Compare with or to

[Pinayausie]

Is there a difference between these two sentences?

a. They are always comparing me with my sister.
b. They are always comparing me to my sister.

[Mister Micawber]

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

'Compare' usually takes the preposition 'to' when it refers to the activity of describing the resemblances between unlike things: 'He compared her to a summer day.' 'Scientists sometimes compare the human brain to a computer.' It takes 'with' when it refers to the act of examining two like things in order to discern their similarities or differences: 'The police compared the forged signature with the original.' 'The committee will have to compare the Senate's version of the bill with the version that was passed by the House.' When 'compare' is used to mean 'to liken (one) with another', 'with' is traditionally held to be the correct preposition: 'That little bauble is not to be compared with (not to) this enormous jewel'. But 'to' is frequently used in this context and is not incorrect.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's