How to Pick a Perfect PC

Apple's got the style; AMD and Intel promise the power. Which one's right for you?

Laurianne McLaughlin

Formerly a senior editor at PC World and Business 2.0, Laurianne McLaughlin is a frequent contributor to technology publications.

Some PC shoppers detest change. Maybe you fear switching from a PC with an Intel processor to one based on a processor from Advanced Micro Devices. Or maybe you dread the thought of buying a machine that's not made by Apple, which uses IBM and Motorola processors. But with all three companies doing innovative work to improve computing, now's a fine time to reexamine your notions.

What are the real pros and cons of each type of system? If you don't take a fresh look once in a while, you're missing out--maybe on a bargain, maybe on less-stressful coexistence with your next computer.

Intel, AMD Throw New Punches

Performance, price, and support all factor into any home PC buying decision.

Let's take a look at performance. For years, Intel and AMD battled to see who could be first to market with the fastest processor. Intel's marketing department, in particular, pushed the idea that the more megahertz, the better. For the most part, the public bought it.

But today, megahertz ratings say little about a computer's performance. And AMD-based systems often deliver more bang for the buck. For example, systems using AMD's Athlon XP 3200+ processor, which runs at 2.2 GHz, outperform systems based on Intel's 3-GHz Pentium 4 chips on PC World's WorldBench application-based performance tests. And these AMD systems cost at least $100 less than comparably configured P4 machines.

But remember this: Both AMD- and Intel-based desktops run incredibly fast, faster than most of us really require. While the latest chip often speeds up music or gaming applications, it rarely makes a noticeable difference in applications like Microsoft Word or Excel.

AMD's Price Advantage

The decision for many PC buyers boils down not to the brand of the chip, but to which PC vendors use which chips. Fewer vendors use AMD's chips than Intel's. AMD, for all its innovations, faces a mighty marketing machine and formidable industry veteran in Intel.

"The top-tier PC vendors need to maintain varied product lines with options for any consumer," says Shane Rau, a senior analyst with market research firm IDC. Intel's product line boasts a wider variety of chips, especially for notebook PCs, Rau says.

Currently, AMD sells heavily to companies like Alienware and ABS, known for tricked-out systems well-suited to gaming, and to companies like MicroExpress and Polywell, known for bargain-priced systems. What about the big-name PC vendors? You'll find AMD Athlon chips in some Hewlett-Packard Pavilion desktops, but not any new Dell or Gateway machines.

As any PC veteran knows, trouble can hit at any time, for reasons that have nothing to do with processors. If you're sold on one company's service and support, it's hard to convince yourself to switch PC vendors just to try out an AMD processor.

But if a vendor you like offers both AMD- and Intel-based boxes, take a hard look at AMD. You'll almost always save $100 to $200, maybe more, compared to a similar Intel-based system.

Next Up for AMD and Intel

One final matter in the AMD/Intel rivalry: 64-bit computing. While today's desktop processors use 32-bit technology, AMD just began shipping its first 64-bit desktop processors, such as the Athlon 64 FX-51. PC World's first tests show that systems based on this new chip really fly. Intel has no current plans to announce a 64-bit chip for desktops, but instead continues to tweak its 32-bit chips.

Does this mean you should automatically choose a 64-bit AMD processor? No. In the long term, these chips could enable innovative software and supercharge gaming and video tasks. But for most of us, 64-bit technology is not yet a reason to choose one PC over another.

Few compatible applications have been announced, and a 64-bit version of Windows has yet to ship. Since you'll need 64-bit software to get the full throttle speed of AMD's new chip, this is a good reason for waiting to make the leap. Also, Intel's successor to the Pentium 4, code-named Prescott, is expected to ship later this year or in January 2004; it promises significant improvements. We'll have to wait and see how it matches up to AMD's latest.

Apple of Your Eye?

While PC shoppers constantly compare power and prices, some of Apple's hardcore fans think that Apple represents all that is good with the world, and Microsoft represents all that is evil. This article will skip that political debate. But for people who want to know what's going on with Apple systems, there's plenty to consider.

First, have Windows-based PC makers given Apple system owners any big reasons to switch lately? No. Apple still does exceedingly well in the areas that won the company fans in the first place--ease of use, intuitiveness, and system design, for example.

"Apple hides a lot of complexity," says Roger Kay, director of client computing at IDC. "An Apple system does what you expect it to do."

Windows PCs still produce cryptic error messages, present upgrade hassles, and crash more frequently than most Apple owners are used to--though Windows XP is a considerable improvement over Windows 98 or ME.

Nevertheless, Apple owners face fewer aggravations than the typical PC owner. A key reason: Apple systems work with a smaller universe of peripherals and applications. Because this smaller group of peripherals and applications lets Apple examine and solve glitches more easily than Microsoft can for all Windows users, Apple owners are faced with fewer surprises when installing new gadgets, for example.

"Under one roof, Apple can test so many [product] combinations," Kay says. "The testing can be fairly exhaustive." So jobs like setting up a home wireless network often prove simpler with Apple equipment.

The Argument for Apple

In days past, some people rejected Apple because certain applications weren't available in the latest and greatest version, or perhaps at all, for the Apple OS. But now there's Microsoft's Virtual PC, an emulation program that lets you run an occasional Windows application on an Apple machine, with some slowdown (performance will vary by application.)

As for performance, it's rarely the decisive factor for people considering an Apple system: Ease of use is usually the prime reason. Nonetheless, Apple just kicked its speed ambitions up a notch with its new PowerMac G5 line, which uses the 64-bit IBM PowerPC 970 processor. These machines, aimed at professionals like graphic designers, demonstrate Apple's determination to participate in the performance race.

Moreover, with Apple, there's no need to investigate the reputations and support policies of several PC vendors. You're buying from Apple--which excels at customer service and support, according to PC World's most recent annual reliability and service survey. In the survey, in which readers rate vendors on issues like hardware problems and tech support effort, Apple won top marks among all desktop PC makers on service measures.

Need one last reason to consider Apple? Think bugs and worms: While PC users have been cursing loudly for the past year about numerous nasty viruses that have quickly spread round the globe (thanks in part to Microsoft software), Apple users don't need to worry much about this problem. Virus authors seem to see Microsoft as a bigger and better target.

Apple vs. AMD and Intel

But let's turn the tables on an earlier question: Has Apple given PC users any big reasons to switch?

True, Apple's IPod digital music player screams cool, and works seamlessly with Apple systems. And Apple has introduced other clever peripherals, like the ISight Web camera, which works with Apple's IChat instant messaging software to let you videoconference with other Apple users. Finally, Apple has offered some competitive prices on its notebooks. These moves have great appeal for some PC buyers. But for most consumers, these aren't really compelling reasons to switch to Apple, analysts say. None of these reasons alone will likely sway a Windows veteran.

"I think the company [Apple] is reconciled to being a boutique," IDC's Kay says. Today, Apple follows the example of say, BMW, which makes fine cars, but does not try to sell its cars to everyone, Kay says.

So, if you need a new computer system, remember: Change can be good; and it's sometimes necessary. When you're armed with information, you have nothing to fear. There's a big smorgasbord of technologies out there to enjoy.