Which is better for college: Mac or PC?

Honestly, if you're used to a Macbook, stick with it. I'm a highschool senior PC user and I'm looking to buy a Mac. Only reason I haven't so far is because the Mac system so so unfamiliar. If you were to switch to PC I think you'd be very frustrated with how unfriendly the system can be. Macbook Pros: Very fast system, running mac-based OS and not windows, most if not all programs very user friendly, adaptable to different networks (wireless and lines), uses very little RAM for OS, depending on the mac you get you can even run windows for the programs that aren't compatible, no viruses Macbook Cons: Not as many programs design for mac (that's changing fast though), some programs may not be as detailed or hands on as you might wish PC Pros: Very wide program compatiblity list, easy to find hotkeys, many different types of hardware, [with vista] many little tricks and such that can be helpful but unnecessary PC Cons: Large amount of RAM used for OS, many many many pop-ups due to programming, virus weak even with security, slow operation speed I have spoken to a friend about the macs, so all the info comes from him. And the kid is a genius, working on a cure for a type of cancer, and he's close to it, so he knows what he's talking about. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask

Macs are more Utopian. The company is really into ideals. I can see why you like Macs. On the other hand, Macs didnt really think about their marketing campaigns very thoroughly nor did they even think about expanding their business empire. They just thought about product research and quality of their devices more than selling them. In the end, PCs are more common and thus more programmers design programs for PCs than they do for MACs. In the perfect world Macs would be more popular because they are more user friendly and designed for people. In contrast PCs are machines you learn to use. Macs are intuitive most of the time. In this world, people only care about what is more popular (even for the wrong reasons) and somehow PCs are way ahead of Macs at this point and always will be. Dont get me wrong. PCs are nice (Just not as great as Macs for many things). But PCs are more common and you might get frustrated if you cant run a certain PC program that they want you to use for a project because you have a Mac. I had a Mac over 10 years ago and I am sure things have changed. But when I owned a Mac, I absolutely loved it but the only problem I had was that most programs were built for PCs. Macs are great for image processing, sound editing and basically anything related to visual arts and sound engineering. That is why that same company built Pixar. They were already developing products that were great for that purpose. When it comes to word processing and everything else, PC has the upper hand. P.S. I thought you were able to run PC programs on Macs now? If that isnt the case then perhaps PC is a better choice for school.

It really is personal preference. Both are excellent systems for what you will need, however I always tend to learn towards the PC for the following two reasons: you can get a better PC system for less money that a Mac and secondly a PC is more compatible with everything out there. The few things which I love about the Macs: Great operating system and they tend to be more light weight, so easier to carry.

Really, it just depends on your preference. If you like using Macs, get a Mac for college. I use a PC, but that's because it's my personal preference. You might be able to ask the computer people at the college you plan on attending if there's a particular model they recommend.

seems like a lot of college students use Macs. im not a mac fan, but ive never seen so many people with macs in one place before i came to college. guess it just comes down to personal preference. the only thing is that if you want your friends, or someone to help you with something one your computer, if they're anything like me, they wont know how! seems like most people know how to work PCs better.

I prefer PC and where is WHY.... A BIG DIFFERENCE is PRICE! PCs are significantly cheaper (not in quality). -Today, Macs use the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards. -OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Look below. WINDOWS: Aprox 90% of the market is Windows. PCs include windows already PRE-INSTALLED. 1) There are a number of websites that still require Internet Explorer to view. 2) Printers and other things you hook into the computer are easier to support on Windows. 3) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc. LINUX: 1) Install Linux, and then get tons of stuff for free. Updates done, etc.. Linux is very EASY and has tons of software that will be updated automatically. 2) If you like the effects on a Macintosh go yahoo or google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more... 3) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator. 4) Linux is VERY EASY and MORE SECURE. I surf the internet and can even run SOME windows programs on Linux. Also, I can VERY EASILY INSTALL programs by checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (ADD/REMOVE or SYNAPTIC PACKAGE MANAGER). I can search for something I want, check a box and click apply. The program is automatically installed. (To me that is easier than searching the internet and dragging the program in MAC). Google or yahoo OS X on a PC, it is ILLEGAL and I would NOT install it but I am trying to illustrate that there is nothing special about a MAC. ======================================… A)Price... A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like) *****************(LAPTOP) Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 15" Screen CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks Macbook $1349 13" Screen (SMALLER) CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME) Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME) Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM) Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE) Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, ONLY reads DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE) ****************(DESKTOP) PLEASE NOTE: Some responses might be that below is not a FAIR comparison but it is SINCE this is comparing Apple Mac's BEST DEAL vs Dells BEST DEAL. If you decide that you must have an all-in one. The Dell all-in-one has more ram, WIRELESS keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you upgrade the Imac to try to match. Personally I don't think the ALL-IN-ONES are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer. To me it is NOT a good deal. PS: Apple was smart, they know that they must make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a Tower Option. This is not good for the consumer since it lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the simularities between the two and apple would loose people. In other words, in my opinion, it is "Style over Substance" Dell: (Right Now) Specs Below costs $809 CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE SCREEN: 20inch Screen MEMORY: 3GB Ram HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB The Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... IMac is better price than the Mac Mini. IMac ($1400) CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU) SCREEN: 20inch Screen MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM) HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed) GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB ************************END OF DESKTOP B) SECURITY: Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera. Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities. ======================================… B2) VIRUSES The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses, a friend of mine has a VIRUSED MAC. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe". Linux is also very low in viruses and is free with plenty of free software