Computers have become a vital tool for teenage survival. Lines have been drawn and angry blog posts have been waged about this most ancient of debates. Now that the dust has settled a little, we can see for ourselves which operating system reigns supreme.
Generally Macs and PCs differ in their ease of use. Because of the “drag and drop” feature of a Macintosh computer, it is easier to transport your music library from a home computer to an external hard drive. PCs can do this too; however, if you download multiple files you have to constantly hit the continue button to carry on.
“Macs are more simplified and user friendly. PCs tend to be more complicated, like having to download software to perform certain things,” says Daniel Valez from the Northwest Career and Technical Academy.
Accessibility seems like one of the determining factors in buying a computer for the first time. The more you understand how an operating system works, the less time you’ll take to figure out how to use it, which ultimately ends up with more computer time you can use.
Windows Media Player seems to beat out Apple’s Front Row -- a media management software that features an online TiVo-like experience. The only exception is that Macs must run AppleTV. The reason why Windows Media Player is more efficient is because it can hook up to more devices like your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and external hard drives with much greater ease.
Software seems to be another big factor when people consider what kind of a computer to buy. PCs tend to be able to run more programs because other software companies can run their product on a PC, whereas a Mac only runs Apple-made applications. Legacy High School senior Eldrin Aquino and sophomore Kevin Foresstrom think that one of the coolest software for the Mac is Garageband.
“I enjoy that Macs have GarageBand that is free when you buy a Mac, as well as other programs that you cannot find on PCs,” says Aquino.
“I like Mac’s Garage Band and also PC programs that aren’t Mac specific,” adds Foresstrom. Jasmine Lawson, a junior from A-TECH High School, likes the Apple navigation bar and how easy it is to switch windows.
“I like that on Macs you can just squeeze the mouse to change between windows. I also like the navigation bar on the bottom and you can hide and customize it,” Lawson says.
PCs seem to be better on the gaming spectrum because of their ability to customize their interiors and upgrade their graphic cards. If you have a Mac, you can’t tear it open and upgrade it. With a PC it becomes easy to take apart and to fix the machine to your specific needs.
Even for what seems to be a Mac-driven world, Legacy junior Kayli Smith seems to recognize the pros and cons of each machine in terms of software and gaming.
“I see Macs as more of a business computer and PC is more of a gaming platform. When the time comes that the world starts making Macs more accessible, such as making software that they have out for PCs for Macs, then the Mac will rule the world. Until then, it depends what kind of computer user you are: a gamer or a more of a business person,” Smith says.
Another factor that many take into account is the distinct look and feel of a Mac. The computers are appealing with their glossy shine and chrome bodies. The design of a Mac is generally more streamlined with less going on, which makes it look clean and able. Some Macs don’t even have towers, which appeals to those who don’t have a lot of room for their computer.
The cost of a Mac is generally higher, however, as Apple prices range from the least-expensive Mac Mini’s $599 price tag to the $2,499 Mac Pro. This computer has the same amount of RAM as an Asus GeForce hard drive for a mere $699. Battery life is a win for the PC computers as well, since you get at least six hours on a full battery of a Dell Latitude D610 as opposed to a MacBook Air’s five hours or a MacBook that lasts only two hours.
It seems that Macs and PCs are as different as they can possibly be. When deciding on what computer to buy you should look at the three key factors of price, amount of memory and your general type of computer use. Whichever computer you choose, however, think long and hard on the decision because that choice will be with you for at least the next five years.