In the showdown of computer operating systems, one contender will win and the other will be left to pick up its digital bits.

While Macintosh mavericks take pride in flocking to the Apple logo and its air of cultural chic, the majority of Syracuse University students opt for the more practical and popular choice, the PC, based on cost, convenience and familiarity.

Less than 8 percent of the students on campus actually own Macintosh computers, though, according to Computing Media and Services. Many of these students own Apple technology simply because programs within the university, such as some within the schools of art and design, require Macintosh software.

Mac-addict Emily Wathen, a sophomore film art major, wishes she could replace her Dell with a more graphic-friendly Macintosh machine.

‘I bought a Dell because that’s what was recommended to me (by the university),’ Wathen said. ‘When I decided to declare an art major, I realized that (Macintoshes) are better in programs like Final Draft and Draft Cut. Now I regret not buying one.’

Mac requirements often create a problem with the more PC-prone students. Inexperienced Macintosh users, like art student Erica Greenberg, find it difficult to appreciate advanced applications such as Adobe’s Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

‘Getting adjusted to the computer and the different programs it uses was extremely difficult,’ said Greenberg, a sophomore communication design major. ‘Not many people know how to use Macs besides the ones who have them.’

Many students, like Sean Rooney, a freshman civil engineering major who recently purchased a Dell PC, cite a lack of Mac experience as a deciding factor when buying a computer. He has used a PC all of his life.

Matt Mitchell, a freshman in The College of Arts and Sciences, has the opposite problem – he doesn’t know how to work the Windows operating system.

‘It’s too complicated for me,’ Mitchell said. ‘I’ve always had this kind of computer, so it is a comfort thing I guess.’

Oftentimes, this operating system familiarity – be it with a PC or a Mac – is the ultimate deciding factor for a computer buyer.

‘There’s not a universal answer as to what (interface) is better than the other,’ said David Fatta, director of the information technology group for the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

But Rooney didn’t make his decision to buy a PC based only on his system preference. Like most college students, he considered his wallet.

‘I saw a Dell commercial on TV and it was cheap,’ Rooney said about his decision.

When purchasing a computer, cost is a major determining factor against Macs. The Open Source Technology Group lists a PC package, like a Dell Dimension 2400 Desktop and monitor, with costs around $800. An Apple iMac G4 desktop, on the other hand, can cost buyers up to $2,200.

‘(Macs) are so much more expensive than the equivalent in a PC,’ said Pete Sestina, a junior television, radio and film major who uses a custom-built PC. ‘I’ve found, in general, that Macs tend to be very unstable.’

High prices scare students like Paige Goedkoop away from completion of purchase, but these cost limitations help Macintosh maintain its selective image.

‘PCs are cheesy, mass-produced products,’ said Goedkoop, a freshman painting major. ‘Everyone has them, and they’re cheap pieces of junk.’

Fatta said VPA strongly recommends Macintosh because of its video advantages. Fatta still sees the advantages of purchasing a PC over a Mac, though, because computer service and repair workers tend to be most familiar with PC operating systems.

‘Although the software is more advanced at this time (on Macs), there is more support on the PC side,’ Fatta said,

Daiana Sita, a sophomore pre-dental major, disagrees. She recently replaced her Dell with a Mac computer after her Dell’s hard drive crashed six times in a matter of a year. Her friends with Macs, however, never received a virus and never crashed, she said.

Even if there are problems with Macs that some experts can’t easily handle, students committed to the Apple logo often choose the Macintosh operating system anyway.

‘I’ve always found Macs user-friendly,’ said Jess Reedy, a senior psychology major. ‘If there’s a problem, I can usually figure out how to solve it without needing to call an expert.’

Ultimately though, the choice lies in the hands of the student who has weighed these pros and cons.

Said Fatta: ‘A student has to look at what they want, and what they want to do with the computer, to make a choice they are happy with.’

Published on November 7, 2004 at 12:00 pm