I think you'll get your answer HERE.

Suggest using search function to locate previous comments about Mac vs. PC. Suggest same at Consumer Reports site. There have been quite a few threads on this topic.

I'm biased. I switched to Mac almost two years ago after they were well-entrenched with the Intel chip changeover and OS-X operating system. My experience has been so completely positive compared with decades with PC, I don't think there's much to talk about. I never want to see Windows again. I recommend Mac without hesitation. Learning curve is short and easy. Go for it.

I've worked in the IT field for most of my life. I see the occasional Apple user, but the computer world overwhelmingly uses Microsoft Windows. Mac has increased sales in recent months and Microsoft has lost some ground. However, the Mac share is still less then 10% and Microsoft operating systems still dominate with over a 90% share of the market.

My job requires me to know Microsoft systems, so I have no choice. If I did, I would prefer to be one of the many over one of the few. Just my opinion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Apple 7.3 % Share

Might I suggest that you get one of the new Mac's and not worry which operating system you want to use. The new Mac will operate both OSX and Windows if you choose. With a Mac you are getting a computer that has been designed and built using only compatible parts, they don't have incompatibility problems. When people ask should I get a PC or a Mac they are really asking should I choose Windows or OSX operating system and with the new Mac's you can run both on the same machine.
I have used a Mac for over 20 years at home for personal use and a PC at work for longer and now that I'm retired I still use a Mac. There were times that I missed not having some of the choices that PC users had with regard to different programs. With the new Intel Mac's you can have one part of the hard drive setup for Mac OSX and the other for Windows, both operating native, without emulators, at full speed. With a PC you can only run Windows.
I had to bit my tongue about johnkr's reasoning as it is flawed as the debate over Mac or PC has been for nearly 25 years. Now you can buy a Mac and choose the operating system you want to use, it is no longer an either or choice.

Or just buy a cheap pc and load one of the free linux's. Doesnt need much processor speed nor much memory to outperform both mac and windows.

Read recently that Apple's overall market share has gone from something like 4% a few years ago up to that 7.3%. However, it's share of the non-business market is up to something like 20%. Business to is too large and too entrenched to expect much change there, IMHO, but clearly the individual buyer/user is responding to what they've done. Certainly I have.

My personal hot-button is lack of problems. With Windows, the issues were constant for me....from 95 thru XP...over 15 years....many different machines. Upon switching to the iMac, all that crappola went away and has stayed away. It really is a different world.

I'm not an IT/techie kind of guy. All I want is a machine that does what it's supposed to do and doesn't fight me all the time. The iMac is the first box I've ever had that does that.

Just one more comment......

XP was quite wonderful....when it worked. If it wasn't for the bugs and all-too-frequent maintenance hassles with Windows-anything, I never would have considered switching.

Asolo, the stats I referenced in my previous post were from a company called Net Applications. They pull their data from computer as their users visit popular Web sites and their data has nothing to do with sales. So I think those non-business users you mention would be reflected in the statistics. Maybe those Apple home users don't surf the Web and the Windows business users do. I'd like to see some facts to support your claims. You may be correct, but I can't find any data reflecting a 20% Apple share of the home computer market.

Tonbiak, if Mac OSX is better then Windows why did Apple spend major capital to re-engineer their computers to accept an inferior OS? I never understood their reasoning.
If the majority of Apple owners are using Windows, then doesn't Apple become another "compatible" vendor like Dell, HP, and the rest? Please enlighten me.

If I were selecting a home computer and didn't know a lot about them, I would prefer to have one that is similar to the computer nine out of ten of my neighbors, friends, co-workers and relatives own.

I have nothing against Apple. If you are happy with your Apple computer then I'm happy for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Market Share by OS

Lately I've seen reports saying Foxit has round numbers 50% of the browser use to 7% of total market share. Who do you believe.

There was recently a note in one of the online news services for a survey,,, Opperating system and Browser ... when I saw it I was speculating poll results,,, which was probably the only reason I took the time to check a couple boxes and punch the submit button..... participating users weighed heavily MAC and Foxit... plain old windows and IE users were hardly participating or visiting that web site..... maybe we dont read news,,, either that or we are a quickly dieing breed. According to that user survey/pole.

Cannot locate the recent article I was recalling. However, did find this which tends to support the trend. I should have known better than to post "remembered" numbers without backup. If I locate my reference, I'll come back.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mac laptop share

I purchased a Macbook yesterday. I haven't opened the box yet. I'm nervous and excited.
Donna

Interesting thread since I've been thinking of switching as well. The biggest issue for me is that all of my software that I use for my business is Windows related (Photoshop, Word, Exel, Publisher, QuickBooks, MS Works). It would be a PITA to have to purchase all of that software for a MAC. Most of the software is older versions, except for QuickBooks, but I do refer to older, saved files from these program for current business.

Dilemma, dilemma...not sure what I'm going to do because of that.

My computer has been in for repair this whole past week and I'm finally back on line. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to voice your opinion on the pc vs mac. I've not made a decision yet. SharB

johnkr,
I tried to keep my comments out of the old Mac vs PC, I beg to differ with you about completely redesigning the computer to run Windoz. The moved away from IBM to Intel when IBM did not meet their commitment on increases in speed, not to run Windoz. And I did not say that most Mac users are using Windoz, I said that they could if they needed to not that they do. Most Mac users that I know that have Windoz on their Mac is strictly for games not for other uses.
I would not expect an IT person to ever support a platform that does not need their services and makes their profession unneeded.

Back to your question about family tree maker SharB. If you should decide on an apple there are genealogy programs for the apple that will import a GEDCOM file and FTM will export a file as a GEDCOM. I'm sure that would be cheaper than buying a copy of windows to put on a mac. Here's a list of programs for the mac. If you are interested in one check to see if it will import the GEDCOM file.

Tonbiak,

Most IT people I know are working with networks these days. Connections, data storage, updating and security require much more attention then servicing computers. In fact, most computer services are handled over network wires. Microsoft provides a variety of server operating system that I use much more then any desktop system. Many of the applications I deal with require a Microsoft SQL server to support them, so I don't see a lot of Apple systems. There are not a lot of servers running an Apple OS LOL.

I do see Microsoft improving IPv6 in their Vista OS and Server 2008 OS so data transfer will be faster between those two systems as compared to other operating systems. I guess these improvements can be experienced on an Intel based Apple running Vista. But what do you call an Apple computer running Windows? A PC.

Not what I was referring to previously, but does support the contention.

Here is a link that might be useful: apple market share