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Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series looking at the good and bad about Macs and PCs. Part one — 5 reasons Macs are better than PCs — can be found here.SALT LAKE CITY — Last week I wrote an article "5 reasons Macs are better than PCs." It got a lot more response than I expected. I was surprised to see from last week's reader poll that KSL readers are split almost 50:50, Mac and PC, in their computer preference. As promised, here is the follow-up: five reasons PCs are better than Macs.
My methodology: I didn't want to do a big list of pros and cons of both Macs and PCs. Instead, I asked my Windows PC using friends why they choose PC. This is a compilation of their answers, taking the form of five ways PCs are better than Macs.
1. PCs are cheaper
You can buy a great PC for about $1000. You can buy a really good PC for $600. PCs, when compared with Macs, are a lot less expensive.
Apple fans will be quick to point out that Macs hold their value better than PCs. For example, a MacBook Pro was $1,200 two years ago, and can be sold for about $800 now. But not everyone wants to put $1,200 into a computer.
A similarly equipped computer from Dell or HP costs a lot less new. PCs typically depreciate more quickly than Macs, but still hold good value after two years. A 2-year-old Dell that was $850 new can sell for around $350 today.
That is not much difference in depreciation from a Mac. Both will lose between $400 and $500 in value over two years. When you look at it this way, PCs, with their lower price tags, become the best option for those on a budget.
2. Microsoft OfficeThere is no denying that Microsoft Office is the biggest player on the field when it comes to word processors, and there's a reason for that: It works wonderfully. This is true for Office's spreadsheet, email, word processor, calendar and presentation programs. They are considered the most powerful solutions available.
For many people, this is the biggest reason they always have, and always will, buy PCs. Office is very powerful software. While there are other programs out there that can do similar things, almost everyone knows how to use Word and Excel. It can be hard learning new software. And no software does it better.
Note: Microsoft does offer Office for Mac, but it is different and power users will find many features missing.
3. Games
All major computer games run on PC. Period. If gaming is something important you do with you computer, PC is really the only option for you.
Some major games are available for Mac, but most are not. This is because most gamers have Windows computers. Most gamers have Windows computers for the hardware flexibility, explained below.
Also, Macs are fairly new to the average consumer. Ten years ago, not many people had Macs, making it not worth the time needed for game developers to make their games work on Macs. Macs have become more popular in recent years, but PCs still hold an estimated 91 percent of the market.
4. Flexibility of hardwarePCs are very modular. You can, in some cases even without a screwdriver, open your PC and add in an SSD, some more RAM, and install the newest and greatest graphics card.
You can also build a PC with exactly the components you want; you're not stuck buying cookie-cutter PCs from manufacturers. In many cases, it's cheaper to assemble your own PC rather than buy a pre-made computer.
Another advantage to a more modular computer is that repair cost goes down. If you burn out your graphics card on a (desktop) PC you can just buy a new graphics card and slide it in. Something like that is very hard to do on a Mac desktop, and should only be attempted by professionals.
5. It's what you know how to use
This is actually one of the more common responses I get when I ask people why they bought a Windows PC. Sure, Macs are touted as being simple and easy to use. But there's still a learning curve.
If you're satisfied with a product that you know how to use, it doesn't make sense to throw it out for something different.
Bonus
#poll
Here are a few other responses to the question "Why do you prefer PC?" that didn't make the list:
- I hate the "Mac image"
- Uninstalling programs is easier
- I have more control of everything on a PC
- They look more "hard core"
- Macs are so dull and colorless
Taylor Wilson is an IT professional at a small Utah company. He has a passion for helping people with technology. Email: taylorwilson@testonetwo.com Online: www.testonetwo.com or at twitter.com/twil6
