The Apple vs. PC Dilemma: Viruses and Image as Asset
It’s nearing new computer purchasing time for me. Most of the people in my world know their computer preference, are strictly PC or Apple-minded and don’t question that preference. Ferryperson Paula gave us a tour of Dell Hell, and we’ve followed John on a trail of rotten Apple seeds. I’m a Gemini, however, and we like to think things through the hard way, which usually includes a series of mind changes diced with mind-made sabotages, all of which lead nowhere fast.
I’ve had both Apples and PCs over the years, but I still can’t decide which is better as far as both cost and utility. I enjoy both. Now that I’m considering a new laptop, I’m all wrapped up in confusion.
We all know about the PC’s weakness for viruses, trojans and the like. My computer and I were recently the victims of a spyware attack. Due to a momentary lapse in my attention to anti-virus protection in between leaving my university’s network and a transfer to a private network, I didn’t realize that I was unprotected. Spyware did and shot me full twelve or so trojans that all but ceased my operations for a few days. Suddenly I was surfing in quicksand. After infecting me, one or more of them then very graciously offered me a not so great deal on spyware protection with repeated alerts that I’d been infected. Duh.
Fortunately, I’ve tapped into that natural barter system that involves having an IT person as a buddy. He sent me pirated anti-virus software; I cleaned up shop, and all was soon well.
PCs are cheap (sometimes even free if you have the right IT buddy). Points for that. Everyone (everyone being my limited friend circles) says that Apples are far superior, that they last longer, etc., etc. Well, I guess, and lets face it, they’re way sexier (points for that); but when my computer went under, I borrowed my bestie’s MacBook Pro for a few days to finish a few freelance projects that I had hanging. Although I felt much hotter at the coffee shop with it than with my IBM that belongs in an antique shop, the Mac’s power cord was in poor shape. I decided to buy her a new one in exchange for the laptop loan, and found myself forking out about $90. The boy/girl creature working the computer counter at the massive electronics corporate store told me that our problem is pandemic. He/she has gone through about six of them in her/his adult life. (It did tell me that there are compatible cords to be found – not made by Apple — on the Internet that have a springy attachment which won’t damage when bent into awkward positions. Well, my bff was thrilled with the new cord, but now her battery has also started to show signs of weakness, and (dread! gasp!) the hard drive has begun making that unmistakable death rattle. These are also rumored to be regular and expected failures. I’m not so sure the “no virus” feature holds up against such regular and definite expiration dates on the implements.
But then there’s the question of service. PC tech support is like sparring practice for the UFC while the kids at the Apple store act like they’ve been getting massages in the back room and are thrilled to be handling your problems.
I’m confused. Suggestions?
October 6th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Aundi,
I couldn’t wait around anymore for Apple to release their redesigned laptops, so I got an iMac instead. I thought making the transition to a desktop would be awkward, but it wasn’t that bad. And this sucker is fast — I hardly miss the portable convenience of a laptop. I feel that I got more computer for the money with a desktop.
However, if you have your heart set on a laptop (and I can understand why), this buyer’s guide may be of some help.
I’d pass on a Windows-based machine, even if it was free.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:32 am
The only difference is the operating system. The question is whether you like apple’s operating system better than windows, along with the social value. Apple does have a large markup for that OS though, 40% of the price of an apple is profit, while dells is 14%. Both windows and apple have the same percentage of computer problems like viruses, since most viruses and trojans cannot directly attack the OS. The customer support is the same, it just depends on the store you go to.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:40 am
New macbooks are rumored to be coming out Oct. 14, possibly with a lower price.
I use Macs at home and on the job. I prefer them for the same reason I like boys— I was just born that way.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:43 am
The only difference is the operating system. The question is whether you like apple’s operating system better than windows, along with the social value. Apple does have a large markup for that OS though, 40% of the price of an apple is profit, while dells is 14%. Both windows and apple have the same percentage of computer problems like viruses, since most viruses and trojans cannot directly attack the OS. The customer support is the same, it just depends on the store you go to.
Some people are allergic to Windows. Not sure why, there are really no differences between the two OS. I am indifferent to both of them.
Apple does not uses the same hardware as everyone else, so it’s not like their computers run faster. They are just another computer company, like Dell or HP.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Hi Aundi,
I bought a MacBook four months ago and so far have loved it entirely. I’m responding, though, because I just read this article on Consumerist, about the Apple power cord problem: http://consumerist.com/5058286/apple-offers-cash-to-powerbook-ibook-owners-with-defective-power-adapters
I assume the fact that they’re offering refunds for defective power adapters means that they’ve now solved the problem? I guess if they haven’t, I’ll end up finding out. (Your friend should take advantage of the offer.)
I vote for buying a Mac. And, since you’re buying a laptop, I also vote for buying the extended AppleCare package, which seems to be worthwhile for laptops but not for anything else.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Before you look at this as a Mac vs. Windows PC thing, at least consider Linux. It really is not just for coder geeks any more, and is a viable option.
