Updated 2 September 2007

With the release of the new range of Apple iMacs, it's timely to revisit the Mac versus PC debate.

As usual, Apple have released an impressive range of computers

Modern computing is about sharing data, whether it's emails, photos or CDs. Your computer must be compatible with the people you share files with. Having the same type of computer as your friends, relatives and colleagues is essential.

Few of us know everything and find we have to turn to friends and colleagues to show us how to do things. If your computer is different to everyone else's then you can't turn to them for support. Having friends and workmates who can help you is the quickest and cheapest computer support.

If you are using your computer for work, then your computer must be compatible with your industry. Even with programs that are available in both Mac and PC versions there can be subtle differences that change your work. By keeping to the same standards, there are less potential problems and its easier to find staff and consultants that know your system.

What are you used to?

Your experience is important too. If you're an experienced Mac user then you will struggle for a few weeks getting used to the Windows way of doing things. Similarly, Windows users will spend some time scratching their head on how to do things, particularly closing programs, on a Mac. Dan Warne has a good description of the differences on his website.

Overall though, the superficial differences between the systems is not as great as it was. Both systems have made great strides in being more user friendly in recent years. Even the most sheltered Mac or PC user can quickly pick up how the other system works with some patience, time and curiosity.

Price

The latest release of the iMac certainly narrows the price difference between Macs and PCs; a similarly configured brand name PC is around 15% cheaper. The cheapest PCs are nearly half the price of the cheapest Mac. The price difference isn't as simple as it appear and there are a number of factors that work in favour of the Mac.

Unlike PCs, Macs have a resale value while second hand PCs are pretty well impossible to sell. There's a thriving industry in selling even dead old Macs. This alone pretty well eliminates the 15% price difference.

Further in favour of the Mac, the total cost of ownership can be much higher on a PC. The cheaper Windows systems are not as well built as Apple Macs, so are more prone to failure. An even bigger issue is the cost of preventing and removing spyware and the other security problems that plague Windows computers.

Security

On security, the Mac wins hands down. A user on a Mac cannot damage the system files or install viruses and spyware without the root password. The typical Windows user has administrator rights which means anything they install or download can damage the entire system, and they do all too often.

The better security of a Mac has created a myth that Mac users are invulnerable to Internet problems. While it is true that Mac users don't have to worry about spyware and the ten of thousands of viruses that are the bane of Window's users, Mac users still need to be aware of phishing scams and peer-to-peer software that can blow monthly Internet allowances.

Compatibility

This is where the Mac falls down compared to Windows. A lot of programs, including those designed for old Macs, won't work on newer Apple systems. While Windows can be coaxed into running almost anything if you have the time and patience. We know of people running twenty year old software on Windows XP systems.

It is true too that there are vastly more programs available for Windows systems. Most importantly if you have teenage boys, there are a lot more computer games available for Windows than the Mac.

It is possible to run Windows on modern Apple Macs, but you need to run the Apple Boot Camp or Parallels software. Both of these options require you to have a legitimate copy of Windows and Mac software won't run on them, which adds to the cost of an Apple system.

Overall, there's some very compelling reasons for buying a Mac. But Windows is going to remain the dominant system given it's compatibility with older software and the number of people used to it. But everybody's needs are different and the Apple systems meet a lot of people's requirements.

We'd strongly recommend the Mac to households that are concerned about viruses and spyware. For businesses, you should consider very closely what your business needs are what will work best for your customers and staff. Whichever you go for, we'd suggest you visit a number of computer stores to try out the various systems before making a decision.