What is the best PC or mac?

What is the best PC or mac?
Depending on your needs, different systems would be best for you. I trust you have seen the 'Hello I'm a Mac' ads, right? Well, if so you know that PCs are best for business applications (word processing, excel spreadsheets, money managing, etc.), and Macs are best for creative applications (making DVDs, Powerpoints, graphic rich things, etc.) If you are a business person, I would recommend a HP or Toshiba PC. My wife has a Toshiba, has never had any problems with it, and loves it. She is an accountant. I have a MacBook, love mine, and it works great for my job as a graphic designer. If you are the creative type, go with a mac. If not so much, go with the PC. Here are some things to watch out for though:

BRANDS TO AVOID
Dell-Horrible customer supportCompaq-Don't last very long

BRANDS I RECCOMMEND
HP- Fair price (you pay for quality)Toshiba- The best you can get in a PC
Apple- Buy ONLY direct from Apple.com or an Apple store. Don't buy from a reseller

When buying your computer...

DO Be prepared to be at the store a long time. Try things out. Really, the stores don't care.
Buy an extended warranty. Even if you never use the tech support, the repairs are what matters.

Get a more expensive model. The more expensive, the better computer. Even if you can't afford a 1000 dollar computer, anything above the 500 mark is probably OK

Strive for Intel processors. They ARE the best. Hands down.

Shop at a big retail store. Best Buy, Staples, Circut City, The Apple Store, all great. I'm not a republican, but it is best to buy your computer at a big retail store.

Make sure to get a computer with a hard drive bigger than 100GB. Believe me, you want it.



DON'T

Buy from a small town store. If you go big, you will most likely get the best deal AND they often offer built-in warranties.
Get a computer at Wal-Mart or Cosco. Those computers, while seem cheaper, come with NOTHING.

Buy the first one you see. Do some research at your local library or office on best deals, and get a computer right for you.

Stay Quiet. Talk it up with the salespeople. While they may seem sleazy sometimes, they do want you to get a good deal, not just sell you a computer. (they are especially good at Apple)