In the strictest sense, a Mac is a PC since a PC is an abbreviation for personal computer. However, in everyday use, the term PC generally refers to a machine running a Windows operating system, not an Apple operating system.
A PC is also known as an IBM-compatible computer, meaning its architecture is based on the IBM microprocessor.
PCs are compatible with various operating systems, Microsoft Windows being the most common. Other variants include UNIX, such as FreeBSD, Solaris, and Linux.
Macintosh, commonly called Mac, is a brand name that includes many lines of personal computers produced, developed, and sold by Apple Inc.
The Mac is the world’s only computer capable of running all major operating systems, including Mac OS X, Windows XP, and Vista.
They can be run with software like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion. Both Macs and PCs have dedicated followers, and each computer type has its weaknesses and strengths.
How are Mac and PC Similar?
Since a Mac is a PC (Personal Computer), finding that Macs have more in common with Windows-based PCs than we would expect would probably not surprise us.
How much in common? While this hasn’t always been the case, we can install a Windows operating system on a Mac.
Remember, a Mac is just a PC with Macintosh OS (operating system) installed on it. As much as Apple wants the Mac to be considered anything other than a PC, it’s never been more similar.
We can install Mac OS and Windows on our MacBook or iMac, switch between them, or run them side-by-side (or, more specifically, run Windows on top of Mac OS) using applications such as Fusion or Parallels.
Some of those similarities are:
- You can view the documents you create in Microsoft Office and other common Office suites on Mac and Windows PCs. Most popular PC and Mac applications use the same file formats, making sharing documents with friends and colleagues easy or transferring existing files from a PC to a Mac.
- They both use the same basic hardware components.
- Both have similar interfaces that allow us to save applications on our desktops, click on applications to run them, search for files in folders, and do other things.
- They are compatible with third-party mouse and keyboards, including wireless and wireless ones.
- They both have a virtual assistant. The Windows-based PCs have Cortana, and Mac has Siri.
- Popular browsers like Safari, Firefox, and Google Chrome are available for both Mac and PCs.
- They both allow users to use cloud services such as Box.net, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
Differences Between Mac vs PC
The Mac OS supports both a right-click and a left-click for the mouse. In addition, the mouse we use on our Windows PC can be hooked up to a Mac.
While Apple’s Magic Mouse can seem like it’s a single button, right-clicking produces a right-click.
One of the main stumbling blocks for people switching from Windows to Mac is keyboard shortcuts. We cannot use Control+C to copy something to the Mac clipboard, and you will realize that Control+C does not copy anything to the clipboard.
To copy something to the Mac clipboard, we should use Command+C. As easy as the difference seems, it will take some time getting used to it until it feels normal.
The differences include:
- Microsoft Windows provides better game support, including support for virtual reality hardware such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
- A Windows-based PC can easily be updated part by part. However, most people find it easier to purchase a new PC. Techies can improve the lifespan of their computers by improving the RAM used by software, the storage used by music, movies, and other media, or the graphics used by gamers.
- More software is written for Microsoft Windows, like proprietary software that some people use for jobs.
- Microsoft Windows supports touch screens and the familiar keyboard and mouse configuration so that it can be used on desktops, laptops, and tablets. MacOS does not support touch screens, so it can only be used on a desktop or laptop.
- Most virus writers target Windows systems because they are the most common desktop choice. On the other hand, fewer malware programs have been written to attack Macs because Macs are not as common as PCs.
- Since Apple has managed the hardware & software packages and model updates, every Mac runs seamlessly without worrying about lagging. On the other hand, custom-built PCs may not have the required drivers released for each component and may be incompatible or laggy. It may not be able to work as expected.
- Many different manufacturers, including Dell, Lenovo, and HP build PCs. This keeps prices down on PCs (Personal Computers), which are usually less costly than Macs.
