Apple vs. PC
By
User:limia @timeAndDate(1296228465)
A battle for the ages! Apple vs. PC. Trendy hipster vs. uptight conformist. Justin Long vs. John Hodgman. Who will win the battle?
We've all seen the commercials and the stereotypes that come with it:
PC users are slightly nerdy, slaves to conformity. On the flip side, many a PC user would call Mac devotees cocky and snobbish, playing with overpriced toys. But when you stack Apple Macintoshes up against Windows PCs, who is the real winner?
Pre-Match Warmup
Apple Macs and PCs are not as different as some may have you think. Hardware for both are generally purchased from the same companies, including hard drives, memory, and
Round 1: Cost
One of the most important points in shopping is the price, and not just when you're looking for computers. Price can often be ''the'' deciding factor when choosing what to buy.
PCs definitely have the advantage, but that's not to say that they cannot be expensive. Features such as larger RAM, better graphics cards, and faster processors can up the price considerably.
When comparing an Apple and a PC of similar specifications, the price difference isn't that far off. Apple computers are not as "overpriced" as many would have you believeefficient.
'''Winner: PC'''
Round 2: What You Get Out of the Box
PCs can't compare with Apple here. You get a lot more standard features on an Apple Mac then you do on a PC.
'''Winner: Apple'''
Round 3: Selection
This is where PCs have a clear advantage: PCs, because of their diversity, can create machines that output much more power than any Apple Mac. That's saying a lot as a highIntel'>Alienware specifically make computers designed for entertainment and gaming, giving the Mac Pro a run for its money. If those brands are just too much money, you can find a wide array of different variations of PCs that should still suit your needs.
'''Winner: PC'''
Round 4: Operating Systems
Bonusbased computer. Apple tightly controls who uses their programs and how.
'''Winner: Apple '''
Round 5: Security
Apple seems to have the advantage, but that's where the problem lies. Because there are more security threats for Windows-based PCs, many computer manufacturers, software developers, and PC users are taking the extra step to make sure that they are protected. Microsoft Internet Explorer, while still vulnerable, has been beefing up its security features. Mac users, on the other hand, are not doing the same. They leave major vulnerable points unprotected under the belief that because they are not using a PC, they are safe. As Apple Macs continue to gain popularity, the threat of attack increases as well. Their unguarded vulnerability causes for this to be a split decision.
'''Winner: Draw'''
Round 6: Availability
The widespread use of PCs also tips software availability in their favor. A few years ago, you would be hard-pressed to find popular PC software readily available for the Mac. Things have greatly improved since then, but PCs still have the edge.
'''Winner: PC '''
Round 7: Service
No one wants to buy a computer, hook it up, turn it on, and then somewhere down the line have it malfunction. This is where service comes into play.
Apple usually gets pretty high marks on their customer service, while many PC users are less than satisfied.
'''Winner: Apple'''
The Decision
'''And the winner is: neither.'''
PCs and Macs are going to hold different value for different people. Buying a computer is not a split decision; it is one that should be made after a lot of research, and ultimately you should try to find the best computer for you. Do you want the sleek design of an Apple MacBook or are you more interested in the affordability and diversity that PCs offer? There are those who will take this battle to the death if they have to, but as computer technology continues to evolve, the differences between Macs and PCs become increasingly smaller. Neither can bring that one-two punch combo and completely knock out the competition.
Top Sellers: Apple
Top Sellers: PC
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