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.
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Great post JT! I am a massive Apple fan who converted from a windows based machine several years ago. You stated the Imovie was a great platform. I have to agree. I have never used this application till yesterday, when I made my first video for youtube. It took ten minutes!. Now I’m not tech savvy or anything, but it’s sooo easy to use. You don’t compare the build quality of anything Apple to PC’s or windows phones etc. Apple is simply beautiful. It’s also robust, timeless, and functional, whereas most windows based equipment has a cheap look and feel to it and buttons all over the place! I expect the launch of the Ipad to be massive, bigger than anything windows based by a country mile this year! i just can’t wait for Apple to move into the games platform!? (Hope you are reading this Steve Jobs)
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I’m still not really convinced to move from PCs. Cost of Anti-virus? $0 if you use AVG Free and Spybot Search and destroy. Sure, there are higher statistics of PCs needing more maintenance, but how many companies out there build Macs? Just one, while multiple companies build their own style of PC, with whatever quality of components they choose to put in it. So yeah, “BUYERS BEWARE”, if you don’t know enough to build your own computer, so the general minimal knowledge consumer is probably better off with Macs. Sure, I’ve had video cards wear out (might I add two of which upgrades were free with one being a hand me down from a trade show computer, and the other being a prize in a contest), RAM sticks go bad (save those receipts for those limited lifetime warranties), and a mobo die (I was due for an upgrade anyways. For me there is a sense of creation and pride in my system that I treat very much like my car. Also I’ve had my Lian-li case for 12 years, still remembering when I took that thing out of the box and was able to lift it off the ground with my baby finger. Not everyone is like me, and I can live with that.
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James Thompson Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Admittedly I use Macs about 45% of the time, PCs another 45%, and Linux the other 10%. Every point you make there is valid. I find that AVG and other Free anti-virus programs aren’t quite as potent as something such as Kaspersky, because they don’t do live scanning.
Oh, and there is nothing like building your own computer.
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Ah, the classic Mac v PC debate. I’ve been a PC addict for years now. I build my own desktops. I love tweaking Windows, and practically live in MS Office during the day (I’m a teacher).
But here’s the thing: I’d switch to Mac if I could afford it.
I don’t doubt at all that they have a superior product.
That said – I’m loving Windows 7 right now …
When it comes to the iPod vs the Zune, well I can’t argue. We are an iPod household, and Apple has that market absolutely mastered.
I have an iPhone, and it is hands-down the best phone I’ve ever had. It’s essential now to my workflow, and the apps are just incredible. Literally everything I need and want.
Come April 3, I’ll be buying an iPad – not because I’m a fanboi, but because I can see just how functional this will be in our house. It’s formfactor and the applications really suit the way we surf the web and use our laptops.
I still LOVE PCs. But when it comes to innovation, design, and just sheer usability, it’s Apple first and daylight second.
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I like Apple but I prefer Windows for the sheer I can do what I feel like.
I use iPhone and yes it does miss some key features but it is indeed the best interface and touch phone around.
iPod is great but the iTunes needs some jargon to understand.
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James Thompson Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I actually like programming on Windows more than any other system. They shortcuts just seem to be more intuitive to me. Admittedly my main computer is a Mac, and I love that I rarely have issues with it.
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