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What's the difference ?
Well the PC is an open platform.
What I mean by that is that anyone can go out and buy a number of PC components (case, CPU, hard disk, memory etc) and build their own PC.
They can then install an operating system on it. Although most PCs run Windows their are other operating systems availabvle such as Linux.
There are thousands of companies who make PC components, and also pre-built PCs, because they are so easy to put together.
The MAC on the other hand is a proprietory platform from Apple. The only MAC you can buy is an Apple Mac.
Apple design all the hardware, and the operating system software (Mac OS).
The internal design of a MAC is different from a PC. You cannot run PC software on a MAC, or vice versa.
As far as I know you cannot build your own MAC, nor can you run anything but the Mac operating system on it (although I believe some Macs can now run Windows)
I wil answer your second question in my next append.
Well the PC is an open platform.
What I mean by that is that anyone can go out and buy a number of PC components (case, CPU, hard disk, memory etc) and build their own PC.
They can then install an operating system on it. Although most PCs run Windows their are other operating systems availabvle such as Linux.
There are thousands of companies who make PC components, and also pre-built PCs, because they are so easy to put together.
The MAC on the other hand is a proprietory platform from Apple. The only MAC you can buy is an Apple Mac.
Apple design all the hardware, and the operating system software (Mac OS).
The internal design of a MAC is different from a PC. You cannot run PC software on a MAC, or vice versa.
As far as I know you cannot build your own MAC, nor can you run anything but the Mac operating system on it (although I believe some Macs can now run Windows)
I wil answer your second question in my next append.
Which is better ?
You will NEVER get an answer to this, as there is no definitive answer.
Both the PC and the MAC have their plus points and their minus points, so they can both be "better" in certain areas.
Overall PCs are cheaper than MACs.
It is far easier to build or update a PC than a MAC.
There is far more software available for a PC than a MAC.
If anything goes wrong with your PC it is probably far easier to find someone to fix it than with a MAC.
But because Apple design the hardware and software themselves a MAC is probably more reliable than a PC.
There are also far less viruses and security issues with a MAC.
Some say the MAC is easier to use and setup, and many non-technical people find the MAC easier to use (this is why it found favour in the early days with people who did graphic design).
I do not use a MAC so cannot give you more plus points for a MAC, but I do know the fans of MACs are very strong in their support for them.
So they both have good points and bad points.
You will NEVER get an answer to this, as there is no definitive answer.
Both the PC and the MAC have their plus points and their minus points, so they can both be "better" in certain areas.
Overall PCs are cheaper than MACs.
It is far easier to build or update a PC than a MAC.
There is far more software available for a PC than a MAC.
If anything goes wrong with your PC it is probably far easier to find someone to fix it than with a MAC.
But because Apple design the hardware and software themselves a MAC is probably more reliable than a PC.
There are also far less viruses and security issues with a MAC.
Some say the MAC is easier to use and setup, and many non-technical people find the MAC easier to use (this is why it found favour in the early days with people who did graphic design).
I do not use a MAC so cannot give you more plus points for a MAC, but I do know the fans of MACs are very strong in their support for them.
So they both have good points and bad points.
As a Windows user and programmer since the year dot, I would say that with the advent of Vista, the Mac definitely leapt into the lead in terms of reliability and usability.
Of course, there IS a lot more software available for Windows machines (particularly specialised business programs, and free software for home use), but I think that would change quite quickly if developers sensed a change in buying patterns.
The only potential problem is - we've all seen how MS abuse their near-monopoly in software, so if Apple got to a position where they were as large or larger than MS, there would be an even greater risk of abuse, simply because they already have a complete monopoly on hardware suitable for the Mac OS.
Of course, there IS a lot more software available for Windows machines (particularly specialised business programs, and free software for home use), but I think that would change quite quickly if developers sensed a change in buying patterns.
The only potential problem is - we've all seen how MS abuse their near-monopoly in software, so if Apple got to a position where they were as large or larger than MS, there would be an even greater risk of abuse, simply because they already have a complete monopoly on hardware suitable for the Mac OS.
