Differences &
Similarities &
Mac versus PC comparison chart
current rating is 3.43/5
(1506 ratings)
current rating is 3.85/5
(1422 ratings)What is it?
Short form for “Macintosh” and refers to any computer produced by Apple, Inc.
Refers to any computer running IBM-Based (Windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD) operating systems. stands for &Personal Computer&
Computers start at $499 for the Mac Mini desktop, $899 for the Macbook Air notebook, and $1099 for the iMac all-in-one. Other models are more expensive. For desktop or home use Macs are generally expensive than a PC.
Compared to a Mac, Windows and Windows-associated hardware is cheaper, and you can build your own for even less money. Comparable computers running Windows can be found around 40% cheaper than a Mac.
Manufacturer
Several companies: HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, Gateway etc.
Development and Distribution
Macs are developed and distributed by Apple Inc.
PCs are manufactured and distributed by hundreds of manufacturers.
Company / developer
Apple, Inc.
Microsoft (Windows), Ubuntu (Linux), Sun (Solaris), etc.
Not as many games are made natively for the Mac, although in recent years, many more applications are released for them. The App Store is a hub for users to download games from.
The library of games available for the PC is exhaustive, and hardware specifically tweaked for gaming performance is much more readily available for Windows. The array of graphics cards and upgradability also favor Windows-based computers.
Home users and businesses (mainly in the creative department)
Home users and businesses
Available language(s)
Multilingual
Must purchase a different OS Version, but has multiple languages available.
Unix-like (BSD&Darwin&Mac)
Windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, etc.
Popular Applications
Photos, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Safari, Mail, Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Contacts, App Store, iTunes, iBooks, Maps, Photo Booth, Time Machine
MS Office, Internet Explorer, Media Player, Media Center, Windows Defender, SkyDrive, VLC media player, Chrome browser
Latest Operating System
OS X Yosemite (version 10.10); OS X El Capitan (version 10.11) announced
Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10 announced
Compatibility
Can open almost all PC files and can coexist on local networks with PCs. Can open .doc, .exe (as a
bundle), .xls, and others. Software exists for other file types. Can also run Windows on a Mac for 100% compatibility.
Mac-based files (.DMG) cannot be opened on PCs natively, but you can install software that can read, and possibly write Mac-based files on a PC.
Supported architectures
Intel Microprocessors
Intel and AMD processors
Market Reach
Attracts graphic designers, video and music producers, tech journalists, app developers etc.
Wide reach to all stratas. Business users tend to use Windows hardware due to compatibility.
Virus Attacks
Since Macs are not as popular as PCs, there are fewer malware written to target Macs, although the threat of malicious software is growing, like from Java.
Being the popular desktop choice, most virus writers target Windows systems, however, Linux often has less malware.
Compatible Operating Systems
OS X, Windows (through virtual machine or Boot Camp), Linux
Windows, Linux
Performance
Since Apple have controlled the hardware & software bundles and model updates, so every Mac operates smoothly without worry on lagging, incompatibles, and have stable and expected performance
Different OEMs and even custom build PCs might not have the suitable drivers released for every components in each OS version, incompatibles, lagging may occur. Maybe cannot reach expected performance
Any knowledgeable person can perform repairs and upgrades. Local computer-help stores can also be contacted for repairs. AppleCare can extend the warranty. Newer Macs are becoming less upgrade-friendly, though.
Any knowledgeable person can perform repairs and upgrades. Local computer-help stores can also be contacted for repairs. OEMs and component shops provides .
Programs and apps
Same as gaming, limited choice due to user range.
Same as gaming, excess choice due to user range.
Piracy Prevention
Activation is not required, can reinstall as many times as needed.
Windows has a unique activation key for each package distribution, and lots of custom and OEM PC appears, so genuine checking become important. Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD is free and no need for those keys.
Customizability
Messages (using iMessage, Google Talk, etc.)
Skype, Facebook, and Twitter
Voice commands
Internet browsing
Safari, Chrome, Firefox, plus many more.
Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari (no longer supported)
Windows Store
Working state
Mouse, keyboard, trackpad, other peripherals
Mouse, keyboard, trackpad, other peripherals
Has Registry
Overclockable
Yes, depends on CPU and Motherboard
Operating System
The Mac operating system — earlier called OS X and now renamed macOS — has traditionally been
viewed as more stable than Windows. The main reason for this was that Apple produces both the
(Mac computer) and the software (Mac operating system); so they have better control over the integration of the entire system. Apple is also known to use only the best parts for its computers.
Since the Windows operating system can run on hundreds of , variations in
configurations within those computers can cause stability problems. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of PC manufacturers and so there is a wide variety in hardware quality of PCs.
Another reason for Macs being traditionally more stable is that since PCs are the more popular choice in the desktop market, most hackers and
makers target PCs. As the popularity for Mac computers increase, it can be expected that the incidence of hacker and virus attacks will increase.
It should be noted that you can run Windows on a Mac but cannot run macOS on a PC. Apple has also released a software kit called Bootcamp for running Windows on the Mac. Other software virtualization applications used to run Windows on Macs include Virtualbox and Parallels.
Another factor contributing to a better user experience on the Mac is that there is no software cruft i.e., there are no third-party applications that are pre-installed on your Mac. PCs usually come with several 3rd-party apps pre-installed. For example, antivirus software from McAfee or Symantec,
or DVD reading/writing software. Some of this software can be downright dangerous for the security and case in point: . Interestingly, this feature of Apple devices
Android devices ship with "crapware" (3rd party applications that many people don't ever use) while iPhones and iPads ship only with Apple software.
