I think I’ve heard the statement, “I should just get a Mac” at least once a week for the past eight years.  After a major repair estimate or bill many customers start to evaluate their options and decide whether it’s time to make a switch.   Changing from Mac to PC or vice versa may not make the grass greener.

This week I want to spend a few paragraphs talking about the differences between the two platforms from the technician’s viewpoint.  I’ve serviced my fair share of both Mac and PC and believe I can shine some light on the differences and similarities of the two.

Until recently Apple used a processor called PowerPC (PPC) which was a combination of efforts by IBM, Motorola, and Apple.  PPC uses a proprietary architecture to process information and handle data streams.  PPC based processors are usually found in commercial computer systems and proprietary gaming systems like the XBOX360.

Apple made a change from PPC systems to Intel X86 in 2005 making the electronic circuitry function almost identically between Mac and PC’s.  Windows based computers have historically been built on X86 processors from their inception.  Though Apple uses only Intel, Windows based machines can use either Intel or AMD.

In addition to similarities between the electronics, many of the peripheral components are also identical.  System memory, or RAM, is identical between the two platforms.  Mac and PC also use the same type and size of hard drive.  About the only difference between the two is the physical layout of the motherboards.  Apple products don’t seem to follow an industry standard with case design or motherboard layout.

Software is definitely different between the two systems.  Apple has been building on the OS-X platform since 2002 and makes only minor changes from version to version.  OS-X is a Unix based operating system.  Microsoft has built on NTFS based software since 2002 and has made three notable and major changes to its operating systems since.

Due to the nature of how OS-X was created, it is less susceptible to viruses and spyware than its Windows competitor.  Because Apple is not as prominent as Windows in the marketplace, virus developers spend far less time targeting Mac.  Windows based computers are also much easier to inject with a threat than OS-X due to how the software was written.  Viruses targeted for Mac do exist.

All hardware fails eventually which is the ultimate demise for most computers.  Hard drives, which for the most part are mechanical, ultimately will fail no matter if in a PC or Apple.  Motherboards and other circuitry can fail in both systems.  Other components like power supplies and memory will die in both platforms of machines.

Repair costs for Windows based computers are usually much less due to standards in case design and motherboard layout.  If a manufacturer discontinues a motherboard or there is a known fault in one particular model, it is fairly easy to install a competitive brand.  Apples, on the other hand, must be replaced with exactly the same motherboard due to their proprietary design.

The bottom line is that PC’s and Macs will do the same thing for most users.  Apples can typically cost twice as much (or more) than a comparable PC.  Though I’ve heard many people tell me that modern Windows versions are the easiest to use, Apple certainly is easier.  I believe if you’re in the market for a new computer and you’re considering a Mac because it will be less headache, think again.  Though it’s a phenomenal product, Macs are no better than similar Windows machines.

 (Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner.  You can call him directly at (978) 919-8059) or visit www.LocalComputerWiz.com.