PC vs Mac: Microsoft's Reasons for Choosing a PC, Not a Mac
There is something new on Microsoft’s official Windows 7 site: a section entitled PC vs Mac. In that section Redmond-based software giant Microsoft presents what it things are the reasons that will push you to go with a Windows 7-powered PC as opposed to going with a Mac. Here are the reasons that Microsoft invokes:
Having Fun
On your Windows 7-powered PC you can play games, watch movies, and watch TV. Microsoft explains that Macs do not ship with a Blu-ray, TV tuner, Memory Stick reader, or built-in 3G wireless, while Windows 7 PCs do. Microsoft also explains that most of the world’s popular computer games are meant for Windows, not Mac.
Simplicity
If you’re familiar with Windows, you will not have a problem using Windows 7. But if you get a Mac, you will find that the Mac acquisition comes with a learning curve. “Things just don't work the same way on Macs if you're used to a PC,” says Microsoft.
The fact that Windows 7 was built to “make it simpler to do the tasks you do every day” also falls in this category. Microsoft says here that Windows 7 has features that Mac does not – like the Snap feature, which you can use to view two documents side by side.
The fact that Windows 7 provides Touch support is also included in the simplicity category.
Working hard
Here Microsoft presents several reasons why you should go with a PC:
- It can be tricky to share documents (created with Apple’s productivity suite) with PC users.
- To plug a Mac into a standard VGA projector, you will have to buy a separate hardware dongle.
- Out of the box, Windows 7 Ultimate can encrypt your entire hard drive and it can encrypt USB drives. Macs on the other hand can only encrypt the home folder.
Sharing
With HomeGroup in Windows 7 you can easily set up a home network and share photos, movies, music, documents, and printers. If you pick a Mac, you will have to do it all manually – “manually set up music and movie sharing, manually set up file sharing, and manually set up printer sharing,” says Microsoft.
Compatibility
The simple truth of the matter is that most software applications out there have been developed for PCs, not Macs.
“Plain and simple, if you're a PC user, lots of your favorite stuff just might not work on a Mac. With PCs outselling Macs 10 to 1, the reality is that most computer software is developed to run on PCs,” says Microsoft.
Choice
Several bits and pieces are included in this category:
- You can choose to get a Blu-ray player, TV tuner, Memory Stick reader, or built-in 3G wireless with your PC.
- PCs come in a full spectrum of colors; Macs are only white or silver.
- Microsoft doesn’t charge you if you want to play the videos and music stored on your home PC while you're on the go. Apple on the other hand asks $99 per year for this sort of functionality.
Please note
Before you gang up on me and say something like “Microsoft is full of it”, keep in mind that I’m just reporting what Microsoft says on the official Windows 7 page. If you disagree with what Microsoft said, feel free to leave a comment below.
Having Fun
On your Windows 7-powered PC you can play games, watch movies, and watch TV. Microsoft explains that Macs do not ship with a Blu-ray, TV tuner, Memory Stick reader, or built-in 3G wireless, while Windows 7 PCs do. Microsoft also explains that most of the world’s popular computer games are meant for Windows, not Mac.
Simplicity
If you’re familiar with Windows, you will not have a problem using Windows 7. But if you get a Mac, you will find that the Mac acquisition comes with a learning curve. “Things just don't work the same way on Macs if you're used to a PC,” says Microsoft.
The fact that Windows 7 was built to “make it simpler to do the tasks you do every day” also falls in this category. Microsoft says here that Windows 7 has features that Mac does not – like the Snap feature, which you can use to view two documents side by side.
The fact that Windows 7 provides Touch support is also included in the simplicity category.
Working hard
Here Microsoft presents several reasons why you should go with a PC:
- It can be tricky to share documents (created with Apple’s productivity suite) with PC users.
- To plug a Mac into a standard VGA projector, you will have to buy a separate hardware dongle.
- Out of the box, Windows 7 Ultimate can encrypt your entire hard drive and it can encrypt USB drives. Macs on the other hand can only encrypt the home folder.
Sharing
With HomeGroup in Windows 7 you can easily set up a home network and share photos, movies, music, documents, and printers. If you pick a Mac, you will have to do it all manually – “manually set up music and movie sharing, manually set up file sharing, and manually set up printer sharing,” says Microsoft.
Compatibility
The simple truth of the matter is that most software applications out there have been developed for PCs, not Macs.
“Plain and simple, if you're a PC user, lots of your favorite stuff just might not work on a Mac. With PCs outselling Macs 10 to 1, the reality is that most computer software is developed to run on PCs,” says Microsoft.
Choice
Several bits and pieces are included in this category:
- You can choose to get a Blu-ray player, TV tuner, Memory Stick reader, or built-in 3G wireless with your PC.
- PCs come in a full spectrum of colors; Macs are only white or silver.
- Microsoft doesn’t charge you if you want to play the videos and music stored on your home PC while you're on the go. Apple on the other hand asks $99 per year for this sort of functionality.
Please note
Before you gang up on me and say something like “Microsoft is full of it”, keep in mind that I’m just reporting what Microsoft says on the official Windows 7 page. If you disagree with what Microsoft said, feel free to leave a comment below.
