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Macs have no advantage over PCs

Published: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 04:02

Twenty-two new Macintosh computers reside in Hale Library, occupied by whoever was too late to snatch a PC. The Apple-cult following has grown from the Macintosh commercials, which spread the propaganda that Macs are somehow a refreshing exception to boring old technology known as the PC.

To anybody who recently bought a Macintosh computer, you have been deceived.

Brent Keltner, co-owner of UNI Computer store in Lawrence, said PCs have multiple advantages over Macs.

"For things such as graphics design and studio work, Macs have no advantage anymore," Keltner said.

He said Adobe Creative Suites are made for Windows, then ported to Macintosh despite the way it was done in the past. Now the programs are made for Windows, and Macintosh gets the sloppy seconds. In fact, according to an article on betanews.com, Adobe will develop the 64-bit version of CS4 for Windows, and Macintosh has to live with the 32-bit version.

This is because the operating systems and hardware associated with PCs have surpassed the quality associated with Apple systems.

Keltner does a great deal of video and audio editing, which he does on a PC running Windows Vista. It has eight gigabytes of RAM and some of the latest graphics technology, all of which cost him about $850.

A 20-inch iMac costs more than $2,000. That means for twice as much money, you can get about one-fourth of the product.

PCs offer more options in every way. For example, Keltner said the case for a G5 iMac would cost about $500, but a new case for a PC ranges from $30 to $500 with hundreds of choices. When somebody buys a Mac, he or she is paying for the monitor too. With a PC, upgrades are always an option.

Natalie Scott, junior in political science and English, said she likes Macs for their immunity to viruses and resistance to crashes.

My PC has a simple and free virus detection program that constantly updates itself and uses minimal system resources, which means viruses are not a problem. With no blue-screens for the life of the computer, which is about two and a half years, crashes aren't a problem either.

Scott, a Macintosh technical worker for Student Publications Inc. said another reason she prefers Apple computers is the software. She said she dislikes Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. Fortunately for people who agree, Firefox and iTunes are superior programs available for download online.

Despite the reputation Macintosh has developed, its products are less efficient and even less cost-effective compared to personal computers.

So to those who are part of the Macintosh cult, don't drink the Kool-Aid.

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29 comments

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Your name
Tue Jul 14 2009 12:57
It's on the "opinion" page for a reason.
Tim Flero
Wed Mar 4 2009 11:55
@ITguy
"I can outsmart any Mac fanboy!"
My poop don't smell, how 'bout yours? Grow up.
I'm can't stand of all this "high horse" garbage. Both platforms suck and both platforms rule.

They're tools, use them. Get over it.

Peace,
Tim

berford
Mon Feb 23 2009 14:33
Hmm. So you found a PC user that claims Macs no longer have an advantage over PCs. Why did you have to go to Lawrence? That speaks volumes!

Sorry, but I used a PC for about 15 years - knew nothing about Macs. Then, I had a chance to get a great deal on a Mac, so I thought I'd see what the difference is. WHOAH! I will NEVER go back. Keep your PCs. Enjoy 'em. We'll both be happy.

Your name
Mon Feb 23 2009 13:56
It all boils down to this: You have to fiddle with a PC running windows, and you don't with Mac OS X. It just works. Also, your assertion that Macs do not run the latest hardware is incorrect. Apple computers use the same cutting edge Intel processors, video cards, hard drives, and memory as high end PCs. That is another reason they tend to cost more.
Your name
Sat Feb 21 2009 09:55
I'm a Mac person all the way. They are easy to use and (bonus) sexy! However horrible this article is, though, I have had problems specifically with the Macs in Hale, which for some reason won't allow me to use gmail on them. But I seriously doubt that is a Mac specific problem, considering I can always get my e-mail on my macbook.
Terry
Sat Feb 21 2009 01:35
BSEE 89 - if you're dissatisfied with the opinion page, who cares. It's OPINION. Go read some news articels, then express you distaste/satisfaction. The opinion page probably doesn't represent the opinon of everybody at the paper...or any paper. Open your eyes.
ITguy
Fri Feb 20 2009 12:29
Some of you guys fail to think that the reason why PC is targeted highly is because it has a larger audience. Have you thought about that? I did mention that Apple holds 9% of the computer market, while windows based systems hold the majority 90% in consumer use. Why would someone who wants to wreck havok waste their time with Apple?

Vista had the same exact issue with XP. It's too new, and people are not as adaptive to change. They are stuck with their old habits and are intimidated by what new and easier ways of doing things. Now I'll admit, Vista has it's quirks, but so does OSX.

Now what else do you Apple fanboys have to say? You're just repeating the same crap Apple feeds to it's children. Think for yourself, or as Apple's tag line is "Think Different". Don't buy into the propaganda they feed you.

Your name
Fri Feb 20 2009 11:58
My parents have really never put anything on their computer. Its the same computer as the day they bought it besides maybe having itunes. They've always had virus protection and spyware software. It just seems there becomes more and more spyware on the computer and you have to clean it every single day. My mac has never had spyware cleaned from it. Seems like an advantage. They also have a sony from 2000 that works fine. But its never been on the internet. You have to work pretty hard to keep those things going.

It seems that you wouldn't want to "know" what you are doing on a computer. Defrag this, erase spyware for that, keep your virus updates going. Its crap in the background that you don't want going on. Otherwise you need to keep updating your RAM so you can have all those programs running and not getting in the way of your everyday life. I dont even shut my mac off. It just goes to sleep when I dont use it and its honest to God running like a champ. Why would you want to keep paying for virus software?

