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PC or Mac? Mac or PC? There’s probably no more hotly debated topic in tech. Apple fans passionately praise the virtues of a Mac. PC fans can’t understand why people pay a lot more money for a Mac. In general, each side is firmly convinced of the reasons why their computer is the best choice.
The debate between PC vs. Mac is even more contentious than the debate of iPhone vs. Android. People are often restricted in their choice of smartphones by their carrier or their contract. They may be committed to their particular smartphone only until their contract allows them to upgrade to a new phone at a significant discount.
Computer buyers don’t have that kind of restriction. They’re free to buy which ever computer they want, within their budget. They may have learned computing on one platform and never tried the other. Or they tried it and didn’t understand the appeal of the other platform.
What is your preference?
Macs are generally more expensive than their PC counterparts, but Macs offer a user experience that many view as superior to that of the PC. Macs used to have an advantage that they were immune to viruses, but lately that hasn’t been true as hackers have begun to target Macs as well as PC’s, though Macs are still safer from viruses than PC’s. PC’s are more affordable and tend to have the most software available.
Today’s poll is designed not only to discover your preference but also to help others, including me, decide which type of computer to buy. My PC laptop is on its last leg, literally being held together with duct tape. I bought it nearly three years ago, when I still lived in England, long before this blog was even a twinkle in my eye. I didn’t buy it thinking I would use it for heavy-duty blogging work, so it has held up very well, considering the circumstances.
My assumption was that I would replace my PC with a new PC, but my daughter, who has a MacBook Pro, is doing a good job of trying to convince me to switch to a Mac. She has shown me cool features on the touch pad, easy file management, and useful apps that can be added. Her 13″ screen is sharp and clear, making my old laptop screen seem almost blurry by comparison. The user experience is compelling on the Mac, but returning to my PC seems as comfortable as putting on my favorite pair of slippers.
The best advice may have come from my middle daughter who informed me, “It doesn’t really matter which one you choose, Mom. You’re going to be happy with either one.”
Which do you prefer and why? Have you ever ventured to the other side and tried a different operating system? What are your recommendations? Please let us know in the Comments section below!
* Lower Mac vs. PC image by Officer Mike
I was in a very similar situation. My PC finally bit the dust. My daughters both have Macs, my son is a PC man. Will be interesting to see if the polls show a similar PC/MAC/male/female skew. Our office is PC, although other departments we work with are Mac users. I bought a Mac, but only 2 weeks ago and I am JUST learning the basics. Largely I wanted to try something different, and since I have an iphone and an ipad, figured I was already in the apple universe. It takes some getting used to, the touchpad is way different, as is the file architecture. There are some things I struggle with, but so far 5 minutes with MacGirl solves the issue.
Hi Barb, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Wow, your experience sounds very similar to mine. It’s very helpful to know that you made the switch on the advice of your daughters too!
So, do you like the Mac better by now or is it too soon to tell? Any regrets yet? You seem to have caught on to the new system very quickly! :-bd
Still too soon to tell, but no regrets so far. Whenever you get a new computer there are glitches. Still working on getting mac for quicken to connect with my bank for example. But the world is full of happy mac people so I am curious to experince what the fuss is all about…
Hi Barb, I’m glad to here that you have no regrets so far. You’re right, there are always hiccups with getting a new computer no matter what the operating system is.
I agree, the passion of the Mac fans makes me curious as well, plus I enjoy learning new tech skills! 🙂
I hope you continue to enjoy your Mac!
Carolyn, I think your middle daughter’s right.
Personally I can’t adapt to a Mac (I’ve tried). But that’s me. I’m sure the hardware and OS provide a great experience, or Apple fans wouldn’t be as vocal as they are.
Both systems are useful, both come with advantages and drawbacks. What irks me about the Mac universe is that they’re moving away from easy repairs to a kind of machine that can’t be salvaged once it’s broken. But hey, so long as you go into your experience with informed awareness of what you’re getting, you’ll be fine.
Just, uh, stay away from Windows 8. I’m a longtime PC user and suspect 8 will be the new Vista.