I run a solo+ law office using Ubuntu Linux on my office desktops and my Lenovo ThinkPad laptop. Most of the software I use is free and fully compatible with the files you create in Windows or OSX.
Throw in a LiveCD and see what you think.
If you do get a PC, look to Lenovo for the most durable, powerful laptops. Their new IdeaPad will look pretty good at a coffee shop, too.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Personally I have both.
I have to use Windows-based laptop at work, and I use a Mac at home
October 6th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
oh and wireless internet in some areas work MUCH better with a windows PC than a mac.
don’t ask me why
October 6th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
aundi,
i like the fact that you haven’t just jumped on the popular bandwagon with the rest of the apple lovers. that you want to make a very educated decision. i am a pc owner, but would love to have an apple for the reason that i am more familiar with pc’s. it would be nice to be “ambidextrous”. knowledge is power.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Your bestie sounds amazing. What’s her number?
October 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
You mention that the MacBook Pro’s “power cord” was damaged. The MacBook Pro has the MagSafe power adapter (unique to Apple notebooks). The MagSafe connector is designed to detach to avoid damage to itself or the computer.
Someone would have to be incredibly rough (i.e. you would have to slam the power adapter directly, really hard in order to damage it).
As far as the defective hard drive goes, hard drives (which are not manufactured by Apple) on ANY notebooks, PC or Mac, do fail on occasion so it’s always good to have a backup. Also PC & Mac notebook batteries don’t last forever, and need to be replaced eventually.
It sounds like this is a very old MacBook Pro because the replacement power adapter wasn’t covered under warranty. We can only assume that it was heavily used and also possibly handled roughly for the adapter damage to happen.
In general Apple’s computers are built solidly and outlast their PC counterparts. If you look at Craig’s list you will see old but still functioning Macs for sale, and they retain their value much more than other PCs which are usually sold as disposable commodities.
Long story short: You can’t go wrong with a decision to choose an Apple computer.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Get a Mac. Since all Macs run both OS X and Windows at full speed, why not have the best of both? Just get your Windows install CD and go to it. I don’t know about you, but not once have I seen any of my friends who say they can buy a Wimdows laptop spend anywhere near that little. For everything you get in a MacBook or an iMac, it stands up very well pricewise.
If you do decide to go the Apple route and want to save some money, Apple sells returns directly at their online store. Also, new model portables are rumored for this month, so if it comes to pass, the current ones at the refurb store will drop even more in price. Just today I see a MacBook with full warrantee for $899. Good luck with your decision! (and really don’t mind the coffeehouse bunch — why care?)
October 6th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Don’t forget, a Mac can run Windows, too, so why not get the best of both worlds?
October 6th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I would definitely go for the sexier option! Both computers are going to have their problems, but it’s so much more fun shopping around the Apple store than being in Dell hell!!
October 6th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
A Mac will dual boot into XP or Vista, if you’re so inclined.
A Mac will also run Vista or XP in emulation at 90% speed at the same time as it’s running Mac OS X.
The best of both worlds.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Aundi,
Apple has amazing customer service, as you mentioned the kids at the Apple store always seem thrilled to handle your problems. If something is to go wrong with your computer, where would you rather be? Apple store or who knows where. I prefer Apples and their sexiness is nice too.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Aundi,
I’ve had both Mac’s and PC’s, but after a huge virus problem years ago i ditched the PC world and i have never looked back. Mac’s are the way to go! I’ve never had any problems with the power cord either and i’ve had it for over 7 years.
Mac’s are way sexier, way better graphics and way easier to use.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I don’t have a suggestion for the epic PC vs. Mac decision, but I’m a bit put off my your comment about the Mac salesperson: “the boy/girl creature working the computer counter at the massive electronics corporate store told me that our problem is pandemic. He/she has gone through about six of them in her/his adult life. (It did tell me that there are compatible cords….”
Just because a person’s gender presentation/identity is not known to you, it doesn’t make it right to call this person “it”. We are not simply objects, just because we complicate rigid gender roles. I am truly hoping I read this excerpt incorrectly.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Thanks for all of your comments. This is incredibly helpful information for the decision-making process, and I appreciate all of the tips for further homework. I did find an interesting article on the Popular Mechanics website that details lab tests done on Apples and PCs. They gave Apple the victory, but it looks to me (and has been reinforced by many of your comments) that either can be tailored to fit personal needs and that it does largely come down to the marketing factor.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
An important point to consider is that you cannot watch Netflix movies instantly on an Apple…perhaps it is part of the PC conspiracy. I will definitely go for an Apple next time, despite the Netflix issue. Cords can be replaced. Viruses can completely destroy our electronic buddies. I don’t know about you, but I do not like standing by helplessly while innocent operating systems are slain by someone’s senseless violent fantasy. On that note, I think it is excellent karma to be especially kind to computer geeks, especially when they are having a bad day.
