The little blue icons selected on the bottom of the computer screen can navigate users just about anywhere. With ever-growing technology around the world, Microsoft has seemed to have extensive competition.
Apple products, also known as Mac or iMac, just might have knocked Microsoft off of their feet.
Who is to say that, though? Without any “scientific” proof, it seems to be that decisions to be made between Microsoft and Apple users are simply just preference.
From information gathered, it has given the impression that several Keene State College computer users are leaning toward the fruit side of the spectrum.
Not to state that Microsoft Windows is incompetent as opposed to Apple (or any brand), but it appears as if, for computer science professor Matthew Onyon, Microsoft just might make a ‘better door than a window.’
Onyon received a Macbook Pro from the computer science department about two years ago. Formerly using Microsoft Windows, Onyon said he doesn’t see himself ever going back.
“PC was riddled with errors,” the computer science expert said, “I think most every Windows user gets a pop-up with an error, has to close the program or restart the device in it’s entirety.”
Onyon said at first, he and fellow Microsoft users had no preference competition when it came to choosing computers and operating systems.
“We didn’t mind because it was all we used, the computer science lab was exclusively Windows,” he said. Two years into his Macbook, “It hasn’t made a single error.”
Keene resident Ryan Casna said that he chooses to use strictly Apple products.
Taylor Cronquist / Equinox Staff
“Apple’s interface is easier to use,” Casna said, “[there’s] no worries about breaking it down or being affected.”
Senior at KSC Angus Fisher said he had a Macbook for 3 years while simultaneously going back and forth between that and a Windows desktop computer.
Fisher said his Macbook OSX has a “very sleek interface” and finding things in that device is very simple. However, he also said that Apple is very expensive and its attempt to trump Windows can “inhibit its performance.”
However, the student also mentioned that when it comes to creating programs, Windows is very standard and easy to follow.
Onyon said a downfall to Apple products is that it’s not as cheap as picking a plump apple off of a tree.
“They’re very pricey,” he said, “They’re about two times the cost of a Windows PC.”
Casna seemed to agree, but said that he thinks “both platforms are strong, but the truth is that Apple is more affordable than Windows counterpart since it takes little to no repair.”
On the other hand, while the device itself may have sky-high prices, Apple software is much less costly than Microsoft.
For example, Onyon said that the program “X Code,” which is used to create iPhone applications, is only six dollars for students. The Microsoft equivalent, Microsoft Digital Studio, is just about $500 on Amazon.
Again, not to hyper-commercialize Apple products and bash Microsoft products, but Onyon also said he liked the simplicity and durability of his Macbook Pro.
The professor said that there are no limitations to either platform, but his aluminum Macbook versus his plastic Toshiba Microsoft laptop “would more than likely live through it if I ran it over with my truck.”
Not to say, “go out and try it,” but he mentioned that in addition to physicality, the quad core processors in Macbooks are the fastest processors in any laptop. The RAM (random access memory) chip in a Macbook is 4 gigabytes, while Microsoft tends to install 2GB RAM chips.
“More RAM equals faster and better,” Onyon said. However, back to the truck reference, Onyon said that the two product companies are similar to how trucks are constructed. Sure, some people prefer one over the other, but, “the components are built the same way,” he explained.
“The processor is like an engine in a car, the Mac and PC have identical components but it’s how they’re put together that changes it.”
In a review about the 13-inch Macbook Pro with Retina display from appleinsider.com, author Neil Hughes states that the laptop is $1,699 with 8 GB of RAM. In a review from laptopmag.com (Laptop Magazine), the article states that the Dell Inspiron 14R (a Windows computer) is bulky, but has “excellent battery life, runs cool; aluminum lid and deck.”
Clearly, Dell has moved from plastic lids and decks to aluminum—just like Apple. Onyon mentioned that the aluminum composition allows the laptop to stay cool and that his Macbook Pro has never once over-heated. He doesn’t turn it off, he just puts it to sleep. However, the Inspiron does have a plastic bottom.
Although the Dell Inspiron 14R has half the amount of RAM as the Macbook Pro, there is a 14-inch touch screen and the price is also half of that of the Macbook Pro.
Weighing in at $649, those who are on a budget just may sway toward the Inspiron—something Apple doesn’t have power over.
Onyon continued to state, “Macs are made for artisans, I’ve heard people refer to Apple products as ‘warm and fuzzy’ as opposed to Microsoft.”
The intricate graphics with simplistic actions, according to Onyon and Fisher, create ease for graphic designers.
When creating programs, “it’s very graphic,” he said. “You drag what items you want where you want and it generates the code for you, as opposed to typing in exactly what you want,” Fisher said.
Fisher also mentioned that on the contrary, “the cool features bog down the speed and efficiency of performance.”
Fisher, being a computer science major, said that although there are many pros to the Mac operating system as compared to Microsoft Windows operating system, he prefers Windows.
“The programming compatibility and available resources are second to none,” he said.
While there were no definite facts to determine which product is “better,” the two companies continue to increase intricacy and technological advancements.
So, bring it on. It seems both Apple and Microsoft can only move forward from here.
Rebecca Farr can be contacted at rfarr@keene-equinox.com