by Matthew Garrett

Created on: April 14, 2009

The debate of Mac vs. PC will wage on forever. Despite the benefits of both, Mac fanboys/fangirls will always go around spewing their views on why Macs are the only real good computers, and PC users will throw them in the ground for liking Macs. Teachers, however, should consider both sides, and do in-depth research on both.

I am writing this article on the PC side for a multitude of reasons.

1. Compatibility.
Mac computers often do not have all the peripherals you need in order to hook up a projecter, or scan a document, or hook up multiple flash drives. You need to buy extra for that. Most hardware and software is built for a Windows environment, and often compatible in a Linux environment.

2. Price

This is the deciding factor in most peoples purchases relating to computers.

Macs are bloated. And with this economy, who can afford something that expensive, especially when they can get the same thing a lot cheaper? Macs are easily two or three times the price of the hardware, probably even more. And if you say "A License to windows costs more", the school will usually cover it. And If not, there's always Linux. Ubuntu offers an easily solution, and most Mac software is coded for Linux as well. And if not, there is an equivalent for you. A linux box can cost around 400$ that would be equivalent hardware-wise to a $1400 Mac PC. Save the 1000$, pocket it, and use it for some fancy toys for the classroom.

And sure, Apple offers 100$ off to all teachers, but it still doesn't make up for the problems they have.

3. Service

PCs can have a piece replaced much easier than a Mac. Monitors != Computers. Pieces are fully replaceable in most any given PC. Macs however, need to be sent back to the company when you want to repair them.

Despite my views, it's all a matter of personal preference. If you want less functionality because you're afraid you may break something, a mac is for you. Or, if you need high-end graphics processing, a Mac is for you. If you want all your students' projects to work the way they made them, a PC is for you. If you want to install whatever you want, a PC is for you.

Honestly, Macs are great computers. But they have awful pricing, and the market isn't pro-mac yet. In a few years, this will most likely change, but Windows and PCs dominate the computer world right now, and it sometimes is best for one to just ride the wave.
If the school covers the entire cost, go nuts and buy a mac. Or, buy a computer with double the power of that mac for the same price. It really is all preference and application. What do you want, and how will you use it? This will add weight to both sides of the Mac vs. PC scale.

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