It bothers me when people start presentations or any written document with apologies or qualifying statements. Let me begin this post with both. I first want to say that I really like Apple products, have owned them and currently own them (iPod) and would even have an iPhone if Verizon Wireless offered them. Until they do, I will stick with the bag phone with expandable antenna that I have carried since 1995. It gets great reception, has a handle, and if you ever need something to hold the door open for you it is ready. I would like to apologize to all of the diehard designer types, whose mind is more like command + closed apple than open apple, that I may offend by this post.
With that said I will proceed. I’m a practical guy, drive a minivan (with dubs and a banging system), married the love of my life, listen to NPR (through the banging system), like bird watching, and use PCs. So let me outline why I choose PCs over Apple computers and let the comment section be filled with fodder discounting my way of thinking, primarily from Paul.
1. Cost: Let’s face it PCs are cheaper. The cheapest Apple computer offers nothing for a designer. The MacMini ($599 without a monitor) has a measly 2.0 GHz processor and 120 GB hard drive and the MacBook ($999 laptop) has a 2.13 GHz processor and 160 GB hard drive. Comparable priced PCs offer more for the same price or have many lower cost options. The Mac base models don’t provide enough RAM to even get your feet wet in AI or PS. Low-end PCs are filled with faster processors, huge hard drives and enough RAM to run a small town in Arkansas. Competition among PC companies has led to benefits for the buyer.
2. Speed: The fastest processor offered by Apple is 2.66 GHz in a desktop and 2.8 GHz in a laptop. Comparable priced PCs offer up to 4.0 GHz. Nothing bugs me more than a slow computer.
3. Options: When it comes to options PCs are the way to go. The options are endless. Especially in the areas of latest technologies and new hardware. This is currently evident with Apple in the lack of HD DVD options as well as updated wireless connection speeds.
4. Design: PCs are about as sexy as me in spandex. Apple wins here.
5. Windows Operating System: The Vista operating system is far superior to OSX offered by Apple. I’m sorry, I can’t say that. Apple wins here. I like Vista but all of the best options that are offered in Vista were swiped from Apple.
6. Software: The options for software are endless with PCs. Back in the early days of desktop publishing and early design work, this is an area where designers drew the line. Apple did have the superior software and operating system to run it. That is no longer the case. PCs now offer more RAM, larger buses, and just about everything offered by Apple can be run on a PC. Not true the other way.
7. Advertising: Apple’s commercials are better even though I feel sorry for the PC guy when the Apple dude makes him look stupid. For the record Steve Jobs is more cool than Bill Gates (despite Jobs’ collection of black mock turtle necks) but again I am able to relate better to Gates. I think it has everything to do with the geek in me and nothing to do with his billions of dollars. The commercials are hilarious.
Like I said, “I’m a practical guy” (I just quoted myself). I could drive something much cooler than a minivan, could have married a trophy wife (okay, debatable), could listen to a top-40 radio station, do anything that is cooler than bird watching (watching grass grow, trading stamps), and buy an Apple computer. I chose PCs.
Tune in next week when Shea sings the praises of Wal Mart, Darth Vader, and the New York Yankees (oh, wait…).
Next week can we do Canon vs. Nikon (you’re probably a Nikon guy, yuck), then Epson/Canon/HP printers, and the week after that (real) religions?
It is true that PCs today are almost as good as Macs. A quarter century of shameless copying has done wonders. The same thing is happening in the phone market. You now can get a Verizon phone that is almost as good as an iPhone. At least it looks like an iPhone. Rest assured, your PC and phone experiences would be very different if Apple (R&D for the tech world) did not exist. Genuflect towards Cupertino every time you use your mouse!
It is already obvious which church I belong to, but to be explicit I bought my first Apple 31 years ago, an an Apple ][ with a 4 digit serial number. My first Mac arrived January of 1985, and I’ve bought a lot of Macs since. I’ve been an Apple fanboy for a long time, and I’m proud of it. I’ve owned PCs, and right now I run Windows XP on my Mac under Parallels Desktop, because the state email system requires Windows Internet Explorer, it rejects all other browsers. As a techie, I get called upon to help a lot of people with their Windows computers. My Mac fandom is not out of ignorance.
Yes, you can buy PCs that are cheaper than Macs. Did you? Most people point to a $500 PC and say “look how expensive Macs are” then turn around and spend $2000 on their PC. Did you include the cost of video editing, photo library, DVD authoring and other programs Macs come with? Did you include the cost of your anti-virus subscription? Did you include the time spend cleansing the hard drive of trial-ware? Ever lose time to viruses or malware? Driver troubles? Ever have a tech issue and get bounced between the hardware vendor and Microsoft? Any of those eat up time fast, and time is money.
I recently had a problem with the video chip in my laptop. Nvida had a bad batch of packaging that has affected Apple and most other manufacturers. The computer would not boot. I made an appointment at an Apple Store online for later the same day, they checked the laptop (2 years old) took it in back, swapped the motherboard, and handed it back to me less than an hour later with no charge (they extended coverage because of the bad chips). What would your experience be like if you had a bad chip?
