If you wanna new computer!
Ok, this is my opinion - but I think that if you are looking to buy a computer it is a HUGE mistake to go for a Windows PC. I have had an endless string of computers since, urm, (wince) the mid 80’s - including Windows, Commodore Amiga, and Apple PCs. I’m typing now on a PC (that I built from components) that is currently running Windows Vista Ultimate. I also have slightly aged Apple Powerbook.
Yes, I understand Windows PCs well enough to strip your computer to a pile of rubble on the floor and reassemble it. It might even run better, but it will never match the performance, ergonomics or style of an Apple.
Whenever someone asks (and sometimes when they don’t) I always push Apple. Why? Well, it is prettier, but that’s just the surface. The real reason is that it is powered by a stable Unix-based OS that is very intuitive and well thought out. For instance; if you desire to remove a program in Windows, it is a rather complicated endeavor, even if the “remove program” feature of Windows might look deceptively simple. In an Apple OS, all you have ever needed to do is drag the program folder into the trash. Voila! It;s history. In addition, the operational aspects of the OS generally make sense. Imagine that.
I have for years also run the few “Windows only” programs that I had to have, under a shell on my Powerbook and the ran just fine. I take the Powerbook with me to theaters to adjust my lighting design using Cresit SoftPlot - run under a shell on Apple OSX. SoftPlot is a good example of an obscure and little known software program that is only made for Windows. So, unless you just absolutely HAVE to have a Windows OS, do yourself a tremendous favor and go for a shiny new Apple. I know I will, as soon as it is financially feasible. Got to manage those adoptions expenses first!
Why you ask, do I even have a Windows PC? Well, it was cheaper. (And, ok, it was fun to build) but I have been kicking myself every since. I can’t tell you the enormous hassle it has been, and 99.9% of the hassle has been software related, the other tiny percentile was hardware. Time IS money, and the amount of time that I have had to spend tinkering and babying and rescuing and re-installing Windows is not worth the savings. I could write volume on all the OS-related troubles, but you and I would both be bored stiff.
And one last reason, if you’re not a complete geek like me, and find computers somewhat intimidating - you will love the Apple. You will be happy to turn your computer on. I know people who have bought new Windows PCs that sit completely unused because the owner’s initial experience with their computer was less than copesetic.
(no Apple didn’t pay me anything to write this !!)
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