It just keeps going...
Jan 08 '03
The Bottom Line The choice is down to the purpose of use. All in all, a PC would be my choice for the reasons I've discussed.
First off, I'll start by saying I'm more of a PC user than a Mac user. I personally own and use several PCs whereas I only use Macs at my institution.
The question "what type of buyers should consider an iMac?" is very specific, so let's not lose sight of that. In quick response the people are:
1. Mac fans - support the cause and keep Apple alive...
2. People with a tight budget - some provide good overall packages but are now becoming more expensive.
3. People who have more money than sense - you don't care, money grows on trees...
4. People who absolutely detest anything else - an irrational fear?
5. People who want something nice to look at - they're are undoubtably good looking.
Right with that out of the way, I want to present a bit more detailed approach.
I am personally inclined to use the PC since I've been using one ever since. I initially had no bad thoughts for each machine, but now that I work with someone who's a Mac nut, I get more put off with the machine. The reason is in spite of this Mac lover, who is for all intents and purposes, mentally unstable. He just whines and whinges everyday about how great Apple is and how evil PCs are and Microsoft is. He even goes as far as verbally attacking such users...
Speed: Well Macs are fast, but at the end of the day, PCs will always win. To compare a dual processor G4 with a single Pentium4 chip isn't proper - the whole point Apple used 2 chips was to try and beat a single chip...
Cost: PCs definitely win here. Macs cost an arm and a leg, as well as a kidney and your mortgage. My latest PC purchase cost me around £1200 ($1700), the closest equivalent Mac cost >£3200 (>$4500). This price difference is very important to remember, because for some bizarre reason, a lot of Mac lovers keep telling me how good the standard graphics are or how fast their port connections are, but ignoring the fact that the standard machine is at least twice the price of a PC! I would get an iPod if it wasn't so prohibitively expensive (£330 (>$450)).
Hardware support: Couldn't say, but I would guess it would be similar.
Software support: I would say the PC due to its' massive audience.
Upgradability: Definitely the PC. All Mac hardware has to be Apple approved.
Reliability: My limited experience suggests that Macs crash less, although that may be because I use the Mac a lot less and only for low-end applications (e.g., word processing). I would guess they'd be about the same.
Accessibility: The PC is the winner here for both hardware and OS since they are inherently modular, so you can take the machine apart and build your own machine.
In terms of the OS, Windows is very open to customisation, and gives your a great deal of control. The downside, is that it is more prone to malicious attacks and can be screwed up if the user accidentally deletes or modifies important files.
Customisability: This is closely related to accessibility, and I would say PCs are more easily customisable.
Ease of use: For the true novice, I can't see much of a difference. I would think the Mac would be better because of its' lower accessibility. The machine is designed to be fool proof. It behaves a bit like a black box, you input something and you get an output - there is no way of knowing how or why. The Mac OS provides very restricted access...
A cool feature of the Mac is software installation - it's a breeze!
One drawback of the Mac is the single button mouse, which can be cumbersome (arguments concerning the use of keyboard shortcuts are invalid since it defeats the purpose of a GUI and mouse).
Software: Well it's got to be the PC hasn't it. Even though you can run most PC stuff on Macs, I think that's missing the point though. There is very little Mac-specific software.
OS: Can't really say much about this except that the latest Mac OS has been designed to look more like Windows, and provide support for both Windows and UNIX...
Compatability: Again it's got to be the PC due to the large audience.
Port speed: From what I've read, all Macs currently have the fastest ports as standard...
Networking: The Mac wins here with its' ease of connectivity.
Longevity: If treated well, contrary to belief, both should last at least 5 years...
Looks: The Mac is the undisputed winner here, although some stylish black PC units are now being sold.
Effect on user: This is actually quite serious. Every user tends to form a close bond with their machine, so in light of this I must say PCs are good since every Mac user I've met is hell bent in slagging off everything that's not by Apple... (just search the net for the Mac vs PC debate - the majority involve Mac users).
Summary: The reasons for getting a Mac is style and perhaps multimedia capabilities. If you're into desktop publishing or video production, then a Mac would generally be the default choice. If you're into hardcore 3D animation and rendering, get an SG. If you're into networking and servers, build your own rig. If you're into gaming, have a tight budget, or anything else, get a PC.
The impressive hardware you get in a Mac as standard is a direct consequence of the cost of the machine - a G4 is better than a standard PC bundle because it costs more than twice the price. The savings on a "standard" PC can be used to simply upgrade whichever component you think is not up to scratch...
Final words: I've only just realised this thread exists in the Apple section, so my opinions will seem offensive. I am perfectly open to sensible responses, and would like to hear impartial, non-condescending opinions. For example, I was reminded that software installation on a Mac was much more easier than on a PC, which I think is true. However, don't forget that for the price you pay for a Mac, you would expect things to work well...
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