Hi John, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, that’s one of the aspects that concerns me, that I won’t be able to adapt to a new operating system comfortably. Old dog, new trick.
As I use laptops, I haven’t been able to salvage any that I’ve broken. Actually, I was thinking a Macbook might be more salvageable since I could bring it into the Apple Store. I’m hoping that won’t be an issue though since the Mac is quite a bit more expensive.
I have high hopes for Windows 8 as I loved the Live Tiles on the Windows phone I tested. But time will tell whether that operating system is more like Vista or Windows 7.
That’s just the thing. The Metro tiles look functional and adequate on a mobile device, but with Windows 8 you’ll be working in a hybrid environment, switching back and forth between the old and new desktops. You’ll be able to locate some of your apps on the new interface, others through the old one. But not all of them in one place. Sounds like a usability faux-pas.
I’m not too excited with the news about 8, and perfectly happy with Windows 7 at this point.
Great point, John. Just because the Live Tiles work well on mobile doesn’t mean that they will work well in a desktop environment.
I like the way Live Tiles are organized, showing the activity of friends individually. For example, if I want to see what my best friend is up to, Live Tiles will show me her latest Facebook posts, tweets, and text messages/emails to me. It’s a more logical way of getting information than having to check in to each of those apps.
But it could easily get clunky and slow up an operating system. We shall see if the idea is executed effectively!
My first personal computing experience was with the original Mac that all one piece with the black and white computer screen combined together with the computer. I used these computers that were provided at work by the U.S. Department of the Interior. After leaving that job I worked mainly with PCs for the next 20 or 25 years. Both systems have their advantages but I strongly prefer the Mac for my current work as a writer/editor. As you mentioned I enjoyed working with much less risk of virus infections and have not found the lack of programs to be restricting.
I forgot to mention that I am male and have not noticed any gender bias in the use of computers by my friends and aquaintences.
Hi Joe, That’s good to know also. I know many Mac users who are male and many PC users who are female.
Hi Joe, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Wow, you do have a long, rich history with PC’s. How long have you been using a Mac? Did you find the transition to be challenging?
Yes, the reduced risk for viruses with the Mac has a lot of appeal. Mac certainly has many more programs available than they used to, though not as many as Windows computers do. Perhaps those programs that aren’t available on the Mac wouldn’t be missed.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, Joe!
First let me start by saying we were PC user for over 30 years throughout out careers. I did have an Apple II back in the 70’s because I could not afford a PC for home use.
About 4-years ago we switched to an all Mac environment and have loved everyday. Transition was easy and hard, mostly because we chose to transition to iWorks as opposed to continuing with Mac Office. We wanted to distance ourselves as much as possible from Microsoft.
Often the difficulty is that that our iMacs are so easy to use we forget they we do not have to do in the PC way that almost everything is a drag and drop. Windows 7 has improved the PC experience but if you truly perform a Total Cost of Ownership Apple is actually cheaper, especially if you want to stat with the most current releases of software.
If time is important you will not waste as much waiting for your Apple Macbook or other portable to boot up, worth the switch in and of itself!
Hi Michael, That is great news to hear. The transition seems a bit intimidating because I have been using Windows for so long. I don’t necessarily want to distance myself from Microsoft, but I think a total immersion would hasten the transition process.
I have been impressed with how my daughter’s laptop is instantly on when she opens it. That aspect is enviable as I usually wait a few minutes for my laptop to boot. You’re right, if time is money then a PC is more expensive! 🙂
The poll results so far are very interesting!
Hi Carolyn,
I have a PC, but I think Windows is developed too fast and is too buggy. I think which you choose depends on your budget and what you want to use it for. For anything to do with publishing including blogging, a Mac is worth considering. My local newspaper has used them for years and wouldn’t touch anything else. They look impressive when I look at them, but I’m not too keen on the price!
Hi Mike, Yes, the price is certainly a factor. Laptops tend to have a lot of wear and tear so making a significant investment in one is daunting. But I am using it a lot with the blog so I need a powerful computer and over the years people tend to remember the experience more than the price.