Apple has an amazing thing called Time Machine built into its OS. Every time I plug in an external drive, it copies all the files that have changed, and also does it every hour while the drive is connected. There is a cool graphical interface to see any of the saved versions of any file and roll it back. If I decide I’ve gone down a wrong path with a design I can pull up a version from earlier today, last week, or six months ago.It is so simple and the version feature is so valuable I do the backup all the time. Do you do backups? If so how much did you pay for the software? Do you do versioning? How much did that cost? If I have a hard drive crash now it will take me two hours to restore the 200 GB of files on my laptop, and I will lose at most one hour of unsaved work. If your drive crashed right now, how long would it take you to restore a backup, and how much work would you need to do over?
It is hard to say if there really is an “Apple Tax”, because you are comparing apples to lemons (sorry, couldn’t resist). If there is, it is not a huge amount of money, even PC fans trying to stretch the point can’t get it much over $500, and it is a lot less if you need any of the software Apple throws in for free. For a product that beats the reliability and customer service stats of EVERY other computer manufacturer (see Consumer Reports, JD Power, and others) any extra money is well worth it to me.
I’m glad you are happy being a herd-beast, and I’d not want to change you. I like being different; if humanity was not mostly herd-beasts then I’d be like everyone else.
Steve
Paul, Empire Strikes Back is my favorite movie of all time why, because Darth Vader is so hardcore. I live in Arkansas, home of Wal-Mart, anything short of love in that department can lead to banishment. I think everyone knows by now my feelings for the Yankees.
Perhaps there is something wrong with me. I don’t feel well now.
Poor Shea. They won’t even let you have an OPINION!! For once, I have to agree with you!! You are a nerd…but we love you regardless!!
But I ALSO agree with you on the PC. I’ve no doubt it’s because that’s what I’ve always used…and, will most like ALWAYS use. It’s just my preference. They are virtually interchangeable…but I’ll admit that the Mac does some REALLY cool stuff that a PC can’t.
I’m not anti-Mac. I’m ordering my new iPhone 3GS next week. But for me…it’s a PC.
Not to mention that fact….the State of Arkansas only has PCs on their computer contracts. Now surely THE STATE OF ARKANSAS couldn’t be wrong?
Oh….but I also like Comic Sans….so what do I know??
I wonder why you never see anyone say, “I’m a Mac user, but I really love my Zune”?
It’s okay, really, Shea. They have 12-step programs for people who have lapses in judgment. In fact, I think there’s an app for that on the iphone . . .
Kim, your love and support was great until your last sentence where all credibility was lost.
Paul, that is one of the funniest statements ever on IBD, but at least you can share music on the Zune.
Lisa, I’m used to twelve steps since every time I try to do anything in iTunes that’s how many steps it takes.
I am the proud owner of a homemade PC, and Shea, I have to say that I’m sure my PC is much sexier than you in a spandex. But then again, it isn’t black or cream like your average store bought machine.
I was always told that Macs were much easier to use because they don’t lock up like PCs and they don’t get viruses and whatnot. But let me say, I worked on a Mac for a few years and I could lock that thing up just as tight as I could lock a PC.
I think Mac does a lot of stuff right and I’m sure that is how PCs have gotten to the point they are at today, but I’ll always be a PC girl. I prefer the customization options that come with being a PC owner.
Jamie thanks for your support and insight on crashing Macs. I don’t know how you work in the same office as Paul. He’s holding back or working on a dissertation to follow soon.
Oh yeah, and I like to right click too.
Let me preface this by saying that I think much of the Mac vs. PC battle boils down to a cultural issue. I think that the CPUs themselves are largely similar, they’ve both been copying each other’s operating systems for literally decades, and you can pretty much run the same software on both.
I’ve been a Mac user for a long time, so I’m admittedly partial. (My favorite 14-year-old joke: “Why did Microsoft call Windows 95 by that name? They thought it sounded better than its original name, Macintosh 84.”)
That said, Shea, I actually agree with you on some of what you said and, predictably, I disagree with you on some fundamental points:
1. Cost. I have always believed that Macs are more expensive, and I still think that when you’re dealing with high-end machines, you’re paying a premium for Apple hardware. But take a look at the findings of this Popular Mechanics article, “Mac vs. PC: The Ultimate Lab Test for New Desktops & Laptops” (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4258725.html?page=4), which says:
“Our biggest surprise, however, was that PCs were not the relative bargains we expected them to be. The Asus M51sr costs the same as a MacBook, while the Gateway One actually costs $300 more than an iMac. That means for the price of the Gateway you could buy an iMac, boost its hard drive to match the Gateway’s, purchase a copy of Vista to boot—and still save $100.”
2 & 5. Speed. First, Macs and PCs are both using the same Intel processors, so comparing them to one another is easy. They’re exactly the same. How fast a computer moves is based on a lot more than processors (like operating system, which you concede to the Mac) and that same article I reference above finds that Macs are faster than comparable PCs.
