Decisions, Decisions. Mac or PC?

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.

Fortune: Apple Now Number 3 PC Maker

Apple can be seen as, without a doubt, a rising power in the computer industry. It was found recently at two survey firms, Gartner and IDC, that the manufacturer has risen to the number three spot on the list of U.S. computer manufacturers following number one, Dell and number two, HP. This comes as no surprise after the product releases we have seen in recent months.  At this year’s Macworld Expo fans saw the release of a new generation of Macbooks, Macbook Pros, iMacs and, of course, the industry shocker,  ‘Macbook Air’.  Along with these new products came the new and improved OS X Operating System, code-named ‘Leopard’.  Also, in the last week Apple released the world renouned iPhone 3G and took in over 300 Million Dollars in sales in just three days.  One could also claim the release of Microsoft’s problematic upgraded OS Windows Vista as a reason for the rise of the Mac.  The rise of Apple could be a warning sign that Microsoft needs to improve their products. While Apple releases new products every year Windows Vista was Microsoft’s first major product release in nearly eight years. If Microsoft wants to keep up with Apple it will need create some new ideas instead of following Apple, such as with the release of the Zune after Apple already released the 5th generation iPod.  The most successful companies create new products, not tag along behind.  I have high hopes for the software giant while enjoying Apple’s winning streak.