1. Impratical Hardware Upgrade: Its true that PC's theoretically allow you to upgrade components to extend the life of your computer, but in reality, this turns out to be a possible yet impractical thing to do. This is due to the fact that by the time your computer begins to become long in tooth, PC component technology will have continued to march forward by leaps and bounds, requiring you to do wholesale replacement of virtually all components at the same time.
For example, if you wanted to upgrade the graphics card in your existing machine, you may find that your motherboard may not accept or support the newest interface currently available. This will necessitate you having to replace the motherboard, and consequently, you'll find your existing processor socket may no longer fit, nor the on-board memory. So in essence the upgrade-ability of a PC really results in you basically buying completely new computer innards, which really isn't much different than going to an Apple Store and buying a whole new computer.
2. Technical Support: Ever try having a PC problem repaired? I've never seen people point fingers across the aisle so quickly. One of the virtues of being a vertically integrated company like Apple is that the buck stops with them. Bring in your computer and they will get it fixed, no long calls to Indian call centre's, and no chasing a rabbits tail trying to find a responsible party.
4. User Interface: Apple makes it a priority to refine the user experience, both the design of its software and hardware. Without getting into too much detail, Apple lowers the barriers between the user and the machine, so that you think less, if at all, about how to engage the machine, and more about what it is you want to get accomplished using it. Things like the Magic Mouse and Trackpad, IPS screens, the use of gestures, and minimizing wires and wire management make an Apple computer on top of my desk a more pleasant, more natural, and less disruptive experience.
5. Fan noise: This may sound silly, but fan noise is something Apple takes great pains to minimize, while there are very few PC manufacturers that give this aspect of design the consideration I think it deserves.
6. Instant On/Off: Apple has this done right, and its reliable and predictable. Every time I close the lid on my PC laptop, its a crap-shoot how long, (if ever), that it will power up from sleep or hibernation.
7. Maintenance Upkeep: During the past 4 years, We've had to reinstall Windows on my PC laptop on average once a year, for performance or reliability reasons. We have not yet reinstalled the OS on Mac mini nor iMac to date.
8. USEABLE Programs: Although its tempting to consider the sheer number of programs available to PC's vs. Macs, we've discovered that for the things we do with a computer (which I would characterize as what the general public uses computers for), there is a Mac program available. When we purchased our first Mac, we were very concerned about this and bought Parallels, in the expectation that we would be needing to use PC programs. Truth is,we never found a need to use it.
9. Resale Value: You'll love the hardware and get paid back when you sell too.
This should be obvious. If you like the hardware and you want to run Windows, buy an Apple computer and run Windows on it. Apple's MacBook Airs fall at a comparable price point with other ultrabooks, and many still prefer Apple's option over the standard PC competition. If it doesn't cost you more (or much more), you really have nothing to lose. Remember, you can find cheaper Macs by getting a refurbished machine from Apple's official store or grabbing a new one from an online retailer like Amazon for a discounted price.
Moreover, the quality and design of a Mac program, compared to its equivalent PC version tends to be superior in look, feel, and use. It makes more of a difference to me that the 10-20 programs I do use are really great, rather than the fact I can potentially use 1000's of programs. Games is an area where PC has more options, but then again, the games I play (mostly Blizzard) have Mac ports, so this isn't an issue for me.
That all being said, I think Windows 7 works well enough, and I think there is value in knowing how to use both a PC and Mac, so long as I have an IT department behind me willing to put up with the problems that come from owning a PC, that I choose not to spend time on trying to figure out.
The above article is based on personal experience and maybe biased. Any comments and suggestions appreciated and only in comment box please.
