• Harry McCracken of Technologizer 8 reasons your next computer should be a Mac and 8 reasons your next computer should be a PC
• The new PC “Laptop Hunter” ads which demonstrate PC value while new Mac ads demonstrate PC Frustrations
• Interesting comparisons between $2000 Mac and PC Laptops
• Preston Gralla’s challenge to work on a MacBook Air for two weeks

You would think with all of this information I had settled on my decision. I did not. As I began to ask more questions, visit more Mac Stores, compare the two systems, I began to realize that this was a decision between accessibility and comfort. One that Windows has lost and Mac has won. After years of using Windows, I’ve grown tired of the platform. I’m sick of .DLL’s, having to consistently worry about virus’s and firewalls, having to worry about registry errors and the list goes on. Don’t get me wrong, I love Vista, I think it’s a step in the right direction, but what was the real value of Vista over OSX? What was I really getting?

The more I dug I realized there was a higher value of getting a new Mac over a new PC. Actually, in the hour or so that I’ve begun to use the new MacBook Pro 17″, I’ve downloaded pictures from my digital camera, created a movie, uploaded it to YouTube, installed new software and written a blog post (this one). On a PC I would have gotten a few of these items accomplished, but not all of them. I’m surprised how easy and comfortable the first moments of using the new Mac has been. I even feel “healthier” if that’s possible. With the new laptop I’m going to track and share my computing life with the new Mac. What are the differences between it and PC? What’s easier? What do I like? And what do I hate? I really want to see if my computing life becomes easier with the Mac, or if I made a huge mistake.

So without further ado, here is my obligatory new Mac video! Enjoy!

Window’s provides a very familiar environment. Several programs I rely on are strictly Windows based (Winamp, Helium Music Manager, Power Archiver Pro, and Windows Live Writer). Other software (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Office, SPSS) support both operating systems; I only have the PC versions of these applications to install. In order to place this software on the Mac, I would require re-purchasing the software. I’m sure there are alternative Mac versions for these Windows applications, but finding them has proven difficult. There aren’t many resources listing Mac alternative to Windows software although there are several websites which list alternatives to popular software for Mac, Windows and Linux (http://alternativeto.net/, http://www.osalt.com/). Instead of having to find replacements, the purchase of a new Windows system would mean an upgrade in hardware; all of my old applications would work, but on a faster computer.

Mac’s can run Windows using Boot Camp, Virtual Machine software (Parallel’s Desktop for Mac, VMWare Fusion), or the emulator program Wine, but I don’t know how effective any of these applications are and their support for Vista. If I’m familiar and require Vista to support my every day needs, why should I purchase a Mac? These added steps and programs just to run Windows based programs on a Mac seem foolish. Logically if I need to run Windows on a Mac, why not just get a new PC? It may make sense to stick to a system and platform that I’m familiar with, reinstall my existing software and not worry about finding replacements. I’m familiar with these applications, their processes and how they help get me through the day. Assurances I don’t have when purchasing a Mac.

It’s interesting to be purchasing a laptop in this market. Apple is increasing it’s market share and this has been scaring Microsoft, it shows in their recent "I’m a PC" ads featuring "regular people" all purchasing new laptops under $1,500. Advertisements are nice but they do not sway my opinion. Neither does Lauren or Giampaolo (see video after the jump). "This is so sexy, but Macs to me are about aesthetics more than they are about the computing power," Giampaolo says in the new advertisement, and ends up choosing an HP (actually a HP HDX). Prince McLean (Apple Insider) debunks many of the myths presented in the new advertisement by comparing the computer Giampaolo buys and the Mac he was considering. Even with this comparison, PC’s are generally cheaper than Macs, an argument that trumps a lot of reasoning in hard economic times. So how do you choose?

It’s about the features baby!

The decision is going to come down to features. Although I’m definitely spending more than $1,500 on a new computer; the system is going to support a lot of my needs. I need a system that can handle a lot of heavy duty tasks, from web designing and programming to DJ’ing and music editing, to new tools to help feed my social media habits! While software is a concern, a majority of the software I use exists on both Mac’s and PC’s. I need a system that will last for more than a year or two. Mac seems to have PC’s beat in this arena, as much of their offerings are tied into the system such as the iSight camera and included software of iLife. For less than a Mac, I could get a Dell Studio XPS 16 with many features that are similar to the MacBook for less with a larger hard drive.

Dude! You’re getting a…

At this point I’m swaying between both systems. I even asked my friends to help sway my opinion, but they haven’t been helpful. Most of them say there isn’t a difference between Mac and PC’s (where’s peer pressure when you need it?) The MacBook’s are sexy, because they provide a lot of features, computing power and ability. I believe the Mac OS is a better operating system than XP or Vista. However PC’s are cheaper, and may add more value for your dollar and they do come very close. This is a tough choice, I wish there was a way to compare both systems for a month each, and then compare my computing life with each one (if there is a way, I would do it!)

My decision is going to require a deeper investigation.