This thread wants to make me throw up.
First of all there are obvious benefits and downfalls to both computers.
MACS
1 Cheaper in the long run
The oldest Macs that can run Apple's latest operating system have just celebrated their eighth birthday, yet all but a handful of the oldest Vista-ready PCs were still just kit and components this time last year. Macs are often criticised for being overpriced, but when you spread the cost over their respective working lives, the Mac comes out cheaper than a PC.
2 Greater stability
Macs do crash, and anyone who tells you they don't is a liar, but the tightly controlled Unix-based operating system is far more capable when it comes to isolating and terminating problematic applications than Windows. PCs come from the baby-and-bathwater school of conflict management and throw out the whole lot - data, app and OS - in exchange for a garish blue screen and a forced reboot.
3 Mac Office is better
The very first version of Office was out a year before the PC, and it continues to innovate under Mac OS X, with many features appearing on Apple hardware first. Plus, the operating system's built-in support for creating PDFs means Mac users have been rolling out their spreadsheets as Acrobat files for more than half a decade, while Windows workers have only just been granted that feature with Office 2007 (and even then, it's an optional download).
4 More secure
For one thing the operating system is built on a Unix core, with all the restricted and tiered permissions management that affords. For another, the fact it has a smaller user base than Windows counts in its favour, since for the last 20 years hackers and script kiddies have largely left it alone. Long may that continue.
5 Triple booting
There are Mac-specific builds of several Linux distributions, but the real feather in the Mac's cap is the fact you can run Windows, Linux and Mac OS X simultaneously, using virtualisation (see PC Pro's guide to running Windows on a Mac). This is a world away from the lame emulation afforded PC users by Virtual PC, and it gives alternative operating systems direct access to the Apple hardware. So, while Windows can barely run three native applications at once, with a Mac you can run The GIMP under Red Hat, Keynote under OS X and Access under Windows on the same screen, at the same time.
6 One company controls everything
The hardware and the operating system (and often the software too) are all made by a single company - Apple - and so they're guaranteed to work well together. The OS is optimised for the computer line-up, the mouse and hardware are designed with the OS in mind, and the applications are tuned to take advantage of every tweak and innovation in both. Only a Mac can deliver a smooth, well-thought-out experience end-to-end, and only with a Mac do you know exactly where to go for help and support. With a PC you'll be batted back and forth between Microsoft and whoever made your ugly beige box, as they spend the next month blaming each other for your problem.
7 Macs are faster
PC Pro's own Labs tests proved that the Mac Pro, the current top-end machine in Apple's line up, was faster running Windows XP than any conventional PC at that time [Although it's since been superseded by the Gladiator Trident PCP6700 Quad Extreme. See, that's the thing with PCs, there's always something better just around the corner - Ed].
8 Lively developer community
Use a Mac and you have access to the fruits of an incredibly vibrant developer community. The same is true of the PC, of course, but the PC shareware, freeware and donationware market is riddled with ugly, poorly designed, unconventional applications. Mac OS X has so many hooks and resources hidden under the surface that it's one of the quickest platforms on which to develop, and as finished applications draw on Apple resources rather than being designed from scratch, they look as good as any other Mac app.
9 Mods don't rule
Nobody ever thought a Mac would look better with neon lighting and a glowing water cooling system. What does that say about Apple's eye for design?
10 Goodies use Macs, baddies use PCs
Studies have shown that Hollywood has a tendency to make its baddies use PCs, and its heroes use Macs. Fact. That's why Jack Bauer and his CTU colleagues on 24 solve major terrorist threats using machines built for OS X. And when Jeff Goldblum wanted to infect the Independence Day mothership with a virus to save the world from destruction, what did he use? A PowerBook 5300. Except, of course, you won't find a virus on a Mac.
PCS
10. Design/Media - I don't dispute that Macs are a better choice for design and media. However, PC's have their specialties as well, excelling in areas such as business and financing. It all depends on what you need and expect from your computer.
9. Filing system - PC's have the option of downloading directly to the desktop as well - all you have to do is use the Mozilla Firefox browser instead of Internet Explorer. But why would you want to have to move all your files from the desktop manually if you can simply send them to the folder where you want them in the first place?
8. Compatibility - Although many companies are now making Mac-compatible programs, finding products that work on a Mac as well as on the PC is a challenge, and often more expensive. It is also very limiting - you have a smaller selection of programs at your disposal.
7. Software - I am not a big fan of Windows XP myself, although I do use it. There are too many bugs and Win XP comes with too much useless additional software (not to mention takes up a massive chunk of space on the system). However, there is always the option of Windows 98, which is a great system - and Windows is constantly working on new and better versions. The Mac comes with superfluous programs just as Windows XP, so it is by no means better in that sense (while Garage Band sounds fun, I don't need it gathering dust on my computer).
6. Apply/confirm - Windows cares about your computer's settings, as well as your preferences, It's great to be able to fiddle with my computer's appearance, for example, then press apply when I'm satisfied. Windows asks you to press ok and then apply so that your computer's settings don't change every time you want to preview what something would look like. That would take too long and be frustrating.
5. Crash and burn - (I'd just like to point out that, while the previous point made in the original article states that a Mac "trusts you not to be an idiot," this point says that Macs are "idiot proof." Which is it?) There is always a chance of something happening to your computer. This is why Windows has the handy system restore. Windows XP automatically saves scheduled restore points, which can save your computer if anything happens (it has done so for me a few times already). It also warns you the first time you try to access your critical files, and informs you of the dangers of accessing or modifying them. And what happens if you get a virus? I have sometimes had to go into the very core of my critical files in order to rid my computer of a particularly pesky virus. Some people know what they're doing. Others can simply choose to leave those files alone.
4. Lack of popularity - So just because PC's aren't the cool kids anymore, we're going to ditch them? I thought we've outgrown that high school stage. Macs are becoming popular because their company has created popular music systems. That should not be used as a basis for choosing a computer.
3. Cost - With the new rising popularity of the Mac, more programs will become available for it, rising in cost. As the Mac climbs up the social ladder, its price will climb right with it. It's a vicious cycle.
2. Complexity - If it's simplicity you're looking for, then I agree that the Mac is your best bet. However, Macs are almost TOO simple. In Windows, once you install something you can be sure that it will be there the next time you need it, too. My old computer only has two USB drives, one of which is always occupied by my internet. As a result, I am constantly switching between my printer, scanner, and digital camera in the other port. Since I had already installed each of them once, my PC has no problem differentiating between them. I get no alert informing me that I have just plugged something in (really?? I didn't notice) and would I like to activate it? My computer knows the drill and is ready to go. How's that for plug and play?
1. Vulnerability - PC's are vulnerable because they're popular, which makes them a target for hackers and viruses. Again I bring up the point that Macs are getting there too. On the other hand, there are plenty of great scanner programs that not only look for the problem, but also fix it for you. You don't have to play doctor to your PC - it just needs a checkup once in a while. But then again, who doesn't?
TL;DR
Huzzah, I can use Google, the point is the argument is old and pointless. Everyone has an opinion. Also, if you are trying to win over the Mac side at least don't act like a four year old.
Go Macs!
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