Apple Computers

Apple fans extol the virtues of Apple's easy-to-use operating system, reliability, and sleek design ethic. However, there are far fewer business and leisure applications for Apple computers and accessories tend to be slightly more expensive. To be fair, the more recent Apple computers have tended towards using the more common components found in PCs but the selection is still reduced because, even though an item may have hardware compatibility, not all manufacturers will have the necessary software to make the hardware function.

Apple computers are favoured by many people working in creative fields, and the reliability of the operating system and applications make it a good tool for music, video, and graphic design.

iMac

The iMac has won awards for its design chic and has been popular with first-time buyers who have no preference towards the PC. The design was primarily chosen because of the low build cost and consumer-friendly styling. The iMac comes with built-in Internet connectivity and is one of the easiest computers for the beginner to use.

Apple G4/G5 Desktop Computers

Apple has chosen to base its computers on chips developed by Motorola and IBM. These Power PC class processors use a completely different architecture from Intel and AMD Pentium class chips. Consequently, the associated speed rating for Apple computers, measured in megahertz, is, on paper, often considerably less than Intel or AMD chips. However, in practice, the fastest Apple desktops are normally equivalent to PCs due to the elegance of their design. However, in contrast to very high-specification PCs, which can also double as workgroup servers or powerful workstations, Apple computers tend to be aimed at individual users.

Apple iBook & Powerbook Laptops

Like its desktop counterparts, the Apple notebook range has a striking look, offering light chassis designs and good performance. However, with an effective monopoly on pricing, Apple notebooks tend to be much more expensive than PC laptops that offer equivalent performance. Like its desktop range, Apple has included the high-speed Firewire port in its laptops to provide more external connections, but the range of optional bays is very limited.