Top Ten Reasons To Switch to a Mac
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*Update*
Send your own personal reasons to moving to the Mac, and I will add them to this list. Leave your comment! Thanks for making this one of the top pages in HubPages!
(by the way, if you are also interested in making money on the web, you should also check this web page describing Google Ambush, the next generation of money making on the web).
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The Mac has risen in the last years from a computer used to just a tiny fraction of the population to a great success, with millions of users worldwide. If you follow the computer market, there is a clear impression that PCs have stopped, in terms of technological improvements, in the recent past.
It seems that every PC company has only two occupations: cutting costs and waiting for the new version of Windows. While this is happening, the Mac is improving, with new features appearing every six months or so. The Mac OS is updated every other year, improving the quality and the amount of software available. Windows, on the other hand, looks like it is frozen in the past, waiting for the hope that Vista will be a little better than XP.
In this scenario, I see many reasons to move from the PC to a Mac. Here are the top ten reasons I believe it is time to do the change:
- The Mac is ready to use out of the box
- The Mac has no widespread viruses
- The Mac OS is much more intuitive to use than Windows
- The Mac comes bundled with much more software
- The Mac is easier to install and operate
- The Mac has much better customer suppor
- Macs cost the same or less than an equivalent PC
- The Mac can run Windows if you really need it
- The Mac supports the same software that you are used to
- The Mac has much more style than any PC
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Mac OS X Snow Leopard Bible
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Cocoa(R) Programming for Mac(R) OS X (3rd Edition)
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Mac OS X Snow Leopard Pocket Guide (Pocket ref / guide)
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Mac OS X Snow Leopard: The Missing Manual
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Apple MacBook Pro MC118LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $1,699.00 |
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Laptop Speakers - USB, Portable, Compact, Travel Speaker for PC and Mac - B-Flex 2 Hi-Fi Stereo USB Speaker (Black)
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Laptop Speakers - USB, Portable, Compact, Travel Speaker for PC and Mac - B-Flex 2 Hi-Fi Stereo USB Speaker (White)
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List Price: $69.95 |
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Apple MacBook Pro MC226LL/A 17-Inch Laptop
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $2,499.00 |
The Mac is ready to use out of the box
Everyone has had the experience of buying a new PC, trying to use it out of the box, just to learn that you have to spend several hours doing setup work: deleting stuff, installing anti-virus, updating the whole OS, etc.
The Apple Mac has been designed to be used out of the box. When you start it for the first time, it will only ask two or three simple questions, such as "what is your name", and "what is your local time", and that is it.
You may think that this is a little thing, but it is common knowledge that the first impression is the lasting one. The Mac tries to get it right from the start.
The Mac has no widespread viruses
PCs are plagued by viruses and related problems. For years, virus, worms, and all kind of nasty programs have appeared in the Windows platform, and Microsoft has done little of nothing to improve the basics of the system to avoid these problems.
The Mac operating system (OS X) was created from beginning with security in mind, making it very safe agains common viruses. It is based on the industry-standard UNIX system, an operating system that has been used for decades in mission-critical applications.
Employing these powerful underpinnings, the Mac OS X has shown to be much more reliable to viruses than Windows. Until today there are no widespread viruses for the Mac operating system.
The Mac OS is much more intuitive to use than Windows
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were introduced as a commercial product by Apple. This shows how they are capable and interested in providing the best user interface experience for their customers. Studies and practical experience has shown that the Mac OS X is much easier to use than Windows.
For starters, all the functions of the system are located in logical places. For example, it is easy to configure the system, as all configuration options are located in the same place and can be easily found using a search box.
The graphical interface known as Aqua is another reason why Macs are easier to use. With high quality graphs and intuitive controls, it makes much easier to display important commands available in the applications. You will not find the cluttered interface present in some Microsoft applications, such as Excel or Word - this is a big plus for Mac users.
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Mini-DVI 32-Pin Male to HDMI 19-Pin Female Adapter Cable
Price: $1.37
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Apple iMac MB950LL/A 21.5-Inch Desktop
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $1,199.00 |
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Laptop Speakers - USB, Portable, Compact, Travel Speaker for PC and Mac - B-Flex 2 Hi-Fi Stereo USB Speaker (Black)
Price: $39.95
List Price: $69.95 |
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Apple iMac MC413LL/A 21.5-Inch Desktop
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $1,499.00 |
The Mac comes bundled with much more software
Another difference of a Mac is that it comes preloaded with a large number of useful programs, which on the Windows platform would cost hundreds of dollars. For example, the Mac comes with Music editing software, Photo editing software, DVD creation software, calendar and address book software, etc.