I know a friend who buys a new, cheap Windows laptop each year on sale but I hate setting up a computer to my specs and transferring data over so I like to keep computers until they don’t work any more. That may be quite a while if I do get a Mac!
Great question – Certainly Macs cost more upfront but PC users pay down the line with anti virus software and other problems that have plagued PCs. I’ve also never heard a Mac user saying their three year old computer was “on it’s last legs”. More expensive Macs tend to last longer then PCs for a variety of reasons I won’t go into here.
I take a different view of computer users having a “choice”. Most people started using PCs because that’s what their company supplied. When they bought one for home, they bought something they were familiar with – a Windows PC. Only recently have users begin making a serious personal decision – and often living with a mixed household – PC/Mac. You can see evidence of this when you look at sales trends – Macs climbing while PCs are slowing or dropping.
Finally, the stories about the malware threat to Macs is somewhat overblown. Often those stories or expert interviews feature virus software vendors – not exactly the best source of unbiased information. I’ve seen no evidence that the Mac virus threat can be compared at all to the current PC situation – although this could change in the future.
Certainly the tablet/iPad phenomena has altered the trend. In the past PCs were purchased because they were compatible with other computers at home or at the office – remember the originally descriptor of a PC was “IBM compatible” or “clone”. Now with many people using iPhones and iPads, the shoe is on the other foot. Macs are in many ways compatible with these new mobile gadgets but there’s little compatibility among PCs and mobile devices – except for the future Windows 8 tablets coming soon to a store near you. This of course brings up the subject of running Windows or Office on a tablet – another fascinating topic for a later post.
Thanks again Carolyn.
I’ll be anxious to hear what other have to say.
Hi Gary, Wow, thanks for your considerate thoughts. You make a lot of great points, but in my computer’s defense, its problem is with the hardware, not the software. The casing is separating from the screen because one hinge seems to be broken. That isn’t the fault of Microsoft. When I purchased the laptop almost three years ago, I did so for casual use and not really as an investment. I was still living in England and this blog wasn’t even a twinkle in my eye at that point.
You’re right, I started with Windows because that’s what my employer provided and I wanted my home computer to mirror my work computer. But now my mobile life is (mostly) Apple products so it would be beneficial to have compatible devices.
I did like the Surface a lot when I saw it in June. The ability to tile Windows is very useful. But I see myself replacing a PC with a Mac more than I see replacing my iPad with a Surface. But who knows what the future will hold?
The poll results so far are very surprising. Or maybe not. 😉
Hi again – you sure lit a fire with this one!
I didn’t mean to imply that PC failures were the fault of Windows. In reality one way to make a low cost PC is to use low cost parts. Hardware components can be tested at various quality levels. I might, for example, decide to make a cheap bicycle by using the parts that don’t pass the highest standards for durability. Many will work fine but the failure rate overall will be higher than for the ones made of top grade components. Just substitute disk drives for bicycle parts and you’ll see what I mean.
I do believe Windows does share part of the blame for PC deterioration over time. Many friends have reported their PCs seem to slow down over time to the point of being sluggish. Generally, they are using them just about the way they did in the past so they are not stressing them in any new way. Frequently the solution has been to take them in to “the shop” and have the hard drive wiped and the system reinstalled. The problem stems from the fact that many Windows apps leave bits of code around when they are closed leading to a gradually deterioration of performance. I suppose it’s possible that malware code lurking in the machine could also degrade system performance but I don’t know that to be the case.
Personally I’ve preferred and used Macs but I have designed and developed a sophisticated Access database on a PC.
Hi Gary, Excellent point. My computer was inexpensive and made with inexpensive plastic parts, not high quality aluminum.
I had a small hard drive on my PC and loaded it up way too far, but it behaved well and didn’t seem to lag in spite of the burden. I defragmented it a couple of times but not recently. I’m giving up because of the broken screen casing and was going to leap right back into another PC until my daughter started her pitch for a Mac.
You are definitely swaying me to a Mac, Gary. Your arguments in favor of a Mac here very strong!
I recently inherited an iMac and am slowly falling in love with it. 21 inch screen, great resolution and it just works without some of the hassles I have had with my PC.
