We’ve all seen the Apple commercials. They are a constant reminder of the problems of Windows Vista and the near perfection of Mac OS X. Every once and awhile I will find my self wondering whether, when the time comes, I should switch to Mac or buy a nice new Dell for college. The only way that I can make this decision is to compare the two in-depth. So, I thought, why not put it in a blog for others to use?
First let’s let at some accomplishments:
Microsoft: Introduced the world-renowned Microsoft Office Suite
Dominates its industry with the Windows operating system
Highly successful in software production
Apple: Produced the popular ipod; out sells any other mp3 player
Produced the OS X Operating System
Originally produced its own hardware
Exclusively builds its own systems
Now to the reviews:
Subject A: Windows Vista
When booting up a Vista based PC for the first time, it is lightning fast. However, within little time of use the performance deteriorates. The operating system is a serious memory guzzler. Even worse, its security features are annoying, and to an certain extent, nagging. Vista’s User Account Control is so ’secure’ that it asks you for permission to do pretty much anything. Due this factor, I’ve had it disabled. This makes me less confident in Vista’s built in security. Vista’s default theme, as nice as it may look, uses up so much memory (RAM) that it isn’t even worth having. It is a major negative to be forced to sacrifice an enjoyable feature because it slows the system. Even with the recent release of Service Pack 1, there was not a major performance improvement. Is there much good in the stability of Vista? I think not.
Vista comes with many more features than its predecessor, XP, did. The first major upgrade is Internet Explorer 7. However, it is much less stable and a whole lot slower than many other alternatives that are out there. Vista comes with a nice new interface named Aero and includes window translucency (“glass”), transitions and a 3D view of windows (“Flip 3D”); all features that OS X has had for some time. Another feature that comes built in is Windows Sidebar. It is very similar to OS X’s dock and allows users to add ‘gadgets’ for many uses and can place them on the desktop. Sidebar, on the downside, seems to be yet another memory guzzler. The good in Vista is the upgrade of many of Microsoft’s applications. Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Notepad, Mail, Paint, and Movie Maker have all been upgraded. Some new features, including ‘Snipping Tool’, which allows the creation of screen captures, Photo Gallery, and a variety of new games have been added.
Many older devices (such as printers, scanners, etc.) are not compatible with the new operating system.
Overall: Poor performance equals a major negative. (-) Some features already exist within Mac OS X. (-) Major incompatibilities (-) Upgraded features and software; nice new design. (+)
Subject B: Mac OS X Leopard
On the same configuration (equal memory, processor speed, etc.), the performance and stability of OS X Leopard leaves Vista in the dust. Vista even performs better when run on its rival. While Vista takes 35-40 seconds to boot in some cases, Leopard only takes 28-29 seconds to boot. OS X is good with multi tasking, while Vista is very poor in this case.
The biggest improvement of OS X is the addition of more than 300 features. This includes boot camp, which allows users to run Windows on Mac. This is a major plus for Windows users that have the money and desire to use a Mac at the same time. The system is very well designed and is a great improvement and includes a redesigned, 3D, dock.
Just as Vista includes a built in web browser, Apple includes its own. Safari, as it is titled, is much faster than Internet Explorer and is, at current ratings, the fastest web browser in the world. It can also be installed on the Windows Operating System. Leopard’s application, Spaces, allows users to have and switch between multiple desktops. This adds to the operating system’s multitasking capabilities.
It has been quite a difficulty for me to discover many negative traits of the OS.
Overall: Great design (+) Fast web browser (+) Great for multitasking (+) 300+ New Features (+) Windows able (+)
From what I’ve found, my decision would easily sway towards a Mac. However, it is possible to sit here and list many more positive and negative features of the two. I do not expect this to be all of the reviewable pieces, but it is a collection of many major items.
Macs are crippled when it comes to gaming. You’re also basically hand-cuffed in regards to any possible hardware upgrades (other than ram).
But if this doesn’t matter to you, and price isn’t an issue – then going with a mac is almost a no brainer, because of bootcamp/vmware.
The other issue I’ve found with macs are the lack of resources/software. I guess that has to do with their smaller user base, but from my experience, it seems like for every free windows tool out there, there is a mac alternative, though it usually isn’t free.
In regards to Vista’s UAC, I haven’t been bothered by it so much. The only times I encounter them are during installations, and opening administrative programs (like ccleaner), in which I’m glad that the OS is verifying my actions – it’s only a one-click hassle anyway, as opposed to something questionable running without your knowledge.
And stability wise, I’ve yet to encounter any bsods/crashes with my Vista system, which I’ve upgraded from an XP build. In fact it’s ran smoother than it did when it using XP. Stability issues are more likely the results of driver conflicts – which usually happen from using old/out-dated hardware. In other words, if you buy a new vista box right now, you shouldn’t experience stability issues – upgrading a machine using older hardware is another issue.
Of course I say all of this, with all intentions of picking up a new macbook when apple gets to refreshing their notebook line.
I just got a new Macbook Pro (i have been a PC user ALL my life), but after shrouds of viruses and too much bogware, I went with Mac (mostly because I am a New Media & Design Student and needed something to edit video, images, etc with good speeds). I haven’t gamed too much on it, but the new models work pretty well with gaming, they have the new graphics cards, etc. I’d go with Mac, and this is coming from a long time PC user, that is unless you’ve already gotten something! haha