TECH BEAT article for publication May 27, 2010

Is a Mac or PC best for you? To help you decide, we offer this 2-part analytical series. In part 1, we covered ease of use, media capabilities, performance, hardware, software and accessories. In part 2, we now discuss security, gaming, cost battery life and support/warranties … and end with our recommendation as to which platform is best overall. So let’s continue the debate.

Security

The only thing keeping the Mac virus-free beyond a slightly more closed operating system is security-through-obscurity. In other words, hackers haven't targeted Macs because there just weren't that many of them compared to PCs. Apple/Mac has 3.5% of the worldwide computer market (with the rest mostly going to Windows-based PCs), so, presumably, there wasn't that much notoriety for hackers to go after Macs, although recent reports have suggested that this trend is reversing.

Gaming

The PC is the clear winner. Every major gaming hit, from the 'Unreal Tournament' and 'Quake' series to 'Age of Empires' and 'Command and Conquer,' comes out for the PC first. And most PC games never come out for the Mac at all. Still, it's not all bad if you're a Mac owner – companies such as Aspyr and EA are actively putting out Mac versions of such hits as 'Call of Duty' and 'Homeworld 2,' and almost all Web-based Flash games are cross-platform, so they'll work on both Macs and PCs. Also, onscreen action and graphics tend to be a lot more detailed and smooth on a PC, especially when you install a high-performance graphics card!

Cost

Though they've come down in price in recent years, Macs have always been more expensive – and, as a whole, they continue to be. You can get Windows-based PC desktops and net books for as little as $300 (and PC laptops for as little as $450), but the least expensive Mac Mini will run you $599 and the least expensive iMac is $1199. The entry-level MacBook laptop costs $999 and the entry-level MacBook Pro is $1199.

It's safe to say that in the premium ultraportable category, Macs are actually a bit more affordable -- the MacBook Air starts at $1,499, which is a few hundred dollars less than the similarly petite and powerful Lenovo x301 that starts at about $1,785. Though many affordable peripherals for PCs will now work with Macs as well, many Mac-specific, Mac-made extras – whether it's an Ethernet or power adapter for your MacBook Air or the Mac-made wireless Bluetooth keyboard and mouse – still cost a small premium.

Battery Life

Battery life is a non-issue for desktops, but a huge issue for the portable laptop. The top reported battery life for the recently refreshed MacBooks and MacBook Pro models is five to seven hours. Contrast this with some of the newer PC laptops that get around 7-9 hours on a single charge (or Dell's dual-battery Latitudes that get up to 19 hours!) and you've got a clear winner on the PC side.

Of course, battery life really depends on what exactly you're doing with your laptop: Running wireless, watching DVDs, and playing games can use up a lot of juice, but both systems offer easily changeable energy profiles that allow you to customize your computer's demands on the battery, depending on whether you're traveling and unplugged or at home at your desk.

Support and Warranties

This really depends on the manufacturer, but the main PC companies – Dell, HP, Acer, Sony, and others – offer one-year service and parts warranties, which also includes telephone support. Apple's warranty is also for one year, but telephone support stops after 90 days, so unless you want to shell out $149-$349 (depending on your model) for the AppleCare Protection Plan extended warranty (which includes phone support for up to three years), you're on your own should anything happen to your computer and you want to get help from the comfort of your own home.

Wading through Apple and pretty much every PC manufacturer's support Web sites can be confusing and time consuming, so you'll want access to telephone help at the very least. And ultimately, both PCs and Macs can go haywire in as little as three months, meaning you'll want a local computer service provider taking care of any hardware or software issues with minimal complaining and persuading from you.

So which type of computer is right for you?

It really depends on what kind of user you are. The truth is, for most of your basic computer needs -- e-mailing, word processing, photo editing and sharing, and music management -- either a Mac or a Windows-based PC will do the trick.

But beyond basic needs, the path splits: If you're a gamer, a movie and TV hound, a techie, or an early-adopter, you should probably consider a PC, since it's going to offer you the biggest number and variety of new apps, hardware accessories, and streaming or downloadable video in SD or HD. Business users may also want a PC since Windows is still the operating system of choice in most offices (though Mac is catching up), so a Windows-based PC is likely to integrate more easily with your workplace. And if price is an issue, you will get more bang for your buck with a Windows-based PC (let's just hope all those extra features you get with your PC actually work!).

Of course, having access to a multitude of programs isn't always a good thing, particularly if a sizable chunk of those programs don't always work or are glitch-prone. Simplicity, consistency, security, and good design count for a lot in the computer realm, which, let's face it, isn't a piece of cake for all of us. If you're new to computing, want minimal hassle, and just need to get to work right away without having to wait two minutes or more for your PC to boot-up, then a Mac is for you (so what if you have to wait a few weeks or month to play 'Unreal Tournament' 4!).

Macs also remain the computers of choice for creative types in the music, film, and design fields, which is something to consider if you're planning on using your computer for film editing work, Web site design, or just want to make a demo tape of your band.

Let's not forget how cool Macs look and feel, too -- everything from the elegant look of the desktop and the innovative designs to the satisfying click the keyboard makes when you type on it makes the Mac a pleasant experience for just about anyone. And they're well-built across the board (they all come from the same manufacturer, after all), compared to many PCs, which vary widely in terms of basic build quality. Yes, they may cost a bit more, but in our experience, Macs tend to run smoothly a lot longer than the average PC, which can be filled up with a glut of performance-slowing software in just a few weeks.

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Terry owns 3rd Eye Computer Service, a managed service provider business, and is a member of the Redwood Technology Consortium.

Copyright 2010, Eureka Times-Standard Newspapers. The print version of this article first appeared in the 5/27/10 edition of the Times-Standard.