Windows Vs. Mac
Anyone who knows of technology in the world knows that two companies dominate the computer industry: Apple Incorporated and Microsoft. There are “fanboys” for both companies who claim that the other company is terrible. It is a debate that is long-overdrawn, and somewhat annoying to listen to time and time again. But here, I would like to set the record straight. The results of this discussion shall be used as authoritative and factual.
Those fancy buttons at the top of the window
Both Windows and Mac OS have three buttons at the top of each window. There is a minimizer (represented by a small dash), a maximize (represented by a box or two), and a closer (represented by an X, usually red). Clicking the minimizer works well for both systems. But clicking the maximize only works for Windows. Macs will enlarge the window or do nothing at all. Clicking the X is a Windows winner as well. Windows actually closes the program, which saves on battery life. Macs close the window that is open, but keep the program running in the background. You have to click the word “File” on that toolbar at the top in order to do anything.
WINNER: Windows
Viruses
Those pesky viruses will never give Windows users a moment’s peace! Hackers are constantly targeting the Windows system, forcing users to install costly antivirus software. Macs are not without their viruses, but they get considerably less.
WINNER: Mac
Clicking
Certainly every Mac user can objectively agree that they have lost this round. They’ve got the left-click down, sure. But only recently has Apple developed a mouse that has right-click options. But before Mac fanboys leap for joy, keep in mind that right-clicking does not have the same amount of options on a Mac that it does on a Windows computer. Oh, and Windows has always had right-click functionality.
WINNER: Windows
Design
Apple is famous for its attention to detail, even in their store designs. Their gadgets have a sleek contemporary feel to them. Windows has only just recently developed computers that seemed to pay attention to the design (Well, companies that produce Windows computers, of course).
WINNER: Mac
Graphics
Anyone who plays games knows that Windows is the clear choice. On a Mac’s most expensive graphics card option available, the performance is still shadowed by any of Windows’.
WINNER: Windows
Color
This one could be debatable, but here we go: When you see a color on one Mac, you see the same on another. When you see a color on a PC, you may or may not see the same on another. Mac has superior color matching technology.
WINNER: Mac
Speed
All too many times have Mac users seen that frustrating spinning rainbow any time they do something on a Mac. Windows has speed galore, being able to run multiple programs at the same time, without causing grief for the user. It could be that Windows is more streamlined (Opening four-hundred-thirty-seven pictures in Windows causes one program to load them all in an efficient window. Opening four-hundred-thirty-seven pictures on a Mac causes four-hundred-thirty-seven separate windows to open.).
WINNER: Windows
Price
Mac computers (and Apple products in general) are ridiculously over-priced. A 17-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2500. A comparable 17-inch PC is about $500-$600. No contest here.
WINNER: Windows
Software
There are very few software options for Mac users. Most of these computers are relegated to using Apple-developed software. Windows, on the other hand, has a wide array of software (many free!).
WINNER: Windows
Full Screen
Most Mac programs do not support a full screen operation. Either the dock is showing at the bottom, that grey bar at the top, or both. Windows programs have several programs with full screen options.
WINNER: Windows
Taskbar and Dock
The Dock is a familiar feature for Mac users. Several commonly used programs are found here (and some, not-so-commonly used). The dock does not stretch across the entire screen unless you have enough programs to do it. The Taskbar is the Windows-comparable feature. Older versions only displayed what programs were open, along with a Start button (similar, but more intuitive than the “search” option in the upper right-hand corner of Macs), the time, and certain miniature icons for various programs. The current Taskbar houses only the programs you want it to have for quick access, and those that are open. It also features a Start button, the time and date, and various mini icons for battery life, Wi-Fi signal strength and similar functions. But the Dock is only for programs, and not for information, which is found on the grey bar at the top of the screen.
WINNER: Windows
WINDOWS: 8
MAC: 3
In all honesty, I was going to make this into a joke that highlighted an equal number of Windows positives and Mac positives. But the more I researched, the more I found out that Windows is clearly the best choice of operating systems. I could have added more categories, but Windows would have won them all. I had to keep it semi-fair!
Macs are pretentious.
I say Windows because… and hear me out on this one…
You can customize/upgrade a PC, but you can’t customize/upgrade a Mac.
/thread
Windows is a software program and therefore incapable of having any graphics or speed. A Mac is a computer that is capable of running programs because it has hardware and software. Fix this please, it is Mac vs PC, not Mac OS vs Windows7
@Luke
Thank you for your concern. I believe it is obvious I don’t know as much as some people in the technological world, and I did not mean to offend you. This is meant to be a lighthearted article and not something to get upset about.
That said, I do realize that the terminology I used compares an operating system with an actual machine. I did this on purpose, mainly because I wanted to reach a broader audience. More people can relate to the term “Windows” than to “PC,” and even more people probably don’t care to delve into the specifics of the inner workings of the two computers.
Keep in mind this is only an opinionated article from an undereducated, heavily biased high school student looking to give people a laugh. At any rate, thank you for taking the time to read my article!