Inside the Case

Ok, so I'm fed up with people arguing with me about this clearly not knowing anything about the issues. It's time to put this old myth to rest. But before I get started I need to clarify a couple of things. This argument is not about Windows vs. OSX. It's not about Microsoft vs. Apple. This is about PCs vs. Apple (more commonly referred to as 'the Mac'). It's about the computer itself. It's not about the software (although it is partly), or the operating system.

How do people justify their love for the Mac? Well a lot of people seem to enjoy those lovely Apple commercials with the Mac guy and the PC guy ("Hi, I'm a Mac. And I'm a PC"). So I'll use those to prove to you people that PC are clearly superior.

Let's go through the list one by one. First one: "Computer Cart". This one claims that the PC's flaw is the "funky error messages that keep popping up". The Mac's apparently don't have them making it more 'user-friendly'. This is wrong. Error messages are extremely important. If you didn't get them in a situation where something is going wrong with your computer you would have no idea what went wrong and you'd have no way to fix it (because you wouldn't know where the problem originated from). Error messages actually help the user because they tell help you locate the problem so that you can fix it. The Mac's don't have this (or so they claim). Which means if there is a problem with your computer you're gonna have to take it into a repair shop where the Apple-wiz has to go into the system's settings to figure out what the heck is actually wrong. Usually, it's something you could have fixed anyways, but because Apple is so anal about its software, it doesn't want you to know when things to wrong. And yes... they do go wrong.

Next one: "Security". This one is about Vista's new security protection which questions every single action you make. Well clearly this is also wrong. Firstly, I was hoping to avoid the OS vs OS discussions here, but since Apple brings it up - let's do it. Vista's security system (although I hate it personally) doesn't work like that at all. The commercial is clearly an hyperbole, it's an exaggeration. So in the end - it's a lie. That's not how security systems work on a PC. Furthermore, a PC user has a CHOICE over what his security system can be. There are tons of different independent companies that make their own security systems for the PC so you can choose whichever one you like best. On a Mac? Nope. You only get what the Apple provides you and you have no choice or alternatives.

Next one: "Tech Support". In this one the PC gets a camera installed and the Mac is supposedly superior because it comes with one built in. This is so wrong. First reason why this is crap is because you, again, have no choice in the matter. The Mac comes with the camera whether you want it or not. And it comes with their camera, not a camera that you like. So you end up paying for extra gadjets whether you want them or not. Secondly, it's better to keep all your hardware equiptment separate. Let's imagine the camera gets damaged. If you've got a Mac you'd have to take the whole computer in for repair. Not so if you're got a camera which is detached from your computer. I'd much rather be able to deal with my cameras separately from my actual computer. If I want to buy a shitty camera for no money, I can do that. If I want to get one that it super high quality with infra-red and remote controlled, I can do that as well. With a Mac? Sure there are other cameras you can buy, but your choices are limited to what the mighty Apple sells you... No choice at all.

Next one: "Sabotage". This one has nothing to do with the actual computer. It just accuses the PC guy of having to lie to sound better... PC guys don't have to lie. We know we're superior.

Next one: "Surgery". This one is about upgrading to Vista and having to upgrade all individual components. Again... this is a GOOD thing. You can deal with each of your computer's components individually and upgrade them as you see fit. If you need a faster graphics card - you got it. If you want a faster processor, but not more memory - you can do it. With a Mac? You can't. All you get in the prepackaged setup the Apple has determined to be 'best for you'. How do they know what's best for me? Everyone's computer needs are totally different. I personally have 2 personal computers. Because they are designed to do very different tasks. And I need them both equally. Upgrading your computer is a good thing and individual component upgrades is also a good thing. Again, it's about having choice, and I'd never sacrifice choice for anything. That's why I live in Canada and not in Russia. Freedom is more important and Apple is clearly trying to force it's monopoly and it's views on its users. This is a terrible idea and the reason why PCs are clearly superior.

Next one: "Gift Exchange". This one is about the easy of creating photo-albums in iPhoto. Yes, it's a great feature and really easy to use. But is that really Apple's best selling point? It's really not that much harder on the PC. And guess what - CHOICE AGAIN. The iPhoto comes with its separate templates and restrictions and setups. You can do it the Apple way, or not at all. On the PC... you can do whatever you want. Any book, any photo, any printer, any template you want. Choice choice choice. It's really not any harder, but you get more features and more choices.

