20091005 -- Which Do You Prefer a Mac or a PC (1)

Which Do You Prefer: a Mac or a PC?

Are all computer systems created equal?

For more than two decades, avid computer enthusiasts have been debating the merits of Macs and PCs. With two new operating systems, Apple's Mac OS 10.6 and Microsoft's Windows 7, the question remains: Is one system better than the other?

Conversation A
Adam: I'm in the market for a new computer and I'm leaning toward buying a Mac.
Beth: Before you think about purchasing anything, you should really compare the quality and cost of the two platforms. I think PCs are better computers, and they cost about half as much as Macs do.
Adam: Not really. If you compare a Mac and a PC with similar features, you’ll find they often cost about the same.
Beth: Maybe so, but there are so many companies that make PCs. You have a lot of more options to choose from.
Adam: Actually, I like the simplicity of choosing from only one manufacturer line of products.
Beth: I guess it depends on what you want to use your computer for. My PC is great for reading emails and creating documents.
Adam: With the Mac, I could do those things. But I would also get programs that allow me to add photos, record music and even make movies.


avid adj. 熱心的/衝勁十足的
=> have strong desire
eg: Toby is an avid fun of the theater. He watches a play every week.
eg: Mark is an avid baseball fan. He collects so many baseball cards.
eg: Sean made an avid effort to impress his future mother-in-low(岳母).

in the market for something 想買某樣東西
eg: Carrie just sold her old car and is now in the market for a new one.
eg: Dad is in the market for a van(休旅車).
eg: Although this house is really nice, we're not in the market for such a big house.

platform n. 平台/(本文章指)電腦的介面
eg: Billy just bought his first Mac. He is still getting used to the new platform.
eg: This kind of graphic software can be used with almost any Windows platform.
eg: This program runs on Macintosh system platforms.

simplicity n. 簡單
eg: Jill likes the simplicity of her new phone. Even a small child could use it.

document n. 文件
eg: The spy was sent on a mission to steal top-secret documents from the government.

operating system 作業系統


//== Chat room ==//

Are all computer systems created equal?

All men are created equal. 人人生而平等
=> 這邊用equal，表示用來強調all men

Gettysburg Address 蓋茲堡演講
Declaration of Independence 美國獨立宣言

All men are created equally.
=> 如果用equally，表示用來強調動詞create

//== Grammer on the go ==//

I think PCs are better computers, and they cost about half as much as Macs do.

half as much as
eg: Janice's new job lets her earn three times as much as the other job.
eg: This year's class budget is a third as much as last year's.