For loyal Apple customers, purchasing a new Mac may be a no-brainer, but for the vast majority of consumers, selecting a new computer may be a bit more challenging. To make this decision easier, Apple has put together a list of the 15 reasons why you should consider getting a Mac.
It just works
If you find you're spending more time figuring out why your PC crashes than you do using it, then it's time to get a Mac. That's because a Mac offers absolutely flawless integration of hardware and software. Only with a Mac do you get a system built by the same people who make the crash-resistant OS, the applications and the computer itself. All you have to do is to take the Mac out of the box, plug it in and turn it on. They can do what they want to do, when they want to do it. Every time.
Make amazing stuff
This reason is especially powerful when you compare PCs to Macs. With a PC, you might need to use applications from three or four different developers and with each of them working differently, it can be quite a task to create the simplest of things. On the other hand, all Macs come with iLife, a suite of applications that allow you to do things like import and manage your photos, music and movies, and then take that media to make your own podcasts, movies, DVDs, slideshows, photo books, blogs and more.
iLife is comprised of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, iTunes and iWeb. The power of iLife applications is how well they work together. Go from iPhoto, to iMovie, to iDVD, and you'll hardly notice that you switched applications. Familiar, easy-to-use interfaces are common throughout the iLife suite.
Everything is ready
Today's Mac is powered by the latest Intel processors, so customers can run other operating systems, including Windows XP and Vista—enabling them to run more applications than any other PC. In addition, each Mac comes with industry-standard technologies for connecting to peripherals and networks, including USB 2.0 and Bluetooth. And all Macs but the MacBook Air also come with FireWire and Ethernet. So you can connect to whichever external device you need.
Viruses? Not on a Mac
The most powerful reason that Macs don't have the same level of virus problems as PCs do is Mac OS X's UNIX foundation and security features, so you can stop a malicious application before it starts wreaking havoc on your system. In addition to the UNIX core, Mac OS X allows tight controls over user settings and parental controls, so if you want to let others use your computer who aren't as security-conscious as you are, you can just give them the appropriate permissions and they couldn't get a virus on your computer if they tried!
And since it's so common for virus attacks to come through the web browser or email, Mac OS X's web browser, Safari and email application, Mail, are both especially sensitive to threats and alert you when you're downloading an application that might be a virus, as opposed to a harmless file.
The most advanced OS
Mac OS X offers a user experience that's simply years ahead of Windows Vista and it knows when to get out of the way, allowing you to work or create without distraction. Spotlight helps you find files on your computer by displaying search results literally as you type. Dashboard widgets allow you to quickly access information when you need it, then gets out of your way. Time Machine makes retrieving lost files a snap and Spaces makes it simple to create multiple desktops so you can organize your workspace in the way that's best for you.
While Windows has had to spend a lot of time fighting viruses and malware, Mac OS X has been steadily becoming the operating system of tomorrow. Best of all, there's only one Mac OS X. Unlike Windows Vista, you don't have to purchase different versions of Mac OS X to get the features you want. They all come in one box.
The latest Intel chips
Just as amazing as the Intel chips themselves is the Mac's ability to efficiently use them to their fullest potential. With Boot Camp or other third-party software, Intel chips also give the Mac the power to run Windows just as fast, if not faster than any PC can.
No hunting for drivers
Do you hate searching for the right device driver when you connect a peripheral device on your PC? Then it's time to get a Mac. PC users expect to hunt for the proper driver, install it and then hope it works with their device. Mac users expect to plug their device in and start working. On a Mac, a USB, FireWire, or Ethernet cable's all you need. And you're good to go. Eliminate the frustration of hunting for drivers, and have fun using your computer.
Design that turns heads
It's easy to see that Apple products look great, but what you may not know is the amount of time, resources and emphasis Apple places on product design. From hardware, to Mac OS X, to the applications, you can see the obsession with detail wherever you look. And not only do the products look visually appealing, they're built for usability. You usually don't have to think about where to plug in a USB cable, or where to save your files, or where to go to launch your applications; it's right where you'd expect it to be.
Instant video chats
Every iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro comes standard with a built-in iSight camera. There's nothing to install or connect, it's just there, ready to be used for instant video iChat sessions. And all Macs come with Mac OS X and iChat, so they're ready for instant four-way video chats in a full-screen window whenever you are. Video chat with others quickly and easily without having to buy and install extra equipment.
Fun with photos
Do you enjoy taking digital photos? iPhoto makes it fun to organize photos and share them in creative ways. Of course you can share photos in an email, but you can also create a Web Gallery, a photo blog, a photo book, a calendar, a set of greeting cards, a slideshow, or create a DVD to send to your friends and family. In addition, iPhoto allows you to easily take your photos with you on your iPod or watch slideshows on your widescreen TV with Apple TV. It's so fun and easy to organize and share your photos that you won't hesitate to do it again and again.
Hollywood-style movies
Does you want to make fantastic movies? Every Mac comes with the software you need to make blockbusters. iMovie makes it easy to get started with its built-in templates, and it comes with tools to quickly add titles, graphics, music and more. When you're finished, you can take them to iDVD to create a Hollywood-style DVD, make a video webpage, or even publish to a video blog with iWeb. And of course, you can always take them with you on your iPod or play them back on your widescreen TV with Apple TV.
One-click websites
You almost have to be a professional Web Developer to appreciate how easy it is to use iWeb. Without iWeb, you'd have to adjust the size of your photos, export them to a format that your web browser can read, place them in a special folder, create an HTML page, point your file to your photos, format the page and use FTP to upload your files to a website. With iWeb and .Mac, all you have to do is create your page and click Publish. It's that easy.
Amazing podcasts
Nowadays there are a lot of applications that allow you to create podcasts. But none will allow you to achieve the professional quality that you can easily get with GarageBand. Every Mac comes with GarageBand, which makes it easy for you to record your own professional-sounding episodes complete with sound effects, jingles, artwork and even improve the sound of your voice with the built-in Speech Enhancer. When your podcast is complete, share it on the web using iWeb, or submit it to the podcasts on the iTunes Store so the whole world can hear it.
Be a Rock star
On a Windows PC, by the time you finish configuring your sound card, your applications, your drivers and connecting your instruments, you're going to be too old to be a rock star! The Mac comes with all you need to start making music right away. GarageBand software gives you dozens of instruments to begin with and even makes it possible for you to plug in your own keyboard. Or, if you prefer, plug in a guitar and record your next big hit. You can sing your own background vocals and use the Vocal Transformer to change how you sound.
Awesome out of the box
With a Mac, you can be burning data to CDs and DVDs, creating slideshows, sending email, surfing the web, writing documents and more without having to buy anything additional. And with an iMac, MacBook or MacBook Pro, the built-in iSight camera adds the power to do instant video iChats and have fun with Photo Booth. The Apple Remote comes with most Mac computers so you can use your Mac to view your photos, a DVD or listen to your music. It's all ready to go, right out of the box.
Enjoy your computer right away!
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