So first skali aku nak tanya... berapa ramai yang menggunakan PC @ Mac?
run your own opinion survey on pollsb.com
OK Sekarang aku amek review nih kt Switched.Com. So kalau ada fakta yang anda kurang setuju, sila tinggalkan di comment box beserta link yang menyokong hujah anda ok.
Ease-of-use
Yes, the rumors are true. Macs, in general, tend to be easier to use than PCs, thanks to built-in video tutorials on new models, consistent look and feel across all applications, and the generally simpler, drag-and-drop-based actions of the Mac operating system (also known as Mac OS X, or Leopard, in its most recent iteration). That said, certain tasks, such as moving your iTunes and iPhoto libraries to an external hard drive, can be downright confusing and you can risk losing your entire music collection if you don't follow the steps just right.
Still, it sure beats the non-stop-barrage of "Error" messages and freeze-ups you get periodically on the average Windows-based machine. To be fair, Windows has become less crash-prone in recent years, but the built-in security features on the latest Vista machines result in you pretty much having to click a 'Continue" button any time you want to make a desktop move.
Lastly, the relative newness of the Windows Vista operating system means there just isn't that much online support should you run into a problem. Based on user-friendliness alone, we'd recommend a Mac over a Windows-based PC.
Media
Yes, Macs have Front Row, an onscreen TiVo-like menu feature that lets you use a remote to browse and play your videos, pictures, and music from the comfort of your couch, but it pales in comparison to what is offered by Windows Media Center (WMC). WMC is included in WIndows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate Editions and essentially lets you access all your media on a similarly user-friendly, TiVo-like onscreen menu.
But here's where the similarity ends. WMC includes access to a multitude of seamlessly integrated movie, music, and picture-sharing services, and easily syncs up with the built-in media extenders on, say, your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, networked storage device, or other PCs, so you can watch anything store on your PC on any other TV or PC in the house.
(To be fair, Macs can sync up with PlayStation 3's and certain other types of media extenders ornetworked external hard drives, but trust us, it's a lot less easy to set-up, which means pretty much your only choice for streaming your computer's content to another TV is by using Apple TV.)
Performance
Sure, you can read the endless benchmark tests that compare the boot-up speed of Windows-based PCs versus Macs, but if you've ever tried either a Mac or a PC, you'll know that Macs start-up considerably faster. This is partly due to the Mac operating system being optimized for the Mac-made hardware (versus Windows, which is designed to run with a wide variety of components and hardware from different manufacturers, resulting in time-consuming equipment checks during start-up). And within Windows itself, Windows XP tends to be faster than Windows Vista, at least according to most benchmark tests (and our own anecdotal experience).
Once up and running, however, speed, stability and multi-tasking on a computer really depend on a number of factors, from how many programs (and what type) you have running to how much RAM you have installed – a souped up gaming or desktop-replacement PC may well (on paper and most likely speed tests) outperform a top-of-the-line Mac Pro, both processing-wise and price-wise.
Hardware
As with peripherals and software, the actual hardware models you have a choice of tend to fall along typical Mac and PC lines. Apple is the only company making certified Mac computers, so you essentially have a choice between seven models: On the laptop side, there's the super-thin MacBook Air, the affordable and attractive MacBook, and the fast (and heavy) MacBook Pro line.
As far as desktops are concerned, Apple offers the cake-sized Mac Mini, the 20-to-24-inch, all-in-oneiMac, and the high-end Mac Pro. Macs look slick, but the all-in-one nature of nearly all the Mac computers other than the MacPro tower means that custom add-ons like extra memory and third-party graphics can be pricey, complicated, and ultimately somewhat limited.
On the PC front, the sky is the limit in terms of hardware, with everything from bargain basement, bulky,sub-$500 desktops and laptops to slick, 11-and-12-inch ultra portables and all-in-one showpieces designed to match your living room furniture. And rest assured, there are still plenty of ugly, generic desktop tower models to customize to your heart's delight.
Mac used to be the clear winner in terms of keyboard comfort and overall slick design, but PCs have caught up on the design and innovation front in recent years. Overall, we'd have to give overall props to the PC front in terms of hardware, if only because of the sheer variety of price range, designs, sizes, and the inclusion of built-in bleeding-edge technologies such as mobile broadband and high-def Blu-raydisc playback, for example.
One thing to consider, however, is that build-quality can vary widely depending on the PC manufacturer, whereas Macs all come from Apple, which means the quality control is more consistent throughout the line (if you don't believe us, just feel how solid the metallic MacBook Pro feels versus a similarly high-end PC laptop.
