The following is a guest post by Tom Terronez of Medix Dental. If you are interested in guest posting for Dental Heroes, please sign up here.

With the mass success of the Apple iPhone and iPad, a lot of PC users have considered installing Apple Mac computers in their homes and offices. As with most technology, there is a compromise when considering a product that has a smaller user base. Detailed below are a few of the common questions and considerations to evaluate when looking at using the Apple Mac for your practice.

What are some of the pros of the Apple Mac?

The Mac’s sleek and attractive design is the first thing that draws people in. They look great just about anywhere. The operating system is very dependable, and the chances of being infected with a virus are much lower than those with a Windows-based PC.

I thought that Mac’s do not get viruses?

That a myth. Mac’s can and do acquire viruses, but there are significantly fewer viruses out there that infect the Mac. Why? Hackers typically create viruses to attack the masses, and Mac users are not the masses. A major drawback here is that fewer resources are devoted to Mac virus protection, and thus the resolution of new viruses can take much longer than that of a Windows-based PC.

What are my options for Practice Management with a Mac?

MacPractice is widely considered strongest player in the field, but there are additional options that are available, such as MacDentPro. Curve Dental leads the web-based software field and is Mac friendly. Compared with the Windows-based PC, you have fewer options to consider.

hat are my options for Digital Imaging with a Mac?

This is where your options start to dwindle. MacPractice promotes the Suni sensor as their product line of choice. There is also support for ScanX and Planmeca devices. Unfortunately, with the very small user base, most of digital imaging companies are not investing in native support for the Mac. In English, that means if you want the latest and greatest in Digital Imaging you’re limited to the Windows-based PC environment.

Can’t I run Windows on my Mac using Parallels or VMWare?

Yes, you can, but what is the point? Running Windows on the Mac allows you to utilize mainstream Practice Management and sometimes Digital Imaging software, but it takes away all benefits of utilizing a Mac in the first place. Since Windows operates in a separate environment than Mac OSX, it will naturally run more slowly than it would on a comparable PC. In addition, using Windows on the Mac further complicates your network environment and opens the door to all of the consequences of a PC network. Lastly, you will never want to mention to your software provider that you are running Windows on a Mac because they will simply blame everything on an “unsupported configuration.”

What are the differences between PC and Mac hardware?

At one time, the Apple Mac was a completely different device from the PC. Now, they use the same processors, RAM, hard drives, and video chipsets. So when investing in a Mac, you pay more for approximately the same product that you may purchase from Dell or HP.

Are there any other cons with moving to the Mac?

Since the user base is much smaller than that of the Windows-based PC, there is a much smaller support base. You simply have fewer choices for a support partner. Additionally, Apple does not offer same business day on-site hardware replacement and does not guarantee next business day on-site hardware replacement. This can create a bigger obstacle on mission critical equipment like your server. Windows-based PC manufacturer’s like Dell offer these options. Most practices cannot afford to be down for hours, let alone for days.

Is the Mac right for your practice?

Each practice has specific needs that it must evaluate before selecting an IT solution. Both options present both unique benefits and challenges. By assessing the value of each possibility and its integration into your practice, you can better determine which choice will optimize your practice’s efficiency and productivity.

Do you Use Macs or PCs in Your Practice?

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