So Microsoft (the afore mentioned “Evil Empire”) has upped the ante in the marketing department. After so many missteps (they couldn’t even make Jerry Seinfeld funny), Microsoft has hit the mark and evoked an emotion in me I didn’t think was possible. I might be able to see myself using my own money to buy a PC at some point in my life.

Their current ad campaign documenting the consumer’s search for the perfect laptop is brilliant. Whether it’s true or biased or contrived is not the point. Strictly speaking about the beauty of their messaging, I appreciate this campaign for what it is.

Talking directly to the concerns of the “creative” user, their most current ad ends with the declaration, “I’m a PC and an artist.” That’s a sentiment I’ve always been conditioned against as a graphic designer. Although I use both platforms in my work, my college classrooms were lined with G4s and my professors were self-proclaimed Mac disciples and therefore the message was loud and clear. The industry standard, for artists, is Mac.

Now, as I discussed in Part 1 of my series, my current Mac is less expensive, if not exactly the same price, as a comparable PC. But, say I move on to another field, and only continue to dabble in the “creative,” would I be willing to fork over $2800 for a laptop that wasn’t going to produce billable work? No way! Especially if I could get a PC that can do “creative” things for under $2000 while still being as cool as the funky hipsters portrayed in the PC commercials. If someone was waiting in the parking lot to hand me cash for my purchase, even better!

So the conclusion is: I love my Mac and I always will. Yet Microsoft’s newest campaign has evoked a feeling in me that maybe, just maybe, I could be just as satisfied with a PC. Although I’m not convinced, nor have I crossed over to “the dark side,” the marketing professional in me cannot deny Microsoft the recognition of a job well done. At least they’re striking back.

Gillian Kenny

Mac v. PC, which is better? This is a question that has raged for the last 20 years. PC disciple’s mock Mac users, Apple lashes out with sleek multi-million dollar commercials depicting the PC as an antiquated, out-of-touch, nearly inoperable computer reserved for back office techies with pocket protectors and tape on their glasses. Effective? Yes, but true? That’s debatable.

Is the PC now so simple that a 4 year old can use it? That’s debatable too!

I declare a truce. Neither is wrong, they’re just different. So, I can’t really say which is better. All I can do is chronicle my own experience over the next few months with my new 17″  MacBook Pro and you can decide for yourself. I should declare that I have owned and used both PCs and Macs. The MacBook Pro is replacing a Dell Inspiron laptop that I have been happily using for graphic design for the past 3 years. I’ll try to be impartial, but I must admit I have rejoined the Mac fold. 

MacBook Pro

Today, let’s talk price. 

The biggest drawback for most potential Mac buyers is price, especially this year! PC manufacturers exploit this fact, but, is it really true that PC’s are always cheaper? Nope. 

This is nothing more than an urban legend. It is true that you can get a cheaper PC, but that doesn’t mean that a comparable PC is cheaper. You can get a car that is cheaper than a Mercedes, but a car that compares to a Mercedes is not cheaper. 

The reason Macs are more expensive is that they are the Mercedes of computers, meaning they already have all of the premium components built in such as a separate graphics processor, gobs of memory, built-in video cameras, bigger hard drives and combo, DVD/DVD Burner / CD+RW super drives already built in. It has everything except leather. 

You simply can’t reason “Well, the MacBook Pro costs $2500, but I can get a Dell laptop for $600.” The specs are completely different. If all you need is a $600 computer, than by all means buy a PC, but, it you need a computer that does what a Mac does, then here comes the reality check. 

My 17″ MacBook Pro retailed for $2500 ( I found it on sale for $2100.)

Now, as soon as you finish choking on your bagel, I’m sure you’ll say “Dude, you can get a Dell for $600.” True. But is the Dell comparable? 

To test this, I listed out all of the individual standard issue components of the MacBook Pro; hard drive, processor speed, memory, graphics card, camera, USB ports, everything you can think of; that I would need in a PC laptop intended for graphic design, movie editing, etc. I chose a middle of the road Dell laptop as a starting point, at around $899. I then proceeded to upgrade the Dell’s components to match the standard issue components of the MacBook Pro. When I was done the total price for my Dell Laptop was $2800. You’re choking on your bagel again aren’t you? $2800! Oh ya, plus shipping, because I can’t drive to my local Dell store and pick it up. 

The Dell and the MacBook were evenly matched, but the PC was more expensive. Granted, there will always be exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking a comparable PC and Mac will cost the same and sometimes the PC will cost more.

However, as we all know, it always costs more to run a computer. Anyone who tried to upgrade their 3 or 4 year old PC to run Windows Vista knows what I’m talking about—it costs more money. You had to either upgrade existing components, such as memory, or you just gave up and bought a new $600 PC.

In the “cheaper in the long run” category, the Mac clearly wins out.

Currently, the latest Apple Operating System is Leopard 10.5. The oldest Macs that can run Leopard 10.5 have just celebrated their eighth birthday. Compare this to PC’s that can run Windows Vista. Most of those PC’s are 2 years old or newer. PC’s older than those either required a complete overhaul or are now in a scrap metal heap somewhere in New Jersey. My original Mac G4 Tower that I bought in 2001 can today efficiently run Leopard 10.5 without any upgrade to its original components, although I would probably throw in some memory for good measure.

Macs are often criticized for being overpriced, but when you spread the cost over their respective working lives, the Mac comes out cheaper than a PC. That may seem like a bold statement, but that’s the truth that PC’s manufacturers don’t want you to know.

Next month we’ll open up the MacBook Pro and see how it compares to the PC out of the box.

Gillian Kenny