Despite common wording in the computer industry, a Mac is a type of personal computer, manufactured and marketed by Apple in several models.
In general usage within the computer industry, and particularly by Mac users, PCs are considered to be IBM-compatible computers, while Macs are another creature altogether. Although Macs are personal computers, the term PC has been applied strictly to IBM-compatible computers, most of which come shipped with the Microsoft operating system today, while Macs use a proprietary OS, currently macOS, a UNIX-type operating system developed by Apple.
Macs have always been personal computers but, at one time, only the operating system supplied by Apple could be installed on a Mac, and only Mac programs could be used, while PCs could run DOS, Windows, or pretty much any Linux distribution, as well as a myriad of alternative operating systems.
Today, it is possible to installed Windows on a Mac. In fact, Apple once boasted that Windows would run better on a Mac. Both Windows and macOS can be installed on an iMac or MacBook, and users can switch between them or run them side-by-side.
More accurately, installed Windows on a Mac requires the use of supplementary software. Parallels is an emulation software that allows the user to run Windows on top of the Mac operating system, while Bootcamp sets up a partition and boots directly to either the Mac or Windows OS.
So, while the term PC stands for personal computer, and could be applied equally to Macs, Windows machines, or personal computers running other operating systems, in the common vernacular a PC is an IBM-compatible machine, while Macs are uniquely Apple products.
Because a large number of manufacturers produce IBM-compatible PCs and the vast majority of them ship with Windows preinstalled, the Apple Mac computers have a very small share of the personal computer market, less than ten percent in 2019.
Because Windows has the largest share of the market, a larger selection of computer programs are available for Windows than for Mac, given that Windows programs enjoy a much larger market. On the positive side, for Mac users, popularity works both ways. Coders of viruses and other malicious software also want to target the larger audience, so Mac machines encounter fewer viruses, trojans, worms, and other types of malware.
Since all Macs are produced by Apple, Mac buyers have fewer choices. Although Apple has produced several other machines over the years, as of 2020, Apple offers just five computer lines: the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro, the Mac mini, the iMac, and the Mac Pro, although there are other configurations of some of these, for a total of eighteen unique computers.
When it was introduced in 2008, the MacBook Air was positioned between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro, but when the MacBook was discontinued in 2011, the MacBook Air became Apple's entry-level laptop, identified as a notebook. Although less powerful than the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air uses the same operating system and is compatible with the same programs.
Slightly more expensive, the MacBook Pro is currently available in two configurations, with 13" and 16" screens. From 2006 to 2012, a 17" screen size was also available. As compared to most PC laptops, the MacBook Pro is a powerful machine.
The Mac mini is one of four Macintosh desktop computers. The Mac mini is the only Apple desktop computer, since 1998, to ship without a display, keyboard, or mouse. Although there are two purchase options for buyers of the Mac mini, besides price, the differences are in the processor speed, memory, and storage. Mac mini components fit into a 7.70" x 7.70" x 1.40" case.
The first iMac was sold in 1998. The all-in-one desktop computer is available in 21.5" and 27" screen models, although the larger option is also a higher-powered machine.
The iMac Pro is an all-in-one personal computer and workstation with a 27" screen. In terms of power and speed, it sits between the iMac and the Mac Pro.
Introduced in 2019, the Mac Pro is Apple's most powerful computer, available in a tower or rack. The high-end desktop is more expandable than the iMac, designed for professionals who need to build high-bandwidth capabilities into their systems. Although the Mac Pro does not ship with a display, it does ship with a keyboard and mouse, and a trackpad is optional.
Apple also produces the iPad mini, iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, using its iOS mobile operating system.
The primary retail outlet for Mac computers is the Apple Store, which can be found in most US states and eleven countries. Because Apple Stores are located only in large population centers, the company has entered into on-again, off-again agreements with various electronics chains. However, Macs are not available at several of the stores that sell PCs. Apple products may also be ordered online.
