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2.1 Which Hardware Is Right for You?

Jason considered his budget, recalled the brands he had researched, and further narrowed
down his selections to a couple of choices. He ended up going with the less expensive option, A Closer Look: Mac Versus PC
even though it didn’t have as many features. He decided he could use the money he saved to
buy some accessories like a laptop travel case, a pair of headphones, a computer lap desk, and You have surely heard about the Mac versus PC debate. You may even already have an
a better mouse. He knew he would be spending a great deal of time at the computer for his opinion on which is better. Mac refers to Macintosh, a popular Apple computer, and PC
course work, so his personal comfort would be important. stands for “personal computer,” a generic term used for other manufacturers’ comput-
ers. Although Apple computers do qualify as personal computers, PC generally refers to
When you shop for a computer, however, be careful not to be persuaded to buy more than you computers that run the Microsoft Windows platform. Your computer platform or oper-
need. New technology is continually being introduced, and it is easy to get carried away with ating system affects your entire digital experience. In essence, it defines your relation-
exciting and innovative new computer features. Make sure the salesperson does not oversell ship with your computer. This may explain why users feel so passionately about it.
you on a model that does not match your usage or your budget. For example, unless you
intend to use the device for purposes other than school, you will not need a high-performance One of the fundamental differences between Macs and PCs is that Apple manufactures
computer that a game developer or graphic designer would use. all its devices (iPhones, iPods, iPads, MacBooks). It also manufactures and updates the
operating system (for example, OS X) installed on its computers. What’s more, all of
Let’s consider the various choices you will have to make to determine the computer that will its software applications and mobile apps are designed specifically for Apple products.
work best for you. As you read this information, consider three basic questions: Therefore, when you use an Apple product, you have a complete Apple experience. If
you have more than one Apple device, such as a Mac computer and an iPhone, the Apple
1. Will you do most of your course work at home or on the go? devices will be compatible, and you can easily switch from one to the other.
2. What accessories will you need? Don’t forget to factor the price of those accessories
into your purchase. The setup is quite different on PCs. Although they may run the Windows operating sys-
3. Other than course work, what other tasks or activities will you perform for which you tem, many different companies manufacture PC computers and many of their software
will need additional features? applications. As a result, a variety of hardware and software options are available across
a wide price range, giving users the flexibility to customize their experience relatively
inexpensively.
Select a Platform: Apple OS X or Microsoft Windows
The choice of whether to use a Mac or a PC is not always obvious. Either one is appropri-
The first decision you will likely make when purchasing a computer is whether you want a
ate for completing your Ashford University degree; it is entirely up to you. Before you
device that operates on a Microsoft Windows or Apple OS X platform. Your Ashford Univer-
make a purchase, ask your friends or family members to show you some of the features
sity Technology Requirements specify that you must use a computer with one of these two
on their computers. You can also get a sense of the look and feel of the Apple and Win-
operating systems. The platform, or operating system, runs all the programs and applica-
dows experience by checking out in-store demos. The following video should also give
tions on your device. Desktop computers or laptops with the Windows platform are generally
you a better sense of how the Mac and PC platforms differ:
more affordable than those with the OS X platform; they start at under $400, and they offer
more software choices. Some people, however, find Mac computers (which have the OS X plat-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy2r-Ur12tw
form) particularly easy to use and like the convenience of purchasing all their software from
Apple computer’s Mac App Store. Apple’s desktop and laptop computers are more expensive, Reflection Questions
though, and start at about $900.
1. According to the video, which platform might be a better fit for people who want a
You can get a sense of the Apple OS X and Microsoft Windows platforms by taking the tours powerful computer that allows them to optimize their hardware?
at the following websites. 2. Which platform does the narrator suggest for users who are looking for a one-stop
solution for their computer purchase?
• Apple Mac overview: http://www.apple.com. Click on the search icon (the 3. What are your thoughts so far? Have you taken a side in the Mac versus PC debate?
®
magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner), type “iMac OS X” and hit
enter. Click “Mac – Apple.”
• Windows 10: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/features

Take a look at A Closer Look: Mac Versus PC to learn more about the difference between Macs
and PCs.

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