PC Vs Mac Essay -- Compare Contrast Personal Computer Macintosh

When purchasing a personal computer, buyers used to grapple with the decision: a Macintosh from Apple Computer or a Microsoft-based PC? Microsoft effectively won that operating system debate years ago and claims more than 90% of the PC operating system market. But in the push to legally sell digital music, Apple and Microsoft, and their incompatible file formats, are at it again. Consumers are in the position of having to choose as hardware makers line up behind either Microsoft or Apple's software format. Hewlett-Packard's recent surprise decision to snub longtime PC partner Microsoft and offer Apple music software on its PCs shows how unpredictable this battle may be. "Microsoft lost the first round of the digital music war," says Phil Leigh, an analyst with research firm Inside Digital Media. Apple's iTunes software "was good enough to persuade (H-P) . . . to switch. That's huge." For now, Dell, which battles H-P for PC market share dominance, promotes music in Microsoft's Windows Media Audio (WMA) format on its computers -- as do most Windows-based PCs. Likewise, most portable music devices sold today -- with the exception of Apple's best-selling and acclaimed iPod -- use Microsoft's format. That means consumers who use portable music players and buy songs from Apple must use the iPod; consumers who purchase from non-Apple online music stores must use portable devices based on Microsoft's format. Adding to the digital disorder: Sony is set this summer to launch yet another music service, Connect, with songs that can be transferred only to Sony devices, such as mini-disc players. "There's a lot of confusion about different formats," says Mike McGuire, analyst with research firm GartnerG2. "But the dig... ...with Pepsi of 100 million songs from iTunes. Will other PC manufacturers follow in H-P's footsteps? Leigh thinks so; Apple wouldn't comment. Only time will tell. Consumers "will decide which format works, and whether that should be Apple's or Microsoft's," McGuire says. TEXT OF INFO BOX BEGINS HERE Dividing up digital music Apple and Microsoft have different formats for digital music. What plays where: Music service Plays on Apple's iTunes Music Apple iPod, Macs and Windows PCs with iTunes or RealPlayer version 10 software. Will soon play on H-P Windows PCs and branded iPods. Musicmatch, Bestbuy.com, Walmart.com, Napster, BuyMusic.com, MusicRebellion.com: PCs with Microsoft's Windows Media Player, Musicmatch, RealPlayer or Winamp software. Digital media players from Dell, Rio Audio, Creative Labs, Gateway, Samsung, iRiver; all Pocket PCs.