Mac or PC?

This question is becoming about as common as the age-old chicken or the egg quandary. Do you go with a Mac or a PC? After living in a household with a fairly even split between the two, I feel like I have a pretty good feel for the issue. Each side of the debate has a few good points, but let’s talk about some practical issues to consider when purchasing your next desktop computers or laptops:

1. Macs Are Easy to Use — Most of the Time
Once you get the hang of the subtle differences, Macs are extremely easy to use. Most programs that are Mac-specific load up perfectly, the machines automatically detect wireless networks with ease, and everything works smoothly, at first. However, just like a PC, the more you try to do with a Mac, the more likely you will be to have conflicts and issues. As any long-term user knows, even Apple software upgrades aren’t immune to bugs and issues.

2. PCs are More Readily Available
With PCs, you can literally go to any major shopping center and buy a new one or a few accessories. With Macs, you’re much more limited. In many areas, you must go to the always-crowded Apple Store, if you have one, to make a purchase. Of course, you can always order one directly from Apple, but it’s kind of nice to actually touch a major purchase.

3. Macs are A Lot More Expensive
Macs are more expensive to purchase and to repair. In fact, PCs have gotten so inexpensive that they’re practically disposable. A Mac would have to last about three times as long, and in my experience they don’t, to be more price effective than a PC. I have to admit, if the prices were equal, we’d have a few more Macs in the house.

Mac or PC? It’s really up to you! Although a Mac really is the better machine for artists and musicians, PCs are the more practical solution for everyone else.