Apple Macs run on their own hardware and software. This makes it fairly straightforward to write and maintain its own individual operating system. (Macs started off with windows incorporated into their system. Microsoft had to do a heck of a lot of catch-up programming to produce a similar on-screen presentation. It's said that a Microsoft executive was heard to remark that 'Windows 95 equals Apple Mac 86').
PCs operating systems have to take into consideration all the add-on hardware that might be installed. This means that an operating system like Microsoft Windows is huge and complex, having to cover all eventualities.
I heard it mentioned on the Vista launch that it contains 500 million lines of programming.
Not bits, or bytes, but lines!
No wonder Microsoft are warning that some people will have to buy a new PC in order to run it!
PCs operating systems have to take into consideration all the add-on hardware that might be installed. This means that an operating system like Microsoft Windows is huge and complex, having to cover all eventualities.
I heard it mentioned on the Vista launch that it contains 500 million lines of programming.
Not bits, or bytes, but lines!
No wonder Microsoft are warning that some people will have to buy a new PC in order to run it!
-- answer removed --
Why switch?
The 10 reasons that Apple must think is imperative for making the change from a PC to a MAC can be found on their website. Of course if you have the time to read through all of them you realise that these 10 features or reasons have been standard with the PC a long, long, long time. Some of the reasons are just plain myths that Apple invented. Probably because they ran out of fabricated facts.
So take the journey through the 10 commandments of a mac-enthusiast and enjoy their naive attitude towards personal computing.
The 10 reasons that Apple must think is imperative for making the change from a PC to a MAC can be found on their website. Of course if you have the time to read through all of them you realise that these 10 features or reasons have been standard with the PC a long, long, long time. Some of the reasons are just plain myths that Apple invented. Probably because they ran out of fabricated facts.
So take the journey through the 10 commandments of a mac-enthusiast and enjoy their naive attitude towards personal computing.
1. The Mac... It just works
This is maybe the ultimate reason a mac owner will give you to explain why it's superior to a PC. The mac owner will tell you that all people that own macs are really satisfied with their computers and would never switch back. This is ofcourse not true. If you read our Real stories you will find all kinds of interesting stories about owning a mac.
The mac owner will also tell you that with a system from Apple you will never have to think about drivers, upgrades or anything. A mac is perfection itself when delivered. Atleast according to their standard. Many mac:s can't even be upgraded. So what you buy is what you get. Expect your system to be outdated within 1-2 years.
Apple also states: "Only with a Mac do you get an operating system built by the same people who built the computer it runs on.". Actually Apple's Mac OS X (the operating system) is not based on their own technology, but by the technology of freeBSD. Apple's own capabilities in form of creating an operating system have been demonstrated in previous versions of Mac OS. It took an operating system based on someone else's technology to get a Mac multitasking and not behaving like an oversized pocket calculator from 1985.
2. It doesn't crash
Yes it does! And it does it alot. The difference between a pc based on Windows crashing and a Mac is that on the pc the crash is in 99% of the cases caused by badly coded third party software, when the Mac just has a faulty operating system. Why else would Apple themselves run their india website on Linux RedHat?
There is another fun part about crashes on the mac, it's almost always impossible to trace the source of the crash. When your mac crashes you simply reinstall the system. Sounds like a fun thing to do on your spare time, well buy a Mac then!
3. Simply the best in digital music
This point is actually based on Apple's iPod. I must admit, the iPod is not an ugly creation. I'll give Apple credit for that. But as always, they exaggerate the benefits of their product. Apple was far from first with creating a portable mp3-player with a built in harddrive but on the other side they do offer the most expensive solution.
The iPod is about 40-60% more expensive than technologically equal products. Keep in mind also that it offers no recording option and no belt clip. Two very crucial benefits a portable mp3-player should have.
4. The missing link in digital photography
It's amazing! Apple has invented a program called iPhotos that will revolutionize the way we look at digital photos. Hear what they have to say: "Simply drag your mouse, and iPhoto magically grows or shrinks your photo thumbnails. So you can view individual shots in detail or see hundreds of photos on the screen at once...".
Maybe mac users are new to digital photos on the computer but on the pc we have a huge variety of freeware that does the job of iPhoto and more, to choose from. So when Apple says that they are "the missing link in digital photography" maybe what they meant was that iPhoto is the missing link of the Mac.
