I'd buy a Mac. Why? Here are 5 Reasons...

With the recent launch of a new range of Macs with the new operating system Snow Leopard, and with Windows releasing the 7th in their catalogue of the Windows operating system, it could be argued as the ideal time to buy a new computer. I often get asked why I use Mac over PC, and the truth is that I don't, I use Mac, Windows and Linux PC's. Mostly because professionally I have to, but also because while I would surely have to put myself into the Mac fanboy category, I still appreciate the good things in PC, Windows, Linux and all the other new developments that are thriving in our Information and Communication world.

While its clear that each individual case is different, If you're thinking of buying a new machine soon and want to understand why in 9 cases out of 10 I'd recommend, if you can afford it, to spend the extra hard earned wages on a Mac, here are 5 of the reasons I'd give.

1. The integrated approach.

Mac is not just hardware such as Dell or Sony, its not just and operating system like Windows or Linux and its not just software like Microsoft, Adobe or Skype... its all of them together, and a lot more, all sharing features, integrating and working together. Of course, this is not necessary, but it is without question that it makes for a smoother ride in terms of time spent on mind-bending errors, conflicts and warranty issues that are more likely to appear on systems made up of components from thousands of places.

2. Everything in the box.

When you buy a Mac machine it comes with pretty much everything you need in the box for a general computer user.

Windows 7 and Mac Snow Leopard:

Basic Word Processor
Instant Messaging software
Photo editing software
Web browser
Backup and restore software

Only on Mac Snow Leopard:

Video and DVD Media Player
Music Media Player
Music editing software
DVD burning and editing software
Video editing software
Web server
E-mail software (with Microsoft Exchange support)
Task management software
Address book and Calendar (with Microsoft Exchange support)

You can see that compared with the basic version of Windows 7, the Mac supplies a lot more software as standard, and this is not basic freebee software, it is all feature rich and typically with Mac, easy to use.

3. Software selection

There is no doubt that even with the Mac's impressive software catalogue, you'll want to go further with the capabilities of your machine. One of the myth's about Mac software is that you won't find what you had on your PC available.

Macs now have an extensive range of software available, and most major software developers are now providing for Mac so you can still get your favourite software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe products, real player etc. as easily for Mac as you could for PC. In the very rare cases these days and with very specialised software (Architecture, Medical software etc.) then all you need to do is buy a copy of VMWare Fusion or Parrallels, and this will instantly allow you to install Windows onto your Mac and install those programmes.

There is also a very vibrant software developer community on Mac making hundreds of thousands of useful and interesting pieces of software and usually at very acceptable prices or even free, but this is at least another blog post, if not an entire blog in itself.

4. Simplicity is King.

When you unpack a Mac from its box, unless you buy a Pro or a Mini (which require attaching a monitor), then you simply need to plug it in and switch on the power button. The iMac now comes with wireless keyboard and mouse so you'll probably have to add the batteries and then you're ready to go. Enter your personal details, like a username, password and e-mail, select your language and then you're ready to go. There is nothing else left to set up and all of the above mentioned software will just work.

While getting used to a Mac is for sure a little confusing at first, my experience of a number of friends and colleagues who made the switch recently was that it was just a readjustment, and by no means a frustrating procedure. Using a Mac is simple and straightforward and after a while I have no doubt that you will start finding your productivity rising and frustration dramatically subsiding since your change.

5. If looks could kill...

Its true that Macs are not the only great looking pieces of technology. There's the iPod, the iPhone... ok, so actually there are some great pieces of hardware out there at the moment. The new Dell Adamo for example (and not chosen for its name :)) looks very cool to me, if not possibly a bit impractical, and the Microsoft Zune HD is also pretty good looking. But somehow, and of course this is just personal preference, but products like the new iMac, the new mouse Apple have just released and of course my trusty Mac Book Pro are some of the most stunning yet simple pieces of hardware design I've seen in consumer products. I love them.

So there you go. Thats just some of the main reasons I'd give for buying a Mac. There's others a plenty and I'm sure that some of you might have reasons (other than price as we all know about that one) why a PC is better. If so please leave a comment below!

For anyone thinking of switching from PC to Mac - there was a great tutorial and information post here:

http://www.macworld.com/article/143514/2009/11/switchershardwaresoftware...

Posted via email from Adam's Blog Thing