Which Computer? Mac or PC?
A Highly Controversial Question…
It is almost like discussing religion, politics or sex. Like folks that fight over Android versus iOS or Apple.
Ever talk to your computer sales person and have him or her recommend buying anything other than a Windows computer? Rarely. Do you know why? Because selling a Windows computer is guaranteed income from ongoing support, upgrades, troubleshooting, repairs, etc.. So, if I am selling computers, why would I want to sell you something that just works? Why would I want to cut my own future income source. Well, I don't resell any products or services. I am in the business of IT Consulting and with you as my Customer, I am your hired gun. I am going to lookout for your best interest and recommend what I feel is in your best interest, that which meets your business goals.
The most common arguments you will hear from the folks that sell Windows computers to stay away from Macs made by Apple are:
"They don't make that application for a Mac." Seriously?? Have you noticed that most applications these days reside on the website of the application provider and is accessible via a browser? That is called the Software As A Service (SAAS) model. So, whether it is a Windows or a Mac or a Linux computer is irrelevant. Now, if your business uses a custom application developed for it, consult your app developer to see if they support Macs. If they don't, to me, it tells me that they are a firm that does not stay current with technology. But, sometimes, you don't have a choice. You have already invested in their application and all your workflows and other systems are interconnected to them so, you are better off with a Windows computer.
"You can buy two or three Windows computers for the price of one Mac." What they are really saying is that the price difference between the expensive Mac and the cheap PC is what I need for you to pay me. Slowly. Over the life of the Windows computer.
"If you are on a Mac, you are on your own, no one locally supports a Mac, you have to send it to Apple." Wow. Now if that isn't meant to create FUD - fear, uncertainty and, doubt, I don't know what is. There is a premium for Apple products because of their reliability. Yes, there are local folks that can support you on Macs. And, yes, if you fry your Mac because it wasn't plugged into a surge protector, you will need to send it to Apple. Hopefully, you were using their seamless backup option so that when you get a replacement, you are back up and running in no time.
Perhaps, the biggest fear for folks to move to a Mac is new learning. Over the years, I have recommended Macs to several individuals from different professions and of different intellects. So far, not one person has called me after the initial 30 days of hand-holding. And, during those 30 days, it is typically questions like "This is how I opened a file on Windows, how do I do it on a Mac?" or "How do I create a folder?" to "How do I copy..?"
You can buy a Mac directly from Apple. Buy the AppleCare which extends their year warranty to two but, more importantly, it gives you access to their award winning support. Other places such as Best Buy and electronics places also sell Macs. As do online retailers. As only Apple manufactures Macs, in other words, there are no clones like HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc., their quality is superb and that is what has led to their reliability. If you buy a Mac and need initial hand-holding, I offer coaching sessions. And, no, moving to a Mac doesn't mean that you have to give up your Android phone and move to an iPhone. I use both, an Android and an iPhone on a daily basis. I use a Mac as my primary computer with Windows and Linux as needed. Most of my applications are on the web - Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Gmail, etc. - so, it really doesn’t matter what my computer’s operating system is. For my mission critical tasks such as editing my photographs, creating books that I publish, I find that using Adobe Creative Cloud suite on a Mac is more stable.
#mac #windows #linux #personalcomputer #pc