Windows users reached that stage of evolution ages ago.
5. Your own digital entertainment center
It seems that Apple thinks that they've revolutionized computing by developing mediocre software for viewing digital photos, editing video, burning CDs and DVDs and listening to music. Well they haven't!
It's amazing! Apple has invented a program called iPhotos that will revolutionize the way we look at digital photos. Hear what they have to say: "Simply drag your mouse, and iPhoto magically grows or shrinks your photo thumbnails. So you can view individual shots in detail or see hundreds of photos on the screen at once...".
Maybe mac users are new to digital photos on the computer but on the pc we have a huge variety of freeware that does the job of iPhoto and more, to choose from. So when Apple says that they are "the missing link in digital photography" maybe what they meant was that iPhoto is the missing link of the Mac.
Windows users reached that stage of evolution ages ago.
5. Your own digital entertainment center
It seems that Apple thinks that they've revolutionized computing by developing mediocre software for viewing digital photos, editing video, burning CDs and DVDs and listening to music. Well they haven't!
6. Goes everywhere you go
You better sit down for this one, hold on to your seat and embrace yourself for some cutting edge news from Apple... they've invented the laptop, eureka! Not only that, they think they've made it superior to other laptops. Let's look at why and also try to answer their questions:
Can your PC laptop go coast to coast with just one battery?
� Ofcourse. And if it only needs the performance of the Mac it could probably go around the world.
Can you put the system to sleep just by closing the lid?
� Oh my god, a Mac can do that? Well, so can a PC!
Does it wake up instantly?
�Duh!
Can your PC laptop automatically switch between Ethernet,
dial-up and wireless connections on the fly?
�Without a doubt!
Without a restart?
Is this a joke? This really proves that Apple has no clue on what their competitors are doing. If they never have used a PC running Windows it makes their tests and objective sayings about the Mac really credible. Oh, by the way, I was being sarcastic.
7. It's built for the internet
Apple makes a huge point about the easability of configuring an internet connection on a mac. All new Windows versions come with just as easy to use guides for connecting to the internet with modem, lan or anything else. They also brag about such obvious tools of communication like email, favorites and contacts. Yes Apple, this is really new and hot stuff, you are indeed innovative. Or maybe not.
The worst part might be that they lie about their under average video-plugin Quicktime. This might be one of the worst programs ever to install. Actually if some students at a university needed an example of a really poorly written program, this would be a perfect opportunity for Quicktime to step into the limelight.
You better sit down for this one, hold on to your seat and embrace yourself for some cutting edge news from Apple... they've invented the laptop, eureka! Not only that, they think they've made it superior to other laptops. Let's look at why and also try to answer their questions:
Can your PC laptop go coast to coast with just one battery?
� Ofcourse. And if it only needs the performance of the Mac it could probably go around the world.
Can you put the system to sleep just by closing the lid?
� Oh my god, a Mac can do that? Well, so can a PC!
Does it wake up instantly?
�Duh!
Can your PC laptop automatically switch between Ethernet,
dial-up and wireless connections on the fly?
�Without a doubt!
Without a restart?
Is this a joke? This really proves that Apple has no clue on what their competitors are doing. If they never have used a PC running Windows it makes their tests and objective sayings about the Mac really credible. Oh, by the way, I was being sarcastic.
7. It's built for the internet
Apple makes a huge point about the easability of configuring an internet connection on a mac. All new Windows versions come with just as easy to use guides for connecting to the internet with modem, lan or anything else. They also brag about such obvious tools of communication like email, favorites and contacts. Yes Apple, this is really new and hot stuff, you are indeed innovative. Or maybe not.
The worst part might be that they lie about their under average video-plugin Quicktime. This might be one of the worst programs ever to install. Actually if some students at a university needed an example of a really poorly written program, this would be a perfect opportunity for Quicktime to step into the limelight.
8. Office is Office, and then some
Yes, the mac comes with Office and this is why you should make the switch from a pc to a mac:
"The transition to a Mac is easy in part because you�ll continue using the same applications you already know"
Ask yourself this: Why would I switch when It's the exactly same on the mac? -Beats me. Apple does speak of some mysterious features in this sentence:
"And thanks to exclusive features, the Mac versions improve on their Windows counterparts"
As you might expect they mention nothing on what these features are. Well they're probably just wonderfully, perfectly and amazingly non-existent!
