It’s quite a hard choice really. Now that I’ve seen the Mac-Book of Steph (Congrats on your birthday Steph!!) I’m starting to talk myself into an Apple computer. I didn’t really notice this, until I had a talk with my girlfriend about this. She noticed I relentlessly tried to name all benefits of having an Apple computer, without mentioning the fact that a Mac is far more expensive then a PC. This while, for my goals, it’s absolutely unnecessary. At least, I think it is. To ensure I will make the correct choice, I’m creating a list of some pro’s and cons I found for both platforms. But first: my personal goals with the computer I’m going to buy.
What do I need in a computer?
The computer I’m going to buy will have to suit my needs for home computing. This means it is not required to do any hard labor like programming, VM-waring, photoshopping or anything like that. Since the moment I started working I lost appetite for programming at home: my computer should fit my needs in the following:
Storage
Although I do like movies and music, it’s not like I save everything for later. I intend to watch a movie, then delete it as I know I’ll never feel the need to see it again. Nevertheless I do want my pc to have some space available. My last computer had two harddrives of 80gb and 120gb and it was quite enough. So 200gb should be the minimum I guess.
Power
I’m a very patient man, but not if it comes to my PC. I would like my PC to respond quickly, so a fair processor and some gigs of internal memory would be great. As I’m no longer programming or doing ‘heavy stuff’ at home, I believe 2gb of internal memory would be sufficient.
Media / Gaming
I would like my computer to be my TV too. This has been a wish of mine for the last couple of years, I had some tries with a TV-card in my last computer, but the quality was…well, it sucked. As I still live in a small room, it would be nice to get rid of my bigass high profile TV.
Gaming is was a great way to spend my time. I still like to do this every once and a while, but it’s not like it used to be. No need to buy myself a premium videocard or something. Would be nice if I could play some games on my comp, but again; not really needed.
If I read through the above list of wishes, I really believe I don’t need a hardcore computer. Do you?
User
#1 by robert - August 4th, 2008 at 10:12
Hi Ronald,
Here my ideas on your choice to be made:
PC can do everything you want (as you can create them yourself IF you would want to).
Apple on the other hand can also do everything (as you know PC so well I’ll say something about Apple)
- Storage (standard Imac often comes with 500gb seems enough to me, but there are extra usb’s and firewires so external expansions is a possibility)
- Power, well should not be a problem either.
- Media/gaming - for TV you can use Elegato cards and for gaming: these days most EA games and from others are introduced for the mac at the same time the pc release is, so another problem solved.
Both options are very good, the choice you should also make (first) is for the OS(’s) you want to use. On PC you can use windows and linux and on Apple you can do both and of course MacOSx.
Besides that for my self physical size matters, so I would take that into account, for me an Imac would be great no more loose boxes, just everything in one sleak design. Screen sizes aren’t a problem also as these are available in 20″ and 24″.
So these are my thoughts when looking at a new computer (in the far away futher for me).
By the way, the money issue, is that a real issue because in that case Apple shouldn’t even cross your mind. If money isn’t a real issue Apple is a very good alternative to a PC.
Good luck making your choice and I’m interested in what your choice will be.
Robert
#2 by Coen - August 4th, 2008 at 10:49
Hi Ronald,
I am not so much into Apple (but, I think my current laptop will be replaced by a MacBook Pro, if it is his time). As Robert already pointed out, you have roughly two options:
- Design and A Lot Of Coolness for significant more money;
- Just your PC for less than that.
So: If money is of the essence, go for a PC. Otherwise, go down the rabbit hole and explore the wonderful world of Apple.
Good luck with your choice!
Coen
#3 by Mattijs - August 5th, 2008 at 10:45
If you want your computer to have a lot of power because you don’t want to wait for it completing its calculations and you want to use your computer as your TV it does seem to me like you want to use your new pc for a lot more than just the basics.
#4 by Guy - August 14th, 2008 at 12:57
As you already know, I think that the mac is worth the extra money.
12 reasons to buy a mac: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tech/drmac/5937754.html?sr=hotnews
If you need help with your new mac, you know where to find me
Guy