Everyone's seen the funny Mac vs PC ads on TV- the Mac dude is cool and collected, and the PC businessman is uptight and prone to errors. Some people might think that these ads are just exaggerations, and that Macs don't really deserve the almost cult-like following that they've amassed. However, I'd like to point out three very compelling reasons why Macs are indeed better than PCs, and why the gap will keep growing wider in the future.
1. Stability
Macs are by far the more stable of the two systems. They are almost impervious to hackers and viruses, the operating system is clean, reliable, and contains numerous little tricks to save it from crashes and lost work, and the physical components of the computers themselves are crafted in ways that make them less susceptible to damage.
Since PCs still dominate the world market, they also grab the majority of all viruses and hacker attempts. Windows is also a very buggy system, as the ridiculously huge number of patches and security 'fixes' that have been released over the years shows. With the introduction of Vista, Microsoft finally took steps to improve security, but they did this by turning the system into a prison, and requiring the user to 'okay' every single interaction twice. Macs are safe and secure without being cumbersome and time-intensive, and they don't need extra software and programs like McAfee, which slow down computers and constantly need large updates, to be installed.
When Microsoft releases patches and updates, they are like wallpaper. They plaster over the old errors, creating layers of possibility to accrue new errors and heightening the risk of fatal crashes. In contrast, Mac updates are revamps- they sweep away the errors and make modifications, so that there is always only one 'version,' still a clean sheet instead of a patchwork quilt.
Finally, things like a motion sensor that stops the hard drive from spinning when it senses a free-fall, and a magnetic power cord that eliminates the possibility of sending your laptop crashing to the floor when you trip on the cord, make Mac's laptop line ingeniously crafted and much tougher than their sleek design would suggest. Which brings me to:
2. Intuitive Design
With PCs, if you're looking for something, chances are it won't be where you expect it to be. You have to open folder after folder, search for obscure terms you never would normally consider, and click multiple buttons to find programs hidden under headings that they shouldn't be under. With Macs, everything is right where you think it would be. Buttons are clearly marked and mean exactly what they say, the search function is casual and understands what you 'meant to say,' and the whole design, inside and out, is sleek and functional and not bogged down by superfluous clutter.
PCs come packaged with hundreds of programs that most people never use, don't even know exist, and would never ask for if they knew how much space they took up and how much they slow down their computer. But Macs only come with things that the user will actually use, which not only leaves more space for customization, but makes Macs much more user-friendly.
3. Customer Support
Windows can be installed by multiple computer companies. Dell, Gateway, Compaq, and quite a few other companies independently make computers, each with varying levels of craftsmanship and customer support. If Windows crashes, who do you call? You don't call Microsoft, you call the individual company that made your computer, and wind up talking to somebody who:
A) Is most likely not even in the United States, and is often reading directly from a script and won't have answers for you if your problem is not common enough (true story that happened to my mother).
B) Has no incentive to treat you like a valued customer, and so most likely, they won't.
In contrast, Mac OS can only be installed on Mac computers. One company makes them, they all have the same degree of craftsmanship, and if you call customer support, you will talk to somebody:
A) In the United States who knows perfect English and knows Macs inside and out without needing a script.
B) Who is paid to be courteous and friendly, and who will not only treat you like the valued customer you are, they might even treat you like a friend! One man I talked to was almost flirting with me on the phone, which was slightly strange, but it was very refreshing after being treated like crap by so many other customer service reps in other industries.
Thus, Macs have quite a few major advantages over PCs. There's more I could list, but this article has already gotten quite long, so I'll just end this by saying: Macs are not just beautiful, they are not just 'cool,' they are highly functional, intelligently designed machines that outperform PCs in almost every line of comparison.