9. Works effortlessly with PCs
Apple thought for a long time that they'd be best off constructing their own method for network-communication. Everyone that has struggled with the glorious AppleTalk knows that they didn't do a great job. Now they have realised that it's better to use an already working technology that someone else created instead of poorly reinventing the wheel.
"Networking on a Mac is built on the same technologies used by PCs."
They also reveal amazing means of medias you can use on your mac:
..."you can also swap files via data CD, floppies or Zip disks."
Yes, the mac comes with Office and this is why you should make the switch from a pc to a mac:
"The transition to a Mac is easy in part because you�ll continue using the same applications you already know"
Ask yourself this: Why would I switch when It's the exactly same on the mac? -Beats me. Apple does speak of some mysterious features in this sentence:
"And thanks to exclusive features, the Mac versions improve on their Windows counterparts"
As you might expect they mention nothing on what these features are. Well they're probably just wonderfully, perfectly and amazingly non-existent!
9. Works effortlessly with PCs
Apple thought for a long time that they'd be best off constructing their own method for network-communication. Everyone that has struggled with the glorious AppleTalk knows that they didn't do a great job. Now they have realised that it's better to use an already working technology that someone else created instead of poorly reinventing the wheel.
"Networking on a Mac is built on the same technologies used by PCs."
They also reveal amazing means of medias you can use on your mac:
..."you can also swap files via data CD, floppies or Zip disks."
10. It's beautiful
Apple emphasises that all their products are masterpieces of design. Their problem is that their focus on design hinders them from creating ergonomical and practical machines. If you have ever used the small round iMac mouse you have probably too suffered from aches in arm and hand.
"...ergonomic products that are the toast of the design world..."
It wasn't I who brought up the word toast into the debate. On the other hand it was I who drew the paralell to machines looking like plain household machines. Who wants a computer that look like a remnant from the 70's like the one on my right. You could probably achieve the same state of hallucination if staring long enough on this iMac, that you could by inhaling large amounts of heavy drugs.
So what have we learned from these 10 points that Apple provides for the potential buyer. We have learned that Apple likes to tell their future customers that the mac is built on technology they probably already are using on their PCs. They also lure the extremely naive buyers with words like internet, word-processing and cd-burning.
Please do not be fooled. You have nothing to gain by switching to a Mac. Apple has proved it on their own, with a little help from us.
Apple emphasises that all their products are masterpieces of design. Their problem is that their focus on design hinders them from creating ergonomical and practical machines. If you have ever used the small round iMac mouse you have probably too suffered from aches in arm and hand.
"...ergonomic products that are the toast of the design world..."
It wasn't I who brought up the word toast into the debate. On the other hand it was I who drew the paralell to machines looking like plain household machines. Who wants a computer that look like a remnant from the 70's like the one on my right. You could probably achieve the same state of hallucination if staring long enough on this iMac, that you could by inhaling large amounts of heavy drugs.
So what have we learned from these 10 points that Apple provides for the potential buyer. We have learned that Apple likes to tell their future customers that the mac is built on technology they probably already are using on their PCs. They also lure the extremely naive buyers with words like internet, word-processing and cd-burning.
Please do not be fooled. You have nothing to gain by switching to a Mac. Apple has proved it on their own, with a little help from us.
Oh dear, what a can of worms. Let me clear some things up.
I generally agree with vehelpfulguy; I think he give a good fairly unbiased description.
Physically macs and non-macs are exactly the same. They use the same types of RAM, same types of processor, etc. The difference is that Apple dictate the stuff they like to use and want to use, where as you can get all sorts of different things to fit to your PC. Case in point: wireless adapters. With a mac (they all come wireless anyway), only two devices are supported officially, including their own one. However, many, many more are actually available that Windows should be able to use. This is good and bad for both though -- nobody complains that your DVD player downstairs doesn't let you change the components, because you have no need to.
Same with macs too. 'Upgradability' is a factor that many people cite as an advantage to regular PCs, and I agree with them. However relatively few people actually upgrade their computers at all, most stick with what they've got.
