The computer industry has gone beyond competitive over the past years. With the ever-increasing demands of users from across the globe, computer designers have to constantly come up with innovative ways to stump the competition. And when it comes to the latest, coolest, and the savviest, nothing beats the products that Apple has ingeniously created.

It was in May 2006 when the world first caught a glimpse of the laptop that will revolutionize all laptops – the Macbook. Originally intended for student use, the Macbook soon became a worldwide bestseller, beating out its PC rivals. Pretty soon, everybody else was getting their hands on the stylish and ultra-cool features of the Macbook.

Have you been considering crossing over to the other side and getting a Macbook yourself? Do you think it’s time to bid your PC laptop goodbye and upgrade to something even better? Read on to find out more about the benefits of a Macbook over a PC laptop, based on internet sources and consumer reviews from all over the world.

Operating System

The operating system for the Macbook is the Mac OS X, the current release as of 2009 being Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Not only is the OS easily navigable, but it is totally user-friendly. According to sources, it doesn’t take long for a PC user to get used to the features of the Mac OS.

For those who are a bit hesitant about switching over to the Mac OS right away, the great thing about Macbooks is that they can run the Windows OS as well. Even PC fanatics who are so used to working on MS Office can enjoy the compatibility of Word, Powerpoint, and Excel on their Macbooks. However, if you think of the converse, which is trying to run the Mac OS X Snow Leopard on your PC laptop, forget about it. It won’t happen.

According to the official Apple website, there is also an option for Macbook users who want to run two operating systems at the same time. There is a Parallels Desktop software available for purchase on Apple, and this allows users to run Windows based applications right on their Mac OS X desktops. There is no need to log off or restart when switching from OS A to OS B and vice versa.

Aesthetics

At first glance, the Macbook truly is an eye-catcher. It has a sleek white aluminum body, and is more lightweight and compact compared to other similarly-priced PC laptops. The different Macbook models have varying sizes of screens, ranging from 13, 15, to 17 inches. All screens on Macbooks have a smooth glossy finish, and can even adjust the display depending on the ambient light levels.

Perhaps one of the nicest features of the Macbook is its touchpad. Unlike conventional touchpads of competitor PC laptops, Apple designed the Macbook’s with convenience and a wide range of finger movements in mind. For instance, two finger swipes help you navigate through web pages or documents, while three finger swipes let you scroll through collections of images.

Display

Of course, display is an important factor that determines the usability of a laptop. In the case of the Macbook, its LED backlit screen never fails to provide clear and crisp images every time. The Macbook, Macbook Pro 13”, and the Macbook Air all have resolutions of 1280 by 800 pixels. The 15” Macbook Pro has 1440 by 900 pixels display, while the 17” version has a widescreen display of 1920 by 1200 pixels.

In terms of the graphics processor, all Macbook models carry the latest from NVIDIA, making multimedia viewing even more enjoyable. Expect to be able to surf through websites, watch streaming videos, and even play DVDs in super high quality with your Macbook. Most PC laptops, when placed next to the Macbook, will look generally dim and won’t be able to showcase video and graphics as effectively.

Applications

Once you switch over from PC laptop to Macbook, you might feel worried that you can’t open your documents or files. Never fear! According to Apple, all your images, documents, audio, video, and other files will run on Mac. Even the applications that you love working with, like Adobe Photoshop provided there is a Mac version, can be installed and run on your Macbook. So you don’t have to get stuck with Mac-only applications to get your work done!

Macbooks are preloaded with iLife 09, which features the collection of essential programs like iPhoto, iWeb, iMovie, iDVD, and lots more. There is also Garage Band which helps make personalized podcasts and audio clips, as well as the MobileMe software, making image uploading from phone to computer super simple.

Battery Life

Who would want a laptop that runs out of juice when you need it most? Apple has brilliantly designed its Macbooks with powerful lithium polymer batteries that are highly energy efficient. Following the requirements of the ENERGY STAR program, Macbooks now use up 32 percent less energy compared to older models and even competitor brands.

How does it perform when playing a DVD movie? The Macbook Pro 13” has a battery life of up to 3 hours when running on Windows 7, or even up to 4 hours when on Mac OS X. Compare that to similar PC laptops that reach from 2 hours to 2.5 hours only. If you’re web browsing, you can expect the Macbook to withstand up to 10 hours of on-time.

Internet Usability

The Macbook OS X uses the latest version of Safari as its browser. Safari is proud to be able to accommodate the latest in HTML5 technology, making web pages more dynamic than ever before. On top of that, you can easily access your email accounts via the Safari browser or through the Mac OS X mail application. For your instant messaging needs, the Macbook is already installed with iChat, letting you use your accounts like Google Talk and AIM.

Overall, to be able to gain a better appreciation of the Macbook, the best way is to check it out yourself. The Apple website has a comprehensive listing of available Macbook models, comparisons of their capabilities, as well as FAQs about the Macbook systems in general. Learn more about them and make that switch from PC to Mac today!