Among the best software preloaded with the Mac we can cite Garage Band, iDVD, iMovie, iCalender, Mail, and iPhoto. You can also check my list of top ten best software for Mac.
The Mac is easier to install and operate
The Mac is much better designed than average PCs. Therefore you won't see much of the cable mess that you can see behind a PCs on a Mac.
In fact, you can install Macs with little or no cabling, except for the power cable. The iMac doesn't need any additional cabling, since all parts of the system are stored in the back of the display. This makes it much easier to install, move, and maintain your computer installation.
The Mac has much better customer support
My experience with customer support from Apple has been great. The only time I had a problem they were fast and solved my problem quickly.
This may or may not be your experience with a PC company, depending on the quality of their support. But given that PC manufacturers only want to decrease costs, I don't see any reason for them to maintain a high quality customer services.
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NEW Apple Macbook Pro 2.8GHz 2.8 GHz 17" MC226LL/A 4GB
Current Bid: $2149.99
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Apple Macbook Pro A1211 Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz 2GB 120GB
Current Bid: $676.00
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2GB Samsung Notebook Laptop RAM MacBook Pro (2 x 1GB)
Current Bid: $9.99
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Apple MacBook Pro 15.4 in. Notebook laptop (MA896LL/A)
Current Bid: $665.00
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Macs cost the same or less than an equivalent PC
This is part of a mith that has always been told about Macs: the idea that they cost more than PCs. This might have been true in the past, but look at the offerings nowadays.
Although you will certainly find cheaper PCs around, the configuration is nothing close to what you really need to have a decent computer. Moreover, if you try to compare identifical configurations both on Macs and PC, you will probably find that the PC is more expensive, especially after you have to add all the software (anti-virus, etc) that you need to buy to make it work.
Macs will work out of the box, and the price tag is clear. Do the right comparison and you'll see that they are cheaper.
The Mac can run Windows if you really need it
The latest nail in the PC coffin has been released this year: Macs can now run Windows if you need. Of course, this is not encouraged by Apple, but if you ever need to run Windows for whatever reason, you still can.
Moreover, there are several ways to run windows. The parallel instalation of Windows and Mac OS is the easiest, but you can also buy Windows emulators to do the work. Now, ask Bill Gates if you can run some of the nice Mac software in Windows...
The Mac supports the same software that you are used to
Most of the software that you are used to, such as Microsoft Office, web browsers, Adobe software, image editors, etc. work in the Mac as well as Windows.
The big software makers all have product lines for Mac as well as windows. Thus, most of the well know software available for Windows also exists for Macs. In the few situations where this is not true, there is always some equivalent software in the Mac. Thus, you don't have to worry about the lack of applications -- in fact you'll probably find many more interesting options in the Mac world.
The Mac has much more style than any PC
Last but not least, the Mac is much more stylish than the PC. You don't want a computer that just looks like a box that you need to carry around. You want a computer that can be a productive, creative tool that can support your work and lifestyle.
A computer shouldn't be a source of problem, but a source of pleasure. That is what Macs try to be, using good style, well thought interfaces, and simple to use hardware.
(by the way, if you are also interested in making money on the web, you should also check this web page describing Google Ambush, the next generation of money making on the web).
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I've compared prices and I have say you pay a premium price for a Mac. A thosand dollar PC will have a faster processor, twice the RAM, a bigger hard drive, and a Superdrive (abllity to burn a DVD). However, it just won't look as cool.
John, let's compare an iMac or Powermac with a PC. You've got to get a 20" bright display (not a 20" cheap-o display), quality RAM and a good drive (not just the cheap equivalents). See the shootout page:
http://www.systemshootouts.org/shootouts/desktop/2
But consider this: it's not just about the hardware costs. Even if you can get a less expensive, equivalently configured PC, you can't run OS X on it or any other Apple software (except iTunes and Quicktime). You won't understand how important this is until you've used OS X for a week. Apple software running on Apple hardware is far and away better than Windows on a PC.
Finally this: In two or three years, when you're ready to upgrade or replace your computer, how much will it cost you? Your PC will have very low to no resale value, while your Mac will retain anywhere from 35% to 75% of its original value (i.e., the total cost of two brand new Apple systems will be much less than the two PC systems).
Great article, and thanks for the shootout link - I'd lost it.
Thanks for your post! It gave me something to think about!
Good post! That's what I needed!
Awesome! It helped me a lot!
It's great! That was new for me!
I like this post! It was really useful!
