The PC vs. Mac Debate Just Might Be Cooling Down A Bit…
January 23rd, 2007So, how many of you own a PC (Windows, Linux, etc) and how many of you own a Mac?
I’d been reading a few online articles lately about this, and my impression nowadays is that the war between Mac and PC has subsided quite a bit.
Myself? I have been an Apple/Mac user since 1989, when I bought my very first personal computer. It was one of those old Mac SE/30s pictured here. It was a very exciting year, during which I really became a total addict. But that computer was only a black and white monitor, and the screen was really small. Still had fun with it though… and used it to log on to the IBM Mainframes at school, and logged onto several BBS’s (electronic bulletin boards) because back then they didn’t have a world wide web.
In 2000, I bought a Dell Dimension, and broke my Apple exclusiveness, mainly because I had gone back to school to finish a Computer Science degree and needed a Windows machine in order to survive, basically. Around this time we donated the old SE/30 to relatives.
In 2003, I bought a Macintosh Powerbook G4. I really love this computer, but I had dropped it a few times and the screen finally went out on me in 2005. I now use it as a desktop and bought a 19″ flatscreen monitor for it. It still works great.
I had to buy another laptop in 2005, because the family and I were doing our big trip to Europe (my wife and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary) and we needed a laptop for this trip. And so we bought an HP Pavilion 15″ Notebook. Yes, another Windows PC. But on November 1, 2006 the HP wouldn’t turn on! It was in the shop for 2 weeks, and finally came back in time for Thanksgiving.
I’m very happy with the HP Pavilion Notebook. And I just happen to have most of my working files stored here so I end up using it the most. But, at heart, I feel I’m basically a Mac User, judging by the stacks of MacUser and MacWorld magazines in my garage!
Now whether Mac is better than PC, or vice-versa?
At this point, working on both platforms, I really don’t have any real preferences. But I could note down characteristics between the two, having worked with both platforms for a number of years (I had been working with PCs actually, since the early 1980s when the first IBM PC came out):
- Traditionally, Macs have always been more user-friendly. PC applications, for some reason had always had a steeper learning curve. But, nowadays there isn’t that much of a difference.
- PCs have always been for the power-user, but now with OS X and Darwin (the UNIX type kernel underneath that glossy OS X exterior) it has become a great computer for power-users, though you could get a cheaper PC running Linux.
- Macs have always been known to be stable because of its computer architecture and solid OS. But, I’ve known Macs to crash now and then. From my own experience, Mac OS X is rock solid! Now PCs have had a reputation for crashing a lot. But, I haven’t had any major issues with the PCs I’m running. Though the DELL Dimension is now the least used computer in the family, it’s still used for Internet and gaming.
- Overall, I think both platforms are totally okay with me. I use the HP Pavilion notebook a lot, because it’s obviously the newest and fastest computer in the house. And because it’s mobile! Honestly, if I ever get that Powerbook G4 screen fixed, then I’d be using that as my mobile computer. It has a brighter screen and has UNIX and looks prettier!
- To recap, I’m a MacUser at heart, because Mac and I go way back. I’m a PC user out of necessity right now. If and when I get the funds, I’m going to buy a brand new Powerbook Mac Pro 15″ screen. That should be enough for me. Both platforms are cool to work with, and as a web developer and programmer, it’s important to work with as many platforms as one can. I still have yet to own a decent Linux box, though.
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
I have no preference on platforms. We use Dell, since my wife works for them. But as long as I can view and create content, I don’t really care what platform I use. I guess it’s the apps that matter. Same with gaming consoles. It’s the gameplay that matters, not the console per se. But if some games/content are only available on one platform, it forces you to use a certain system. But it isn’t because I have an aversion to any one platform. I really have an aversion to the Mac vs. PC fanboi wars, tho! :)
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 am
hi barron,
those are good points. and nowadays i really feel the same way between the two platforms.
one thing that has been a issue with iPod and iTunes, though, is that you can use iTunes with any MP3 player out there i think, but you can only hookup your iPod to iTunes only, and no other software other than iTunes.
don’t know much about the Mac vs. PC fanboi wars, tho. must catch up on that…..
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:39 am
Me, I’m a Mac guy, since 1979 (actually an Apple II+)…
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:05 am
pat,
wow, that’s cool! i remember a fellow music major friend of mine had an Apple IIe that i would come over just to drool over. it was cutting edge back then.
but i remember he did his backups onto cassette tape!!!! ack!
do you still have the Apple II+?
i was at: http://lowendmac.com/
there are people out there who actually have these old apple computers running, like vintage cars!
January 24th, 2007 at 8:45 am
My first computer was an 75 Mhz x86 PC. My dad bought it to do accounting work and taxes on it, however I was at the age when computer seemed cool. Since then, with the use of hands on learning (and a couple of dead motherboards), I learned how a PC worked. At the same time, my junior high school was starting up a “advanced computing” class, which mainly used apple macs. Back then, I wasn’t a big fan of OS 7. It seemed massively simple, possibly too simple for a PC guy like my self to be comfortable with a mac. When I moved on to high school, I gave up on macs, that is until OS X tiger came out. When tiger came out, I ended up buying a iBook G4, and I love it. I think OS X really did change the way a user can interact with the computer and it really allowed total customization and usability that a PC guy like myself was used to. Now, I enjoy both PCs and Macs, however, I’ve been shifting towards the mac side, as their apple care plan really blows me way, and I love the service apple provides behind their product.
January 24th, 2007 at 9:44 am
omg. from OS 7 to OS X Tiger! i agree, earlier macs were very simple, perhaps too simple for power users, etc.
thanks for sharing. and yes, the OS X Tiger looks very impressive.
i’m still on panther. need to upgrade soon.
January 24th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Yep, still have it somewhere, and I bet it still works!