Students still split over Macs and PCs
Matt Cook
Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: News
The average college student spends a great deal of time using a computer for a variety of activities ranging from homework, to correspondence, to research. The first question in selecting one to purchase is often: a Macintosh or a PC?
Junior Tyler Sharette grew up working with PCs but made the switch in college because a Mac was more suited to his needs. While studying for a degree having to do with graphic arts, Sharette prefers a Mac due to its ease in graphic design and other similar projects.
Bradley Birzer, associate professor of history, used a Mac in high school during the 1980s. Upon entering college, he switched to PCs for a variety of reasons, mainly convenience. He recalls using Windows 98 while in college, but resumed his use of Macs shortly after graduating.
Over the years, he has seen an increase of Macs on the Hillsdale campus, he said.
"Five or six years ago, Macs were very uncommon among college students, but you see them around campus much more often now," Birzer said.
Junior Dakota Fuller, a lab assistant for Information Technology Services, concurred.
"There are certainly more Macs on campus than ever before. Right now, there's roughly a four to one PC to Mac ratio, but Macs are quickly gaining popularity," he said.
Price, compatibility and purpose are mainly what students have in mind when buying a computer.
Freshman Jon Weigle purchased his Mac roughly a year ago. He prefers the Mac for everyday college use, but still enjoys games and entertainment on a PC.
For the past several years, Apple has given away a free iPod Touch with every Mac sold to a student between May and September. For students, the free iPod was not the tiebreaker in the decision between a Mac and a PC.
"I got a free iPod Touch with my Mac, but that's not why I purchased it," Weigle said.
Sophomore Ethan Klumpp also mentioned a difference between the two computers that figured into his decision.
"With a PC, you have more hardware choices than you do with a Mac, so it's more versatile in that respect," Klumpp said.
Junior Tyler Sharette grew up working with PCs but made the switch in college because a Mac was more suited to his needs. While studying for a degree having to do with graphic arts, Sharette prefers a Mac due to its ease in graphic design and other similar projects.
Bradley Birzer, associate professor of history, used a Mac in high school during the 1980s. Upon entering college, he switched to PCs for a variety of reasons, mainly convenience. He recalls using Windows 98 while in college, but resumed his use of Macs shortly after graduating.
Over the years, he has seen an increase of Macs on the Hillsdale campus, he said.
"Five or six years ago, Macs were very uncommon among college students, but you see them around campus much more often now," Birzer said.
Junior Dakota Fuller, a lab assistant for Information Technology Services, concurred.
"There are certainly more Macs on campus than ever before. Right now, there's roughly a four to one PC to Mac ratio, but Macs are quickly gaining popularity," he said.
Price, compatibility and purpose are mainly what students have in mind when buying a computer.
Freshman Jon Weigle purchased his Mac roughly a year ago. He prefers the Mac for everyday college use, but still enjoys games and entertainment on a PC.
For the past several years, Apple has given away a free iPod Touch with every Mac sold to a student between May and September. For students, the free iPod was not the tiebreaker in the decision between a Mac and a PC.
"I got a free iPod Touch with my Mac, but that's not why I purchased it," Weigle said.
Sophomore Ethan Klumpp also mentioned a difference between the two computers that figured into his decision.
"With a PC, you have more hardware choices than you do with a Mac, so it's more versatile in that respect," Klumpp said.
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