I am coming to the conclusion that my next computer purchase will be a Mac. I am tech savvy, but the lack of having to deal with a lot of the maintenance I have been dealing with excites me.
Hi Josh, Excellent point. Just because I know how to do computer maintenance doesn’t mean that I like to do it. The appeal of not having to worry about computer maintenance is strong. Especially since now my computer maintenance involves keeping the duct tape on my laptop nice and tight!
I’m hoping that your inherited Mac lasts quite a while so that you don’t have to buy another Mac for a long time, Josh!
As you know I have a macbook pro 15″, but I first started out with a Dell. I really liked my Dell, and actually spent the same amount of money on it as I did on my Mac, especially after I replaced the battery so many times. I didn’t like Macs until a friend showed me how great they are. My favorite things about Macs are that they make multitasking really easy, are very quick to start up, and have long lasting battery. It might take you a little time to learn how to use it, but with a One on One session at the Apple store and a weeks of use you will wonder how you ever did all of your work on a PC.
Hi Liz, Well, I knew you had a Mac, but I didn’t know which kind of Mac that you own. All of your reasons for liking your Mac really resonate with me. Those are all are benefits I would enjoy!
I definitely want to take a class at an Apple Store if I get a Mac. That would be very helpful, plus fodder for another article! 🙂
I have been borrowing my daughter’s Mac quite a bit (she has been very generous with me, trying to convince me that it’s a Mac I want) and I have definitely enjoyed the experience. The more I use it the more I enjoy it! :-bd
Another thing is that you can also run Windows on Macs, if you have software that only works on Windows. Also when I upgraded from my Macbook to macbook pro there was not any hassle because Time Machine restores everything from your previous mac onto the new one, incase you upgrade later, which is pretty easy. If you trade in your mac at a best buy or equivilant you will get most of your money back to use to a new mac. Best Buy gave me $700 for my mac that cost $1000, so that I could upgrade. And some people are worried about space, but I have tons of pictures and videos and there is no problem, but mine came with 750 GB. If you do get a mac you should get 8GB of ram though, because Mountain Lion itself uses a lot of memory. I had to upgrade from 4 to 8Gb after my computer became slow. With the non retina computers it is easy to do it yourself for a quarter of the price of what Apple asks, which is what I did. Basically with a little more money upfront on your Mac, you will be able to have everything you need, with fewer problems than you would get with a PC.
Hi Liz, Wow, that’s a very good buy back price from Best Buy! That would make buying a Mac much cheaper than buying a PC which wouldn’t retain its value like that.
The model of Macbook Pro I’m looking at only has 4GB of memory so I was planning on increasing it. Good to know that it’s easy to do myself.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us, Liz! 🙂
Carolyn, This subject is hotly debated in my household given that my husband, a home designer, has been on a mac since 1985. I am the pc person in the family and got my first pc when I started my first business in 1986. I must admit though that I am coming around to the mac as I can see all the fabulous things my husband does with his mac. If we visit this topic again in a year, I will probably have a mac. Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, this subject has definitely resonated with people. The poll results are very interesting, quite different than what I had seen in similar polls. But Wonder of Tech readers are an exceptionally intelligent bunch!
Is your husband encouraging you to get a Mac and does he know of your interest in getting one? My daughter has been encouraging me to get one for years. Now that my PC is on life support (a/k/a duct tape), I wanted to show her the importance of having an open mind. But I think I’m the one learning the lesson! 🙂
I was using a PC for 20 years or so, until I started using a Mac. I couldn’t afford a Mac before the Mac Mini. But since I bougth the first Mac Mini I have been using a Mac. Now, we have four Macs in the house, and most of my friends have Macs as well.
To me, it’s a huge difference between the user experience with PC and Mac.
Hi Jens, Wow, you certainly have converted completely from PC to Mac! It sounds as if your entire family has converted as well.
What do you like better about using Macs than using PC’s?
I remember how much I struggled with Windows crashing, this was many years ago and it probably isn’t anything like that now. My PC crashed about every third month or so (at least that’s what I remember). I had to re-install windows, and I had to defragment the harddrive and it was also issues with viruses.