User Interface
The most noticeable difference between Macs and PCs is in the user interfaces. While many computer users will proclaim one or the other “superior” or “best,” this is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Highlights of the UI in Mac OS X include Launchpad (a screen full of app icons for easily launching your favorite apps), hot corners that can be customized for various types of views, a "dock" that has icons for your favorite apps, full screen mode for apps, and "spaces" that create as many desktops as you like so you can minimize clutter. With Windows 8 UI highlights include a touch-friendly "metro" interface that contains "live tiles", rectangular boxes of varying sizes on the screen that represent an app and get refreshed with the latest content from the app. Several apps utilizing the "metro" interface are full screen apps like in tablet computers.
Mac computers are most widely used in the creative professional market, including in journalism and desktop publishing, video editing and audio editing, but have also made inroads into the educative and scientific research sectors. PCs are also used with some of the video and audio editing and research purposes but are found largely as the Home or Office Computer. PCs are also widely used in gaming due to a wider variety of games available for the Windows platform.
Market share
Apple's share of the U.S. personal-computer market nearly tripled from 2004 to 2008 but hasn't gone up significantly since then, and stands at around 8.5 percent in August 2009, according to IDC. (Source: )
In Q1 2008, worldwide PC shipments were around 70
(up from 61 million in Q1 2007) whereas worldwide Mac shipments were around 2.3 million (up from 1.5 million in Q1 2007). Historical charts for PC vs. Mac shipments are available at
The market share of Mac for the July-Sept 2007 quarter was estimated at 3.2% for worldwide . While of PCs ( including major companies like HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Toshiba) was a total of around 56%.(Refer: )
Interoperability
PCs and Macs can usually share peripherals if they connect via USB, FireWire, or , three industry standards available on every Mac. Most popular applications for Mac and PC use the same file formats, making it simple to exchange documents with friends and coworkers or move existing files from a PC to a Mac.
Applications
Macs major applications include Ilife and Time Machine while the PCs most widely used application includes MS Office. Some popular games provided on a Mac are Mac Crack Attack, 3D Klondike while on PC are Solitaire and Virtual Pool.
There is a variety of software available for PCs, which are better than a Mac machine for use as gaming machines since most high-end games are created for the general PC. PCs and Macs can usually share peripherals if they connect via USB, [], or Bluetooth, three industry standards available on every Mac. Most popular applications for Mac and PC use the same file formats, making it simple to exchange documents with friends and coworkers or move existing files from a PC to a Mac.
Traditionally PCs have had the upper hand when it comes to gaming because more publishers developed games for the PC platform. Dollar for dollar, PCs have also provided more powerful processors and speed is an important criterion when it comes to gaming. Some popular games that are available only on PCs are Age of Empires III and Crysis. Games that have both Mac and PC versions include
Call of Duty 4: Modern warfare, Guitar Hero III:
of Rock, Lego
II , Starcraft and World of Warcraft.
Productivity Software
Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite & Cloud are available for both Windows and Mac platforms. Other productivity software like OpenOffice and StarOffice is also available for all platforms. Apple's iWork office suite, which includes Pages ( processor), Numbers (spreadsheets) and Keynote (presentation maker) are only available on the Mac and iOS platforms.
Mac vs. PC War
Macs were hugely popular when the Macintosh was introduced in the mid-80s. They pioneered the
and the mouse. With Windows 3.1 and the wildly popular Windows 95, Microsoft gained a large market share. In the 1990s, Windows grew by leaps and bounds and Apple went downhill. After Steve Jobs was brought back to Apple, he introduced the iMac and revived Mac sales. Microsoft bought a 5% stake in Apple with a $150mn
in non-voting shares in 1997.
Apple's Macs have always had a small but passionate fan base. In 2007, Apple released Mac vs PC ads showcasing the “cool” factor of Macs. These have been parodied online, often with a 3rd character (a woman) for Linux.
The Mac vs. PC ads
In September 2008, Microsoft responded to the Apple campaign with a campaign of their own to break the PC .
A MAC into a PC (and vice versa)
By installing software like Boot Camp, or a virtualization solution, such as Parallels Desktop, a Mac can function like a PC machine. In other words, a MAC can run Windows on it.
Apple does not allow the use of its operating system on non-Apple hardware. So a Windows PC cannot run Mac OS X. However, the
allows users to run Mac OS on any supported Intel-based PC.
The MacBook Air starts at $999, whereas the MacBook Pro costs $1,199 and up, depending on the model. See
Current prices of various models and accessories are available
PCs usually cost significantly less than Macs with comparable hardware. This is mostly because PCs are manufactured by a large number of hardware manufacturers, resulting in increased competition and lower prices. A wide selection of PCs with varying costs is available .
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& All rights reserved.Aristotle: Logic | Internet Encyclopedia of PhilosophyCan money really buy happiness? | A conversation
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Can money really buy happiness?
Okay, so we have all heard this question before. I know that for a fact we're all told that money doesn't buy happiness. But when you actually think about it can it? With money you can buy so many things you want that could make you happy. But you can't buy the fundamentals in life. I just want people's opinions on this cause I always hear such contradicting answers.