It could be said Loyola laptop owners fall under two categories: PC users and Mac users. But Christen Rhody wanted to enjoy the best of both worlds.

This music industry studies freshman, first a PC owner, now also owns a white MacBook. Besides wanting to use GarageBand – pre-installed Mac software used for music creation and audio editing – Rhody also attributes her purchase to another reason.

“Everyone had one, and I felt left out,” she said. “If you go to class and look around, everyone’s got their MacBooks.”

“They’re so cute,” she said of the tiny laptop. “If you don’t already have one, you’re gonna want one sooner or later.”

More and more laptops bearing the Apple logo are popping up around campus, leaving students like Rhody wanting to take a bite out of this new trend.

“If someone sees someone with something, they’ll naturally want it,” said English writing senior Shannon Thomas, a PC user, on this phenomenon.

But even she concedes to the trend-setting power of the MacBook.

“I didn’t want to sound shallow,” she said, “but it is cute.”

But does Mac’s quality equate to its “cuteness,” or is this a passing technological trend, destined to go the way of the Walkman?

‘THE ONLY COMPUTER YOU’LL EVER NEED’

In a formerly PC-friendly world, many students opted for laptops by Dell, Gateway and Toshiba, among other brands.

“I just thought that PCs were more compatible with things,” said marketing junior Greg Rodrigue on purchasing his laptop. “But now it’s gotten to a point where it doesn’t really matter.”

Apple has recently created Mac-accessible versions of exclusively PC software – such as Windows and Microsoft Office programs – further integrating Macs into the technological world. Apple even boldly claims on its Web site that a Mac “may very well be the only computer you’ll ever need.”

“For a long time, choosing a Mac or PC depended on software, but now lines are starting to blur,” said Bret Jacobs, executive director of Loyola Information Technology, “Now laptops are an extension of the person. What fits their needs best depends on the tool they choose.”

CREATIVE EDGE

As these lines continue to blur, Mac is proving itself to be a force to be reckoned with.

“Now that they’re making programs for Macs that were only for PCs,” Rhody said. “Maybe Macs are advancing to become the ultimate computer.”

While this may be good news for Mac users, this leaves many PC owners feeling buyer’s remorse.

“I honestly would have gotten a Mac,” said Rodrigue on his laptop decision. “I just didn’t know any better at the time.”

Dissatisfied with the PC she had in high school, graphic design junior Katie Clements decided to purchase a Mac for college.

“At first I had no idea how to use it,” she said of her Mac, “but now when I use a PC, I can’t figure out how to work it. Macs are so much easier.”

According to Clements, her Mac’s design-oriented features give her an advantage in her major. Adobe programs such as InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, programs favored by those in graphic design, have an added allure when used on a Mac.

“Adobe programs will run on a PC,” said Clements, “but the thing about Macs it that they have a bunch of key commands that PCs don’t.”

Thomas also finds Macs more suitable for doing creative projects.

“I find PCs simpler, because I’ve been using them longer,” she said. “But I prefer to use the Macs in the library or Mac lab if I have to make a Web site or something.”

For students who aren’t so artistically inclined, a PC may present itself as a reasonable option.

“I find that Macs are a lot more compatible with those with artistic needs,” said Rodrigue. “If you’re just going to type up documents or use the Internet, it doesn’t really matter.”

SUPPORT ISSUES

But regardless of one’s major or artistic abilities, one problem all students face is the possibility of a computer crisis. Students will certainly take this into account when choosing a computer. Clements’ decision to buy a Mac partially stems from the problems she had with her PC in the past.

“I had problems with my PC all the time,” she said. “I don’t know how many times I had to take it to the shop.”

One reason for the rise of the Mac may be because of the common belief that Macs are immune to many problems PCs have, particularly viruses.

“Macs are less of a target for viruses,” Jacobs said in regard to that theory. “But they still face the same vulnerabilities with their hardware.”

Jacobs also said Windows Vista, the newest Windows operating system, has many security features that hope to protect PCs from viruses.

Although both platforms face the same vulnerabilities and now have similar security features, Apple’s technical support options make buying a Mac more appealing to some.

“One area Apple’s done a good job with is with technical support,” said Jacobs, because of its phone technical support system. “When you call (tech support), you’re actually calling Apple.”

After three years of using her Mac, Clements’ hard drive crashed. Apple was there to help. “My whole hard drive was replaced by Apple within a week,” she said.

Clements also has the luxury of living by an Apple Store – a retail outlet that also offers support, advice and Mac workshops, according to the Apple Web site. The store has locations in more than 30 states, but not in Louisiana.

“They know your computer there. With any other computer, you have to take it to somewhere else,” Clements said of the Apple Store. “If they put an Apple Store out here, it would definitely be used.”

For finance sophomore Chloe Woods, the Apple Store makes buying a Mac even more appealing.

“It’s so hard to find places to get little things fixed,” she said. “But if I had a Mac, I could take it to the Apple Store at home. The next computer I buy will be a Mac.”

APPLE WORLD

With the iPod of equal popularity to its sister product, and with much anticipation surrounding the upcoming iPhone, it looks like Apple is launching a technological takeover. It seems like students don’t have a problem with that.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said Rodrigue. “They’re doing what they do better than everyone else. They’re staying on top of innovations in personal use technology.”

Clements thinks an Apple monopoly might create a more user-friendly world in regard to electronics.

“I think Apple products are, in general, better than anything else,” she said. “They are designed to have the least amount of complications and problems and if they do, (Apple) will fix it.”

But Clements doesn’t necessarily believe Apple will create another phenomenon with the iPhone.

“It’s not designed for everyday people. It’s more for people who are running a business,” she said. “I have plenty of friends who are ready to buy it. I say ‘You’re gonna lose it, anyway. It’s not even worth it.'”

Lauren LaBorde can be reached at [email protected].