Group for all iMac gamers and users!

1. Macs are actually cheaper in the long run

Sure, you can buy a Windows PC for fewer up-front dollars. But the true cost of ownership should be calculated based on not only the acquisition cost, but the residual value after you sell it or trade it in. It’s the difference between those two numbers that really tells you what your computer costs to own. When you calculate the cost of ownership in that way, Macs win easily. All you have to do is compare the value of a Windows PC from, say, three years ago (which is often close to zero), and compare that to what you can get for your 3-year-old Mac. It’s virtually always no contest.

2. In general, when Apple makes assumptions with its software, it gets it right, Microsoft often gets it wrong

Surely this is subjective, but when you run Microsoft's software, even on a Mac, it loves to run interference, making assumptions as to what you're doing and trying to stay a step ahead. Most often, however, it just gets annoying. For instance, by default, if you type a "1)" in Entourage or Word, suddenly the next paragraph automatically starts with a "2)” even if you don’t want it. Most people spend more time undoing the presumptions than benefitting by them... Microsoft is just horrible at getting in the way.

3. Viruses

While this has changed just a little as Apple has gained ground on Microsoft, Mac users are still living in relative bliss with the lack of viruses, spyware and malware. We're not saying they can't get them, but it's just far less of a problem for Mac users than it is for Windows users.

4. Apple makes upgrading its OS simple, Microsoft still keeps it complicated

Apple smoothly transitions its customers to its latest OS for free. Windows can’t even use a consistent naming scheme: the versions include: 7, 8, XP, Vista, CE, NT, 98, 2000. The best we can say about that is that their scattered approach to naming matches their scattered approach to their OS.


5. Let's face it, Apple understands style

While there are a zillion different styles of PC out there, pretty much everyone agrees that the style, elegance, and just plain "hipness" of the Mac has yet to be beat. They just look cool. Most importantly, because they can stay out of the “I can make it cheaper” fray in the PC world, Apple’s quality is second-to-none.

6. You can run Windows on a Mac anyway, so why not get the best of both worlds?

Apple allows Windows to be installed via its own Boot Camp, or you can use a third-party virtualization program, such as Parallels, VMWare Fusion or VirtualBox. So why not both save money in the long run and have access to virtually any desktop software you want?