Accessories
Though the majority of basic peripherals like keyboards, speaker systems, monitors, and mice are universal and work with both Macs and PCs, plenty of newfangled doodads – MP3 players, USB gadgets, storage drives, media extenders, and more – only work for Windows-based PCs. So, if you're someone who wants to try out the latest hardware extras for your computer, you may want to go with a PC. If the tried and true basics like keyboards, iPods, and mice are all you're planning on plugging into your computer, then you'll be okay with either system (after all, less can often be more, particularly with tangly, wired computer accessories). So which is 'better?' In this case, we'd have to choose PCs, because they simply work with more stuff!
Software
The variety of software programs – everything from downloadable productivity programs and Web appsto online services, Blu-ray playback software and the latest computer games – is much greater for the PC. Still, for every ten newfangled Web browsers or peer-to-peer file sharing programs that come out for the PC, there's just one innovative, versatile, and stable program for the Mac works just fine for those who want less clutter in their desktop lives.
In other words, there's something to be said for having a simple choice of extra programs to choose from and download for the Mac, whereas you can spend a lifetime downloading every single newfangled, not-necessarily-ready-for-prime-time app for the PC, thus cluttering up your computer.
Still, we'd just love it if we could watch, for example, more of our favorite TV shows in HD for free online (still something that's more easily done on a PC), or listen to unlimited music for a low monthly subscription price (as you can with the PC-only Napster, Rhapsody, etc). This one's a tough call -- if it's simplicity and ease-of-use you're after, you'll be plenty satisfied with the software available for a Mac. If you want to try the latest applications or services online or otherwise, you have no choice but to get a PC.
Security
Though Mac fanatics will tell you otherwise, the only thing keeping the Mac virus-free beyond a slightly more closed operating system is security-through-obscurity. In other words, hackers haven't targeted Macs because there just weren't that many of them compared to PCs. Apple/Mac still only has 3.5% of the worldwide computer market (with the rest mostly going to Windows-based PCs), so, presumably, there wasn't that much notoriety for hackers to go after Macs.
Recent reports, however, have suggested that this trend is reversing. After all, popularity breeds contempt, and Macs (and iPods and iPhones) have certainly become the belles of the ball over the past five years. That said, PCs still bear the brunt of the world's computer viruses, so you may want to consider getting a Mac if you plan on using it for the whole e-mail-attachment-opening-family.
Gaming
We touched on this one briefly in the previous slide, but in terms of gaming, the PC is the clear winner. Every major gaming hit, from the 'Unreal Tournament' and 'Quake' series to 'Age of Empires' and 'Command and Conquer,' comes out for the PC first. And most PC games never come out for the Mac at all. Still, it's not all bad if you're a Mac owner – companies such as Aspyr and EA are actively putting out Mac versions of such hits as 'Call of Duty' and 'Homeworld 2,' and almost all Web-based Flash games are cross-platform, so they'll work on both Macs and PCs. Also, onscreen action and graphics tend to be a lot more detailed and smooth on a PC, especially when you install a high-performance graphics card!
Cost
Though they've come down in price in recent years, Macs have always been more expensive – and, as a whole, they continue to be. You can get Windows-based PC desktops and netbooks for as little as $300 (and PC laptops for as little as $450), but the least expensive Mac Mini will run you $599 and the least expensive iMac is $1199. The entry-level MacBook laptop costs $999 and the entry-level MacBook Pro is $1199.
It's safe to say that in the premium ultraportable category, Macs are actually a bit more affordable -- the MacBook Air starts at $1499, which is a few Benjamins less than the similarly petite and powerfulLenovo x301 that starts at about $1,785. Though many affordable peripherals for PCs will now work with Macs as well, many Mac-specific, Mac-made extras – whether it's an Ethernet or power adapter for your MacBook Air or the Mac-made wireless Bluetooth keyboard and mouse – still cost a small premium.
Battery life
Battery life is a non-issue for desktops, but a huge issue for the portable laptop. The top reported battery life for the recently refreshed MacBooks and MacBook Pro models is five to seven hours. Contrast this with some of the newer PC laptops that get around 7-9 hours on a single charge (or Dell's freakish dual-battery Latitudes that get up to 19 hours!) and you've got a clear winner on the PC side.
Of course, battery life really depends on what exactly you're doing with your laptop: Running wireless, watching DVDs, and playing games can use up a lot of juice, but both systems offer easily changeable energy profiles that allow you to customize your computer's demands on the battery, depending on whether you're traveling and unplugged or at home at your desk.
Customer Support/Warranties
This really depends on the manufacturer, but the main PC companies – Dell, HP, Acer, Sony, and others – offer one-year service and parts warranties, which also includes telephone support. Apple's warranty is also for one year, but telephone support stops after 90 days, so unless you want to shell out $149-$349 (depending on your model) for the AppleCare Protection Plan extended warranty (which includes phone support for up to three years), you're on your own should anything happen to your computer and you want to get help from the comfort of your own home.
