Microsoft vs. Apple

That’s a bold statement right?  Why do people prefer apple products over Microsoft? Let’s break it down by product:

Mac OS X vs. Windows

• Cost – sure, an apple computer might cost you more up front, but the average lifespan of an apple laptop for $1000 is about six to eight years. A PC of the same price is about 4 years.  When you also factor in additional costs like anti-virus and tech support, the cost of a PC goes even higher.  Now it’s probably important to know we’re comparing OS X and Windows, not Macs and PCs.  This means we shouldn’t forget Linux, which ALSO beat Microsoft on price.
• Stability – I’ll be the first to admit that Macs do crash, but for every twenty PCs that come through my business to be repaired, I get one Mac (and sadly no Linux machines).  Apple makes both the hardware and the software for their devices, so the operating system is extremely stable.  I leave my machine on for months, whereas a windows reboot at least every two days or so is a good idea.
• Features – iMovie, bundled with all Mac computers, is the best (bundled free) application out there for making movies.  When you also consider that all recent Mac computers come with a built in webcam, all iMacs come with built in Wifi, and in general, apple sets the bar for functionality, Apple wins by a landslide.
• Usability – It’s insane how much time apple puts into developing the GUI interfaces for programs.  Every application in OS X is drop dead simple to use.

iPod vs. Zune

• Cost – Both devices are comparable in price, but the iPod (especially the touch models) comes with SIGNIFICANTLY more features, driving the value of the iPod much higher than the Zune.
• Stability – The Zune software is just annoying to install – especially on older versions of Windows (XP 2002 and Before).  I don’t think I’ve ever experienced an iTunes installation going wrong on Windows and it’s bundles with OS X.
• Features – One of the best features of the iPod is the Wifi connection to other Mac based computers on the network for DJ voting, etc.  The iPod Touch was also an amazing upgrade from the original iPod.  It really set the bar for other devices, and nothing else has come close except the iPhone.
• Usability – I’d say the Zune and the iPod are equally usable – especially the older versions of the iPod.  The touch interface on the newer ones really makes things simple though.

iPhone vs. Windows Mobile

• Cost – The iPhone actually costs more than the cheaper Windows mobile devices, but in terms of value, if you consider the rest of the features and stability of the devices, the value in Apple’s product is much higher.
• Stability – I can’t speak directly for the stability of Windows mobile devices, but I do hear people complain about freezing / having to reboot their phones on a regular basis.  Once again, I believe that this has a lot to do with apple making both the hardware and the software as opposed to just the phone’s operating system.
• Features – the biggest feature for the iPhone is the app store, and Microsoft doesn’t really have a product or service that really competes.  This is where the iPhone really blows Windows Mobile out of the water.
• Usability – I think the large touch interface on the iPhone is much less clunky than the Windows Mobile interface, but I’d say that that is up to opinion.  I’d say they’re about even, depending on the Windows Mobile phone you have.