Why a mac is better than a PC
Out of context: Reply #41
- Started
- Last post
- 57 Responses
- abstrakt0
A lot of good points have been brought up for the PC side, but NOTHING justifying the buying of Macs for this school.
First question, why in the HELL would you want to put up a poster saying how a more expensive computer is better than a less expensive machine that can do the EXACT same thing just as, if not more, efficiently? Yeah, that's teaching these kids a great lesson! They should also all buy a Ford Mustang for their first car instead of a Honda Civic, right? Maybe put up that poster too. And FYI, Mustangs look somewhat good but they're clunky and fall apart. Hmm, I think we can draw an analogy from that one. (Mac notebooks chipping paint, keyboard scratching the screens, and not turning on for example?)
If these 1,000 computers were for a video editing lab or some computer arts-related class, I'd say Macs would benefit the students. But how about the fact that only a very small percentage of these students will actually be using a Mac computer in the professional world? In my opinion, forcing students to use Macintosh computers in schools is hurting them. Lets say a student decides to apply for a receptionist position for her first job, but the data management software is all PC-based. Her resume will be looked over and a person with PC knowledge will be chosen. Now, if in highschool and college she learns the latest video editing software and goes to work as an animator or editor, then I'd say her highschool experience using a Mac benefited her a great deal. But lets be realistic. How many people will there be like her out of a crowd of 1,000? How many of them will go into computer arts? How many will decide to go into accounting, legal, healthcare, automotive, financial, real estate, law enforcement, food, science, etc. etc. I'm just trying to make my point that computer arts is not the only field of work out there for students, and that is one of the only fields that mainly uses Macintosh. Also keep in mind that many of the large animation studios have converted to Linux.
One good point brought up was that PCs get viruses more than Macs. Almost all viruses that are infecting computers these days are spread through e-mail; Microsoft Outlook to be more specific. If you don't use Outlook, you'll avoid most, if not all, viruses currently being spread. Anti-virus software should take care of the others. Personally, I use Windows XP, I have no firewall, I haven't had anti-virus software for at least 4 months, I use Microsoft Outlook, and I download shareware. I've received over 150 of the MyDoom viruses in my e-mail, as well as other viruses. If you're a knowledgeable PC user you won't get viruses, but every now and then I'll run a free online virus scanner just to give me peace of mind. And don't forget that Macs get viruses as well. I once read in an article that a huge security issue with Macintosh is its users thinking they're too secure.
I'm not going to get into stability, because that's really not the issue here. But lets just say that I'm a skilled Windows PC user and my computer doesn't crash. The skilled Mac users at work have computers that crash.
Honestly, the problem with our schools is that people like you are acting as consultants. Do you think of the students when you push for Macintosh computers? Do you honestly think Macs will benefit them when they're out of highschool? Think of their computer as a text book. You don't try to give all students a specialized education (3% Mac), you give them a general education (97% PC). Why not do just that? Buy 97% PCs, and 3% Macs? Teach the students largely on the cost-effective PCs, but give them Mac knowledge as well.