Next one: "Sales Pitch". In this one, apparently, Macs are superior because their advertisement works... Umm... what? Who cares. That has nothing to do with how good your actual computer is. The truth is over 90% of computers out there are still PCs and they DON'T NEED sales and advertisements to sell. People buy them because they are superior. End of story. If Macs were better they'd have a much bigger chunk of the market. But they don't and no matter what Apple tells you about its market trends - it won't.

Next one: "Meant for work". This has to be Apple's worst ad ever. Apparently the sales pitch here is that PCs are all about work and doing 'stuff' while the Mac's are about their attractiveness and shininess... Well... what does that say about the Mac? It's useless! If I want something shiny and attractive I'll buy a painting off eBay on my PC.

Next one: "Counselor". This ons states that PCs get viruses, they can't do as much out of the box and that Mac's are better at 'creative stuff'. I've been using PCs since I was three and I've only ever gotten a virus once... when I was six years old. If your PC gets a virus it's not because the PC sucks, it's because you don't know how to download and install anti-virus software you pathetic loser. Don't blame the PC. Next, the PC's can't do as much 'out of the box'. Not true. Anything that pre-packaged Apple programs can do, you can download similar FREE programs online on the PC and use them right away. I can't think of a single Apple program which doesn't have a similar PC, free counterprogram. And this idea that Mac's are better at 'creative stuff'... I don't know what 'creative stuff' is, but clearly this isn't true, because most 'creative stuff' on a Mac is done using the same tools as on the PC. And I know creative stuff better than anyone!

Next one: "Better results". This one states that Mac's can make better movies using iMovie than a PC can. What a load of bullshit. This has nothing to do with a Mac OR a PC. This has to do with the user. It's about WHO is making the movie, not what they're using. And in this case, the PC is still superior because we have better software choice for our movie editing. There are way more movie programs from the PC than for the Mac. So because there is more choice, we have a better range of stuff we can do. Sorry Mac. You still lose.

Next one: "Self Pity". This is hilarious. It states that Mac's are superior because they can "also" run Microsoft Word. Firstly, if you're still using Microsoft Word and not OpenOffice.org you are clearly unintelligent. Secondly, this is, again, proof that the PCs are better because the Mac is trying to "catch up" to the PC. So stupid.

Next one: "Accident". Here the Mac is superior because of it's magnetic power cord... Oh Apple... They'll try just about anything to sound good. Who has ever even touched a power cord on their computer? Besides for the first time you plug it in. Seriously, is this really a big selling point for the Mac? Sigh.

Next one: "Trust Mac". Is about how PCs are vulnerable to Spyware. Again, just like the "Counselor". If you get Spyware it's because you're lazy, or stupid and haven't installed one of the literally hundreds of Anti-Spyware programs out there (all of which are free by the way).

Next one: "Out of he Box". Here the Mac is superior because it doesn't have to "download and install drivers", "erase the trial software", have "a lot of manuals to read." Installing drivers... this one is about choice again. You have a choice about which drivers you want and need. (Plus, most PCs come with all the drivers installed already, so this really is a null point). Trial software? Well if you're stupid enough to buy your PC from DELL or Compaq or whatever, you're clearly stupid enough to buy a Mac too. Don't blame the computer for stupid PC packaging companies. And manuals to read? I've never read a single PC manual... ever.

Next one: "Touche". This one is great too because it states that the Mac is superior because it can also run Windows. Choice... that's great. But can you run Linux? Oh no, you can't.. sorry. So that's 2 operating systems for the Mac, and all Operating Systems for the PC. Looks like the PC wins again.

Next one: "Restarting. This one is about the PC always having to restart. Ok, there may be SOME truth to this. However, this isn't really so true about MOST of the cases in PC use. I mean if your computer is constantly rebooting, you've got some serious hardware failure you need to check out. Then again, I know people who restart their computer every few minutes because they think that's the "only" way to fix their problem, when really their problem is something clearly much less complicated. They just don't know how to use their computer. And another point... whenever I use a Mac I have to restart it more often than I restart my PC. Because if something goes seriously wrong on a Mac you don't get any error messages. So restarting is ACTUALLY the only way to fix the issue.

I'm going to stop there for the moment because I've clearly made my point. Running a PC (preferably with Linux) is clearly superior to using any Mac.

Any more questions?