I haven’t had any issues at all after I switched to Mac. The oldest Mac is more than 6 years old and it’s still working great. I used to buy a new PC every 3 years or so. But with a Mac I don’t feel that I have the need to buy a new Mac that often.
So, the biggest reason for Mac vs PC is the stability and how user friendly it is. And I love the design as well, and they’re so quiet it’s almost impossible to hear them work (that was not the story of my PC) 🙂
Wow, Jens, those are all good reasons. You’re right, Windows doesn’t crash nearly as often now. But it would be great to not worry about defragmentation, crashing and viruses, or at least not worry as much. Stability is a very good thing.
Thanks for coming back and sharing your thoughts with us!
Some people choose Macs over PCs, because they do not like the Windows operating system. There are many free alternatives for that, that give a whole new user experience to the PC.
It’s worth a try.
Hi Jan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, some people don’t care for either Macs or PC’s and build their own computers running Linux Mint or Ubuntu. I actually like Windows and wasn’t looking for a switch until my daughter pried open my mind to consider Mac as an alternative. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts with us, Jan!
Carolyn,
I have always used PC’s windows based and I am looking forward to testing out windows 8 with all the good things I have been hearing about it. I truly hope it lives up to the hype it has been given.
Now Mac’s vs. PC’s my nephew and his family are Mac owners all the way and i see the advantages and would love to try one myself. I do love the graphics capability because it is supposed to be far superb than windows. I don’t like the fact that there isn’t as much software available. The price has always been a sticking issue for me I have never understood the huge difference in price considering my nephew upgrades his own computer as often as I do. (and just like you pointed out they too are now being plagued with viruses some)
Personally, I think you received the best advice from your daughter. You will be happy with whatever you get. Just my opinion of course…..
Aaron
Hi Aaron, thanks for sharing your thoughtful opinion with us! I, too, am looking forward to Windows 8. I hope that it is a big hit because I like the new features it will be incorporating.
I, too, have been concerned that software isn’t as widely available on Mac computers as on PC’s.
If you upgrade computers frequently, having a Mac would be very expensive. But I try to postpone upgrading as long as possible, so having a Mac may help me to postpone the next purchase even longer.
I switched to Apple a few years back…it’s been NO LOOKING BACK as I’ve now got the whole family on Macs, have an iPhone and iPad and just wonder when I’ll get a new MacBook ’cause I want one with a bigger Hard Drive now that I take so much video.
Hi Bruce, yes, Macs are great for editing video and audio files. I was using my daughters’ Mac to edit those types of files previously.
You’re right, every time I buy a new computer I think I’m getting a massive amount of space on my new hard drive. I’m always wrong, I always fill up my hard drive. 🙂
Exactly my thoughts: (no matter how cheesy it sounds), “Once you are on Mac, theres no looking back!”
With regards to softwares available on PC, I object to what you wrote. Not only you get pretty much anything for Mac these days, you actually get superior products, from trustworthy source (most of them from Apple App Store itself). So what you have to pay a price, at least you’re getting stuff free of malware and spyware.
15-20yrs ago, computers were part of work life, 10yrs ago it was part of life at home, and now we have a computer in our pocket. Being so integral part of life, we cannot afford to be unproductive about usage. What makes Mac special is its way more productive than PC. Try a PC 3yrs after you buy it, you open the lid, it will take some time to wake up, get an IP assigned! Open a Mac’s lid, and within 2sec its woken up, within 5, it has assigned an IP to itself, and in 10secs you’re actually on the site you wanted to be. Time is the most precious asset in all our busy life. I don’t mind paying double or 3times for a Mac, because it pays back with saved time, and higher productivity. BTW, I am on the 4th year of my Mac, and it still operates like it did 4yrs back.
Hi iRewardChart, Lol, I like your Mac and Cheese! 😉
Your objection is sustained. I am happy that software is more available on the Mac, though I have a couple of upcoming articles on software that (very ironically) is not available on the Mac.
I absolutely detest switching computers as I like to set them up just how I like them which can take some time. If I could have a computer for four years, that would absolutely be a record. If that computer could retain value, that would be even more amazing.
