Seif Dakroury

MAC vs. PC
Nowadays, computers have become a very important part of our modern life.
It is necessary to have one at home, one at work, school and even at the cafeteria
where people can use them for various purposes. However, considering the variety of
computers that exist today, the big issue is what kind of machine you are going to use
in order to get your work done. In the huge world of countless computer types and
models, the choice of systems can be a complicated and difficult one. I did some
research on this issue and will be presenting in this paper what the dominant
competitors in the Information Technology market are and the most important factors
one needs to consider when choosing what computer to purchase.
Basically, there are two main competitors, the Mac using as operating system
MAC OS created by Macintosh, and PC using as operating system Windows created
by Microsoft. Everyone has their own opinion on which one of the two choices is the
best; personally, as a computer science student I have used both programs on different
kinds of computers. Even though PC's are far more popular and preferable, and for
good reasons, the Mac system is considered to be the more durable and useful of the
two. Computers are made and marketed as all-purpose machines, but for a lot of
people they have a rather limited job description: Web browsing, e-mail, MP3s, digital
photos, the occasional letter etc. Those are functions that any remotely new computer
can easily perform. Unfortunately, just because any random computer will suffice
does not necessarily mean that you should buy it without further meditation.
(Pegoraro). Here are some of the issues one needs to carefully consider before
purchasing a computer.

Seif Dakroury
First of all, the software availability is of great importance. The
majority of computer users own PC's, for both work and entertainment reasons.
Therefore, software companies find that it is far more profitable to develop software
that is for use on a PC instead of a Mac. There is such a large variety of software
provided for PC's, something that Mac's lacks, that it could be a topic unto itself, yet
Macs do have a major advantage in one area. Mac computers have some highly
specialized software for media production, and have been ahead of PC's for quite
some time.
Moreover, the Mac is more expensive than a PC. The cost alone would be
more attractive to a home user. A user would be able to purchase a PC computer for
the 1/3rd of the cost of a Mac computer, and obtain the same results. Therefore,
because the PC is more affordable than the Mac, home users generally prefer PC.
Generally speaking, deciding to purchase a Mac is like deciding to purchase a Ferrari
high quality and unique. Getting a PC, on the other hand, is more like getting a
Hyundai.
In addition to that, it is important to mention that computer technology
changes so rapidly, that it unavoidably forces computer users to either purchase a new
computer to stay up to date, or to upgrade to a better software and hardware. PC
computers are more compatible with hardware and software than the Mac computers
are. There is more hardware and software designed specifically for the PC computer
use, leaving more options for upgrading in the future. When a Mac computer goes
obsolete, its user will most likely have to purchase a new system. Simply upgrading to
better or software can be less expensive than just purchasing a new computer, so a PC
computer makes this option easier for home computer users.

Seif Dakroury
Furthermore, another issue of extreme importance in choosing between a PC
or a Mac is security. The term security implies all kind of possible threats that can
cause serious damage to your computer files wile you browse the web. "There are
more than 147,000 viruses for PC's" (Apple website). This is an advantageous issue
for MAC users since the structure of the computers created by Macintosh prevents the
viruses from penetrate the computer's system. On the other hand, it is extremely easy
for a PC user to have his/her system infected with all kinds of threats. In order to
avoid this, the PC users have to spend extra money every year to purchase and install
an antivirus program, an internet security program, etc., to keep their computer
protected.
A Mac makes wireless connection quite easy. Networks appear automatically,
and one can get access on the Internet with just a few clicks. On the contrary, when
using a PC one has to turn on the rooter, wait while it searches for signal and some
boxes to pop up, and then he/she can connect to the internet.

In conclusion, we can say that PC and Apple Macintoshes offer many

technologically advanced set-ups; computer users must chose which options better
suit their individual preferences. They must consider what is wanted and needed in
their overall computer setup. The demands and needs of the consumers will define
computers of the future.