1. Nicole Barry COMP 1631 Winter 2011

2. The Debate  For the past couple of decades, there has been a great debate and comparison between personal computers: Macintosh computers versus all other brands of personal computers.  Apple has set itself apart from all other computers creating a distinct design and even their own operating system.  Here, I will compare the two.

3. Basics of the Comparison  The biggest differences between Mac and PC can be seen in the way that the hardware is packaged as well as the manner the software is implemented.  PC’s offer a much wider range of things that can be done with the system– a wider range of components, peripherals, and applications can be used with the system.  Although Mac’s do not offer as much variety, as they are a single company, their system and their software are integrated nicely, making it very convenient to use both.

4. Comparing Piece by Piece ComponentMacPC Operating SystemEasy for the userSimple, though not as good as Mac Exterior DesignUnrivaledInconsistent Core HardwareLimitedMany options Integrated AccessoriesAlwaysSometimes http://www.intel.com/learn/practical-advice/before-you-buy/evaluate/pc-vs- mac

5. The Brands  Amazingly, Apple is up against many brands of PC computers. They are quite distinct from the other main companies that produce personal computers.  The most popular brands of manufacturers of PC’s are HP, Dell, Acer, Gateway, Packard bell, Compag, Velocity Micro, Sony, IBM, and Intel. A HP desktop computer An iMac Macintosh Desktop

6. The Hardware: Processor  Mac and PC both run on Intel processors.  The fastest processors, the most memory, the best graphics cards, and the most data storage are in the high- end Mac computers.  PC’s have more variety in what their processor can accomplish.

7. Hardware: The Mac Advantage  Mac has more integrated equipment, including Bluetooth capabilities, webcams, microphones, wireless networking, and all of Apple’s software works without flaw.  Plug and play capabilities– no input from the user is needed when any peripheral or network is connected or plugged in to the Mac, it is automatic.  Other admirable features: a built-in ambient light sensor for keypad and monitor, magnetic power cord for safety purposes, sleeker design, long-lasting (eight hour) battery on laptops, built-in space for memory cards and hard drives for simple back-up.

8. Mac Operating System  Apple created its own operating system, and has set itself apart from any PC operating system.  Mac OS has been the primary operating system of Apple since 1984, with its latest version called Mac OS X. It is a graphical user interface operating system.  Mac OS X has been the operating system placed in all Macintosh computers since 2002. It is a Unix-based operating system. Mac OS X

9. History of Macintosh Operating Systems  The early systems included a System and a Finder– two pieces of software.  The first to include the Mac OS brand was System 7.5.2.  Large parts of the system were stored in ROM in the Motherboard until the creation of PowerPC G-3 systems.  Apple introduced its first Unix- based operating system in 1988.  In 1996, the company Linux was ported to the PowerPC platform.  In 2005, Mac’s switched to the Intel processors. One of the first Macintosh computers

10. Apple Operating Systems  A complete list of all the operating systems of Apple, over the years (most recent at the beginning) and through different models:  Apple A4 (ARM Cortex-A8), Intel Core 2 Duo (E8xxx), Intel Core Duo (T2xxx), Intel Core i5 ("Arrandale"), Intel Core Solo (T1300), Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo (P7xxx/P8xxx), Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo (P7500), Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo (SL9xxx), Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo (T7xxx), Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo (T8xxx), Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo (T9xxx), Intel Xeon 5100 Series ("Woodcrest"), Intel Xeon 5400 Series ("Harpertown"), Intel Xeon 5500 Series ("Galnestown"), MOS Technology/SynerTek 6502, MOS Technology 6502, Motorola, Motorola MC68040, MC68HC000, Motorola MC68LC040, Motorola MC68000, Motorola MC68020, PowerPC 601, PowerPC 601+, PowerPC 603, PowerPC 603e, PowerPC 603ev, PowerPC 604, PowerPC 750 "G3”.

11. Popular PC Operating Systems  Microsoft Windows: a line of operating systems by Microsoft which run on IA-32, x86-74, and Itanium processors.  Unix: developed by Ken Thompson, a very influential and diverse group of operating system, with sub- groups including System V, BSD, and GNU/Linux.  Berkely Software Distribution: A sub-group of Unix, commonly found on web-servers. They include Free BSD, Net BSD, and Open BSD.  Plan 9 and Inferno: Developed by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and Douglas McIlroy, made for modern distributed environments.

12. Windows  Windows is a dominant proprietary operating system in the PC world has evolved dramatically throughout the years.  Chronologically, Windows has evolved from: Windows 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, NT, 95, 4.0, 98, 2000, Millennium Edition (ME), XP, and finally Vista. Windows Vista

13. Integration of the Mac & PC  It is now possible to run Windows, or other PC hardware on a Mac system.  Microsoft programs all have the capability to run on a Mac computer.  With Mac OS X a simple installation of the program is needed and the system can adapt to the PC software.  Programs like Boot Camp, VM Ware Fusion 2, Parallels 4.0 Desktop for Mac, CrossOver Mac by CodeWeavers, and various converters allow for the installation of Windows Vista, Windows XP, and other Windows programs.  However, the opposite cannot yet be done– there is no program that enables a Mac system to run on a Pc.

14. Integration Continuted…  A new trend called "cloud computing," is emerging, in which one can access applications over the Internet instead of simply on your computer.  Therefore, this is advantageous access your information and do your work from any computer—Mac or PC.  For example, popular cloud computing programs include Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, hotmail, many university e-mail accounts, internet games, etc.

15. Play the Match Game  As well as PC programs being able to run on Macs, for every Windows or PC application or program, there's usually a Mac version.  E-mail programs, word processors, photo editors, inventory software, games, internet programs, educational tools, etc., have all been duplicated into a version made for a Mac.  Since their operating systems and hardware are distinctly different, the software must have adjustments in order to work easily.

16. References  Apple-history.com. Apple, 11 June 2010. Web. 01 Feb. 2011..http://hubpages.com/hub/LaptopDilemnaMacorP C  Intel. "PC vs. Mac." Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Server and Embedded Processor Technology - Intel. May 2010. Web. 01 Feb. 2011..http://  "Mac OS X." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 01 Feb. 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X.  PC Wrorld,. "The Great Debate: PC vs. Mac - PCWorld." Reviews and News on Tech Products, Software and Downloads - PCWorld. 17 Oct. 2005. Web. 01 Feb. 2011. http://www.pcworld.com/article/122879/the_great_debate_pc_vs _mac.html.  Rizzo Inc, John. "Mac Windows Integration." MacWindows: The Web Site for Macintosh-Windows Integration. Jan. 2011. Web. 01 Feb. 2011..