Ever since Apple computer launched the first Macintosh computer back in 1984 with great fanfare and an advertising campaigned that referenced the perceived happenings of a futuristic Orwellian society, the debate over the merits of Apple products in one camp versus the PC championed by software giant Microsoft corporation. It may just come down to personal preference when all else is stripped away. As Leo Laporte of “Screensavers” and “The Lab With Leo” television programs has said, “They are computers and do the same things.” But for those who want to foster continued debate, let’s begin.
The computer, whether Mac or PC, simply caries out a series of instructions based on its underlying operating system and the programs that run on that platform. It’s core of microchips and circuits is similar fir both platforms is similar. In fact, with the manufacture of current Apple technologies using the Intel processors, the line of differences diminishes further. However some would say that the difference is in the details. Apple makes its own hardware (iBooks and iMacs). It makes the operating system that runs on that hardware (Mac OS X), and it makes programs that run on that operating system (iTunes, iMovie, Safari Web browser, etc.). It also makes the consumer-electronics devices that connect to all those things (the rapidly multiplying iPod family), and it runs the online service that furnishes content to those devices (iTunes Music Store). Thus Apple is able to maintain control, assure quality standards and set its own pricing.
Additionally, Apple may be said to be ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and coming up with fresh and distinctive design concepts. Apple is a company that makes stuff that people like, or find interesting. Other companies are on the iPhone and iPod craze. Apple certainly has a cult-like following. After all, how many brands would lure people to cross the country to camp outside a store days before the doors open?
Microsoft, on the other hand, has had a history more based on appropriating various technologies than innovating. However, Bill Gates is a brilliant man and a visionary in his own right. He saw the future importance of the personal computer long before most others aside from hobbyists. It was Bill Gates who bought the DOS operating system a relatively small price and had the foresight to licence it with every machine sold. In large part, if people want to use their machine, they had to buy his software (including the operating system) to run it. Today there is more choice with Linux and other open source software solutions. However, Microsoft managed to become an industry standard and the choice of business and professional interests.
Apple makes a competing operating system and fights with Microsoft OEMs for the same hardware customers, so Apple may not be concerned that Windows users get a less-than-stellar experience. It's like Apple throwing a Baby Ruth into the pool while nobody is looking, then pointing and yelling. But Apple’s steadily increasing market share and ads that portray Apple as hip and fresh, especially when compared (implied by Apple) with the problem ridden PC. In their “Hello, I’m a Mac and I am a PC” advertisement on television.
Apple has been good at “being different. Seeing things in a fresh and new way has brought innovative designs and concepts from their camp, and they are far from slowing down. While they have traditionally held three percent of the market share, that number is growing. Standing out and being different has set Apple and its users apart from the pack. However, Apple is not without its share of detractors. Many see its products as over-priced over-hyped.
If a further comparison is necessary, the Apple products tend to start up faster than their PC counterparts, are generally more user friendly right out of the box than a Windows based machine, require less computer savvy in general to operate, and tend to come bundled with a host of consumer friendly software and applications including music creation software like “Garage Band”, DVD and movie authoring software like iDVD and iMovie. As such they have long been the choice of persons in the artistic professions like musicians and graphic designers.
Additionally, with the switch to Intel processors, the Windows Operating system and software can run on the Apple platform and architecture. Therefore Apple users can run all windows programs on their systems. With programs like “Parallels” a Mac user can switch between the OS X (Apple operating system) and the Windows OS like XP. Thus in this area, the Apple user has a clear advantage over the PC user because while an Apple can run Windows, A PC can’t run the Apple operating system.
Before everyone runs out and buys a Mac, let me point out that in the business world PC and Microsoft generally still rule and the PC is generally regarded as faster in the realm of computer gaming.
So while the debate between PC and Mac will continue, a means for comparison has at least emerged from this article, and as was said at the beginning, they are both computers and it most likely comes down to personal preference and individual taste. Let the debate rage on among the computer faithful.
This much can be said … the computer has changed the world.
