PC or a MAC? How about PC and a MAC?

If I were to create a top ten list of most asked questions in my line of duty, "PC or a MAC?" would be in the top three. Interestingly enough my answer has changed over the years. When I first started getting asked this question, my answer was PC then more recently it was MAC. However for a few years now I have been saying you don't have to pick one, you can have both. Of course this is not what Apple or Microsoft wants you to do in fact they try everything in their power to lock you in their Eco system. As the computer prices drop, their intergration into our daily activities, and our dependence on them increase, owning multiple computers becomes a common practice. So why decide on one over another?

I don't plan on talking about the advantages of each platform since articles about this can easily be found all over the Internet. My goal with this post is to instill peace among those folks who say "I bought a MAC and I'm so happy. I don't ever have to deal with Windows problems and viruses ever again".  As well as the folks on the other side who despise MAC platform saying "I would never let a company control my computing experience and financially exploit me".  

Let me start by expressing my feelings about comparing the two giants. Some of you may find this an extreme statement but for me to compare the two is like comparing Apples and Oranges. It's very clear that both companies have a different business strategy. One is mainly a software company making its billions from Windows family whereas the other is a hardware giant making it's billions from MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, and etc. Their approach to computing directly changes our experience with their products. In some cases it offers us freedom which can't be acomplished any other way and in other cases it simplifies and streamlines the entire experience. In the end nothing is perfect so I don't expect being satisified with sticking to one idelogy. Why should you?

I do want to point out however today both of these platforms play nice with each other. You can share files, devices, and even some paid programs between them. Chances are you already have a computer and planning to switch to the other platform so my suggestion to you is: think green! Save your old computer and give it a purpose. If you have been living under a rock and you're buying your first ever computer however then I suggest talk to someone knowledgable like one of us to help you make the right choice. Unless you're willing to purchase one of each.