Great point about the evolution of computing. As my mobile devices are mostly Apple, it makes sense to integrate them with an Apple computer.
All I know is PC and I’ve been on my office laptop for so long I wouldn’t know what it would be like to have my own (the wife won’t let me touch her PC…..:).
However, I blew my laptop up…..DOA. I will be getting a Notebook? (who’s that) this week until we decide how we are going to upgrade in the fall. I believe we will have a ‘budget’ and we can purchase our own and actually own the computer and I can download iTunes on it……..:). Maybe then I will decide; I’ll probably follow your lead ’cause you are smart like that………
Happy weekend; we will be dodging the hurricane……….
Hi Bill, We were busy dodging a hurricane a year ago here in Pennsylvania. Check out The Gathering Storm https://wonderoftech.com/the-gathering-storm-prepare-with-tech/ to find out how to prepare for a hurricane with tech!
Wow, we are in the same boat with our PC’s. I really wanted to wait until after Windows 8 was launched so I could start fresh with a new operating system, but it sounds as if you and I can wait no longer.
I hope the readers’ responses in the Poll and Comments are helpful to you as well. Wonder of Tech readers are among the most brilliant people on the Internet so I trust their judgment completely!
Stay safe from the storm, Bill! 😐
Hey Carolyn
Back in the day I had various Commodore Amigas and I absolutely loved them. I really wish they had survived to the present day. In many ways I found them ahead of their game.
After their demise I have always been a PC user. I used Macs at university many years ago but didn’t particularly enjoy working on them. They always felt a bit clumsy to me.
I couldn’t justify the expense of a Mac either though and the software base isn’t as extensive as the PC.
So, it’s a PC for me.
Hi Tim, It’s great to hear from a PC fan. Yes, I do worry about not having as much access to software, but as Liz pointed out above, it is possible to run Windows on a Mac.
I know not everyone enjoys the Mac experience and it can be especially challenging when you’ve worked with PC’s for a long time.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us, Tim!
I have been PC for all the years I’ve been on a computer, but I’ve been starting to lean towards the Mac arena in the last year. I love my iPhone and iPad, too, so maybe it’s time to make a full conversion on all products 🙂
Hi Amberr, It sounds as if you’re giving this a lot of consideration just as I am. I hope the advice of these brilliant Wonder of Tech readers has been very helpful to you as it has been for me! 🙂
wow. I think it’s very exciting that you are using your Blog for this. What an idea. It will be interesting to see your decision. I switched from pc to Mac 4 years ago and think that if I had to go back to a pc, I would consider giving up having a computer. OK that’s pretty passionate sounding, I know. Now when pc friends need help with their computer, I just find it too tedious by comparison. I was hesitant and asked a LOT of questions before I decided. Loved the Apple stores and staff. Sure it’s a bit different, but it’s so easy to get help. I loved their 3 year phone support (extra cost, but well worth it for a new Mac user especially). Now I head up a Mac Users group part of the year. So I guess that I have become very passionate indeed. btw, men to women stats : close to 50/50. I love the creativity of the Apple. It has made me a more creative person. AND, one last thought. My computer is 4 years old and looks pretty new still and I could sell it for a partial payment towards another one someday. That doesn’t usually happen with a 4 year old pc. My battery is still working so well that I’m curious to see at what age it will start to show definite shortness of battery life. There’s more I could say, but you get the idea I’m sure.
Hi PZ, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, you are very passionate about Macs and I truly appreciate your sharing your passionate opinions with us!
That’s fantastic that you run a Mac user group. Could you share the link with us? I think a lot of Wonder of Tech readers would be eager to join!
Great points about the resale value and the helpfulness of the staff at the Apple Stores.
That’s very interesting that your Mac user group is 50/50 male/female. I haven’t seen any gender preference myself.
Hi Carolyn
I have always been a PC guy and I think that I always will be. I have not much experiences with Mac at all and I love my PC. I think it all matter of what kind of thing you work with. For some kind of tasks Mac might be the best chooise, but for other thing you will need a PC to get the job done.
