Having trouble deciding whether to buy a Mac or a PC? This is a difficult decision because both platforms have different advantages and disadvantages. In fact, it also depends a lot on external factors, like what other devices you own and what software you use.
For example, if you have an Xbox One, Windows Phone, Surface tablet, and all the other computers in your house are Windows PCs, then it might be more convenient to use a PC. On the other hand, if you have an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and an AirPrint-enabled printer, then a Mac is great for those other devices.
Plus, even if you get a mixed environment with Windows and Mac devices, sharing data between devices is pretty easy. It’s also pretty easy to access Mac files from Windows PCs and vice versa. You can even connect a Mac formatted drive to your Windows PC and view the files directly. If you’re new to Mac, you’ll be glad to know that OS X has equivalents for almost every Windows feature.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each platform, including hardware and software. Obviously, this is a very biased and opinionated article, so feel free to share your thoughts if they differ.
Mac pros & Windows
- Mac has a built-in BootCamp program that allows you to install Windows, Linux, or other operating systems in addition to OS X. Configure a dual boot system in OS X is infinitely simpler than Windows. It is also very easy to switch between the two operating systems.
- Mac computers perform better with other Apple products in terms of software. This includes features like Handoff, iMessage, iCloud, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photo Library, iCloud Keychain, Find My iPhone, etc. Microsoft tried to copy this, but only partially.
- Mac computers are less complex and more intuitive to use. This is a very controversial point and the reason I am also listing it as a flaw in the section below. If you’ve always been a Windows user, it might seem counterintuitive at first, but I’ve found it more logical as you get used to it.
- Although Mac computers can be infected with viruses or malware, the number of threats is still significantly lower than for Windows, only because the foundation of Windows is that. a lot more.
- Almost all new PCs come with many malware from PC manufacturers that require manual removal. Mac computers come with software preinstalled, but only from Apple, and it doesn’t slow down your system. If you are tech-savvy, this is not a problem, or it can become a serious nuisance.
- Apple has excellent customer support, an AppleCare warranty program, and exclusive Apple Stores where you can return your Mac or other Apple products for repair training or other problems.
- Macs are sleek and visually appealing. Getting something close from PC makers usually amounts to denying the higher cost of Apple products.
- When it comes to value, Macs are more expensive than PCs, but their resale value is much better than PCs.
- Apple computers have some of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry. When you buy a Mac, you are getting a quality machine. This may be true for PCs as well, but with so many manufacturers and configurations it can be more difficult to achieve the best quality.
- Macs tend to be more innovative in design and function. For example, the Mac includes Thunderbolt, USB Type C ports, multi-touch touchpads, force touch, keyboard backlighting, and more.
- Mac computers can read hard drives formatted with NTFS or FAT. Windows cannot read formatted Mac discs unless you install a third-party program.
- The iMac, the only Mac desktop besides the Mac Pro, is a versatile computer that you can get with 4K or a 5K display, which doesn’t really exist in the Windows market at all, unless you get the ultra-expensive custom installation. There’s the HP Envy, but it’s inferior to the iMac.
PC Pros & Cons
- PCs are manufactured by many different companies, resulting in a huge selection of devices with a wide range of prices. With Apple, you only have a few options with set prices. When it comes to desktops, Apple only has one that targets consumers, so if the price is prohibitive, the Windows desktop would be a much better choice.
- PCs are more flexible and customizable. On a Mac, you can usually only upgrade your RAM or hard drive and that’s it. Almost all components of a desktop PC can be turned off. When buying a PC, you also have a lot more options to customize, including processors, cases, memory, hard drives, ports, displays, etc.
- Overall, there is a lot more software available for Windows than for PCs. The opposite is true when you look at smartphones, but we’re talking about computers here. There is usually an equivalent Mac program for every Windows application, but they are not always that great.
- Windows PCs may have better backward compatibility. A five-year-old PC can easily run Windows 10 without any problems. A Mac that is five years old might be running the latest version of OS X, but half the features will be missing and things won’t run as smoothly. For some reason, you always need the latest Mac to take advantage of all the new features in OS X.
- PC is the best option when it comes to gaming. Macs simply don’t have such powerful graphics cards, even high-performance computers like the Mac Pro.
- Worldwide, most computers are PCs, and Windows is by far the most popular operating system. This means the community is much larger and you can get more software and hardware support.
- When it comes to accessories, PCs have a lot more options, and those options are usually cheaper.
- While OS X is simpler, it may not always be the best option for some. Windows is more complex and powerful than OS X.
- PCs can be configured with hardware that Apple considers obsolete. Some new Apple machines don’t even have CD / DVD drives. It also appears that Apple continues to cut ports on every new machine. The new Macbook has one USB port and one headphone jack and that’s it.
- PCs work well with a variety of other products. For example, you can stream your Xbox or PlayStation games to Windows.
Here are some of the main pros and cons when it comes to Mac and PC. There are tons of other smaller pros and cons, but I don’t think they deserve as much attention when discussing this topic in general terms. Obviously, if you are a professional graphic designer, then it makes more sense to search for specific compatible hardware and software.
The point of this article is not to say that one platform is better than another, because that is simply not true. If you’re a college student and the only thing that matters to you is your budget, then a Mac probably won’t be the best choice despite its other benefits. In my opinion, if you’ve never tried a Mac, you should ask a friend or family member to lend you a device to see how you feel about it. Almost everyone has used Windows, so you know very well what you’re getting in terms of software.
Let us know your opinion on why a Mac or PC is better for you in the comments. Enjoy!
–