Pros, cons of Mac vs. PC weighed by 2

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, Sept, 1989

Pros, cons of Mac vs. PC weighed by 2

New York City--Which is better for desktop publishing applications: Apple computer Inc.'s Macintosh or IBM Corp. PC's and compatible DOS-based systems?

Speaking at a recent PC Expo Show seminar, two executives of Electronic Directions, a publishing-oriented systems consulting and training firm based in New York City, outlined advantages and disadvantages of each. Despite the migration of specific technologies in recent years, Macs continue to get the nod of approval for graphics.

Mac advantages

* The graphical user interface (GUI) is "at the top of the list of Macintosh advantages," says Jim Cornacchia, co-manager of the company's research and development center. The GUI--which allows users to operate computers with mice, windows and icons--has spread to IBM and other nonApple systems, but the Mac's GUI still generally gets a higher rating for ease of use.

* The Mac is easier to learn than code-oriented, DOS-based systems.

* Software programs are generally easier to learn and to operate.

* Built-in networking--although low-level--with Appletalk is a standard feature in every Macintosh. This allows systems to share devices such as printers.

Mac Disadvantages

* Apple is a single-source (and therefore expensive) supplier, unlike DOS systems, where IBM has plenty of clone competition.

* Macs are less "batch-oriented" than DOS systems, meaning they can't process large tasks off-line as well as DOS systems.

* The Mac is a tougher sell in large corporations where MIS (management information systems) departments resist going outside the comfort zone of IBM.

ODS-based advantages

* One major reason to buy DOS-based systems, meanwhile, is the large user base enjoyed by IBM and its DOS-based clones, notes Steve Terry, also co-manager of the Electronic Directions' Research and Development Center. This vast user base means more software is available to users, he points out.

* Multivendor sources, as opposed to just one source, means "you can buy MS/DOS systems from a large variety of vendors, creating competition--which generally means lower prices," Terry observes.

* More competition also means a wider choice of applications and hardware.

DOS-based disadvantages

* DOS systems are harder to learn because DOS is more code-oriented than Macintosh.

* There is less standardization of applications and graphical user interfaces because more vendors are involved in the fray.

* Because it is text-based, not graphic-based, it's more difficult to manipulate graphics for design and layout.