If you have problems finding a PC or Macintosh computer when you need one, you may just be in the wrong department.

The computer labs supported by the Iowa State Computation Center tend to keep a balance between UNIX stations, IBM-compatibles and Macintoshes, said Frank Poduska, consulting manager for the Computation Center.

This equal ratio means that students should have no problem finding either kind in the Durham and Heady Hall computer labs or Room 36 of Parks Library, as well as several other labs.

However, individual departments have the authority to decide which kind of computers they want in their labs. Once a department chooses a “viable platform” for their computers, Poduska said, they usually stick with it. He said using the same kind of computers year after year makes it easier and cheaper to maintain the computers.

The journalism and English departments, for example, both have more Macs, while engineering and computer science use mainly PCs.

The university began increasing its supply of PCs a few years ago when Macintosh looked like it was having problems keeping up, Poduska said. He said ISU Extension continues to “actively discourage” its offices from purchasing Macintoshes.

Saul Lempirikany, senior in computer science, said he prefers PCs to Macintoshes.

“I’m used to that environment,” he said, adding that it is usually less complicated to use. Lempirikany said his department uses PCs, so that is what he’s used to.

But on Tuesday night in the Durham computer lab, he was caught using a Macintosh.

“[Macintosh] also has some good features,” he said, especially when using Project Vincent.

Project Vincent and the Internet is also why Viveka Ransom, junior in horticulture, uses Macintoshes.

“I can access the Web from these,” Ransom said.

But when it comes time to buy a personal computer, Ransom said she will probably buy a PC because her disks are PC formatted.

Other students also preferred the format with which they had the most experience.

“[Macs are] what I used in high school, so that’s what I’m used to,” said Holly Gilliland, junior in biochemistry. “I was a yearbook co-editor, and we spent countless hours on the Mac.”

Dennis Engholm, computer lab manager for the Computation Center, is in charge of almost 20 labs on campus and acts as a consultant for the English department’s computer labs. He said all new Macintoshes purchased by the university in recent years have software to read PC programs.

At the Microcomputer Processing Center, Macintoshes have been selling slightly better than PCs, Poduska said.