Mac Vs. PC: A Layman's Comparison

Computer reviews are usually full of endless figures about RAM and disk capabilities. I don't know a lot about technology and I'm sure a lot of people who buy and use computers are in a similar situation, so here is a quick guide about the things YOU care about when buying a laptop.

I've been a PC user my whole life. Recently my laptop broke after my warranty was up and I had to get a new one. Upon my Mac-using friends' advice, I bought a Macbook. The first difference: the average laptop is now much cheaper than it used to be. I had several options ranging from $400 to $800 that were perfectly reasonable picks and included big names like Sony and HP. The Mac on the other hand, won't cost you any less than $1000.

i was weary about getting a Mac because I feared having to get used to a whole new operating system. But after a few days, I knew all the ins and outs of using a Mac. The truth is, it's much easier and everything fits together much better than in a PC. The basics of using the Mac are not much different from the PC. Your icons are on that desktop at the bottom of the screen instead of obscuring your view of your wallpaper on the PC. Another great thing about this is that you always have access to your programs. If you have an internet browser window open on your PC and you want to open a Word document, you have to minimize the window. On the Mac you just move your mouse down and there they are, no matter how many windows and applications are open.

This brings me to my first big grievance with the Mac. Whereas PC's come with at least Microsoft Works, which is lesser version of Word, the Mac came with nothing but Text Edit, which is the equivalent of Notepad on the PC. On top of the higher cost of the computer, you'll have to get Word for Mac. However, that balances out to what you would have to pay for Anti-Virus software for a PC. Because Macs are less common, there are hardly any viruses out there that are written for it. Not to mention, the Windows system has a lot more bugs that allow viruses.

Most of the differences between the two are just a matter of getting used to. For example, on a PC, the "close," "maximize" and "minimize" buttons on your windows are on the top right hand. On the Mac, they're on the left. Another tiny thing to get used to, but one that is a great example about how Macs operate much more cohesively than the PC is the toolbar. On the PC, you have the task at the bottom of the screen. You usually have the time there along with the start button and the minimized windows you might have open. On the Mac, the equivalent of that is at the top of your screen. When you minimize documents they swoosh to the desktop that holds your icons at the bottom. And the task bar becomes the toolbar for whatever program you have open.

Sound confusing? Let me break it down. Right now I'm using Safari, the equivalent of Internet Explorer, on the Mac. So when I look up, my task bar has all the browser's options, sandwiched between the equivalent of the Start button and the time and battery information. I can print, view my history and bookmarks on the task bar. If I was to switch to iTunes, the task bar would change to iTunes giving me iPod options, store as well as File and Edit which is standard for any program.

Another big thing to get used to was that the Mac has no right click button. You can still right click, but it's a little more complicated and involves commands. You can learn commands to get used to the change but on the Mac you barely need them. There's always an easier way and if all else fails, drag. You can drag anything on a Mac. If you want to save a photo from the internet using a PC, you have to right click, save, and then find your picture folder. On a Mac, you simply drag the picture into iPhoto.

The best thing about the Mac compared to the PC is that it is extremely efficient when it comes to battery life. I've never known another computer to last so long on just battery power. I average about four to five hours on my battery before I have to plug it in. Usually you have to buy a special, and expensive, battery for the average PC to get that kind of lasting power.

There are several things that bother me slightly about the Mac. For example, unless you buy the black Macbook which is more expensive, the laptop is all white, which gets dirty more easily and it is easier to see wear marks on the keyboard. But it looks so stylish! Speaking of the keyboard, I should have really taken it for a test-type because I hate it my Mac's keyboard. You have to press down really hard for it to register. I tend to miss g's a lot when I type on the Mac. It's really annoyin.

One thing a lot of people complain about is that a lot of programs don't work on Macs compared to the PC. While, I haven't myself encountered this problem, I could definitely imagine that it does happen frequently. Maybe I just don't use obscure enough programs.

Other than that, there is very little else I can say about the two systems. I love my new computer but occasionally, I miss the little things from my PC, like having more than two USB ports and Spider Solitaire.