Why are Macs not as popular as other PCs?

Question

Whenever I tell people that I am looking to buy a Macintosh Computer, they always give me grief and tell me that I am making a poor decision. I actually like Macs better. I just wondered why they are not as popular.

Answer 1

I think if you looked at the percentage of Mac users who are enthusiastic about their machines, as opposed to the percentage of Windows users who are enthusiastic about their machines, you'd see a big difference in 'popularity!' (Can ya tell I'm a Mac addict?!) :D

Anyway, the real issue goes back much farther than the other answerers suggest: Right from the start, Apple kept tighter control over its OS and hardware technology, which was not the case for the PC world. As a result, anybody & their dog was out there putting together hardware & software for Windows, with the freedom to do things their own way inside. Back then more so than now, that meant much more competition (& lower prices,) but also meant that there were lots of compatibility issues with 'tricked out' PC systems. Different peripheral vendors would do their own thing, & when you put the wrong two parts in the same machine, they would freak out the whole system. Mac users simply didn't have that problem. (Every now & then something would crop up, but not NEARLY to the extent that it did for the PC world.) Still, enough users were looking primarily at the up-front savings, and lots of people did a minimum of customization, anyway. All that allowed MS-DOS (which evolved to Windows) to build up a larger base of customers, and that momentum built on itself.

In most ways, Windows has finally (mostly) caught up with Macs in stability & usability. And, Macs aren't as much more expensive than PCs as they used to be, either. But, you won't see me giving up my Macs! :)

You are not making a poor decision! Go for it!

Answer 2

Because not a whole lot of stuff runs on OSX. Most software is designed for Windows. ~95% of the world runs some version of Windows. I don't think you are making a poor decision but be aware of the recent issues Apple has had with their hardware. I suppose it doesn't matter now because you can install and run Windows XP on the new Intel Macs using Boot Camp. So you can run both OSX and XP.

I happen to think OSX is a superior operating system but I am not willing to pay the premium for Apple hardware which is now just the same as is in every other PC on the market.

Answer 3

Macs were in fact the first PC (using PC as an abreviation for personal computer, not its modern use as an intel compatible). However, Apple made some poor descisions, and got themselves stuck with the IBM powerPC core, which, while it has it's strongpoints, is generally considered to be inferior to the intel x86 chip. Mac continued to use this core until very recently, when they realized that they can't really build anything better on it (actually-they realized they can't build a notebook G5, because the core is too hot). Now they actually use intel core duo processors in their new machines, affectionately titled 'mactels' by users.

The reason for their inferiority has been mostly hardware related since OS X, which is a better operating system than Windows (yes it is. It is based on the Unix core for stability and its GUI owns Luna, forcing Microsoft to basically copy it in Vista). With the new MacBook computers (the intel ones), Macs are now a viable option, though some seem a bit slow to get out of their anti-apple slump. I expect this all to get blown out of the water, however, when MacOS comes out for the mainstream PC (Steve Jobs I dare you to come on this site and tell us you're not going to do it. I dare you).

Answer 4

Because the general public are stupid and don't know any better.

If you ask someone who has actually spent a lot of time using macs and pcs, they will more than likely tell you to buy a mac. People who have only used a pc will tell you to buy a pc.

Answer 5

Hello, I am technical staff in TURKEY
right, because Mac user limited pieces. anyway most user are preferance simple useful operation system and windows not easy work MAC.
But MAC very strong, its an especialy graphics and multimedia job.
Example I am use very hard Linux. But I am must use windows (PC) from time to time.

Answer 6

COMPATABILITY. Software... the mac pc runs just as good or better than a PC. But there is so much more that a PC can do... I would recomend a PC, its cheap, and you will have 0 problems with software... mac on teh other hand...BLAH

Answer 7

i can't explain why windows became popular in the past,
but as a matter of fact, it's dominating as an operating system
for PCs. This fact brings both software and hardware prices
down. also, you will be less likely to meet compatibility
problems.

Answer 8

lots of reasons back in the day they used to use the PPC processor and not many people had software that was compatible with it. now they use intel but still alot of software isnt compatible with a mac. for instance lets say you wanted to play splinter cell on your mac, you wouldnt be able to because the game was designed for a windows pc. alot of people have gotten used to the pc and all their favorite programs are on the pc and alot of them aren't on the mac.

Answer 9

main reason is you could always walk into any computer store and buy a pc. macs were a lot harder to find. according to a segment on the today show on nbc i think that is about to change.

apple's used to be alot more expensive than pcs were.

Answer 10

why the maclaptop is better than the normal pc laptop?!

just look here, you will find reviews and comparisions to other pc laptops:

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