Hi Thomas, I was fairly certain that you have a PC since you have a Windows Phone. 🙂
Excellent point, there are some tasks that are better suited to PC’s and others that are better suited to the Mac. I understand that heavy-duty gamers prefer PC’s and creative people like Macs for editing files.
Awesome topic 🙂 I was on PC until just a few months ago and now I got the Mac and I love it. However, I am still using my Pc because it has so many softwares that I don’t want to have to buy again for Mac, those in the high price range. I will switch it all eventually but when I think about it, even if my PC broke down, it would be cheaper to buy an every day $500 lap top again than buy all the software I have for Mac. But I love Mac with its apps and all especially that I have all the Apple gadgets as well and it is so easy to sync it all!
Hi Brankica, Great point! You’re right, it would be cheaper to buy an inexpensive PC as a backup than to replace all of your software with Mac software. You don’t need a powerful PC if all you’re going to do is run some software on it.
It’s good to hear that you’re new to Mac but you’re happy with the transition. Only one reader so far has commented that he wasn’t happy with the transition from PC to Mac.
Back in 1993 my primary school bought it’s first ever computer. It was a Mac and it was amazing. I spent lots of time out in the hallway using this Mac! But ever since, I have never had the opportunity to use one ever again. It’s been PC all the way until i can afford one myself. In saying that, I have no complaints with PC
Hi Mathew, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! That’s impressive that nearly 20 years later you remember your first experience with a Mac. So if you had the money you would switch to a Mac?
I agree, I have no complaints with my PC either but the arguments in favor of the Mac are very compelling. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts with us!
Hey Carolyn,
I guess answering this question will be more difficult for me.As i am using PC from last 10 years now and my bonding with it becomes like no one has(i know its weird but its my first love actually ) 🙂
i can’t think of getting a mac book for the time being but my mom keeps on saying that change with the world and switch to mac.But i insists to stick to my PC at last.
I guess its because i cant afford a mac right now on my own or may be its because of my soul connected to my PC.But i know i have to change this trend with time as day by day phishing attacks by spammers are rising up and for the same i have to raise from my PC to a Mac for security purposes.
Hi Aditya, I’m glad that you are so very happy with your PC. If you’re completely enjoying the experience then there isn’t a need to change, especially if the computer you have now is doing fine.
I think it’s funny that your mom is encouraging you to get a Mac, that’s the opposite of what is happening in our home! 🙂
Unfortunately, I don’t think anything is immune from viruses now, but having security protection on your PC is important!
Ha Ha Ha…… Yes Carolyn,it is funny that my Mom has said me to switch to Mac. 🙂
When she told me to switch it i was shocked hearing that from my mom,i thought she doesn’t know about this stuff at all,but i guess i have to know more my mom now 🙂
She is fast and much more furious than me to use Mac.
Well your mom must know something as she is giving you the same advice as Wonder of Tech readers are giving in this poll. And we know that Wonder of Tech readers are the most brilliant people on the Web.
Does your mom use a Mac?
I have to admit it that yes she is using a Mac in her office Carolyn may be that’s why she is trying to convince me,i guess.
It’s no surprise that your mom is brilliant, Aditya! 🙂
Every comment I read makes me think of something else about this fascinating ongoing debate. It seems like the vast majority of people who responded are switching or considering switching from PC to Mac. Are there people out there considering the Mac to PC switch? If so, what are the reasons?
Aso, regarding Linux and other “non-traditional” operating systems – I believe there are two types of computer users – the “tinkerers” who really like to mess around with the hardware and software and the much larger group who just want the darned things to work without getting “under the hood”.
Hi Gary, Excellent points. We haven’t heard from anyone who is using a Mac who is considering moving to a PC. Hmmm… 😕
You’re right, there are those who love to work under the hood and others who just want to enjoy driving the car. I get a lot of pleasure out of driving.
Yes, enjoyment is a part of the Mac experience but for me I think of a computer as a truck used for business. I’m a lot more productive with a truck that is not sitting on the side of the road with steam coming out of the engine all the time – couldn’t resist the comparison 🙂
Gary
Hi Gary, I like your analogy about trucks and reliability. It seems from the comments that Macs are part truck, part luxury vehicle and part sports car. The price may be high but the resale value is high as well.