I think saying "it's more intuitive" is a subjective matter. For me, it's less intuitive, and I often find myself going to the Terminal to get things done.
Otherwise a great article!
Yes, you can run OS X on a pc. And very well too. I like both Macs and PCs but PC's are still more versatile and customizable. With the ability to change so many things, unlike the mac, the system is more open to errors, viruses, and other common pc woes. It's that simple. Mac is less bothered by these things because APPLE makes your machine, APPLE tells you what you can and cannot do with it. Apple doesn't like the videocard you want? Use one "made for MAC!" Yay... NO.
There are problems with every system. I generally do not get into the Mac/PC wars, but I can't stand it when people present Macs as the end all, perfectly flawless system. It's just not, but that's okay, delude yourselves. I'll just use my mac for what its good for and my pc for what it's good for.
Mac are good... Nice computers that don't really have good aplications for it. People just buy it because it is easier to use or... you don't need to have barin to get everithink it can do = nothing. Has anyone here tried to develop a business aplication for Mac? To access the Internet, wrte a document in word, and create a simple worksheet, you don't really need a computer that costs so much... Pelo should stop saying that Mac is more intuitive, and just admit that they can't really use a pc, because they can't, they are not able to.
I had a MacBook C2D "Blackbook", the second MacBook offering. But I ended up losing my job and I desperately saw the bills coming my way without a steady income. So I sold the Mac thinking I'd soon fix that problem anyway. Took the money, paid the bills, filled the refrigurator with fresh food.A couple of days later, I bought a 9 year old G4/350 for 1/13 of the price (alas, the money I got from the MacBook which had a rather good second hand value). It came with the original Apple 21" monitor and everything, and it runs MacOS X 10.3 (have not tried 10.4) just fine. No speed demon, but no slouch either.Another week or so thereafter, I stumbled upon a PC company selling brand new HP 510 laptops for 1/3 of the price of the MacBook. One third. I took a quick check on my account balance and decided to order it, even though I still haven't found what I'm looking for (hehe. Right. I'm still looking for a job). So for one third of the price I got a PC which has 512 Mb's of Ram, 60 Gb harddrive, the same type of screen as the MacBook but bigger (= better), still glossy, wireless internet, DVDRW and software, etc etc. I got it the day after I'd ordered and you know what? I love it. It's more quiet than the MacBook and it runs smoother due to the fact that Windows "costs" less CPU than OS X does.So saying the Mac is on par with the PC price wise is a total lie. This computer cost me much less than the most simple Mac Mini and it is just comparable with the MacBook in just about every single aspect. Okay, no, it doesn't have the web camera. But aside from that.I absolutely prefer OS X if I have the ability to choose but being a long time computer user, I have learned to operate PC and Mac and I can switch seamlessly between them, like most Mac users do (PCs are much more common in work places and just about everywhere else too).But I'm so happy with this PC it's unbelievable. I shake my head, I can't understand it, it's crazy. It's the same computer, basically, as the MacBook, for me. I have moved my documents back in it and it feels the same, aside for the GUI which differs a little bit of course. But anyway. One third of the price. Eat that.Apple is sweet, but it ain't cheap.
With Leopard coming out soon, that will be Unix 3 compliant, BIG selling point for the Enterprise market.
Easier to administer.
Better Support. The build it yourself has poor support since there are so many different companies involved, the price to put one together (labor and research on what to buy) puts it on a level of wasted time. Time = money. How much time/money is wasted?
The Dell/HP/Lenovo boxes sometimes don't have the same features like Firewire, weight more (laptops), aren't built as well or have applications bundled that suck.
iMovie vs. MovieMaker. I rest my case.
but the truth is:
The Mac OS is much more intuitive to use than Windows - ( this applies to new mac users, for mac users -(new windows users) - its the other way around) The Mac comes bundled with much more software - ( apple has ads loaded that Windows sucks because it has too much software preinstalled - but if you build your own PC you have nice clean windows - where with apple you can't build your own mac ) The Mac is easier to install and operate - same with windows The Mac has much better customer suppor - biggest lie- ask any mac user who personally had to deal with apple suport will tell you that you are dead wrong. MS has way way way better support Macs cost the same or less than an equivalent PC - another big lie - check the prices and you will find out that mac is 3 times or more expensive than PC The Mac can run Windows if you really need it - same with Windows, if you need to run MAc , linux its as easy as walking in the park. do some research The Mac has much more style than any PC - wrong again - for MS there are shit load of styles you can choose from, even style like mac if you want, every PC user knows 3rd party software such as : WindowBlinds MyColors Themes ObjectDock DesktopX DeskScapes BootSkin LogonStudio IconPackager TweakVista CursorXP
and a lot more, this is just from stardock.
so here you have a few true facts.
