This post is specifically directed toward laptops, not desktops. Who buys a desktop anymore these days anways? (actually I probably will again one day, but the reason for that is outside the scope of this post)
I remember back in the day when I loved to dog on Macs because they were so incredibly goofy looking. I collected images such as these:
These were the Macs before the internet really came to fruition. Back in this day, YouTube did not exist, USB thumb drives were still rare and the iPod was just coming out. The Mac computers still used the PowerPC platform and had not yet switched to Intel. Compatibility was difficult. No one had wireless networks. How did you get files from one computer to another? Burning a CD? Copying them on an Iomega 100MB ZIP drive? Umm, yeah. Even when you could transfer files between a Mac and PC, you couldn't open files on each side of the fence as easy as you can now. Back then, in my mind it just didn't make much sense to get Mac. However the next couple of years would change everything.
The next couple of years were the PINNACLE of Windows XP getting hit by all kinds of virus, spyware and trojan you could imagine. Anti-Virus companies cashed in during these years, and it became semi-mandatory to have some sort of protection on your PC. Later service packs even added built-in features to XP to combat this malware infestation. However, things have gotten much better these days. If you are a seasoned computer user (such as myself :P ) then you don't run into these problems much at all anymore. Good enough to only stay in the PC world? Nope, keep reading.
In 2006 Apple announce the switch to the Intel platform. The iPod was picking up speed. The products on both sides of the field were becoming much more compatible. It was around this time that I started giving Macs a second chance.
Fast forward to this day. If you are going to buy a Mac or PC (laptop in the case of the post), please let me clarify a few points with which many people stumble. I used to think there was no way I could switch to a Mac. The menus and layouts were so different, and I was so used to using my PC. I couldn't imagine that all my useful programs on the PC had equivalents in the Mac world. Eventually I realized that they, for the most part, do. It just requires somewhat of a learning curve.
Yes, Macs are more expensive. They cannot be upgraded very easily. There isn't much of a variety. However, I'm going to show you why none of that matters in the laptop world. (most ideas carry over to the desktop world, but again that is out of the scope of this post)
You don't need to upgrade a Mac laptop, in most all cases. It was designed and tested to perform at a more than acceptable level with its current hardware. PC's usually need upgrading because you bought the incredibly cheap version of the product, only to later realize how much the cheap version blows and that you need to upgrade it. Macs aren't just for cool hippies anymore. "Dude! I heard Macs are good for video editing!" Yes, perhaps they are, but being a cool hippie wanting to edit videos should not be the reason for getting a Mac. Same goes for the recent trend of "I'm a PC" contenders. It is not enough to say a PC is better just because you hate cool hippies and don't need to edit video.
In the past few years Apple has added many PRACTICAL and USEFUL features to their MacBooks that simply CANNOT be done on any PC laptop. Let me explain just a few:
Touchpad - I remember a couple of years ago when, if you had a PC laptop, I thought it was mandatory to have a mouse. Why? Because the touchpad on all PC laptops sucked so bad. If you've ever used a touchpad on a Macbook, you'll know why I've changed my stance on having a mouse. Double finger touch to scroll? This feature is so simple yet SO INCREDIBLY INTUITIVE that I don't know why the PC world has not tried to imitate it. (perhaps some have, been it really needs widespread adoption) Double finger scrolling is just the beginning of the multi-touch world on a Mac touchpad. Once again a very practical and useful feature. The PC laptop cannot do that.
Lighted Keyboard - This is a feature found in both the Mac and Pc world. I mention it because it such an underrated feature. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I wished my keyboard was lighted. If you have a PC laptop, I can almost guarantee you that at some point in time, you have turned up the brightness of your screen in an attempt to see the keyboard in a dark lit room. If you're going to get a PC laptop, please do yourself a favor and get one with a lighted keyboard. Also, it should be noted that the Mac OS has access to this hardware, and can therefore not only turn it off but can *dim* its brightness level to save battery. Once again a very practical and useful feature. The PC laptop cannot do that.
LCD Backlight - The LCD monitor brightness level can be controlled by Mac OS. If the user has become idle the OS can tell the monitor to dim its brightness level. This saves a great portion of the battery charge. PC's cannot do this. The OS also can dim the brightness level based upon brightness of the room you are in (probably using some kind of photocell). This way you're eyes aren't destroyed by a super bright screen in a low lit room. Once again a very practical and useful feature. The PC laptop cannot do that.
This post could go on quite awhile about stuff like this, but in the interest of yours and my own time I'm keeping it short. Don't get me wrong, I use both platforms. They both have advantages and disadvantages. If you are more comfortable with using one or the other, fine. However, you should at least take into consideration valid and merit-able points from each side.
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