Linux, all the way 😉
I just love Linux, even though I mostly use Windows (at home) or Mac (at college).
I have used all three OS, so I know how well they are. Windows can get a bit messy at times, but they are reliable with majority of apps supporting them. As with Mac, they have a superbly awesome design and cool features.
Linux?
Combines it all (Except Windows problems)
Stylish and has cool features, maybe cooler than Mac. Reliable, more reliable than Windows.
And of course – Free with all open source programs (Which means, if we are a developer or a programmer, we can go around and tweak apps based on our needs).
Another thought: I just don’t like where Apple is going with innovation (they really are not innovating anything now – just adding some small features and getting newer versions out. But, they still sell and make profits, due to brand loyalty and reputation).
Hi Jeevan, It’s great to hear from a satisfied Linux user! I originally had Linux as a choice in the poll but I removed it as I didn’t think there would be enough people who would opt for that answer.
You make a lot of good arguments for Linux, it is a great operating system, especially for those who enjoy coding.
I agree about the Apple changes. I wish they still offered the 17″ Macbook Pro. Instead they’re selling a 15″ with Retina display but I value real estate above clarity.
MAC. For sure. I would never turn back. The learning curve was swift and I have never had a single regret. Ever.
If you do decide to get a MAC – you MUST document your impressions with several blog posts along the way. I’ll be curious to see what you think, given your deep-rooted investment in all things tech!
Hi Ruth, Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your Mac. The Mac users are certainly passionate about their choice, which is compelling in itself.
Great idea about writing about my learning curve in a blog post. I’m sure there will be bumps along the road, but I’m hoping it will go smoothly. I wouldn’t call myself absolutely fluent in Mac but I have used Macs enough to know my way around without getting too lost! 🙂
This debate is always hotly contested. It seems for business, many are reluctant to make the change or break from the system their clients use if it’s PC. Mac is far more popular among younger users, unless they’re gamers. Of course, none of this matters because if we were computer experts we would have built our own machines anyway.
Hi Robert, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, it makes sense to use the same type of computer that you use at work. It would be very interesting to see the demographics of PC users vs. Mac users. One reader speculated that Macs were used more by women, but the head of the Mac user group said that wasn’t the case for the Mac users in his group.
I know quite a few people who build their own computers, including some Wonder of Tech readers. I learned in middle school after I wore my home economics sewing project to school that some tasks are best left to professionals.
I have to say that I went for other and typed in both. The argument just doesn’t do anything for me, yes I have all PCs in my house (by the way, should be Windows, as all PC is, is personal computer, sorry to be picky) but I also see the benefit for designers for using macs.
Especially in my line of work as a web developer, I have to use both systems to make everything work and make sure that I cater for all. In a world where we are trying to build ourselves, both in knowledge and personal development, we need to understand the these little arguments, although fun to watch and interesting to see, need to be taken in a different way, a way which we can take advantage of their being two different systems which prevail above the rest. More money to be made1!
Not sure how off topic I went there, need to get some sleep.
Regards,
Simon Duck
Hi Simon, Welcome back to The Wonder of Tech! It’s wonderful to see you here again.
You have a good point about PC vs. Windows. I struggled with this because I know that PC isn’t technically accurate, but you can run Windows on an Apple so that wouldn’t have worked either. I settled on Mac vs. PC because of the Apple ads.
Yes, as a developer you need to be fluent on both systems. You can have the best of all possible worlds, that must be the ideal, I imagine.
Definitely PC, I am serious when comes to productivity. Windows is a huge eco-system, usability is important, Mac is not so user friendly. This is not just my opinion 95% of PC’s powered by Windows talks about this.
Hi Hemanth, Thanks so much for sharing your opinion on this. I’m wondering if people regard the system they were first trained on as the most user-friendly. There are aspects to each operating system that I like. The “instant on” feature of Macs is very refreshing, but the familiar commands of the PC seem user-friendly to me.
You’re right about the larger market share for Windows, but the market share for Macs is growing.