Mac vs. PC

Mac vs. PC

Reviewers and pundits hotly debate the relative value of a Macintosh versus a PC. Now that all Macs can run Windows (since they now use Intel chips), it's no longer entirely an apples-to-oranges comparison. However, the Mac OS will only run on a Macintosh computer, which still gives the product line uniqueness. The problem with the arguments we found is that either they just compared hardware, or concluded that Macs cost more but are worth it because they are better.

Two programs, Apple's free Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac (*est. $70), allow Mac users to run both Mac OS X and Windows on the same Apple computer. Most reviewers say Parallels works better and faster.

If you are considering a Mac as a Windows computer, it will be much more expensive. You need to buy a full edition of Windows software (*est. $190 and up, depending on version) in addition to the cost of the computer, and possibly Parallels Desktop. Apple does not offer Windows as a pre-installed option, but dealers might. Of course, running Windows on a Macintosh is cheaper than buying two computers. With a laptop, it can be more convenient, too. If you’re torn between a Macintosh and its seamless hardware/software integration and the universality of Windows, you can have your cake and eat it too, albeit at a steep price. Review tests indicate that Windows can run just as fast on a Mac as on a comparable PC.

Experts note that emotion weighs heavily when considering Apple computers. This company has a loyal following unrivaled in the industry. Proponents say that Apple's tight software integration and lack of security problems are enough to propel it past any Windows-based laptop. Style also figures into the equation. On a purely clinical level, a Windows computer is nearly always the better value, but many people are happy to pay more for a Macintosh.

We attempted a few price comparisons. For example, Dell makes an all-in-one computer with a 20-inch widescreen display. It is not customizable, so we couldn’t make a direct comparison, but the base model (*est. $1,300) has the same CPU and hard drive as the base iMac (*est. $1,200). The Dell has 2 GB of RAM (instead of 1 GB on the iMac) and a TV tuner, but the Dell has integrated video instead of a graphics card. Software packages have comparable value. On balance, we would say the cost of purchasing either computer is equal.

If you try to compare an iMac with a standard Windows desktop PC of comparable specs, however, you'd spend much less on a PC. For example, the Dell Inspiron (*est. $900) is radically cheaper than the 2.4 GHz 20-inch iMac (starting at *est. $1,500) . The prices are based on the same speed CPU, the same amount of RAM and video RAM, the same size and speed hard drive and a 20-inch display.

You can easily perform these kinds of comparisons yourself. Still, the uniqueness of the Macintosh operating system makes value hard to quantify. Some people need Macs. The Mac OS is superior to Windows for several types of uses. Those include graphic design, desktop publishing (because Macs have flawless WYSIWYG [what-you-see-is-what-you-get] printing capability), music production and certain sciences. Some programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, have historically run better under the Mac OS, but ran slower on early Intel-based Macs. Reviews indicate that the hardware and software have now caught up with each other.

At one time, the Mac OS was much easier to use than Windows (and before that, DOS). Windows 95 closed that gap by largely copying the Macintosh graphical user interface. Subsequent versions of Windows have made incremental improvements in ease of use, while Mac OS X was a major departure from previous Macintosh operating systems. For people who already know one system, but haven’t used the other, the known system is easier to use. However, few people have difficulty switching in either direction these days. The learning curve is not steep.

In nearly every review of Apple computers, reviewers dote on appearance. Reviewers and consumers are swayed by the look and feel of Mac desktops and laptops, and aesthetics are addressed as a major buying consideration.

Cost of use is another issue. With Apple adopting PC standards like IDE, SATA and USB, and using Intel processors, Macs have fewer proprietary parts than they used to have. However, the cost of Macintosh service and repairs still extends beyond the purchase price. For instance, if the optical drive in an iMac or mini dies, owners must pay for Apple’s proprietary replacement parts or buy an expensive external DVD burner. Because the internal drives are built into the chassis, they aren’t user-replaceable parts. Apple’s own extended warranty, the AppleCare Protection Plan, is the most expensive in the industry.

Important Features

Reviewers say the following about shopping for an Apple laptop or desktop computer:

• Get as much RAM as you can afford. All Macs come with at least 1 GB, but will operate better with 2 GB. Models with integrated video dedicate some of the system's RAM to the display, which hampers all activities. Upgrading to a discreet video card liberates your RAM for the applications you are running. More RAM will allow you to work in more open applications at once without system drag. If you upgrade any one feature, reviews say upgrading the RAM is more important than a jump in processor speed.

• Get an appropriate optical drive. The entry level mini and MacBook have combination DVD-ROM/CD burner drives. All other Macs have DVD burners, which will give you about six times greater storage capacity per disk than a CD burner. You can load or reload software, back up your work, listen to music CDs and watch DVD movies on any Mac.

• Consider the display coating. Reflective screen coatings are popular, because they make graphics and movies look more saturated. However, these screen coatings can be problematic in an office where lighting can create glare. If you plan mainly on office work, consider choosing a notebook without a glossy coating or pay more for a backlit LED display. Apple lets you choose with the MacBook Pro. All other models now have glossy displays.

• iMac displays may bother some users. If you are considering an iMac and will use it for design work, photo editing or watching movies, check the display in a store before buying. Make sure that contrast gradations won’t bother you.

• Consider hard drive size. Photo, music and video files take up a lot of space, and adding a larger hard drive when you configure a system is a worthwhile upgrade if you work with multimedia files. You cannot add an additional internal hard drive to a consumer-model Mac, so allowing room for growth can be a good investment. If you don’t save media files, you don’t need a big hard drive.

• Consider AppleCare or a third-party service contract. If you have enough Mac expertise that you aren’t likely to use tech support, AppleCare is a poor value. In addition, you can get free tech support and troubleshooting from Apple Stores.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

The chart only includes Apple computers that are recommended by reviewers that rate one or two Mac models higher than other models. Even so, the chart can be somewhat misleading, as not all reviewers review all Macintosh computers. Those who review both the MacBook Pro and the MacBook generally express a clear preference for the Pro. The price jump is huge, as reviewers acknowledge, but several reviewers argue that the Pro is a better value.

Price and performance aren’t the only distinctions between the MacBook Pro and the MacBook. The Pro also has larger displays. Reviewers say the two 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops (actual 15.4-inch displays) are a better value than the 17-inch version.

The brand new MacBook Air is already widely reviewed. Reviewers love the idea, appearance and easy portability, but say it isn’t a very useful computer, especially relative to its price (starting at *est. $1,800).

For desktop buyers, the Mac Pro is recommended in reviews, but it is considered an expensive, high-end professional computer. At the opposite extreme in the desktop line, the Mac mini receives lukewarm reviews. It’s generally recommended because it is the only sub-$1,000 Macintosh, but considered a mediocre value and too limited for many uses. The two iMac models fall between the extremes. Several reviewers consider these all-in-one machines to be the perfect desktop computers for many people. The two 20-inch models are reviewed more often than the two 24-inch models. Those who review both usually prefer the 24-inch model because the display has a wider viewing angle.