Many traditional PC owners are now contemplating making the big switch – to a Mac that is. Apple computers are increasingly taking up a larger slice of the market when it comes to personal computers. The 'Mac vs PC' television commercials that launched the career of movie star Justin Long, and helped distinguish Apple products as a brand. Meanwhile, as more individuals concerned about identity theft and viruses, not to mention the compatibility with other popular Apple products including the iPhone and iPad – Apple really is becoming a popular consideration for both home and work.

Walk into any flagship Apple store or electronics retailer and you may be overwhelmed by the number of options available. There's screen after screen after screen to gaze at and they come in all shapes and sizes. However, there's much more to consider than screen size when it comes to making your purchase.

Desktop or laptop?

The age-old question still holds true but recent developments in laptop technology has meant that many portable machines are now just as powerful as their desktop counterparts. However there are still a number of key distinctions that are worth considering between Apple desktops and laptops.

For desktop computers, the iMac is sleek and powerful with great graphics and a faster processor so it's perfect for tackling graphic intensive tasks at home or work such as basic video editing. Meanwhile, if you're just looking for a basic computer model at a highly affordable cost – the Mac mini retails for just under $ 1000.

Meanwhile, laptops are certainly more portable and handy to have around and Apple has designed a notebook to fit your needs. The MacBook Air is, as its name suggests, lightweight and compact for the on the go, and it starts at less than $ 1000. Meanwhile, if you're after performance, the MacBook is perfect for day to day computing and has the ability to handle more intensive tasks including design and gaming.

For professional use, including professional graphic design, music composition and layout, the MacBook Pro offers superior power and ability in a portable machine. Meanwhile, the heavy duty Mac Pro offers unrivalled performance with 12 cores of processing power and graphical processing capabilities five times faster than standard cards – this is the computer that leaves its rivals behind.

As Apple continues to innovate, these computer models are constantly being updated and developed. With this in mind, individuals looking to stay up to date with the latest technology can choose to rent MacBook or other Apple computer so they can readily upgrade when a new model is released.

Mobile – Apple on the go

Mobile computing technology has grown in leaps and bounds and the smart phones are no longer limited for business use. And of course, the introduction of Apple's iPhone has put the power and fun of a personal computer into the palm of your hand.

While certainly not a replacement for your laptop or personal computer, the tablet is gaining significant ground in mobile computing as a popular alternative to netbook counterparts. Paving the way in tablet computing is Apple's iPad which works seamlessly with traditional iPhone applications. The iPad has also been touted a great eBook reader – changing the way we consume digital content.