Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Buy a PC

Many debates have been waged throughout human history¬ such as Monotheism vs. Polytheism, Democrat vs. Republican, and now the most heated of them all….PC vs. Mac. I have been a PC user all my life. It's all I knew. Here and there I would hear bad things about the Mac such as its lack of compatibility with programs, etc. Then I went to a college for technology and design and was given the option of either purchasing a PC laptop or a Mac laptop. After much debate with myself I decided to get familiar with the Apple Macintosh operating system. At first, as I was adjusting to learning the new system, I hated it. I thought it was too restricting and a bit childish in its simplicity. But since then I have become a complete Mac convert. These are the Top Ten Reasons Not To Buy A PC:

10. Design/Media - Many in the industry of Media Production and Design know that PC's are not a very good choice for using programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. They simply can't handle the processes involved and running multiple programs at a time can slow everything down, which is a big con for designers. Macs can handle these programs much easier and installing fonts is a lot simpler.

9. Filing System - PC's have a complex filing system and it is often very difficult to navigate through your files and folders. Macs are much simpler. Files are automatically downloaded to your Desktop so you find them quickly, and from there you can place them into any folder you want. It is actually very hard to lose track of your files with a Mac, unlike a PC which can become a graveyard for long lost files.

8. Compatibility - While compatibility between the PC and the Mac used to be almost none at all, today the gap is closing. Many Windows programs such as Excel, Word, and Windows Media Player are made in compatible versions for the Mac. Most new programs from various independent brands are also compatible with both operating systems now. Transferring files between the two is much less of a hassle and makes working on projects easier.

7. Software - Windows XP is a definite improvement from previous versions of the operating system, but is still behind in the times in terms of what it offers. Most people, especially teens and college students, have no interest in money managing programs that are often packaged with XP. Windows Media Player is now better than ever, with options to rip and burn CD's, but is still a very limited player. Windows Media Player needs many codecs to be compatible with various video files, which is a major hassle. You usually need to download several media players to watch all of the types of files you have on your computer. iTunes for the Mac plays more file types and has an easy to use store where you can download songs and even episodes of television shows. The Mac also comes with a number of great programs already installed, such as Garage Band where you can create your own music by compiling sounds from the included library. There are also many great free programs out there such as games and little extras to make life easier. They are easy to install and you never have to worry about the system trying to block it like Windows so often does. You can run AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) straight from the iChat program on your Mac too.

6. Apply/Confirm - PC's can get frustrating by adding 2 or 3 more steps to every action. Whenever you change a setting you usually have to clock OK and then APPLY it. Mac trusts you not to be an idiot and changes the setting automatically when you choose it. Then you can simply change it back if you don't like it.

5. Crash and Burn - PC's are seemingly waiting to crash and burn at any moment. Even software that you buy from a store can cause major problems with the system. Changing a standard setting or deleting the wrong file can lead to complete disaster. Macs are idiot proof and protect you from yourself. There are never any acts of desparation in which you randomly change settings trying to make something work. You don't have access to critical files and are never in danger of killing the operating system.

4. Lack of Popularity - These days Macs are in and PC's are out. Businesses, schools, and many families are getting rid of their PC's and using Macs. While this might mean that more virus makers and hackers will start targeting Macs, it will still be safer than using a PC. Now less and less products are being made for PC's. Major companies are creating accessories for the Mac, and with the popularity of the iPod booming, Apple is making a fortune and is further developing the Macintosh computers. Intel Pentium processors are now being put into Macs and soon the Macintosh operating system might be able available to use on PC's and vice versa. If you want to be the cool kid on the block, ditch the PC.

3. Cost - PC's can be very expensive. If you don't cough up the cash, you get a pathetic piece of machinery that will break down easily and always run very slow. Macs are significantly more affordable, run much better, and even the lower end models are more than satisfactory. Also, since buying and updating adware, spyware, and virus programs can cost you hundreds of dollars a year, the Mac is far more affordable. Also many programs that are for sale for the PC can get expensive. There are many free programs for the Mac which are just as good or better.

2. Complexity - When I open my laptop every day I am ready to go. I get on the internet, open up Photoshop, and type up a document in Word. Oh how I wish I could say it were that easy on a PC. When I get on a PC I feel like I'm going through an obstacle course while juggling at the same time. If it isn't the computer having problems itself it's Windows bugging you to make the most miniscule updates and install new patches for their system that should have been secure in the first place. Then there's the maintenance. On my Mac I haven't had to do a single thing to keep up the system besides a few software updates that aren't even critical. But on a PC you need to jump through hoops to keep things running. Just adding a new piece of hardware can be a pain. Going through the device manager and trying to update a driver can be like pulling teeth. When you have the smallest of problems you always have to navigate through the endless maze that is the Windows system. On a Mac, you just plug and play, no major surgery.

1.Vulnerability - A PC is like someone with no immune system licking the door knob at a bus station, there's no defense against getting sick. PC's now require extreme maintenance by its owner and it is becoming more and more difficult for the average person to keep up their computer. Most people just want to start their computer and go. But a PC is like a car that needs tuning up every day. Spyware, Adware, Viruses. These can all slow down and even destroy your system. Sure, you can buy protection and keep scanning and updating every day. But once you scan, good luck figuring out exactly what you should delete and what's actually a vital part of the system. Deleting the wrong file can corrupt a program or interrupt the normal functions of your computer. Macs are not vulnerable to spyware, adware, or even 99.9% of viruses. It's been refreshing not having to play doctor to my computer since buying a Mac.

Overall PC's are just to hard to use, frustrating, and expensive. Save yourself the stress and the money and buy a Mac. If you are still unsure about making the jump to the Mac go to a library where they have Macs and try them out for a few hours until you become comfortable. You will quickly see that Macs are easy to use, fun, and durable. I would not go back to using a PC if I got a $3,000 Alienware computer for free. I am a loyal Apple Macintosh fan for now on. I think you will be too.