Mac vs PC

From WikiVS, the open comparison website

Mac and PC are computer platforms that used to be distinguished by design architecture and chipsets. Today, there are almost no differences except for the fact that Macs are manufactured by Apple and PCs are not. Another distinguishing point is that Macs come bundled with the Apple Mac OS X operating system. Visit Apple Mac OS X vs Microsoft Windows for a comparison between operating systems.

[edit] Definitions

Mac refers to the Macintosh computers produced by Apple. More recently, the term is used to point to iMac and Macbook computers.

PC is technically a more general term, of which the original definition was Personal Computer. The term evolved to become a polar term, in contrast to Mac computers, usually meaning a computer running on an x86 architecture.

This is, however, technically misleading. Macs are technically PCs now (as they run on an x86 architecture) and can have Windows or Linux installed on them.

[edit] Clarifications

In the context of Mac vs PC, specifically, the term PC refers to the Windows Operating System created by Microsoft and the hardware it is limited to run on. Although Linux can be compiled to run on various hardware, Mac vs PC is generally accepted to be a comparison between Mac computers and Windows computers.

This page compares the two different types of machines and hardware platforms. To see a more detailed breakdown of the differences between the two line of operating systems, visit Apple Mac OS X vs Microsoft Windows.

[edit] Operating System

The PC's most popular operating system is Windows. The latest version is Windows Vista, which was preceded by Windows XP. The Mac's most popular operating system is OS X (officially pronounced "oh ess ten", though some people say "oh ess ex"). The latest version is 10.5 (code-named "Leopard"), which followed 10.4 (code-named "Tiger").

[edit] Reliability

A big selling point for Mac is their reliability and ease of use:

It just works... all the hardware and software just works, and works well together.

—Apple Inc. , http://www.apple.com/getamac/

That’s because a Mac offers absolutely flawless integration of hardware and software. Only with a Mac do you get a system built by the same people who make the OS, the applications, and the computer itself.

—Apple Inc. , http://www.apple.com/getamac/works.html

Mac users who have Windows in their past tend to agree on a simple point: The Macintosh operating system and its custom-tailored hardware make for a far more reliable, less trouble-prone environment than Windows. It's difficult to put a price tag on that advantage, but it's the advantage that I find the most compelling.

—Scot Finnie , Ding! Mac vs. PC cost analysis, Round II

[edit] Hardware

[edit] Replacements

Macs have limited official hardware support. While external accessories (ie. mice, keyboards) and display hardware (ie. monitors, projectors) have wide support, Macs can only accept a limited range of internal hardware. The Mac OSX cannot be installed on an computer other than those created by Apple. The advantage is that Mac computers tend to have a sleeker design because they do not need to have universal support for exchangeable components.

PCs on the other hand, are manufactured by different companies using different hardware. This has the advantage that any computer part can be replaced with cheap parts. Windows can be installed on most desktop and laptop computers.

A project called Hackintosh, or OSx86, provides support for running the Mac OSX operating system on PC hardware. Although Hackintoshes are not officially supported by Apple, there have been reports of stable Hackintosh systems on both desktops and laptops, but the mac partition must be formated to the FAT32 file system and not NTFS. OSX is also able to run on computers running AMD processors.

[edit] Pricing

It is widely believed that Macs are more expensive than PCs with similar specs, however several price comparisons show this is not the case. You can generally buy a Windows machine at a lower price, however the specifications are not comparable to the lowest priced machine from Apple.

When considering Windows and Mac laptops, there is another item to consider. While the upfront cost of the Mac is higher, the longer term ROI can be slightly higher for a Mac. For example, your typical Windows laptop will last 2-3 years before it becomes noticeably too old. A Mac laptop typically lasts 3-4 years, before it shows similar signs of wear and lack of performance.

When contrasting Apple desktop computers and Windows desktop computers, this does not necessarily apply. Also, current Apple desktop offerings do not compare well with PC desktop offerings, with fewer options, and only two main design styles. All-in-one/small form factor (Mac Mini, iMac) and full desktop computers (almost server grade, like the Mac Pro).

[edit] Popularity

Although PCs still have an overwhelming popularity, Mac computers are on the rise, especially in university settings. Macs have traditionally been held in high esteem in media fields.

Mac OSX has hit a record 7.3% share of Operating Systems in December, 2007. [1]