My friend, Madhu, who actually knows a lot about computers, will not choose between Macs and PCs. He says it depends on your computing needs, and that he would rather ponder more interesting investments like chewy laptop covers.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
mac all the way. esp if youre downloading music and other programs… reformatting sucks (due to viruses). i concur with amanda about the sexiness of macs.
October 8th, 2008 at 1:36 am
Kas,
Thanks for speaking up about that. I apologize for offending you, and I’ll take your comment into consideration in my future writing. I am of the gender fluid/non-polar denomination myself and am not offended by “it” personally (actually prefer it to “they” which just seems incorrect), but I definitely see where you’re coming from in that “it” could carry the connotation of being an object rather than a being. I’ve actually done a great deal of research on the topic of the pronominal address and would be happy to share with you a linguistics research project that I completed on the topic earlier this year. I definitely have a great deal of sensitivity and interest regarding the issue and am not mindlessly and randomly addressing people. Email me through the Queercents “about us” section if you’re interested in talking more about it, and I’ll send you my paper.
October 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I’m a PC! In my next life, I hope to be reincarnated as a Hewlett Packard PC, instead of a Dell.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I just bought a Macbook because I’ve lost two PC’s to viruses. I also invested in an external hard drive for the peace of mind. It’s all about Macs.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I’m a Mac. They do cost more, but you also GET more with a Mac — virus protection, memory, etc. Cheap PC laptops don’t have comparable specs to the MacBooks — you’d have to get a more expensive laptop to have the same features. I suppose Apple COULD just make cheaper entry-level laptops — but I think the MacBook is worth it.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I’m a PC because of my socio-economic status…its seems pretty clear cut that this is a dividing line. Old Dell laptop, IT savvy pals who exchange bootleg software and clean up for you over a few beers, 12 year old Toyota vs. Mac, other Mac owning pals, and a VW my parents bought me or something. See? The real question remains…when I get a bit more in my budget, do I go with the more conspicuously sexy purchases…or stay with the tried and true?
October 10th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hey, you could also buy a PC and install linux, it is a lot safer than apple and microsoft products, it is inmune to spyware, has lots of support and you can keep the sturdyness of PCs.
Trust me, it is a very good option and there is no more frugal one
October 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Maggie,
I’m really glad you brought up the implicit class issue involved here. It’s much deeper than any amount of genius marketing could ever touch.
Takmadeus and Sam Glover,
I didn’t know much about Linux beforehand, but your comments led to more research. Thanks for the heads up on another interesting and seemingly reliable option!
October 11th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Hi Aundi,
All I ever hear from mac users is how much they love them! From PC users it’s always complaints and problems. I’d say, if you can afford it, go with mac. Personally, I’d be pretty well pissed off if I had to spend $90 to replace a power cord that should have lasted the lifetime of the computer itself. *shrug*
Good luck!
October 12th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Hah. I know that Macs are superior in quality and software, and are much more intuitive for the average user.
But me? I am a hardcore into Windows XP. Vista is crap and I am too in love with XP to try and learn how to use a mac.
Also: compatability problems with macs. You have to be careful about software and hardware (like mp3 players) with macs. Because not a lot of things are compatiable with macs that mac has not made. And, as you have already realized, mac likes to charge through the nose for these often necessary accessories and the like.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:10 am
The more you use Macs the more you like them. The 14th looks to be a good day for MacBooks.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Tomorrow certainly is a big day…and a tempting one:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/macbook_release_review
October 16th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I’ve always found the Apple store customer service to be excellent, and promptly repaired/repaired everything wrong with my Powerbook, even the power adapters that I had definitely abused.
I am, however, taken aback at your he/she business, and referring to the person helping you as “it.” That doesn’t seem appropriate on any blog, let alone one that focuses on the queer community.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hi Paul, Thanks for commenting on this. It’s definitely a hot topic. I addressed similar reader concerns above (see #22) but am happy to continue the dialogue with you here as well. My use of the pronoun “it” is intentional, and I, as an it-ish type person, am not offended by its use. Kas made the excellent point that the use of this pronoun in such a way echoes violent remarks that many gender queer people with high visibility endure regularly and might therefore be triggering and further damaging. I definitely agree that this potential exists, but I use “it” as a reclaiming of sorts. The medicalization of the gender queer condition demands that, in order to receive any kind of treatment (hormones, surgery, etc), a “patient” has to declare a desire to be the exact opposite of their birth assignment. People who don’t want to be positioned on a binary pole are therefore excluded from medical treatment for their “condition” unless they’re willing to lie (bend semantics). Using “it” (as a pronoun clearly recognizable to wide populations) is a retort to the social dominance via categorization of the medical field/industry. Email me through the QC “about us” section if you want to read my linguistics project on the pronominal address. If I were an historian, I would have gone back to the store and asked the subject what its pronoun preference was, but I’m not. I’m a blogger. I get to bend things to the way I see them.