PC (Asus or http://www.powernotebooks.com for top quality ) Dell has improved lately and is a decent price...
PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..
Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..
Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.
A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,
If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.
Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?
I say: NO... for the following reasons...
SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml
QUALITY/PROBLEMS
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.
Sample of problems: Deleting your Data (Snow Leopard), Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=5006
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/
http://www.appledefects.com/
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html
http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg
Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.
VIRUSES
Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), 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".
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/
ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows.
2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
3) More business software/games
4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
5) Used by businesses.
ADVANTAGES LINUX :
1) FREE (most versions are)
2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)
Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm
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 Price Starting: $550 Ending Opt A: $854 Ending Opt B: $954
15" Screen (SAME)
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: OPT A: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (WORSE) Benchmark: 1243 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-4500MHD-GMA-X4500MHD.9883.0.html
OPT B: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 (BETTER) Benchmark: 4969 http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4330.13973.0.html
Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)
CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW
Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)
Battery Life: (upgrade to) up to 8 hours (BETTER)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWZA3&s=dhs&fb=1
Macbook Pro Price Starting: $1700 Ending Opt A: $1850
15" Screen (SAME)
CPU: 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics Benchmark: 3263 http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html
Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)
CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW
Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)
Battery Life: up to 7 hours (WORSE)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC118LL/A?mco=MTM3NDcyODk
**(DESKTOP)
PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want 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 matching specs. 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.
PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.
Dell XPS8000: ($1018)
CPU: I-7 2.8GHZ (SUPERIOR ) RANK 12= http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7+860+%40+2.80GHz
SCREEN: (Upgrade to) 21.5inch Screen
MEMORY: 6GB Ram DDR3 Dual Channel 1033GHZ (MORE)
HARD DRIVE: 640 GB (LARGER, FASTER)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer (FASTER)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon 4350HD 512MB (SUPERIOR)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxdzkv1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&m_2=SXI7860&mo=2~SXI7860&kc=studio-xps-8000
The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.
IMac ($1200)
CPU: 3.06 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (MUCH SLOWER) http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8435+%40+3.06GHz
SCREEN: 21.5inch Screen
MEMORY: 4GB Ram (LESS)
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive (SMALLER, SLOWER)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer
GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (WORSE)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB950LL/A?mco=MTM3NDc2NDc
ILife Equivalents
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518
FREE Windows Stuff
http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
http://www.iobit.com/
http://www.ccleaner.com/
ANTI-VIRUS
Avira Antivir (FREE) rated best detection/2009 (Free version=no realtime protection) and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/
http://www.free-av.com/
Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/
ANTI-MALWARE
Malware Bytes-(Free version=no realtime protection).
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol
LINUX INFO:
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.ubuntu.com/