Price differences: if you compare like with like, you'll find they're very evenly matched. The big difference is that all Apple stuff is (as I say above) made by Apple to their specifications, and they make their stuff quite high performance (even their cheapest hardware). But with a standard PC you can get cheaper less powerful hardware that is definitely a lot cheaper. This is why you can pick up a windows laptop for �300 but a cheap Apple laptop is more like �700. The Apple will be able to do much more. But the �300 will probably suffice for most. It's just that Apple assume you want to edit lots of photos or videos and record music and all these other sorts of creative things, that require more power, so they make sure their hardware is capable of it.
I generally agree with vehelpfulguy; I think he give a good fairly unbiased description.
Physically macs and non-macs are exactly the same. They use the same types of RAM, same types of processor, etc. The difference is that Apple dictate the stuff they like to use and want to use, where as you can get all sorts of different things to fit to your PC. Case in point: wireless adapters. With a mac (they all come wireless anyway), only two devices are supported officially, including their own one. However, many, many more are actually available that Windows should be able to use. This is good and bad for both though -- nobody complains that your DVD player downstairs doesn't let you change the components, because you have no need to.
Same with macs too. 'Upgradability' is a factor that many people cite as an advantage to regular PCs, and I agree with them. However relatively few people actually upgrade their computers at all, most stick with what they've got.
Price differences: if you compare like with like, you'll find they're very evenly matched. The big difference is that all Apple stuff is (as I say above) made by Apple to their specifications, and they make their stuff quite high performance (even their cheapest hardware). But with a standard PC you can get cheaper less powerful hardware that is definitely a lot cheaper. This is why you can pick up a windows laptop for �300 but a cheap Apple laptop is more like �700. The Apple will be able to do much more. But the �300 will probably suffice for most. It's just that Apple assume you want to edit lots of photos or videos and record music and all these other sorts of creative things, that require more power, so they make sure their hardware is capable of it.
You can actually install lots of other operating systems on a Mac, including Windows. However, many don't use a Mac for GNU/Linux or other similar operating systems because these systems use drivers written to support specific hardware, which tends to be stuff popular in the PC world but not used much by Apple, so lots of little things don't work well on an Apple if you're using a non-Apple operating system. Case in point: wireless -- quite hard to get working on an Apple under GNU/Linux.
Applications (apps), like Word etc., need to be written for a specific operating system, like Windows. Because windows is so popular, most people write for that, because it makes good economic sense. This software will not run anywhere else, including the Mac, without some sort of other software to fake it on the other platform. You can get Windows software running though, but it's not great. There's also (for this very reason) far more software for Windows than Apple Mac OS.
This isn't totally bad though. Most people think lots of choice is good, and that's not true. Some choice is good, but most software for Windows is utter rubbish. The stuff that everyone uses that's actually good (like Microsoft Office) is also available on Mac OS too. Same with everything else like web browsers, and everything else you use regularly too. The only warning here is that some more specialist software (as rojash points out) is only for Windows (I believe some professional accounting software, for example), and so using a Mac here isn't that feasable.
Because Mac OS is more secure than Windows, and also it's also less popular, there are far fewer viruses for the Mac. In fact, there are no viruses that actually run round in the wild for Mac OS X at all. Zero. But even on Windows, as long as you have a virus scanner you should be fine.
Applications (apps), like Word etc., need to be written for a specific operating system, like Windows. Because windows is so popular, most people write for that, because it makes good economic sense. This software will not run anywhere else, including the Mac, without some sort of other software to fake it on the other platform. You can get Windows software running though, but it's not great. There's also (for this very reason) far more software for Windows than Apple Mac OS.
This isn't totally bad though. Most people think lots of choice is good, and that's not true. Some choice is good, but most software for Windows is utter rubbish. The stuff that everyone uses that's actually good (like Microsoft Office) is also available on Mac OS too. Same with everything else like web browsers, and everything else you use regularly too. The only warning here is that some more specialist software (as rojash points out) is only for Windows (I believe some professional accounting software, for example), and so using a Mac here isn't that feasable.
