I know many of you enjoy using Macs over PCs, that they are ten times more superior in every possible way. I am here to tell you unfortunately that they are not always the best computer for the job. Now I am not saying that PCs are better or that Macs suck, for a while I really wanted a Mac until I changed my career field. All I am trying to do is point out the differences of both types of computers and of their companies. Choosing which one you want should be based on your personal preference. I just hate it when people try to belittle others because they say they are into music or film and don't use a Mac or are into gaming and use a Mac instead of a PC. But before that, a brief venture into why more people use Window's OS instead of Apple's OS.
When Microsoft was developing its OS so was Apple; in fact they were about a year apart. Both had a very large business decision to make. Keep the OS in the company or license the OS to other companies. Microsoft chose the latter while Apple chose the former. This propelled MS-DOS, which after the introduction of the GUI (a.k.a. Windows) it became what we know today, to hold a very large percentage of the market share. In fact it was upwards of 90% at the time, IBM released their own OS called OS/2, which it turns out, was initially built with the help of Microsoft. IBM and a few other companies held the rest of the market share. When Bill Gates left IBM because it was getting out of control with the additions he bought DOS and turned that into MS-DOS. Instead of keeping the OS to himself Bill Gates licensed his OS to other companies (such as IBM) to allow it to reach a wider market. Apple unfortunately, did not do this and was subjected to a very low market share and not a huge following. Ironically it wasn't until Apple allowed Windows to be used on their computers that it grabbed the attention of the larger public. Still Apple did not have the reach of Windows; this is the main reason why more people use Windows.
Notice how product quality had nothing to do with it? It was purely the lack of vision by the Apple Company to license its product out to a wider population. If they had done this I am positive that the computer OS market would be more 50-50 instead of 90-10 favoring Windows.
Now as to the systems themselves. Mac's are by far the best computer system for people in the creative section of the world. It is great for music production and for recording, editing videos, making movies, etc... But it is terrible for the business world, why is this? It’s primarily due to the fact that Windows has been in the hands of the public longer. Everyone pretty much knows how to write a "Word" document, make an "Excel" spreadsheet, or even make a "PowerPoint" presentation. See what’s going on? Since people have become so used to the Windows OS they have started using the program names to mean specific things. Microsoft has the hold on the business world much like Apple has a hold on the entertainment world, and nobody really cares about Linux, lol. The both are useful tools in their respected circles but neither have figured out how to really crossover yet.
As for the tech specs of the computers they are pretty much the same. Intel doesn't make processors that work better for the Mac or PC, they are the same. What it really comes down to you, as a consumer, is to know what you are getting hardware-wise and to not complain about one being better than another.
Here is my biggest issue with Macs...it's the price, why does it have to cost an arm and a leg to buy any Apple product? I know peoples response to this question, "Because Apple is a superior product of the highest quality and you get what you pay for." While that maybe the case my guess is you are actually paying mostly for the name brand. If Macs were made by Joe Schmo's Computer Co. you would be paying less. It's the same thing with very high end PC's too a lot of the times you pay for the name brand instead of the hardware. The only company I know that you get the best value for what you buy is from a company called Doghouse Systems. They are pretty expensive but the quality of the product and of the service are fantastic. It's also some of the fastest computers I have seen. Go check them out if you are looking for a new high powered computer.
Now about the virus issue, I don't know much about the source code of either Apple or Microsoft so I don't know how easy it is to crack and send viruses to either of them. I do however think that I can shed some light on the situation. This is all hypothetical and a theory only, so please no messages about Macs being impervious to viruses, because they aren't. Anything be hacked into and you know that to be true.
My Virus theory:
Let's pretend that I am a hacker, and that I want to steal people's credit card number. If I am anything like a business person, which to some extent I can imagine hackers are, then I would find the greatest population of users. After all they are in the business of stealing your stuff. Now let's say that I, Mr. Hacker, am getting ready to decide where I am going to put my virus. Now being a hacker I obviously know a lot about computers and I would be aware that the majority of the world uses a PC and some form of Windows. I also know that a majority of those people also don't know how to fully protect their computers as well, due to the ease of Windows protection and other anti-virus programs. Knowing this wouldn't it make sense to just attack Windows users? Since they take up about 90% of the market? Why waste the time and effort on Apple? It would be a total disaster if I just targeted Apple users.
Basically my theory is the law of supply and demand. You the hacker man have a demand of whatever dastardly deed you have planned and you need people for that. OK where is the supply? Windows users. I can bet if Apple had a larger market share more people would try to hack those computers as well. Just a thought to think about.
I could go on and on about the differences between the two companies. Like playing video games on a Mac kind of sucks, or trying to make a podcast on a PC while doable is tougher than making it on a Mac. All I want you to understand is that it isn't about one company being better than the other. It's about personal preference. I am a PC guy because it's what I am comfortable with. But don't let my opinions stop you from getting a Mac or a PC. I am merely stating why there are more PC users in the world.
Until next time...
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