Advice for mom: buying a new notebook computer
I have a hard time justifying the difference in money. I don’t honestly believe that the operating system is that fantastic nor do I believe that the user interface is that much easier to understand how to use. Both systems use a mouse to click on buttons or menus to make things happen. They are incredibly similar. The included software is also very nice but there are amazing products available for Window computers as well. In my above example, you would be left with over $1,000 dollars to buy software or other components. Maybe you want an external monitor for your desk, or a printer, scanner, camera or other device to enhance your computing experience. The software available for Windows is simply extensive. You are more likely to have a problem deciding between two products than finding software to do a certain task. This is simply a matter of market share.
You could argue that ILife, the software suite that comes with any Mac is reason enough for the addition in cost.
Let’s break it down in Mac vs PC counterpart.
IPhoto – Picassa (free from Google)
IMovie – Pinnacle studio Plus 11, $100.00
GarageBand – CakeWalk Music Creator 4, $39.00
IWeb -Adobe Dreamweaver $399.00
IDVD – Nero Ultra or Roxio $100.00
$638 in extra software possibly needed on the PC side. However, I am being extremely generous in the above equivalents. Dreamweaver is the web authoring software on the pc side and goes far beyond IWeb. For another free alternative you could use Google’s Pages and save yourself $400.00. The bottom line is almost no one needs all of the included software. Furthermore if you do, you will find yourself wanting more than it can provide. Adobe produces a large amount of software in the categories of the iLife suite. All of it is available for the PC and Mac.
Windows gives you a much larger choice in software and hardware. It may be work to find what you want or need but you do have options.
Mom, buy a PC… or a Mac that suites you and your budget. You’ll be happy you did.
Wow!!
Lots of info. Writing that much would have taken me three weeks. (assuming I knew what I was writing.) Don’t know what Mom will do as she also has been Apple brainwashed by Apples very smart move into schools. For myself I have always been a two fords vs. one Cadillac guy.