PC vs. Mac - Which to Use and Why

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PC vs. Mac - Which to Use and Why
Each Has Their Strengths and Weaknesses

I know that the discussion between Mac and PC users about which is the better computer and operating system is right up there with "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

I also know that everyone has their opinon about this topic, and these are soley my opinions. But I have to say - that most of the time that people who tout a Mac over a PC or visa versa - have never worked on both sytems at all, or for any length of time to form an opinion from experience. They often just regurtiate what the Mac or Window salespeople have indoctricnated them with!

But since I work on both types of computers on a daily basis, I have settled the discussion (At least for myself) with this answer:

Both Mac and PC computers are great when used for their strengths. Let me explain:

PC Strengths

A PC, or personal computer with it's Windows operating sytem which is (almost always) tied in with Internet Explorer browser is great for running and testing website designs and for use on the Internet.

With a PC you can also run the Mozilla browser for the testing of website designs, which I do. Yes, you can run Mozilla for Mac and Safari, but I have always run into numerous problem using a Mac on the internet. I always get much more realisitc results when I test a new website on my PC and it's browsers.

I also like to use my PC for all my bookkeping and office uses. I have found that the Windows platform runs very smoothly for these types of "linear" thinking tasks.

Lastly, I like to use the Internet with my PC because it has better protection against hackers. Now before you get all up in arms and stop reading - read what these two Mac security experts had to say:

In an interview with Marc Maiffret - a hacker since he was 17 and an expert in the world of software security - Mr. Maiffret said, "Windows is more secure than Mac OS. While Apple likes to claim a higher security standard than their rival Microsof, I beg to differ. When you look at Microsoft today they do more to secure their software than anyone. They're the model for how to do it. They're not perfect; there's room for improvement. But they are definitely doing more than anybody else in the industry, I would say."

He continues, "It's a little scary with Macintosh because they try to market themselves as more secure than the PC, that you don't have to worry about viruses, etc. Anytime there's been a hacking contest, within a few hours someone's found a new Apple vulnerability. If they were taking it seriously, they wouldn't claim to be more secure than Microsoft because they are very much not. And the Apple community is pretty ignorant to the risks that are out there as it relates to Apple. The reason we don't see more attacks out there compared to Microsoft is because their market share isn't near what Microsoft's is."

Charlie Miller, a well known Mac security guru says, "Even Snow Leopard, the latest version of Mac OS X, isn't as safe as Windows. Despite Miller's opinion that Windows is the more secure OS, the large install based of Microsoft-based systems make them a much more attractive target for hackers. Hackers just tend to like to mess with Microsoft-based systems."

Mac Strengths

Now, with all that said, I still love my Mac for its many strengths!

I tend to build and do all my graphics, web design, text layout projects, audio or any multimedia with my Mac. It just is a workhorse that never bogs down. It's operating system is just made for fast and easy graphic design, text layout, illustration, and painting use.

Another great benefit to having a Mac is that it reads PC files and you can save Mac files for PC, so it is better at being somewhat cross-platform compatible, something the PC isn't very good at doing. In fact, PCs don't even read Mac files, so that can be a problem if you are working on a PC and others are sending you Mac files.

I do have Microsoft Word and Excel for Mac on my Mac, but they just don't run as well as on my PC, so as I mentioned above, I tend to use the PC for all my office needs.

If I Had To Choose Just One

It would be really hard to choose one because I am so used to working on both. In fact I have my Mac and PC linked together so I can jump from one computer to the other while sharing one monitor, and I would be lost if I lost one or the other.

If I simply had to choose, I would probably go with the PC because of my heavy use and designing I do for the internet. I can use PhotoShop, Illustrator, and Quark all on my PC, but in my opinion, they don't run or perfom as well as on my Mac, and therefore my work would suffer.

Plus, my Mac is much more cross-platform compatible. It will read PC files and you can save for PC files and that is something my PC can not do. If I had to give up my Mac I would be hard pressed to get my work done as quickly, easily and professionally as I do now, but it would be doable.

Conclusion:

If you get the opportunity to work on multiple computers and different operating systems - do it. It will strengthen your ability to work on any computer - no matter what it is - and get the results you want. You may even find your bottom line is different than mine - no worries!

What is important is that you find what works best for you and helps you get your work done with as a professional look and result as possible. If you can do that on either a PC or a Mac, or like me, both, that's awesome - and you have just answered the big question - which do you like better a Mac or a PC?

Hilary Rinaldi is a nationally published writer, an award winning illustrator and graphic designer, and a Certified Search Engine Optimizer. She has developed and overseen national and international marketing campaigns and she regularly writes about Target Marketing, and Graphic Design Training, and strives to give the best Target Marketing Advice she can while making it an enjoyable process for anyone who wants to learn.