We recommend shelling out for the extended warranties for either Mac or PC as wading through Apple and pretty much every PC manufacturer's support Web sites can be confusing and time consuming, so you'll want access to telephone help at the very least. And ultimately, both PCs and Macs can go haywire in as little as three months, meaning you'll want the manufacturer taking care of any hardware or software issues with minimal complaining and persuading from you.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, it really depends on what kind of user you are. The truth is, for most of your basic computer needs -- e-mailing, word processing, photo editing and sharing, and music management -- either a Mac or a Windows-based PC will do the trick.
But beyond basic needs, the paths diverge: If you're a gamer, a movie and TV hound, a techie, or an early-adopter, you should probably consider a PC, since it's going to offer you the biggest number and variety of new apps, hardware accessories, and streaming or downloadable video in SD or HD. Business users may also want a PC since Windows is still the operating system of choice in most offices (though Mac is catching up), so a Windows-based PC is likely to integrate more easily with your workplace. And if price is an issue, you will get more bang for your buck with a Windows-based PC (let's just hope all those extra features you get with your PC actually work!).
Of course, having access to a multitude of programs isn't always a good thing, particularly if a sizable chunk of those programs don't always work or are glitch-prone. Simplicity, consistency, security, and good design count for a lot in the computer realm, which, let's face it, isn't a piece of cake for all of us. If you're new to computing, want minimal hassle, and just need to get to work right away without having to wait two minutes or more for your PC to boot-up, then a Mac is for you (so what if you have to wait a few weeks or month to play 'Unreal Tournament' 4!).
Macs also remain the computers of choice for creative types in the music, film, and design fields, which is something to consider if you're planning on using your computer for film editing work, Web site design, or just want to make a demo tape of your band.
Let's not forget how cool Macs look and feel, too -- everything from the elegant look of the desktop and the innovative designs to the satisfying click the keyboard makes when you type on it makes the Mac a pleasant experience for just about anyone. And they're well-built across the board (they all come from the same manufacturer, after all), compared to many PCs, which vary widely in terms of basic build quality. Yes, they may cost a bit more, but in our experience, Macs tend to run smoothly a lot longer than the average PC, which can be filled up with a glut of performance-slowing software in just a few weeks.
In a lot of ways, not much has changed over the past twenty or so years between Mac and Windows. Macs remain the easier-to-use and better-designed option for fun and creative folks who are willing to fork out a bit more, while Windows-based PCs offer a wider world of compatibility and products at a better-bang-for-your-buck price.
[Update: One important thing we forgot to mention, unlike Windows-based PCs, Macs can also run Windows using a program called Parallels Desktop or Bootcamp, which means that -- theoretically, at least -- you get the best of both worlds with a Mac. Of course, running Windows and Mac operating systems on the same computer simultaneously will slow down your computer and eat up resources, but it's not a bad compromise if you just need to run Windows for that essential Windows-only work app.)
Ha.... kn aku dah ckp.... yg ni pulak dari website Official INTEL
Variety of Third-Party Applications
If you don't like what you see in your bundled applications, you can find replacements in third-party programs. The variety of third-party applications that run under Windows is exponentially larger than that for Macs—especially for games.For every Windows application, there's usually a Mac version as well, whether it's an e-mail program, word processor, spreadsheet package, photo editor, or inventory software. In addition, the Mac has long run Microsoft's ubiquitous Office applications, including Word and Excel.
On top of that, the long-term trend in computing is toward "cloud computing," where you access applications over the Internet rather than on your computer. In other words, both the software and your own information reside at the hosting company's Web site. A big advantage of cloud computing is that you can access your information and do your work from any computer—Mac or PC.
In fact, you've probably seen this in action with e-mail programs without even knowing it. When you use a Gmail or Yahoo! Mail account, you're computing in the cloud.
This remote-application trend will grow. Google, for example, now offers Google Apps, a suite of programs with Web-based word processing, spreadsheet analysis, calendaring, photo-organizing, and e-mail capability.
Ok.. ni jer hujah aku.. kalau ade yang salah betol2 kan.. aku x amek hati pon.. :P
Let's not forget how cool Macs look and feel, too -- everything from the elegant look of the desktop and the innovative designs to the satisfying click the keyboard makes when you type on it makes the Mac a pleasant experience for just about anyone. And they're well-built across the board (they all come from the same manufacturer, after all), compared to many PCs, which vary widely in terms of basic build quality. Yes, they may cost a bit more, but in our experience, Macs tend to run smoothly a lot longer than the average PC, which can be filled up with a glut of performance-slowing software in just a few weeks.
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