Now I never even knew that. What a thicko!
Could I ask how you came across this information? Thanks, Dave
why doesnt Apple allow flash movies to run in MS Powerpoint slideshows, or Apple Keynote slideshows? Quacktime used to handle swf files (for some reason I could never understand) and even that has now been cut in recent versions.
Animations are a useful teaching tool in science teaching, especially cellular activity descriptions etc which is what we use here, and nowadays Powerpoint slideshows are used everywhere in lectures. And apparently Apple computers are geared towards the education sector.
Flash animations (and swift3D) run perfectly within Powerpoint on PCs but not on a mac. Why?? The reason Apple say is because flash movies add 'risk' to the mac operating system so Apple stopped it. Duh???
I own a mac and 5 pc's.
Computers are tools with pros and cons, use the one that works for you. With that said note that most fortune 500 companies have pc's as workhorses and most entertainment compaines use mac's.
As far as who plays nice: Ask VMWare who plays nice, Mac or Windows.
(Yes, Steve Jobs crew is a bit more controlling and that is the reason we dont have mac virtual machines on pc, and the ones that we do have are hacked into place...see OSx86 project).
Hi!
I work since 1989 simultan with Microsoft and Apple Macintosh and my feelings are allways belong to MAC. It works and is much more intuitive then MS. By the way try to keep a Windows klean from any Trojan or Virus (but I think this will change also by MAC :-( ).
Regards, Erik
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<a href="http://www.gipsy-info.com">la vie est belle :-)</a>
2 Questions
1. Arent 1 and 5 the same point.
2. Where are you getting MAC's of equavilent hardware to a PC'a and the MAC is cheaper ? Are you buying them used?
1. Yay! We make our computers so that a monkey can use it!
2. Most valid argument of the list.
3. Vague
4. Yay! More junk to get rid of!
5. Yay! We make our computers so that a monkey can use it!
6. Dumberer than a monkey? Try our customer support!
7. Nope
8. Thank God.
9. How could you possibly know that. For me = not true. Basically a lie, Mac supports sooooo much less software.
10. Haha my computer is prettier than yours! Therefore it is better!
Jane to Lamar: samemacfag.
It's personal preference. So what if you think that idiots can use a mac? So what if you think that a mac is somehow cheaper than a windows computer? So what if you think that a mac is stylish? Windows is more compatible, and it doesn't have the gay delicate mouses and the stupid and ineffective keyboard shortcuts.
Although this article reeks of smug....
The Mac is ready to use out of the box - trueThe Mac has no widespread viruses - trueThe Mac OS is much more intuitive to use than Windows - trueThe Mac comes bundled with much more software - should be changed to "Useful software" for all the dumb dolts talking smackThe Mac is easier to install and operate - true, and read "operate". You don't need to defrag the HDD, or run anti-virus BS.The Mac has much better customer suppor - very true, but only if you have an accessible Apple Store. Even though here in PR, Applecare *tried* to fix my mac over the phone, but they phailed.Macs cost the same or less than an equivalent PC - sometimes true, but can be easily arguedThe Mac can run Windows if you really need it - yeah, I know I don't. Maybe for Syobon Action.The Mac supports the same software that you are used to - bullshit and the article's writer knows itThe Mac has much more style than any PC - so?I have a Mac.I believe Windows does have a market, especially in lower class areas where the money can't be wasted on a Mac. I have recommened HP's to friends f mine that can't afford Macs, and sometimes I am surprised to see how well they work.But I hate getting calls about, "Hey man, I have this popup that says 'Illegal operation performed on MSCVP80.dll, then my computer shuts down'
My calculator never pop up any error, never have a virus, can i say that it is better than PC or Mac?
Haha great article, it's funny reading all the PC users who don't know what the hell they're talking about. To the people that say Apple has bad customer support, you are WRONG. The customer support is incredible, their reps at the Genius Bar are so resourceful they will get anything fixed for you. And to the people who say that mac has less software, that's a lie. If you really need to run a windows application, just put up bootcamp and you're ready to go. It's a 2 in 1 deal.
Mac security for OS X and Leopard are definitely more secure than Windows (but they are still vulnerable to attacks).
Ganesh Srinivasan says:
3 years ago
Add two more to your 10 points
You can create feature rich presentations and convert them as movies
Very easy to create podcasts / videocats