Mac vs. PC 2
Ease-of-use
Yes, the rumors are true. Macs, in general, tend to be easier to use than PCs, thanks to built-in video tutorials on new models, consistent look and feel across all applications, and the generally simpler, drag-and-drop-based actions of the Mac operating system (also known as Mac OS X, or Leopard, in its most recent iteration). That said, certain tasks, such as moving your iTunes and iPhoto libraries to an external hard drive, can be downright confusing and you can risk losing your entire music collection if you don't follow the steps just right.
Still, it sure beats the non-stop-barrage of "Error" messages and freeze-ups you get periodically on the average Windows-based machine. To be fair, Windows has become less crash-prone in recent years, but the built-in security features on the latest Vista machines result in you pretty much having to click a 'Continue" button any time you want to make a desktop move.
Lastly, the relative newness of the Windows Vista operating system means there just isn't that much online support should you run into a problem. Based on user-friendliness alone, we'd recommend a Mac over a Windows-based PC.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
marlene wood @ Aug 6th 2008 7:40AM
My first computer was an apple. Since then I've owned several PC's, none of which compared to the apple. I've been thinking of going back.
RDF @ Aug 6th 2008 9:14AM
Started my computer life with a Texas Instruments Ti 99 4A over 27 years ago . . . then bought an apple . . . . then a Mac Plus (which was great!!) . . . . .had to change to PC because I was using and teaching AutoCAD . . . recently our internet PC was infected with a virus and it was a royal pain in the butt . . . . .went to Best Buy and purchased a Mac . . . . very happy again . . .
John @ Aug 6th 2008 10:16AM
This has got to be one of the sillier "Mac vs PC" sites. Almost everything negative that the author says about PCs is demonstrably wrong, i.e. his claim that "... it sure beats the non-stop-barrage of "Error" messages and freeze-ups you get periodically on the average Windows-based machine. To be fair, Windows has become less crash-prone in recent years, but the built-in security features on the latest Vista machines result in you pretty much having to click a 'Continue" button any time you want to make a desktop move." Perhaps his contact with Windows stopped at WIN 2.0? I have been running Macs and PCs for at least 20 years, and my personal experience is that Windows versions from WIN 95 on has been at least as stable as the Mac OS. Moreover, the author seems to be unaware that the current Mac OS is actually LINUX with a shell, and that the reliability stems from the thousands of hours that the LINUX contributors have committed. What is it that Mac users don't seem to understand about the 3.5% market share that they "enjoy?"
Yirmin Snipe @ Aug 6th 2008 10:50AM
I have to agree with John... the writer is clearly one of those lesser tech savy folks that learned on thier kids Mac and now lacks the ability to use a grown-up PC. I'ved used every type of computer from an atari to a zenith... A mac isn't any easier to use than PC... it just depends on which one you are most familiar with. Macs are for grade schoolers and PCs are for adults and teens... why else would the game makers only release games for a PC and only pre-k games for macs.
Hal Kirven @ Aug 6th 2008 11:02AM
Both of these scenarios work: Either Apple needs to come down in price on it's operating software costs (the hardware is basically the same for Macs & PCs), or the PC manufacturers should explore making better systems within the large disparity between the retail costs of Macs & PC's.
Kevin Wegner @ Aug 6th 2008 12:24PM
I have never owned a Mac before. I have always owned a PC. My neighbor has a Mac and from personal experience I like Windows a lot more. Just the fact that almost every program you buy is made for PC would keep me from buying a Mac. Also not everyone has a pocket deep enough to purchase one.
henry vincent @ Aug 6th 2008 12:45PM
one should use whatever pc or mac that they are familiar with.use the one that you feel comprehensible and less complicated.
Zachary Peter Mehlek @ Aug 7th 2008 11:34PM
I agree that the mac are a lot more intelligent than Bill Gates PC because PC is very slow and shows alot of error messages and the PC won't fix any errors it only relies on the user to fix the error. I wish I had a apple computer but there so expensive and I see why, the mac dosen't get as much error messages and its a lot easy to use and it accuetly does let the user to what ever he or she want with out the constant massege saying that it needs more vertuel memory and all kinds of crap that bill gates stuffed into his cheap PC and also PC's are cheap because compaired to macs the pc is a very small, retarted, freezing up machines. And also Apple is living up to there name like they did back then when the apple logo was a colored apple with a bite mark in it. Apple was the first computer that wasn't stupid and accuetly did stuff except word prosses only the old machentosh did that but when mac came out it was good but everyone stuck with the standard apple and no one went back to the one computer that had a girl name I forget I think it started with a "L."
Skyride @ Aug 10th 2008 8:21AM
This is so silly its incomprehendable.
Both have their benefits. I personally like vista.
Macs have built in video tutorials? wtf? If you need a video tutorial to show you how to do things like going on the internet then you sir are too dumb to own a computer.
Skyride @ Aug 10th 2008 8:26AM
Also, @John.
Mac or running off other peoples work. OSX is bassically stemmed from BSD and is a truly UNIX system. Heck you can get a BSD terminal in it if you really want.
Apple are making money off yours truly Linus Torvalds. At least MS wrote their own kernel.
riko @ Aug 11th 2008 4:25AM
i own both, and for my work, i cannot justify a mac due to the applications written for Internet Explorer, they lose functionality with every other browser, and that means Mac. System freezes, very rare with my new Vista machine. I've had as many freezes with my macs. ITunes runs just fine on windows. I use airport extreme router with vista. a little tricky to configure but works fine now.
Den @ Aug 12th 2008 10:01AM
If you own a PC and you have a failure of ANY part or parts you can purchase them at any computer store or on line, Try that with an apple,,,,
Herb @ Aug 13th 2008 10:58AM
Most people i've spoken to hate, the Vista application, by Microsoft with a passion. They want to ring out Bill Gates neck. They are also tired of being guinea-pigs, on testing out New Programs for Microsoft.They also hate the high prices one needs to pay for a MAC. I have a G4, and, I can get a faster and better machine for Half the price today. Or i can get an IBM/ Intel clone machine, one designed for games, with an emulateing program, so I could run Mac Os as well as Microsoft Os's, and save more moola. Putting the savings into needed computer programs. This is My suggestion to anyone starting out Now.
Jane @ Aug 17th 2008 11:27AM
I have been an IT professional for over 30 years. My 3 kids have macs and my husband and I are still in the PC world. We are constantly fighting operating systems an internet explorer foreverything we want to do. My last child is going to college and requested an iMac notebook instead of a PC based laptop. I never have to mess with their systems to keep them running. They can do everything they want to do on their systems easily. In the long run it is cheaper to own Macs.
Erin @ Sep 26th 2008 4:48PM
I have been using both PC and Mac equally (one at work, one at home) and I really think PCs are more user friendly. First of all, when you turn on a mac, where are your applications? Sometimes they are off to the edge in the tray, but if you don't know what the icons are, you're out of luck. I like the Start button concept much better.
For avid users of both, maybe Macs are more user friendly, but I have seen so many people struggle over what to do. On a PC, you can hit start; or if you are ever in doubt, right-click something to show some options. Of course I know what the icons are and how to use both, but I was self-taught on PC and I had to be instructed and to ask questions for a Mac (at the same age).
It's also really frustrating when programs from the internet don't work properly on Macs.