How to Choose between a Mac & a PC

Say, how old is your computer now?  Six years?  Dang, that's old!  Well, it's time to invest into that new machine.  But wait...Mac or PC?  That is the perennial question now-a-days.  Both Macs and PCs have come a long way since, well, even the past year!  Technology is advancing second-by-second and let's face it -- your computer will be outdated as soon as you walk out the door.  So make a wise decision that will satisfy your needs for the next half decade.  Here are a few steps to guide your purchasing process:

STEP 1

First, examine how frequently you use the computer and what exactly you use it for.  For instance, is it only the Internet and Word you use, or is it much more specific like computer programming or video editing? 

STEP 2
 
Visit the Mac Store and a PC retailer.  Play around with both the Mac and the PC.  Determine the ease-of-use for both platforms.

STEP 3

Find both a PC and a Mac with similar specs (i.e. RAM, disk space etc.). Open up multiple applications on both platforms and see how each computer performs.  Performance is another aspect to examine.

STEP 4

Along the lines of performance, if you're a video editor, musician or just simply love watching movies, another aspect to consider is media.  For movie watching, Mac presents Front Row whereas PC offers Windows Media Center.  Furthermore, for video editing, you have Final Cut Pro for Mac and then you have Avid for PCs.  The use of media goes hand-in-hand with ease of use.

STEP 5

Accessories and Hardware.  Investigate which accessories will best accompany your computer and any additional hardware that will be necessary.

STEP 6

Software.  Are you a gamer?  Are you a designer?  If you're an amateur gamer, you wouldn't want to purchase a Mac (and all gamers know this, I know).

STEP 7

SPAM, Viruses and Adware.   What is offered for security for each platform? 

STEP 8

Typically, the battery life on computers start to decline after a couple years.  Think about if you want an ultraportable laptop that can last up to 4-hours or more, or a computer with the best energy-saving options.

STEP 9
 
As a newbie, do you have some major technical questions you need answered?  Think about which company can offer you the type of customer support you'll need.  If you have a best friend that's a computer geek, then no need to fear...I'm sure he/she can conquer all the problems for you for a smaller fee.

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