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The Eternal Question: PC or Mac?

Published in The Aggie on January 18, 2006

As you must have noticed, iPods and white headphones are everywhere these days. This fact, plus the recent announcement that Apple will be using Intel chips (previously a PC-only product) in their new computers, has caused the infamous computing question to again rear its head: do I buy a Mac or PC?

Well, for years, PC and Mac computers have happily coexisted in UC Davis computer rooms, dorms, and offices. In a nutshell, both Macs and PCs will meet a student's computing needs, but each platform does have strengths and weaknesses. Here's a quick comparison (this is by no means comprehensive, just a few highlights).

Digital Security
Viruses and spyware are two of the myriad digital demons that seem to continually plague PCs. One of the many reasons hackers capitalize on vulnerabilities found in PC computers and their software is that PCs make up over 90% of the market, so attention-hungry hackers focus most of their energies there. For this reason (and others that have to do with the operating systems, default security settings, etc.), Apple's Macintosh computers tend to be much less prone to security issues.

PC users, don't fret. Visit security.ucdavis.edu to learn how to better protect your computer. Mac users should also check out this site, as many of the cyber-security basics apply to everyone, regardless of computer type or platform.

Software Availability
While most popular software (Microsoft Office, web browsers, Adobe products, iTunes, etc.) is available for both platforms, a greater variety of specialized software and computer games is released only for PCs. If you're an avid gamer or frequently utilize industry-specific software, you might find your options limited on a Mac. Check with the campus department of your major to determine whether desired applications are available for both Macs and PCs.

Processor Speed
Apple and PC vendors have each long claimed to have the fastest computers on the market. In the past, Mac and PC processors were difficult to compare. This may soon change, with Apple starting to use Intel chips in their computers. However, for the time being, know that most every decently-equipped new computer (Mac and PC) comes with a processor that can easily handle normal computing functions.

Price
Remember: You get what you pay for! Many shoppers are discouraged by the seemingly high price of Macs. Instead, they purchase a super-budget PC and are soon surprised when it doesn't run everything well. Low-end PCs are often not configured to run the latest games and software, and may need to be significantly upgraded. Once properly configured, the price gap between Macs and PCs is often much smaller, if nonexistent. To find out more about the campus recommended specifications for a new PC or Mac, visit computerownership.ucdavis.edu.

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