It’s an old battle from the years that Microsoft and Apple came up as two of the biggest manufacturers of computers and software in the market. The battle has thoroughly divided the computer world into two distinct cultures: the Mac users and the Microsoft-based PC and laptop patrons.

There actually is not much difference between these two nowadays. Computers manufactured by both companies are powered by Intel processors. However, the difference lies in how the insides of the machines are configured, as well as the type of software that are installed or pre-installed in the operating systems.

A stress test was administered on an iMac and a GateWay One PC, as well as a MacBook and an Asus laptop, in order to determine their capabilities.

Specifications

These were the machines’ specifications:

• iMac: 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB DDR2 RAM, ATI Radeon HD 2600 graphics card, 8x CD/DVD burner and 320 GB hard drive.
• GateWay One: 2.0-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 3 GB DDR2 RAM, 500 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon HD 2600 graphics card, and an 8x CD/DVD burner.
• MacBook: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn processor, 3GB DDR2 RAM, 160 GB hard drive, 8x CD-DVD burner.
• Asus M51SR: 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB DDR2 RAM, 250 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon HD 2400 graphics card, 8x CD/DVD burner.

How the Tests Were Administered

The PC and iMac were subjected to an extreme test by running eight memory-heavy applications, and loading Adobe Photoshop in between. The test was also aimed to show how long each machine can install specific software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, how long they can launch their Internet browsers and word processors, and how long they can rip a full CD into local music files.

The laptops, on the other hand, were subjected to playing a very long movie to see if their batteries last as long as their manufacturers advertise them to be.

iMac vs. GateWay One PC

The test results show that the GateWay One PC was able to launch Adobe Photoshop 14 seconds slower than the Apple iMac with eight other heavy applications running. The iMac was able to launch Safari, Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop (no applications running) at 3.3 seconds, 4.2 seconds and 4 seconds, respectively. On the other hand, GateWay One was able to open Internet Explorer at 6.3 seconds, Microsoft Word at 5.2 seconds, and Adobe Photoshop at 5.5 seconds.

Both machines were at par in installing Microsoft Office and the Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite. The iMac was 2 minutes faster with the former software, while the GateWay One installed the later 5 minutes quicker than the iMac.

MacBook vs. Asus M51SR

Both laptops showed less battery life than advertised. Asus fell off short of the 2-hour movie at 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the MacBook – although it finished the movie – lasted less than Apple’s advertised 6-hour battery life.

Speed tests results show that MacBook opened Microsoft Word at 5.3 seconds, Adobe Photoshop at 4.1 seconds without any other applications running. During the stress-launch, the MacBook was able to open Adobe Photoshop at 16.2 seconds. CD-ripping was completed at 5 minutes and 49 seconds. Installation of Microsoft Word and Adobe CS3 was done in 2 minutes and 57 seconds, and 34 minutes and 54 seconds, respectively.

The Asus, on the other hand, opened Microsoft Word at 6.2 seconds, Adobe Photoshop at 5.2 seconds without any other applications running. During the stress-launch, the MacBook was able to open Adobe Photoshop at 25.5 seconds. CD-ripping was completed at 3 minutes and 9 seconds. Installation of Microsoft Word and Adobe CS3 was done in 4 minutes and 45 seconds, and 21 minutes, respectively.