by Calista Capet

Created on: February 20, 2011   Last Updated: April 27, 2012

Before I get into the debate, let me first say that the debate, “Mac vs. PC”, should not be a debate at all. When most people say “Mac vs. PC”, what they usually mean is Apple computer against every other computer in the world. The correct debate should be the operating system, Mac OS X, against Windows. But even that is not a fair debate for a few reasons. First of all, Windows? What does that mean? That could mean Windows XP, an operating system more than a decade old, and or Windows 7, a much newer operating system. Also, Windows is made to run on almost any computer – a top notch desktop made by Sony, or a cheap Asus netbook. Mac OS X, on the other hand, is made for Apple computers only, and is therefore created for the exact parts of the computer specifically.

But let's just say that Mac OS X vs. Windows is a fair debate, and call that debate Mac vs. PC. Before I get into my thoughts about which computer is a better long-term investment, let me leave you with this thought: If all computers had the same operating system installed, there would be no Mac fanboys. Instead, there would be people who happened to like Apple computers for their exceptional hardware over other companies because Apple does have good hardware, and beautiful, might I add.

Now, as for a long-term investment, I'll tell you this now, and you'll hear it again and again – it really depends what you need for your own needs. If you are someone who just wants something that works, depending on what you need (there it is again) you could either do well with a two hundred dollar netbook or a one thousand dollar Macbook.

What it comes down to, is whether or not you like Mac OS X. If you hate Mac, get a non-Apple computer. I would recommend a Sony computer or a Thinkpad. If you like both, consider this: You can install Windows on a Mac, but you can't install Mac OS X on a non-Apple computer. Now, even as someone who likes Mac OS X despite all of it's numerous flaws, I think that for many things, Windows is a must-have because most people use it, so most software is compatible with Windows, not Mac.

For that reason and the fact that Apple's computers have good quality hardware, I think that for a long-term investment, Mac is better.

Some people say that Apple computers are much more expensive than other computers. While this is partially true – Apple overprices their products quite a bit – don't listen to the comparisons of two thousand dollar Macs compared to eight hundred dollar Windows computers. If it is something like that, the Dell, the HP, - whatever must have terrible hardware compared to the Mac. For instance, the Macbook Pro. You can find the same specifications in a six hundred dollar laptop somewhere else, but the Macbook Pro's parts – hard drive, RAM, etc. - are better quality, and its hardware in general – the aluminum unibody, the multi-touch trackpad – is much better than the plastic of the other computer. When you buy a one thousand dollar Macbook or a Macbook Pro for a hundred dollars or so more, you aren't buying a six hundred dollar computer. At the same time, you aren't buying a one thousand dollar computer, but I think that a Macbook Pro, for instance, would be either priced the same or for a little less if it were not a Mac.

Apple computers have great hardware, and for people who like Mac OS X as well as Windows or even Linux, it is a great solution. A Mac is a guarantee for a good, durable computer for the most part, that will last you a long time.  

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