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Over the past 10 days I have been noting when and why one of my computers had crashed.

Currently the score is OSX 10.5: 6 and Windows Vista: 0. (Unintended Crashes)

Does this prove that Window’s Vista is a far more stable operating system? is this proof of the superiority of a PC over its Mac counterpart? Absolutely not!  The only thing that this statistic proves is that I have been using my MacBook far more than I have my Window’s machine. One of the best ways for me to crash an operating system is trying to use two or more programs that are competing for the same hardware resources. If the software I am using is cousins, like using Adobe Premiere and Adobe Soundbooth at the same time I have no problem. If I am using Premier and Sony’s Soundforge I don’t immediately get a problem, however the more intense the work gets and more I am maxing out my hardware the greater a chance for a crash occurs. On my Window’s machine I have learned not to use certain applications at the same time as other applications. Is this a problem inherentt to Microsoft’s Windows? No, how do you think I am causing my Mac to crash? A crash is more likely. The best way for me to get my Mac to crash is trying to use Garageband at the same time as Adobe’s Soundbooth. I am not trying to pass myself off as a hardware guru, however, it doesn’t take one long to figure out that both applications are competing for the same hardware at the same time. Another great way to crash a Mac is to overburden it. You know you have achieved this step when you hear the fan going and it feels like you can fry an egg on the bottom of the computer. I am well informed on computer hardware, however, by no means a master. I think it is safe to say, having your computer run that hot for an extended period of time is never wise, especially if you are dealing with the restricted space of a laptop. Still unfamiliar with my Mac Book, I do not know the limits of the hardware just yet, however, I do know that a crash while under this kind of stress most likely came from the hardware not the Operating System. Doing so would be as foolish as someone blaming windows for their blue screen, nine times out of ten, it is hardware failure or misconfiguration. This by design will happen more to PC’s with cheap hardware. Remember when you by a $600.00 computer, you get a $600.00 computer.

Finally, the number one reason that my Mac Book has crashed more than my Window’s desktop is the amount of time that I have been using my Mac. I use it more frequently than my Window’s machine.

I strongly believe that Mac and OS X will follow Window’s as it mature, and that is by no means a bad thing, but the nature of the world we live in. Even now with Leopard there are uninstall procedures for more professional software and the days of just dragging it into the trash can are coming to a close. Enviably inviting third party development will expand the Mac software library, but you will also get a bunch of poorly written software that will drain your systems resources, monopolize the hardware, and cause your computer to crash. For my Mac friends not yet familiar with this, talk to your PC friends, they have been dealing with this for years.