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Apple is a US-based multinational technology company that designs, develops, and distributes a variety of consumer electronics products, including its line of Mac computers, iPads, and iPhone, as well as computer software and various online services. On the official company site, its Mac computers, iPad tablet devices, iPhone smartphones, Apple Watches, Apple TV, and Apple Music products and services are highlighted and may be purchased online. Support services are included.
https://www.apple.com/
Apple’s portal to its support services for the iPhone, Mac operating system and system software, iPad, Apple Watch, notebook computers, desktop computers, music, iPod, and Apple TV are presented, along with links to the Apple Arcade, Apple Card, Apple ID, iCloud, Apple Pay, iOS applications, and the App Store. Featured topics are listed on the index page. Filtered by product or Apple service, anyone with an Apple account may pose questions and view answers.
https://discussions.apple.com/
Launched in 1997, the online magazine focuses its articles on Apple and Apple products. Its topics include industry and company news, rumors, product reviews, and price guides on new Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, iPhones, drones, music, accessories, and trade-ins. Other resources include podcasts and an online forum, discussing Mac hardware, mobile devices, software, and investment data, as well as a general discussion area. Tips may be submitted to the site.
https://appleinsider.com/
AppleVis is a community site for blind and low-vision users of Apple computer products, the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV, and Apple Watch, offering information on multiple pathways to access, as well as the sharing of relevant and useful information. A guide to relevant application is featured, along with guides and tutorials, hardware and accessory reviews, a blog, podcasts, and bug tracker, and an online support and discussion forum.
https://applevis.com/
Founded in 1978, the Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange was one of the first official Apple support groups in the United States and is also a resource for news about retro and modern Apple products and technologies. Call-A.P.P.L.E. was the name of the magazine the organization published from 1978 to 1990, and restarted in PDF format in 2002, publishing articles on programming, news, reviews, and interviews. A.P.P.L.E. is also a book and game publisher.
https://www.callapple.org/
Online since 1996, EveryMac is a guide to Apple Macs, iPods, iPads, iPhones, and Mac clones, as well as other Apple products, with technical specifications, configuration details, system identifiers, performance benchmarks, and worldwide pricing information. Apple specs may be found by series, year, processor, or by case. Other resources include a Mac identification section, and information about memory upgrades, accessories, and storage devices for Macs.
https://everymac.com/
The site offers a variety of resources and information for users of Apple Macintosh computer systems, including downloads of drivers and other utilities and installers. Other resources include a chat server and an online discussion forum that includes topic areas for Mac releases and operating systems, Mac developers, tutorials, and a technical FAQ, as well as hardware components and drivers, desktops, notebooks, netbooks, and tablets. Registration is required for participation in discussions.
https://www.insanelymac.com/
Low End Mac is an independent online publication that has been online since 1997, funded largely through donations. Its purpose is to encourage and support the long-term use of Apple products as long as it remains productive and meets the needs of the user, upgrading only when necessary. The site includes specifications for desktop, portable, and mobile Apple devices, including vintage equipment, as well as several informational articles, software links, and groups.
https://lowendmac.com/
Powered by vBulletin, the online forum is not affiliated with Apple, but serves as a Mac community support and discussion forum. Registration and a login are required for participation, although not for viewing the topics, which include a general discussion area, digital topics, mobile devices, macOS software, Apple hardware, and a macOS and iOS developer playground area, as well as announcements. Product reviews and advertising opportunities are available.
https://www.mac-forums.com/
Founded in 2004, Mac-Help is an online forum offering community support for Apple Mac desktops, MacBooks, and macOS, as well as other Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPods. Powered by XenForo, the forum requires registration and a login for participation in discussions, although viewing is available without a login. Topics include introductions and general discussions, Mac software, Apple hardware, and announcements and suggestions.
https://www.mac-help.com/
Online since 1997, MacMusic is a community of audio professionals using Apple Macintosh computers to create music. Comprised of musicians, composers, sound engineers, producers, distributors, and Mac users around the world, the site includes an active online discussion forum and a mailing list, linked to the forum, as well as a directory of MacMusic members. Industry news, reviews and links to Mac software, classified advertising, video tutorials, and interviews are included.
http://www.macmusic.org/
Created in 2000, MacRumors aggregates news, rumors, and reports related to Apple Corporation and its products, which are updated regularly throughout the day. MacRumors is also home to a large Mac-focused forum with hundreds of thousands of members, as well as a Buyer’s Guide that recommends timeframes for purchasing Apple products based on the product’s last update. Reviews of Apple products are included, and advertising opportunities are included.
https://www.macrumors.com/
