Quick Scan
- You only have $300 to get a new computer.
- You like to build your own computer.
- You plan to pirate your software.
- You live for the latest video games.
- You need a program that is only available for Windows.
- You want an ultraportable laptop.
6 Reasons to Buy a PC Instead of a Mac
No Joke; As much as we love Macs, we admit there really are reasons not to buy a Mac. Here are my top six reasons to buy a PC instead of a Mac.
- You only have $300 to get a new computer. There is no disputing the fact that Apple doesn't compete in the market for cheap, POS computers. Today, a refurbished Mac Mini is going for $519 from Apple. It only goes up from there. Counterpoint: you can always buy a good used Mac for cheap on eBay.
- You like to build your own computer. Some people like to tinker, and Windows or Linux PCs are the best way to do it. You can't just march into Fry's and start buying the parts to make a Mac yourself. Counterpoint: Unless your time is worth $3 an hour, don't fool yourself into thinking you are saving money.
- You plan to pirate your software and all your sources use Windows. There is no denying software piracy is running rampant and by virtue of market share, there are far more sources of pirated Windows software than Mac software. Counterpoint: Macs come with most of the software you will need for free. Also, don't be a thieving asshat. You aren't entitled to steal someone else's work, even if it's Microsoft.
- You live for the latest video games. You also don't mind dropping $500 for the latest video card to play them. Facts are facts: Computer games come out first for PCs and sometimes never even make it to the Mac. I've been waiting YEARS for Half-Life. Counterpoint: Go buy an Xbox.
- You need a program that is only available for Windows and a Mac counterpart won't do. There may be tens of thousands of Mac programs available to you, but there still are gaps in very specific software categories. Counterpoint: Run Windows on your Mac via Parallels or Boot Camp to access that program.
- You want an ultraportable laptop. At this point, the MacBook is Apple's smallest laptop computer, and it really doesn't compete in the ultraportable category where screens are small and optical drives and battery life are shed to save weight. Counterpoint: Get a job where you don't have to travel so much.
I'm sure I missed some items for the PC die-hards. What do you think? Use the Comments section below to take your best shot, but stick to reality. As much as you can.
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Mac Link of the Day
15 reasons Macs are still better than Windows PCsWith Windows 7 coming up, it's time to yet again ponder on whether Microsoft has the upper hand in operating systems. Here's 15 reasons it doesn't
-APC
Your Comments:
I switched a few times (back and forth) and can certainly see the advantages of both systems. Many a Mac "fanboy" probably just likes to support the underdog.
What makes Apple so different is that they make their own Hardware AND software. And do a pretty good job with it. (no pun intended).
Cheers.
frederic
06/28/2007 at 01:23 PM
This is an article about why PCs are BETTER than Macs and yet every hostile posting seems to be from PC users complaining that the article *wasn't critical enough*.
And from their their thoughtful arguments I have learned that:
1) Apple are monopolistic by only allowing Mac OS to run on Macs (because their entire business depends on people buying their hardware, since they give away most of their software for free), so I should buy products from (convicted monopolist) Microsoft instead.
Okay, so Microsoft regularly destroys non-threatening competitors just for giggles, and they are happy to charge a "tax" on any retail PC you buy whether you want to run Windows on it or not. But in return they don't mind if you want to pay them $300 for a new copy of Windows and run it on your Mac. Now that's altruism.
And they're really supportive of other platforms. For example, MSN messenger 4.0 on Mac has now nearly reached feature parity with version 1.0 on Windows. Nearly.
2) If I was a one-fingered cripple, I would have to buy a two-button mouse to get right-click functionality on my MacBook (Apple sell such mice, but they charge *money* for them!). Curse Apple for their pitiless discrimination against obscure disabilities, we must boycott their products!
And in other news, have you heard that iPods are not designed to be used by the deaf? Scandalous! Lets all go buy Zunes!
Nick
07/03/2007 at 07:06 AM
homer
07/12/2007 at 05:02 PM
Hardy Macia
07/13/2007 at 08:56 AM
Andy
07/13/2007 at 03:13 PM
Thomas Shannon
07/14/2007 at 02:49 AM
And to the guy that was talking about Monopolistic Practices. Apple is more than happy to let you install other OSes onto their systems (Boot Camp anyone?) or do you mean that they don't let you choose between 7 different processor speeds, 5 different video cards and everything else like Dell does? If the latter, then I think that the way Apple does it is their way, and like someone else pointed out, why on earth are you griping about the antics of a relatively small company?
Stuart Hollis
07/14/2007 at 02:54 AM
"Price fixing" is certainly illegal, but what Apple is not guilty of it, by virtue of it not being a monopolist in the computer market. There are hundreds, nay, thousands of computer manufacturers, Apple being just one. What Apple has decided to do is segment that market by virtue of the Mac's bundle of features/benefits. One of them is price. It has foregone the commoditisation of the computer market by setting a price for a combination of features that appeal to its target segment.
Just because Apple doesn't charge the least doesn't mean it is a monopolist, extracting illegal rents. Supply/Demand implies that the higher price it charges will deliver it lower quantity, and a lower market share. Which is what has happened, hasn't it?
K.
Karl
07/14/2007 at 02:57 AM
macsucks
07/14/2007 at 03:05 AM
Has anyone else noticed that fanboys/evangelists of one platform or another tend to also make the same irrational brand-based decisions in other facets of their lives?
Eg. "I love macs, I love my VW, I love Asian girls."
vs.
"I love PCs, I love my American car, I love corn-fed girls from Iowa."
CPUs, four wheels and I/O ports - they're all essentially the same thing.
Crooky
07/14/2007 at 03:07 AM