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Three commonly asked questions by computers users are:
- What is the difference between a Mac and a PC?
- Will my software and files work on both?
- Which is better?
The biggest difference between Macs and PC's can be summed up by different "thought" processes and philosophies. Macs actually think more like humans, while PC's tend think to the opposite of humans. For example, when you see the number 182 to you it means one hundred and eighty two. A Mac would read that number the same way, however to a PC it would read that number in reverse. Thus to a PC the 182 would actually be 281 or two hundred and eighty one. Geek Note: All this is done in binary code: one's and zero's.
The Mac and PC operating systems (mainly Microsoft Windows for PC) work along the same guild lines. The vast majority of tasks on a Mac require less clicking, less menu's and flow more like a human would except them. This is why you often hear Mac users say, "Macs think like I do and PC's don't."
The difference between a Mac and PC can be summed in one sentence: "Macs and PC's operate and work differently."
This brings us to the question, "Can I use all my current programs and files with a Mac?"
Unfortunately this isn't a straight yes or no. It depends on what type of files and programs you use and the main goal of your computer experience. There is NOT one thing a PC can do that a Mac can not do. This does NOT mean a Mac can run the exact same software title as a PC, but for example many PC's use WinZip to zip and unzip files. A Mac can use a program called StuffIt to zip and unzip files. Thus both can use zip files.
Many well known programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Norton SystemsWorks, etc have both Mac and PC versions. This means if you use Microsoft Office on PC's you can open, modify and edit them on a Mac running Microsoft Office. Macs are able to run Windows programs and files easier and better than Windows can run Mac programs.
In fact Macs come with some of the easiest and most stable video and sound software on the market; the i-series software such as iTunes. Apple also gives discounts for families with multiple computers. For example a 5 pack of OS X (OS Ten which is the Mac equilvant to Windows) sells for only $199, while upgrading 5 Windows computers would run you $500 for an upgrade version or $1,000 for the full version.
In addition both Macs and PC's can surf the internet, download files, use e-mail, be networked together (both Mac to Mac and Mac to PC), share files, printers, cd-roms, etc. You can also run Windows on a Mac computer using a special program called Virtual PC.
So which is better?
If you are looking for an ultra stable almost problem free computing experience Macs are an excellent choice. However if you are interested in playing games only or use special software only available for PC's then the PC platform is the way to go. However if you use Virtual PC, as mentioned above, you can run most Windows programs on a Mac.. Idealy having a Mac and PC is the best of both worlds, but obviously costs more.
When choosing either Mac or PC remember this above all else:
The bottom line is pick the computer that is most comfortable to YOU. After all the salesman, article writer, us, etc aren't going to be using YOUR computer. YOU will be using YOUR computer.
