PCs vs. Macs   Term Paper ID:44333 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the Windows PC and the Mac.... More...

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Paper Introduction: PCs vs Macs One of the most potent rivalries in the computer market has alwaysbeen that of the Windows PC versus the Apple Macintosh fondly known as the Mac Most computer users are either diehard PC fans or fully committedMac aficionados Interestingly though there are both strengths andweaknesses associated with both platforms One of the PC\'s greatest strengths is the flexibility it affords theowner Unlike the Mac the PC can work with a variety of operating systemsand can use any of a Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Unlike the Mac, the PC can work with a variety of operating systemsand can use any of a wide number of peripherals, so the PC shopper can getthe best bargain on a printer instead of being stuck with only one or twothat are available for his model. 2 7. This means that the PC shopper can takeadvantage of bargains and pay a lower price than the Mac shopper. Interestingly, though, there are both strengths andweaknesses associated with both platforms. Macs are good at some types ofapplications and not at others, such as running databases and web servers(Pennell & Walker). There is far less software available for the Mac, andalthough dual core processors have made that less of an issue, it is alwaysthe Mac user that has to find a way to run PC software, not the other wayaround. Sincethe Mac is a simpler platform, it is generally easier to learn and use thanthe PC, as well. Finally, because the PC is more robust, it has asteeper learning curve (Pennell & Walker). 2 8. Adding up the strengths and weaknesses, in the last analysis it seemsclear that PCs have greater strengths for the most part. Likewise,since there are no viruses for the Mac, the hassles of having to operatearound antivirus software are nonexistent on this platform. A Mac cannot be purchased without its operating system, sothat also limits how low the price can go (Pennell & Walker). In addition, there is such a huge varietyof PCs and availability of cheap parts that it can be difficult to weighwhen a PC is a good value and when it is just poorly made (Pennell &Walker). Althoughthere are workarounds that allow the Mac to run PC software, why not justget a PC? It must be acknowledged, as well, that Windows operating systemshave declined in quality in recent years. Works Cited"Mac or PC?" Canoe.ca. The primary of these is its vulnerability to viruses,which is compounded by its own popularity; because there are so many morePCs in use than Macs, it is simply more worthwhile to hack and developviruses for PCs ("Mac or PC?"). Mac lovers may disagree,but the PC-faults and all-is a more powerful and adaptable machine for mostpurposes. Inaddition, Windows PCs have "a vast pool of software available...which issimply not available for the Mac," an advantage that again adds greaterflexibility for the PC owner; this is particularly the case with games(Pennell & Walker). Pennell, M., Walker, M. Not surprisingly, it is used by many professional design andprint houses, so developing graphic designs on a Mac and then sending themout to be published is "often less problematic" (Pennell & Walker). Finally, "because PCs enjoy market share majority, support tendsto be easier to source and could be cheaper too" ("Mac or PC?"). As great as its advantages are, the PC has a few equally greatweaknesses, however. Obtaining replacement parts is problematic,because many of them are "specialized, expensive and are not available tothe public as spares" (Pennell & Walker). Like the PC, the Mac has its weaknesses, though. As Pennell and Walker (2 6) point out, Macs have"consistently high build quality" and a "safe and stable OS X operatingsystem," which means fewer lockups and fewer overall problems. In addition,only qualified Apple technicians can do repairs or upgrades and are"deliberately designed to be difficult to get into unless you know what youare doing" (Pennell & Walker). The initial cost tobuy one is much higher than for the PC, and there are fewer choices ofperipherals. The Mac boasts strengths of its own, though, that give PCs a run fortheir money. While Macs arebetter in graphical work and not vulnerable to viruses-yet-overall, theirdrawbacks outweigh their benefits for anyone needing the flexibility to doa variety of work and run a variety of programs. "Windows Vista's Biggest Problem." Vista 4 Beginners. PCs vs. Macs One of the most potent rivalries in the computer market has alwaysbeen that of the Windows PC versus the Apple Macintosh, fondly known as the"Mac." Most computer users are either diehard PC fans or fully committedMac aficionados. Although XP was not too bad,Vista is deplorable on a number of counts, from its incompatibility issuesto its poorer versions of Vista-compatible software ("Windows Vista'sBiggest Problem"). One of the PC's greatest strengths is the flexibility it affords theowner. "When Is a Mac the Right Answer?" 2 6. Lasa Knowledgebase. A more serious issue is that "Most databases, especially thoserunning over a network, will only work on a PC," so depending upon what thecomputer is being used for, this could be quite limiting (Pennell &Walker). Probably itsbest-known strength is the Mac's facility in handling "creative activitiessuch as video editing, graphic design, desktop publishing, and musicproduction," for which it has long been "the platform of choice" (Pennell &Walker). Although many of the basic programs are available for bothplatforms, chances are that there will be quite a few that the Mac ownerwants and cannot get; moreover, most programs are initially developed forthe PC and only come out in a Mac version later on, after their popularityhas been established, so the Mac owner has to wait to get them. Likewise, virtually everyone has a PC; its mereubiquity is a strength, since there are always available parts andavailable help. 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