3 & 6. Options/Software. Yes, the PC has more options and there is more software (especially games) available for the PC. On the flip side, Macs use proprietary hardware intended to function as a unit. While you can buy hardware from a million different companies for the PC, that also means that you have to hope they function properly together and wait for those million different companies to catch up every time there’s a technical innovation.
4 & 7. Like I said, this debate is largely cultural, and I have to say Mac is winning the PR battle with sleek design and good ads. PC could be focusing on its domination of the glitzy game market and specialized video capabilities, but instead they’re reacting to Apple’s “I’m a Mac” campaign.
To be honest, Shea, I think your post was pretty even-handed and I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both platforms. (For instance, the proprietary hardware I identify as an advantage for the Mac above can be a real nuisance when a presenter at the NAI National Workshop shows up with a Mac and no adapter to connect to the LCD projector.)
Still, there’s a reason this debate is losing steam, and that’s because the differences are being blurred, especially (as NAI’s Russ Dickerson mentioned in a recent conversation) since so much these days is web-based and it doesn’t matter what kind of machine you’re on.
Oh, you got me with your heading. I could not resist reading this article. Given the heading I went in with tail feathers raised. I love Macs!
We are in the story telling business. One of the many books I am currently reading is Emotional Design – Why we love (or hate) everyday things. Here is an excerpt: “…objects are more than utilitarian. As art, they lighten up my day. Perhaps more important, each conveys a personal meaning: each has its own story. … I argue that the emotional side of design may be more critical to a product’s success than its practical elements. Can I tell a story about it? Does it appeal to my self-image, to my pride? We take pride in them, not necessarily because we are showing off our wealth or status, but because of the meanings they bring to our lives. And this object always has a story, a remembrance, and something that ties us personally to this particular object.”
I know PC people and Mac people. PC people don’t have as good of stories. Maybe we are happier and therefore more productive using our Macs? ( : However, I do use a PC at work sometimes, because I own a business and have to do accounting…. But, I put an Apple sticker on it and always have my IPhone on me. ( ;
Okay, so I’m not ready for this discussion to disappear into the archives of IBD (which is actually a strange room in Paul’s basement filled with Phillies memorabilia [which is an oxymoron], New York Yankees voodoo dolls, his childhood blankie, and many other items that Sheila thought he threw out a long time ago).
Paul, it is true that Apple is using the same processors as many PCs. Apple is just much slower at getting out new products with the most current processors, making them seem behind. Many smaller PC companies are able to turn out products with faster processors more efficiently and use processors offered by other companies that are more cutting edge than Intel.
Betty thank you for bringing up intangible values in relation to PCs vs. Mac. I think you raise a very important issue and that’s loyalty. Apple users are loyal because of the intangible connection to their products. There is a deeper connection to those who use Macs that may go unexplained. Apple does consistent supply quality products. Even their bombs disappear gracefully (MacCube, MacTV, the Newton, the Pippin, the Rokr, and Apple TV aka MacTV2). Which is not the case for PCs or Microsoft. I even find myself drawn to the allure of Apple products. I call it iPhone envy.
As far as PC folks not having as good stories as Apple folks, you haven’t heard my story about me in an Elvis jumpsuit, becoming the alleged bird bomber at Portland International, bathing with two GBHs and many more.
Since Steve Dimse addressed almost everything I wanted to, I will add only thing and that is to refute this line:
“PCs now offer more RAM”
Find a PC that allows you to install 32GB of RAM, AND actually uses it all.
I will actually add a second thing – that RAM capability gives a Mac significantly more processing power per GHz in the CPU.
Hi, I’m a Mac and a PC.
That being said I can see both sides of the argument (more like all out war.) I have to agree with most of this post, in particular the part that Mac makes sexy machines. As designers (whether it be graphic, industrial, whatever) we sell things… whether they may necessarily need it or not. Case in point, all these twenty something girls walking around with Macs because they are pretty but have no idea what they are doing with them because they were raised on PC there whole life. Congratulations, you bought pretty packaging and the name, and in the process paid more for it. It think it all boils down to what you are using it for. If you are not in or pursuing a creative career; multimedia, graphic design, whatever, get a Mac. Otherwise get a PC.
It’s great to reread this almost two years later. In those many months since this post, I have witnessed Shea scream like a 13-year-old at a birthday party for the chance at an Apple store gift card at a taping of Jimmy Kimmel live, and have received phone calls from Shea on his new iPhone.
No-Good Stinkin’ PC’s.
That is all I got.
Aw, was this for me? I’m touched.
All I can say is, Dells are crap, but $1400+ for a year-old refurbished Mac is a lot of coin. And I still haven’t figured out how to get my iPhone to send emails.
I just want something that will actually work most of the time without me having to cross my eyes and stick my tongue out just right while chanting the complete works of James Joyce backwards. I might be willing to give the Mac a try, even if it means losing my live-in tech support.