GM, or Ford....PC vs Mac or Mac vs PC. You really need a PC.
Nov 11 '06 (Updated Jul 03 '07)
The Bottom Line The final decision is yours. Do you want an Edsel or a Cadillac. I'll have mine in red with the GM emblem emblazoned proudly.
Time to be realistic in comparisons between Macintosh and PC offerings. There's just too much friction, fiction, and misdirection existing between the two computer offerings. What do GM and Ford have to do with two styles of computers? I'll answer that fully as I give you some direction in what you're interested in.
Analogies that apply:
Dale Ernhardt drove General Motors vehicles out of preference and due to the monies generated from the association. This was a lucrative association that filled his pockets and provided the income to raise his family. Dale Ernhardt Jr. realized this and, with a true love of the sport and GM (a company that provided for his family so well), he continues in his father's footsteps with a prolific and productive career.
The GM line is an extensive one, and one that has provided consumers with reliable transportation.
The PC relates to a GM in the following manners.
1) It has extensive lines and models to suit consumers just as GM customers can shop among models such as Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, and GMC.
This gives consumers the opportunity to choose and pick according to their individual tastes and requirements while offering a huge selection to select from. This is a preference of mine as it provides me with the opportunity to tailor my choice to exactly what I want and need. Others may find the number of choices overwhelming.
By using a PC, I have the choice to make additions or changes randomly, just as a custom car shop can customize my car. The changes are simple and the systems are fully operable. As with a car, I can easily change the engine for more power and speed or the options for more comfort and use - well, this is much easier with a PC than a car.
On the other hand, a PC offers a number of OS solutions. Just as I can re-map the computer in my car for improved performance, a PC offers me the choice to use a number of different OS softwares to achieve the performance I require for whatever operations I wish to perform - from scientific to business and home applications.
2) An extensive organization of aftermarket suppliers exists for PC. Just as with GM aftermarket suppliers, more choices are available to GM owners than Ford product owners.
This assures me my PC will always be repairable and upgradeable over its service life. I can also make random changes to keep it current with newer offerings for some period of time. That's a little like having the ability to fully update your 2006 vehicle to the next years vehicle improvements - without buying the new model.
Not only do these suppliers offer extensive hardware offerings and software choices, but they also offer the ability to greatly improve systems with the rapidly changing improvements in hardware. This is how it's possible I can easily take a PC that is several years old and drastically improve its performance to that of the latest offerings by PC manufacturers. It's also how I can obtain the parts to build a PC that is well advanced over the current PC models while spending no more than they cost.
3) Competitive pricing exists within PCs and their components extensively.
This means, dollar for dollar, the laws of supply and demand take effect for rapid improvement of PC components and systems - at reduced prices per performance level. The hit to my pocket while computing, using the operations I require, means I can temper easily how much I need or want to spend on any PC component or system.
Why this analogy?
The Ernhardt's appeal to the masses just as GM has throughout the last century and this one. PC manufacturers reach out in the same manners to please a majority of consumers. They also offer more selective choices for those in industry needing high end specialized systems for their computing requirements.
Before you think I'm biased, I will tell you my first vehicles were all Fords and I thought highly of them - still do. Enough so, I have a fully customized 1970 Ford, a customized 1955 Buick, and I also drive a new Ford Lincoln. But, to be more realistic, I also own a GMC pickup, a Pontiac, and two Chevys for daily drivers. All are reliable but the GM products tend to be more practical in use and easier to maintain. I've owned a Mac and have used them - I simply prefer a system that offers me the most value and performance where and when I need it.
On with the analogies, Ford to Macintosh:
Hopefully Ford motor company won't be offended, but like Macintosh they are the under dog for a number of reasons. While both companies offer valid solutions to consumers, the fact remains they will stay number two. Neither quite manages to hit the mark with most consumers - in spite of any monthly or quarterly sales records.
The Edsel was quite a car, so is the Macintosh computer line. Somehow, that doesn't inspire me to want another Macintosh. Although, I may buy another new Ford Lincoln.
Number two always tries harder and Mac did get the US Army to convert to Mac servers for improved security. Being number two has the relative bonus of less attacks by hackers as fewer are familiar with the systems. But then, the Army command structure hasn't made a name for good choices in product procurement (historically) either.
What sets PCs and Macs apart:
Supposedly, Macs never crash. That's a wives tale, as all hardware and software systems are subject to crash for any number of reasons. The quality of the hardware and software environment provides for preventing this in computers. Power-up and other features along with the OS are what set Macs and PCs apart. However, Mac has now seen fit to include the capability of running Windows OS and software for an effective means of providing more user functionality and encouragement to Windows user sales. Macs have proprietary processors - well, not any more as they have moved in Intel processors. Mac OS is better than Windows and other operating systems - another wives tale. All of these operating systems are based on UNIX - an old predecessor from the 1960's. The difference is the kernel used by the software manufacturer which differs among these OS solutions, and each OS has its own merits and flaws. Windows is just more flexible for most users.
The main functions of the kernel are CPU, device management, and memory management. All OS must operate these functions, but the sophistication of the kernel is what determines what uses it can excel in. Since Mac develops their own computers hardware and OS software, it makes sense their OS will run more smoothly than others (more generic OS) such as Windows and Linux - that are designed with numerous hardware and process configurations for increased interoperability. But, it isn't necessarily so that Macs are smoother and hardware solutions are somewhat limited. This can also extend to additional software needed for more specific operations. Ultimately, just check pricing - more expensive doesn't always mean better.
Final thoughts:
Good for my word, I went out and bought a new Victory Red 2007 Silverado from my local Chevy dealer the day I started this essay. The analogy was too close to my other thoughts that day. Yep, the Silverado is the "Cadillac" of pickups and I suppose my next PC case should be red also, as Mac abandons their "fanboys" with Intel processors and Windows OS solutions. (chuckle) Watch out for the slick red Silverado with the Pace electric tonneau cover I'll be driving - with the shotgun in the rear window rack, pennant on the antenna, "Saturday Nite' in Jackson Mississippi" bumper sticker, and the Patriotic flag decal on the window. (I know all Mac users will appreciate that, as some of them would like to think PC users are red-necks or "geeks" anyway. Somehow, I feel that's the other way around concerning those Mac "fanboys".)
No fan of any PC manufacturer, I build my own PC systems when needed unless it's a laptop I need. Regardless, I've always enjoyed the flexibility of using whatever OS I want whenever I wish on all of my PCs. But, with the reliability and performance of "Chevy Tough" - who can argue that I bought my new Chevy "OEM" and I can still customize or upgrade it as randomly as my PCs. That's what has made a PC so inherently attractive over a Mac.
Like I said, it's still up to you whether you want a GM product, or a Ford. Lol.
PS: I've had some of the other corporate US "Big Three" automotive products before also - it's why I always avoid the unnamed one.
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