If you are in the market for a new computer but can not decide between MAC or PC based system this short guide is definitively for you.  Here you will find out the major advantages and disadvantages of either system, and hopefully this should help you in making the right decision.

About MACs

PROS
* Most of the people who own them love them.  They have a very simple design and look extremely nice!  Their laptops are very light (especially the AIR model) and the battery life is great.
* MACs are known as the "GRAPHIC designers and PHOTO editing wonders."  If you are a semi-pro and need the absolute best for your job, this is definitively a way to go.  But, for everyday user the likelihood of you using Photoshop, Adobe After Effect, or Premier are slim to none.
* Less viruses = faster, more secured computer.  About 95% of today's viruses target PC based computers.  Hackers will not spend much of their time to design new viruses for MACs (they have to be written in a different programming language), since the probability of someone owning a MAC based on general population is small.  Therefore, in most of the experts opinion PCs are a lot more prone to infection and identity theft (when comparing PC and MAC that has the same antivirus software installed on it).

CONS
* The price is definitively one of them.  In general MAC with the same parameters as the PC will cost you on average 40% more.
* Software limitations.  If you go into a store or even browse eBay, you will notice that many software manufacturers make their product to be compatible with PC / Windows based computers.  What this means is that a program that is designed to run on Windows will NOT install on MAC!
There is a fairly large chance that you are used to one or two favorite pieces of software, that you love using on daily basis - check if the manufacturer has a MAC compatible version before switching over from PC to Macintosh.
* "Takes time getting used to." If you have never used a Macintosh system, you might want to try it out at one of your friends house or a computer store before committing $1000 to a new system.  When switching over from Windows based computer to Macintosh there is a big difference.  It is like getting a new job, where everything is new, and will take you some time to get used to.
* High repair cost and parts.  If your computer breaks, you drop it and the LCD cracks or any other serious damage occurs that stops the computer from functioning - you will have to pay a full price to get it repaired.  The local repair shop down the street probably does not offer MAC service, and if you have to get your computer fixed you will have to send it to authorized service center - trust me the bill will not be cheap!

About PCs

PROS
* Variety, variety and variety!  The choices are almost limitless, and there are new companies popping up on the market ever day.  In opposed to MACs which are made only by one individual firm (Macintosh), there is tons of PC manufacturers out there.  The new laptops from DELL, SONY, Toshiba, HP or Compaq are catching up fast with style and the looks to its MAC competitors. 
* No software limitations.  Head over to your local Best Buy, Office Max, or Office Depot and look through the shelves for whatever software you might be interested in: word processing, photo editing, music, antivirus, or games.  You will notice that most programs are Windows PC compatible and will run with any Windows XP, or Vista based computer.
* Inexpensive.  If you are looking to buy a basic system that will allow you to browse the internet wirelessly, edit your work documents, listen to music, watch DVDs, or burn your own CDs desktop or laptop PCs definitively win the contest in regards to the price!  Just by looking at the offers that come up on eBay you can find a brand new system for under $350 easily.  Try looking up the price on a new MAC...
* Abundance of parts and repair services.  If your computer fails, it is fairly easy to find a local computer shop that will take care of the problem (or visit eBay and look for PC repair software such as mine).  Also, parts such as screens, keyboards, and motherboards can be easily found on eBay, and with a little assistance you will be able to fix your own laptop or desktop computer right at home.

CONS

* System stability.  Although Windows operating system has undergone some major changes since its introduction back in 1995, the new versions such as XP and Vista still have their problems.  More often then with MAC you will experience freezing up, and other problems that for some reason seem to have disappeared from Macintosh based computers. 
* Viruses and Spyware.  Since most of today's computer users, including big businesses and regular home owners use Windows based computers - the amount of possible infections and attacks targeting these system is also large.  Of course, with a proper protection from a good antivirus software and a firewall, you computer will be safe and sound from majority of the online threats.

To summarize this guide, MAC computers are great for professional photographers, graphic artists and those who do not mind spending extra $$$ on the software and possible repairs.  Their laptops are slim, portable and very light.  Since this is the proprietary product of the Macintosh company (same with iPOD), you have to expect a steeper price tag for these systems in comparison to regular PC / Windows based computer with the same parameters (DELL, SONY, HP, Compaq, IBM or Toshiba).  The possibility of your MAC getting infected with a virus is significantly less then that of a PC computer.  Also, please remember that if you have used PC through your school career and at work, and now are thinking of changing your home computer system to MAC base, get ready to purchase some books are read about the MAC OSX operating system, since it is vastly different that what you have grown used to.

I hope that this little review helped you in making up your mind and  choosing the computer that is right for you and will suite your needs.

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Thank you
Total Solution Team - your online PC repair shop