Mac vs. PC: Which Are You?

by Todd Schaaf
September 20, 2007

Picture of John Stark's PC tower

John Stark's homemade PC.

 

One of the most heated debates of the last 20 years has divided families, ended relationships, and changed the lives of those who switch sides.

This debate of course is that of Macs vs. PCs. Many people frown upon Apple Macintosh computers, and often, those who use them. Meanwhile Mac people feel sorry for PC users.

Both sides of this conflict claim that their machines are superior and easier to use. Both sects have their qualms with each other’s computer of choice. But what happens if two roommates and childhood friends are on opposite sides of this divide?

This is the case between John Stark, political science senior, and PC user, and his Mac-using roommate, Mike Caverly, psychology junior. Stark and Caverly have been friends since they were children in New Braunfels. Each student explained how he ended up with his choice of computers, and it appears to be hereditary.

“My dad has always been a computer enthusiast, even when I was younger, like 15 years ago,” Stark said. “He started getting into building computers and all that stuff. I learned everything from him growing up.”

Caverly also was started down a path by his father.

“I was raised on Mac by my father, all he’s ever had is a Mac, we used to have one of those SE10s, those old-school boxy things,” Caverly said.

Stark said he would not rule out the possibility of some day buying a Mac, but said we would always be a PC person. He said he appreciates the order of PCs too much to ever be a "Mac person."

“I think the PC offers more organizational possibilities,” Stark said. “A lot of people are turned off by having different drives, and letter names for the drives. It is a very hierarchical organization. But this way I know where everything is, and I know I don’t have anything I don’t need.”

A picture of Mike Caverly's Mac computer.

Mike Caverly's iMac G5.

 

Caverly agrees with Stark and said he did not like the ‘drive system’ of PCs.

“What I hate is if you download something off the internet, it goes into the ‘C:7/x’ drive, why ‘C:7/x?’ Why not the desktop like on a Mac,” Caverly said.

Another driving factor is the look of the Mac. Caverly said he loves the way the Macs look, while Stark said he is put off by the one button mouse.

“What am I holding on to? What am I pressing? Like the whole mouse is one button,” Stark said.

While for Stark functionality reigns over form, Caverly said he is more materialistic.

“Operating system aside, Macs are sexy. When you’re on a Mac you just kind of feel elite,” Caverly said.

Caverly said there is only one thing that could make him switch to PCs.

“An act of God. I wont buy a PC simply because Macs are so easy to use.”