Mac vs. PC, Part 1

Those who have been reading my daily tips for some time probably already know that I am not a big fan of Apple's products, whether it be a Mac computer, an iPhone, or an iPad.  Therefore, I am very careful to give an answer when I am asked whether a Mac or PC--or an iPhone/iPad or Android--are better.  Determining which one is best for you is a matter of deciding what you need and choosing the device that best excels in those areas.  For me, that is my custom-built PC running Windows.  For others, that might be a Mac.  I am certainly not critical of those who choose to buy a Mac.  Had my life taken a different course, I would almost certainly be using a Mac because it would better fit my needs.

Over the next two days, I will attempt to answer this question as fairly as I can.  Today, I will write about the areas where PCs and Androids excel over Apple's devices, and tomorrow, I will cover the areas where Apple's devices excel.

Value
If you compare spec sheets for a PC laptop and a Macbook, you will find that the PC always gives you a better specs for your money.  I have no problem with Apple charging more for its products; if its customers are willing to pay more, I believe they should be able to charge whatever they want.  However, if you are looking to get the fastest and best components on the market, you will get them at a much better price from Dell or HP than from Apple.

The same is true for the iPad and iPhone compared to devices from Samsung or HTC.  Comparable specs tend to put the "i" Devices at a $100-200 premium.  Again, I have no problem with Apple charging as much as the market is willing to pay, but it is a factor you must consider in making your choice.

Variety
There is no doubt that Apple's products are more aesthetically pleasing overall (more on that tomorrow), but the truth is that with all of Apple's products, you are limited to just a few devices.  Because Windows and Android are distributed software, there are a large variety of devices from many manufacturers available to fit your needs.

Apple has further hurt this variety by limiting the number of options and the ability to upgrade a device.  When you buy an Apple device, you will have a difficult time changing any of the items inside it once you get it.  For example, if you want more storage space for your iPhone or iPad, you will have to upgrade to a new device with more storage.  (By contrast, Android allows you to add an SD card to your device.)

Desktop/Laptop Software
We will deal with software again tomorrow, but PCs definitely win in the software category.  Many important programs are not available for Macs, or they are only available at a premium price.  I recently set up a virtual machine inside a Mac for someone who discovered that the Mac versions of the programs she used did not have the features she needed.

While the virtual machine is one option and emulators have gotten better recently, software is still a major reason to choose a PC.  (It is also the reason why I switched back to Windows after being a Linux user for several years.)  Before considering a Mac, make sure that the software you use regularly is available for Mac (or that there is a suitable substitute program available).

Security, Part 1
You might be surprised to see security on a list of areas where PCs and Androids excel over Macs and iOS devices.  Yes, it is true that Apple's products are generally more secure, but PCs do have one security advantage over Macs.  Most PCs have security software on them that protect them from attacks that affect both types of devices.

Most attacks today are not the viruses that spread by installing a device (like a flash drive or external hard drive) on an infected computer and then bringing it back to your own computer.  They are social engineering attacks designed to get you to give up your personal information and passwords.  It doesn't matter if you are using a PC, a Mac, an iPhone, or a Galaxy Tab, if you click that link in the email you received from "your bank" and hand over your online password, your information will be in the wrong hands.

Fortunately, security software is recognizing this change and adapting to protect us.  However, security software does you no good if you do not have it installed on your system.  As a whole, PC users recognize these threats and install security software better than Mac users.  Yes, you may not need an antivirus program for your Mac, but software that helps you recognize shady sites and phishing schemes would be a plus.