Because Mac OS is more secure than Windows, and also it's also less popular, there are far fewer viruses for the Mac. In fact, there are no viruses that actually run round in the wild for Mac OS X at all. Zero. But even on Windows, as long as you have a virus scanner you should be fine.
Usability: Apple spends much more on interface design and overall usability of their software than Microsoft does. Things are just easier to do on a Mac. No-one can argue with this. Case in point: installing software. On windows, you click 'next' several times telling it where to put the app, and that sort of thing. On a Mac, you just drag the app's icon into the 'Applications' folder. To uninstall, on windows you goto control panel then add/remove programs and uninstall it after a few steps. On a Mac you just drag the icon into the recycle bin, like any other file.
Hardware design: Apple employs industrial designers to make the cases and overall 'feel' of their hardware excellent from a design point of view. You may or may not care about this. Because windows machines are generally built from all sorts of different parts, you often get some rubbish case. And you get stickers on the front saying things like 'intel inside'. Not on a mac; it makes it look ugly.
There are problems on both Macs and PCs, but I can tell you with certainty that there are more problems for windows users. Things do 'just work' more on a mac. If something works on a mac, you don't get told about it -- it assumes you don't want to know what's working, because everything should be working. Windows tells you all sorts of little bits of information that you don't need to know and distracts you. Case in point: plug a flash drive into either computer. On a mac, the drive name will appear on the desktop, ready for you to use. on windows, you'll get a little balloon bottom-right saying 'the device is now ready to be used', or something like that. Then you'll go into my computer and actually start using it.
Hardware design: Apple employs industrial designers to make the cases and overall 'feel' of their hardware excellent from a design point of view. You may or may not care about this. Because windows machines are generally built from all sorts of different parts, you often get some rubbish case. And you get stickers on the front saying things like 'intel inside'. Not on a mac; it makes it look ugly.
There are problems on both Macs and PCs, but I can tell you with certainty that there are more problems for windows users. Things do 'just work' more on a mac. If something works on a mac, you don't get told about it -- it assumes you don't want to know what's working, because everything should be working. Windows tells you all sorts of little bits of information that you don't need to know and distracts you. Case in point: plug a flash drive into either computer. On a mac, the drive name will appear on the desktop, ready for you to use. on windows, you'll get a little balloon bottom-right saying 'the device is now ready to be used', or something like that. Then you'll go into my computer and actually start using it.
The Mack: the operating system is based heavily on FreeBSD, yes. (this is great, it's more stable and secure than windows is, any version.) But much of it is re-written for Apple-specific stuff, such as the kernel, SMC driver, and all sorts of low-level issues. Then the entire top level of the system is also written by Apple and stuck on top. Much of it is from NeXTStep.
You can't say that macs crash a lot. I've yet to have a crash. Though, with NT onwards, neither does Windows much either. Do you own a mac, or are you just making this rubbish up? 'when a mac crashes you simply reinstall the system'. Do you understand what a crash is?
'no belt clip'. You're joking, right? Just the other day I was wishing my phone had a belt clip too. If only these stupid manufacturers knew -- a belt clip!!
I agree that their music reasoning is a little mute though -- iTunes on windows too. Though it isn't quite as good in some ways. (The reason that the iPod became so popular was that it was the first of its kind to do its stuff well -- firewire and hard drive.)
Actually, the networking and sleep functionality on Mac laptops was years ahead of Windows. Only with Vista has the sleep functionality properly caught up.
Again, do you own and use a Mac, or are you just flaming?
You can't say that macs crash a lot. I've yet to have a crash. Though, with NT onwards, neither does Windows much either. Do you own a mac, or are you just making this rubbish up? 'when a mac crashes you simply reinstall the system'. Do you understand what a crash is?
'no belt clip'. You're joking, right? Just the other day I was wishing my phone had a belt clip too. If only these stupid manufacturers knew -- a belt clip!!
I agree that their music reasoning is a little mute though -- iTunes on windows too. Though it isn't quite as good in some ways. (The reason that the iPod became so popular was that it was the first of its kind to do its stuff well -- firewire and hard drive.)
Actually, the networking and sleep functionality on Mac laptops was years ahead of Windows. Only with Vista has the sleep functionality properly caught up.
Again, do you own and use a Mac, or are you just flaming?
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