Are PC's a better deal than Macs? Take a look at my response to the PC's writer's claim that a PC is a better deal than a Mac.
This week's article in my series of Mac vs. PC articles deals with the PC's writer Abhinav's claim that PC's are more economical. He states:
Economy
If you run down to a computer store, you can find a PC with Windows for less than $300. A similarly configured Mac would cost me at least $2000 which is atrociously expensive. Lets think here, which one to go for?
We can start by pointing out that he doesn't support this statement at all. I assume that my "similarly configured" he means a Mac that will run Windows. In that case you can purchase a Mac Mini for $500 that runs on Intel, will run Windows, and will also run OSX. I'm not sure where he got the $2000 number for, seeing as even the Mac laptops start at around $1000.
The Intel chip in the Mac Mini is just as good, if not MUCH better than the one you're going to find in your $300 PC, the Mac however is going to be a much more stable and safer system.
You also have to look at how long you're going to be able to use your $300 PC before it is outdated. I purchased a G4 PowerMac in 2003. That computer was still sold at the Mac store up until a few weeks ago. The computer itself is in amazing working condition. I had a DVD burner long before they were even available for consumer PCs.
My point being by 4 year old Mac could no doubt kick the brand new $300 PC's butt. I would venture to say it could beat a $1000 PC as well.
To back up my point I did a little research on the internet for people to support my claim. One site (http://www.macvspc.info/pages/03.html) I came across is a man who has covered the Mac vs. PC fight more than perhaps anyone else on the web. In his article on the topic he draws a good comparison, which I am going to take a step further:
Choosing a PC is like choosing an economy car. You could purchase a used 10 year old Mazda from the dealership for around $700. It will get horrible gas mileage, no lock on one door, leak oil all over the place, and probably have to go to the repair shop at least once a month. The car will probably be useless in 2 years.
OR You could purchase a new BMW from the dealership. The car has airbags, is safer, more secure and runs much better. You never have to take it in to get it repaired and you know that it is a car that you can drive for years and maybe even pass on to your children.
The same deal with PC's vs. Macs. How many of you could say you would pick the used Mazda over the new BMW if the price difference was a few hundred dollars?
You could buy a jalopy that's going to break down and get broken into or you could buy a luxury automobile for a little more. The choice is yours.
