Pc: The Way It Should Be

The conflict between personal computers (PCs; developed by Microsoft) and Macintosh computers (Macs; developed by Apple) has occurred for many years. The two are constantly competing with each other to win over the computing market. Macintosh claims that their computers are more efficient when working with graphic design and media arts, while a PC is known for mathematical superiority and a stronger variety of hardware and software. Many myths about both systems have been spread amongst the consumer world. However, proper research can easily clarify these fictions. Someone looking to buy a new computer has a right to know the truths behind both systems. Though the Macintosh computer and the personal computer have been competing for years, a PC is a much wiser choice for the average consumer.

The PC and the Mac have many factors that can be compared and contrasted. Walking through the computer store, a shopper can see the two side-by-side and begin to make conclusions. The Mac looks sleek and fancy with all sorts of different colors while a PC may appear to be nothing more than a vanilla-colored box. However, when the shopper looks around the store, it is easy to notice "that Mac titles aren't easy to find" (Kantor). Microsoft's operating system, Windows, is supported by many software developing companies, while only a small selection is made available to Mac owners. Something else someone might notice is that only Apple makes Macintosh computers, while many different companies can make a PC that supports Microsoft Windows. Taking a brief look at the interface of the systems, the Mac looks bubbly and "cute" while the Windows desktop tends to look more corporate or professional (Farmer, Harris, Kantor, Marks).

Let's look a little deeper into the personal computer specifically. The selection of hardware is endless, as it is developed by hundreds of different companies. Brands such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Compaq, and Gateway storm the PC industry. These names are well known to the majority of people. Having many different companies developing hardware gives the user a variety to choose from to match not only their needs, but also their personality. Each brand is unique in design, structure, and function. A mouse designed by IBM may not have the same shape or functionality of a mouse made by Synaptics. By choosing different brands for each factor of hardware for a PC, one can make their computer completely unique and customized (Fans, Harris).

Like the PC's hardware, there is also a wide selection of software for the PC. Famous software includes Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Flash, and Mozilla Firefox. Software for the PC is usually oriented around being customizable. Skins, themes, and presets allow a user to make their programs match their own needs and wants for their interface (Kaylon).

The Windows interface is usually organized into a desktop, a taskbar, and a start menu. These are all components of a program known as Windows Explorer. This program allows the user to browse files in their computer's memory and to see which other programs are running. Each running program is denoted on the taskbar and is run in its own window (Kaylon).

The personal computer has been credited for many of its strengths. A PC is easy to shop for, since most computer retailers rely heavily on sales of PCs and are sure to make the purchasing process simple. In addition, personal computers are strong with mathematical calculations and formulas. Programs such as Microsoft Excel are used to make spreadsheets and are used often in the corporate world. Presentations and projects done by high school and college students are easily completed using the different programs that make up Microsoft Office(Harris, Kaylon).

Most schools have computer labs consisting of many personal computers that usually run a networking version of windows such as Windows NT. On these networks, students can access their files from their memory partitions from different computers in the school. In other words, a student could save their work on one computer and then later load it later from the server on a different computer (Scots).

Many arguments have been made against the personal computer and its advantages. It has been said that the software is hard to use and is too complex. This isn't necessarily false, but the argument is usually blown out of proportion. Yes, programs associated with windows are usually more complex, but that is because the programs are usually stronger and based mostly on mathematics. However, most programs start to make more sense once the user has spent some time familiarizing themselves with them (Scots).

It has also been argued that it is extremely difficult to