by David B Hitchcock

Created on: August 22, 2009

You look at someone who is a writer. Who are you looking at? Chances are you are looking at someone who loves to both read and write. They are likely someone who is a freelance writer, who sets their own schedules, writes what they want to write about, and uses the software they want instead of what everyone else tells them to use.

That description sounds like a rebel spirit to you? Well, at heart most writers are rebels. But when it comes to our work we are like everyone else - we want to sit down, do our work, and get it done quickly. Let's look at what that means.

A computer that works all the time

When you have a deadline to meet, you can' t afford to have a computer that is broken or slow as molases due to a virus attack. That said what is the reliability of Macs versus PCs? Automatically people will say Mac leads the pack, and Windows blows. That may be true, but PCs run more operating systems than just Windows. How about that big thing called Linux? It just so happens the Mac OS was written on Linux! So, Linux can give you the Mac OS but more flexibility to customize it how you like. Plus you have choices - maybe you love Windows. With the Mac you have one OS - no choice. PC wins here.

Writing tools that are easy to use

Ever try to write something in Windows notepad or another plain text only editor? It almost phyiscally hurts its so bad. Both PCs and Macs have good writing tools. In fact one of the most professional writing tools, Adobe FrameMaker, was offerred for both systems until just recently when Adobe dropped their Mac version. Again PCs have Windows and Linux writing tools to choose from, and some Linux writing software has been around for decades! While some writers may like Mac software better for writing, PC wins again for the bulk of writers for the amount of choice.

What about the bottom line?

How many writers do you know personally that are making a few hundread thousand dollars a year? Likely one or none. The bulk of writers you meet are struggling to pay their bills and eat well. For this group, money is very important - how much will the computer cost? Mac computers are expensive, but you get quality for that money. That means if you have the money to spend, Macs are a good choice. PCs come in all shapes sizes and most importantly all costs. The bulk of the computer market is still PCs so its very easy to get a second had computer for $100 or $200. That's all most writers need - a text editor is not the latest 3D game that needs the most expensive computer to run well. A laptop is a writer's best friend, but it will cost more than a desktop for the same quality of hardware. The recent introduction of the netbook mini laptops is great for writers on the go - with a 10" size they can go with you anywhere, are large enough to type on easily, easy enough to read, and only cost up to $400 for the top of the line generally. Expect those prices to come down as more models come on to the market. Does Mac make a mini laptop? If they do, its called an iPod.

To sum up...

So writers need a computer that works, that has good writing tools available, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Linux on a PC is reliable, Linux and Windows have many writing tools to choose from, and PCs cost less than Macs. So writers should consider PCs in general, unless they are raking in the big bucks. If you know a writer like that, ask them their secret!

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