enhancements that have since taken place. Additionally, both price comparisons are of limited value because he doesn’t actually test the laptops, he just attempts to see “how much machine you get for the money.” And Mac proponents will tell you that head-to-head price comparisons are not fair, because they don’t take into account the many benefits of a Mac that aren’t reflected on a spec sheet.
Cost of use is another issue. With Apple adopting PC standards like IDE, SATA and USB, and using Intel processors, Macs have fewer proprietary parts than they used to have. However, the cost of Macintosh service and repairs still extends beyond the purchase price. For instance, if the optical drive in an iMac or mini dies, owners must pay for Apple’s proprietary replacement parts or buy an expensive external DVD burner. Because the internal drives are built into the chassis, they aren’t user-replaceable parts. Apple’s own extended warranty, the AppleCare Protection Plan, is the most expensive in the industry. However, Apple computers consistently top PC computers in reliability and satisfaction surveys.
In addition, the unique qualities of the Macintosh operating system makes value hard to quantify. The Mac OS is superior to Windows for graphic design, desktop publishing (because Macs have flawless WYSIWYG — what-you-see-is-what-you-get — printing capability), music production and certain sciences. Some programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, run better under the Mac OS. Both Apple and Microsoft have released new operating systems, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Windows 7, respectively. Preston Gralla pits these operating systems in a head-to-head test at Computerworld. Not surprisingly, the test results in a tie and Gralla concludes that he will continue to use both operating systems.
Experts say emotion weighs heavily when considering Apple computers. This company has a loyal following unrivaled in the industry. Proponents say that Apple’s tight software integration and relative lack of security problems are enough to propel it past any Windows-based laptop. Style also figures into the equation. On a purely clinical level, a Windows computer is nearly always less expensive, but many people are happy to pay more for a Macintosh.
Running Windows on a Mac
If you are considering a Mac as a Windows computer, it will be much more expensive. You need to buy a full edition of the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system (*Est. £150 and up, depending on version) in addition to the cost of the computer. Apple does not offer Windows as a preinstalled option, but dealers might. Of course, running Windows on a Macintosh is cheaper than buying two computers. With a laptop, it can be more convenient, too. If you’re torn between a Mac and its seamless hardware/software integration and the universality of Windows, you can have your cake and eat it too, albeit at a steep price. Review tests indicate that Windows can run just as fast on a Mac as on a comparable PC.
Two programs, Apple’s free Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop 5.0 for Mac (*Est. £60), allow Mac users to run both Mac OS X and Windows on the same Apple computer. Boot Camp comes with the Mac OS, but requires users to reboot to use Windows. As the name implies, Parallels allows you to use both operating systems at the same time. Reviewers say it is faster, too. Boot Camp is not yet compatible with the recently released Windows 7, although Apple says a software update will be available by the end of 2009. The newest version of Parallels supports Windows 7.
At one time, the Mac OS was much easier to use than Windows (and before that, DOS). Windows 95 closed that gap by largely copying the Macintosh graphical user interface. Subsequent versions of Windows have made incremental improvements in ease of use, and Mac OS X was a major departure from previous Macintosh operating systems. For people who already know one system but haven’t used the other, the known system is easier to use. However, few people have difficulty switching in either direction these days. The learning curve is not steep.