Supported answer, not just an opinion: what's so great about a Mac?

Question

I hear Mac users bragging about their computers all the time when compared to PCs, and I just don't see the appeal. So, really... what makes a Mac so brag-worthy? I've heard it said that they're more secure than PCs which I know for a fact is a load of bull: they get FEWER hacks, viruses, and whatnot only because they aren't as common as PCs. I'm looking at buying a new laptop/notebook in the next year or two, so I'm curious to know if anyone has a GOOD reason why I should buy a Mac over a PC.

Answer 1

***Disclaimer: I am a firm PC supporter***

Nonetheless:

Macs have several things going for them. Since the OS X kernel is based on UNIX, there is a complex hierarchy of file permissions that it as inherited that make the OS inherently more secure. UNIX and Linux were designed to be used on networks - they had network stability and network security included from day one. Windows, and the MS-DOS framework it was build from, was origionally designed for personal computers which were standalone. Networking was only added after the invention of the internet and since the way files are stored and the permissions needed to run programs are much more lax, there have been and continue to be problems with security.

What this means, is that while macs may not be invulnerable to viruses and hacks, the severity of the problems are much less. The hacker might be able to delete your mp3 collection and steal your financial documents, but he won't be able to completely crash your system or imbed files that will run clandesinely, as is frequently the case on PCs.

Next, since macs run on proprietary hardware, they do not suffer from any compatability problems that PC's sometimes do. You never have to worry about matching the right RAM with the right CPU and the right motherboard - there is only one kind you can use - mac hardware. This is a double edged sword. On one hand, the hardware is designed to work together, so it does, and there are no need to keep databases of thousands of device drivers around since they know exactly what pieces your computer will use. On the down side, the lack of any kind of competition means that the hardware is significantly more expensive than comparable PC hardware.

For me, the reason I don't like macs is twofold. First - they are little sealed boxes. You can't tinker at all. You can't tinker with the hardware, you can't tinker with the software. They claim "you never have to worry about upgrades" - guess what, upgrades are a good thing. I means you don't have to buy a whole new computer every 2 years. You take what mac gives you, like it or not. Secondly, software availability. Looking for games? forgeddaboutit! MS Office? Sure, but it's an old version so your co-workers files won't load unless they take the time to save it in a backwards-compatable format. The list goes on.

If they were the same price, I might consider a mac. However, considering the increased cost combined with the other limitations I listed, it just doesn't make sense.