Macs For the Win for College Students
Mac vs. PC. The ongoing debate about the superior computer/laptop seems to be settled for college students. Despite of many statistical data that support which is better in an area, majority of college students enter the classroom with Macs. Many articles, reviews, and statistical papers, suggest relevant evidences about which is better. Cost wise, PC is much more affordable, when one can buy a reasonable PC for a $500, but you will need at $1000 for a MacBook air. It seems that software wise, PC has a better software service. Almost all software are compatible on PCs, but very limited to Macs. In school, 95% of computer technology uses windows operating system, rather than mac operating system. Statistically suggesting, PC seems to be a better choice for students when regarding cost, system compatibility, software, and much more. But why does 70% of college students use macs, instead of PC?
Design wise, mac is being reviewed much more positively than PCs. Mac has a very iconic design – different from PCs, with simple, yet attractive. This factor may be one of the reasons why macs are so popular for college students over PC. Chowdry wrote “Our research is indicating that Microsoft is unable to connect with the new generation of users”. It could be that college students are more attracted to Macs because it is user-friendlier, or more comfortable than PCs.
Or, an information cascade can explain this ‘Mac domination phenomena’. Because so many students already are using Macs, more and more incoming college students will choose to buy a Mac, because everyone is using a Mac, rather than PC. This information cascade shows how one’s personal belief is not considered in making a choice. One’s own belief or information is not taken into consideration in choosing whether to buy a PC or a Mac. Data suggests that PC is more compatible with most of softwares, and accessible to more information. However, regardless of PC’s advantages, college students dominantly choose Macs over PC. Even if a student acknowledges that PC may be better and more comfortable for him/her, he/she probably ends up buying a Mac, because everyone uses and owns a Mac. This social conformity is very powerful. Information cascades are what we call following the ‘norm’. College students see that the new ‘norm’ in laptops is Mac. Therefore, despite of their private information about which is better, we follow the majority, we follow what everyone else chooses. College students are tightly grouped. Everyone is aware of what everyone else is using and buying. We are sensitive to fads, and social norm. And as a social response, the best choice for college students is to get a Mac. The debate between which is better does not simply matter to college students. What matters is what others are mostly using. In the near future, more and more students will purchase Macs as college students, and the market for Mac laptops will grow and improve better and better, catching up to PCs. Already 70% of students are using Macs. Why wouldn’t you get one?
Sources: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/story/2012/09/23/pcs-vs-macs-how-they-stack-up/57818700/1
http://www.itok.net/blog/index.php/2011/04/mac-vs-pc/
http://techblog.codeobsessed.com/computer-operating-system-survey-microsoft-windows-pc-vs-mac/
http://osxdaily.com/2010/08/05/70-of-college-freshman-use-macs/
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[…] computer buyers, and some include Apple option, for Mac computers or the new iPad. According to a Cornell University study, 70% of college students use Macs, so this bit of information may help guide your purchasing […]