Comparison of Computer Platforms: Macs versus PCs - Essay Example

The result is that, whatever OS the user chooses for their PC, it will likely not be as stable as the Mac OS. Also, since PC manufacturers source their hardware from other suppliers whom they do not control, the level of quality is not always as high as a Mac. One of the drawbacks to Apple’s level of control is that they employ many proprietary technologies. These technologies often require the user to purchase specialty products from Apple to perform tasks that PCs can accomplish with generic products.

One example of this situation is in the way Macs and PCs connect to external displays. PCs, because they are produced by so many different manufacturers, rely upon international standards for technologies. For external displays, PCs typically use HDMI connections. Apple, however, does not follow international standards. For a Mac user to connect to an external display, he must purchase a special cable available only from Apple instead of a standard HDMI cable. The result is that the Mac user must spend more money to accomplish a task because the proprietary technology is more expensive than the standard technology.

Another drawback to Apple’s approach is that the level of customizability of the Mac is generally much lower than that of a PC. A Macintosh computer typically comes from the factory with nearly maximum performance. Apple provides very few options to expand the computer or add to its performance. With a PC, a user can buy parts and rebuild almost the entire computer from the motherboard up. The result is that a PC will typically have a longer service life than a Mac because the user can upgrade its capabilities as needed.

The sheer number of users of each platform is a benefit at present for Apple. Because the number of Macintosh computers is just a fraction of that of PCs, hackers, and others that use computers to harm do not attack Apple computers often. This lack of attention means that Macs are vulnerable to very few viruses or other malicious attacks. Meanwhile, PC machines suffer from virus attacks daily and much money and energy are spent by users to protect their machines from viruses.

Finally, the single greatest factor in the PC's favor is the cost of the system. In 2008, the average price for a PC desktop was half that of a Mac desktop (Frucci). While Apple focuses on creating high-performance machines, this focus means that the Mac is often $1000 more expensive than the average PC. However, the average PC does not have the performance of the more expensive Mac. If the user builds the PC to the same specifications as the Mac, the price difference is less substantial.