If you had the option of buying a dog for $100 bucks that you know will get sick once a year and have a vet bill, or a dog that never got sick for $300, would you do it?

My name is Jay K. Does that make a difference?

nawley
Fri Feb 20 2009 10:50
Ive owned both IBM type and an 20" Imac. Mac is WAY better. One of the main advantages Mac has over Pc is the spyware-virus problem. You can virtually go ANYWHERE on the net with a Mac and the system wont allow viruses and spyware to operate(or maybe just doesnt download them in the first place?). Every PC ive ever owned has been, primarily, a virus sponge. Crash after crash after crash. Have had my Mac for 3 yrs now and no problems whatsoever.
BSEE '89
Fri Feb 20 2009 01:02
I can only hope that Schulz will take action where Wefald has failed miserably. The kstatecollegian.com site represents KSU to the outside world. If I were currently in high school and read the drivel that appears here daily, I would choose to go just about anywhere other than KSU. Being an alum, I am embarrassed by this site and it's contents nearly every day, and can only hope that it will improve dramatically or be taken off line soon.
Nick R
Thu Feb 19 2009 23:50
To the person talking about how his folks computer has had problems after two years take note of the user also. Computer don't error on their own unless you have a user who might not understand what they are doing to the computer which can cause it to error. What I'm saying is that yes your computer hasn't errored because you do know what your are doing with your computer maybe your folks don't know what they are doing completely. Along with the Vista problems you stated you need to take note that Vista is a milestone OS in that it was designed to be 64-bit based as opposed to 32-bit based which a lot of older programs were to run on (because the programmers of the older program didn't worry about programming their programs for 64-bit because it didn't exist yet). The main boot problem with your folks too is that there is too many programs starting up when windows starts which fills up your ram.

Vista was released to market too quickly and the consumer computer market, the hardware side, was not ready.

On too you comment about the cost. My family has had a windows based computer that has lasted over 7 years which is still used daily and still doesn't have problems. The main point is that if you know what you are doing you can have a computer last indefinitely.

Final point, if you are going to write something and post it. Put you name on it.

Nick R
EE 2011

Mark F.
Thu Feb 19 2009 18:57
This is proof that anyone can get a platform to spew mis-informed drivel. Check your facts, chief. Credibility isn't your long suit.
Your name
Thu Feb 19 2009 18:45
I guess the only advantage I really consider is that my iMac still works. I use it very heavily and its been going strong for 4 years. My parents have had a large amount of problems with their PC which is only 2 years old. Problems such as the fact that it takes 3 times as long to reboot as it used to, which is a problem because it needs to reboot about twice a day. They really only use it for email.

I also enjoy the fact that mac programs work on a..... MAC COMPUTER. Weird how some microsoft products dont work with vista. You think Bill Gates would be smart enough to have his software work on his new OS. Its insane that people will continue to buy into PC's when they are pure crap. Sure they may work for offline purposes, but I would never hook one up to the internet.

And as for cost. Its like a goldfish. They cost a buck a piece because they know they only last 10 days. So you could spend some cash on a some equipment that works and has value in 2 years, or you can keep dumping your money into sea monkeys every 8 months.

KB
Thu Feb 19 2009 17:37
I bought my 20" iMac for $999 at my university apple center in December, then put 4GB of RAM in it that I got on ebay for $40. Maybe the author needs some remedial math or actual research skills. You have no credibility when you make such a foolish statement.
ITguy
Thu Feb 19 2009 16:50
To iJah, it's called VMware, and yes I can run multiple operating systems on my Windows Box w/o rebooting. Get off your high-horse.

Tell you what, I guarantee I can make any Mac fanboy wrong with their misleading information they worship from Apple.

Hmm.... also why does PC hold 90% of the marketshare? Mac is only 9%, growing slowly since they have existed.

Apple is the new Monopoly that Microsoft was 15 years ago. Apple controls what you can buy and what you can do with your mac.

I like PC, because I like choice. I can choose or build from several HUNDRED manufactures, while I can only buy an Apple from one manufacture with their over inflated prices. The PowerPC cpu was Apple's biggest failure, which is why the switched to Intel x86/x64 processing.

I'llMacUpyourPC
Thu Feb 19 2009 13:22
WOW! This was a very objective piece...of crap. You gotta be kidding me!! I hope this doesn't qualify as reporting. Do some research before you write a silly article like this. I'm a new Mac convert and I have no regrets. I'm forced to use a PC at work and hate every second of it. My church recently switched all of our multi-media to Mac. Show me something from Microsoft that comes close to FinalCut. I'm sorry, that's not fair, start with iMovie. I will never own another PC again.
Your name
Thu Feb 19 2009 11:39
"The Apple-cult following has grown from the Macintosh commercials, which spread the propaganda that Macs are somehow a refreshing exception to boring old technology known as the PC. Blah blah."

The Mac commercials "spread propaganda" and of course you feel compelled to respond with an acidic op-ed piece. Thanks for elevating the discussion. :-D

greatdane
Thu Feb 19 2009 11:19
I didn't realize that Kansas had so many meth labs for their students! This article sounds about as accurate as a news release from the department of defense.
Anon
Thu Feb 19 2009 11:09
Where is the reporting in this column? It's clear that this was thrown together at the last moment. And since when are Collegian employees allowed to interview other SPub employees?
Your name
Thu Feb 19 2009 09:30
This is the most ridiculous article I have read in a really long time.
The Collegian should seriously consider firing Brandon Steinert. He is an embarrassment to the Collegian staff and the university.
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