Microsoft recently put up a new PC vs Mac page on their Windows 7 section that compares the two platforms, or at least to try to convince you that one system is better than the other. The end results are naturally Windows-biased, of course. It’s set up to convince people on the fence to pick up a Windows-powered PC over a Mac after all. Before we get to the comparisons, let’s just throw this in: we really don’t think there are that many people still “on the fence” anymore. It’s either you’re more comfortable with a PC or a Mac, and there are those who own—and are comfortable with working—both.
Of course, the points on the page is understandably one-sided, since the page is trying to convince you to either buy Windows 7 or remain a Windows user after all. Some points are unbelievably biased, like “Windows 7 was designed to make it simpler to do the tasks you do every day, with features that the Mac doesn’t have. For example, the new Snap feature makes it easy to view two documents side by side,” and “Macs only come in white or silver. PCs are available in a full spectrum of colors across a range of price points.”
Totally unnecessary points, among others that I’m sure Mac users would scoff at. This writer is admittedly a Windows desktop user, but a) I don’t think I’ve ever used the built-in fingerprint reader on my Shuttle-branded desktop, and b) given a choice between buying a PC or Mac, I don’t think the colors would be a deciding factor (the price does though). As a not on the colors, we happen to like how the new aluminum Macs look.
As for the other points, they do make sense. Kind of. “You can’t get a Mac with a Blu-ray player, TV tuner, Memory Stick reader, or built-in 3G wireless. PCs running Windows 7 often come with features that aren’t available on even the highest end Macs, including Blu-ray, eSATA, multi-format card readers, Touch, and mobile broadband.” I’m a hardware enthusiast, in the sense that I enjoy the ability to upgrade parts of a PC instead of having to buy a new system whenever performance feels a bit dated. But if, say, an old aunt asks me what to buy, I’d probably tell her to just buy a Mac, because I don’t want to be bothered with calls asking why her computer is showing a blue screen, or why it keeps asking for permissions or why… well, Windows users know what I mean. We all know what we have to deal with.
It’s sort a a blow to the point that says “Windows 7 was designed to make it simpler to do the tasks you do every day, with features that the Mac doesn’t have. For example, the new Snap feature makes it easy to view two documents side by side.” Actually, I turned off the Snap feature on my desktop because it got a bit too annoying.
The bit about gaming rings true as well. “Most of the world’s most popular computer games aren’t available for Macs. And Macs can’t connect to an Xbox 360. PCs are ready to play.” It’s undeniable that if you want a desktop geared for gaming, you pick up a PC. Probably the biggest point to push me to buy a PC.
But as for the other points? Read it through for some giggles if you’re pro-Mac. Nod a bit (just a bit, because it does tend to get silly) if you’re pro-PC. But for everyone else—we happen to love both platforms for completely different reasons, and we think Apple’s Boot Camp is a huge upside for the Mac—just take it with a grain of salt. This page was set up to either convince Windows users to remain Windows users, and to try to influence the undecided. Also, it’s a page on the Microsoft website. It’s not like you can expect a particular brand to be totally unbiased.
Tags: Apple, Computers, Mac, Microsoft, Windows
