As you shop for a new computer, you should know whether a Mac or a Windows PC is best for you. Here is everything you need to know to make your decision.
Apple’s Mac laptops and desktops have stood opposite Windows PCs for decades. Though each is suited for personal and business use, key differences make one better than the other in certain situations.
Macs, for example, are better for creatives since many creative applications, such as those from Adobe, are optimized to run on Apple’s hardware. On the other hand, Windows PCs are better for gaming and have access to more software than Macs. But which one is right for you? Of course, that answer will depend on your needs, your tech-savvy, and your budget. However, by the end of this article, you’ll have a better idea of which computer should sit on your desktop.
Which Is Better for Your Budget? Mac or PC
Price is always a major factor when you’re buying a new computer. You don’t want to pay too much, but you also don’t want to buy the cheapest computer, which may quickly become outdated. Instead, it’s a good idea to research beforehand to buy a slightly more powerful computer than you need. This will ensure you have a solid machine for years to come, rather than one you have to replace in a year.
Windows
It’s impossible to directly compare Mac and Windows computers because many manufacturers make Windows PCs, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. The various manufacturers have unique takes on hardware, which makes picking a Windows PC slightly more complicated. The upside is that prices stay competitive.
Windows laptops can range from as little as $300 to as much as $5,000 for high-end portable machines. You can make almost any budget work thanks to this dynamic price range. A solid desktop PC, meaning one that is suitable for most productivity needs, can range from $700 on the low end to around $5,000. However, you have to factor in the price of all the extras, which include:
- Desk
- Chair
- Monitor
- Peripherals (keyboard, mouse, webcam, microphone, and speakers)
Still, if you own these items or buy them secondhand, you can keep the price down. The point is that Windows PCs have a dynamic price range, which makes them suitable for almost any budget. Other than the wide price ranges, Windows computers offer the most value, giving you more performance for less money than a Mac costs. So if the value is the most important factor when deciding on a new computer, Windows is your best bet.
Mac
Apple is the sole manufacturer of Macs, making them less prone to price reductions since they have no competition. As a result, you won’t find Mac laptops, such as the Macbook Air or Macbook Pro, for less than $1,000, with beefier models with more memory and storage increasing the price by several hundred dollars.
For Mac desktops, prices vary a lot more. At the low end of the range, you can buy the tiny Mac mini starting at $600, requiring a monitor and peripherals. The iMac, which houses the computer hardware within the monitor, starts at $1,299 and offers the most value for Macs since it’s also packaged with Apple’s wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse. For creative professionals, Apple makes the Mac Studio, a bigger version of the Mac mini with beefed-up specs that starts at $2,000. And if that doesn’t quite meet your needs, Apple also makes the Mac Pro, an all-metal desktop tower that starts at $6,000 and can go for as much as $53,000 if you want all the bells and whistles.
The real issue with the price of Macs is that upgrading and customizing your expensive Mac to extend its lifespan is out of the question. Apple employs restrictive measures under the guise of offering customers a hassle-free experience. While that is true to an extent, buying a Mac feels more like you’re leasing it from Apple. If you’re okay with that and have the budget to upgrade to a better Mac every few years, that’s great. Everyone else, however, may chafe at that idea.
Convenience
Being tech-savvy is a must, even if you don’t work with computers all day. Still, using a computer presents us with daily challenges that often make our work harder than it needs to be. I am an avid Windows user, which often means taking a break from what I’m doing to troubleshoot a random PC issue I’ve never heard of before. It can sometimes be so frustrating that I’d rather use a less powerful Chromebook, though that’s the price you pay when you build your computer.
That probably won’t be the case for you. Manufacturers usually do a good job of using components that work well together, but if you’re not the type to read through forums and spend hours fixing a problem, Windows PCs may not be for you.
Mac
The upside of restrictive hardware design is that Macs deliver stable performance across the board. Apple computers offer even more performance due to custom-made chips like the M1 chip. Also, Apple is borderline tyrannical with the software it permits from third-party developers, which ensures that all Macs can run the software without major issues. Apple’s infamous walled garden design has been at the head of some recent controversy, but whether you agree with it or not, it has to be said that Macs are much easier to use than Windows PCs.
Macs are the closest you can get to a plug-and-play machine, requiring the least technical hardware knowledge and offering the least frustration. If you want a productivity machine that won’t get in the way of your work, pick a Mac.
Windows
Windows PCs vary in convenience due to the many manufacturers involved. However, in some cases, Windows PCs may be easier to use because of the unique features included by manufacturers to differentiate their machines from others. For example, you can get Windows laptops with touchscreens, a feature that Apple has never added to its Macbooks despite being a leader in touchscreen technology.
However, Windows PCs are notoriously hard to use because Microsoft can’t prepare its software to be compatible with every possible combination of hardware. In some cases, a small Windows update can fix issues for some computers while simultaneously causing issues for others.
Also, because Windows is more open to third-party software, Windows computers are more prone to systems vulnerabilities that leave computers open to hacking. Again, Microsoft can’t plan for everything because it doesn’t have firm control of all software developed for Windows. It comes down to the user to exercise caution when downloading software off the internet. While it’s great that users have more autonomy when deciding what software to run on their computers, it’s also one of Windows’ biggest weaknesses.
Long-term Use
Every computer eventually becomes outdated. That’s just a fact of owning technology. You buy a product, use it for a few years, and then get a newer, shinier version, and on it goes. While you can’t change the constant release of new products, you can control which computer you buy.
It’s best to pick something slightly more powerful than you need so you don’t have to replace your computer as often. Going for better specs will drive up the price, but the higher performance will increase the lifespan of your computer, which may ultimately save you money. In addition, you can take other steps to future-proof your computer, such as buying one with expandable storage and memory. In other words, you’ll want a Windows PC if you plan to keep your computer for years to come.
Windows
Ironically, one of the biggest weaknesses associated with Windows PCs is also the source of its greatest strength: customization. Whether you buy a pre-made desktop PC or laptop off the shelf at BestBuy or make one yourself, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to make some upgrades. Laptops are often limited to storage and memory upgrades, but upgrading these two components can extend your laptop’s life by years. And it’s not that expensive. For example, a 16GB stick of Corsair Vengeance laptop RAM can double the memory of most consumer laptops, and it only costs about $45.
Tower PCs allow for even more upgrades, including the GPU, CPU, motherboard, power supply, and cooling. Upgrading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) desktop PCs from manufacturers like Dell or Asus is trickier. OEM companies often use custom or hard-to-find components in their PCs, complicating the upgrade path. This is most noticeable with part sizes, as OEMs like to cram components into custom-made cases that restrict larger third-party components, such as GPUs, from fitting. Though you’ll have to do homework before upgrading an OEM computer, the benefits outweigh the frustration.
As a PC builder who’s seen the good and bad sides of building a computer, I recommend building your PC, but only if you’re okay with poring over forums and taking your PC apart countless times. You don’t need a degree in electrical engineering to build a PC, though you should understand how computers work — and the function of each part. You’ll also need above-average patience. But that’s enough of the hard sell.
After years of troubleshooting and expensive hardware upgrades, I’d still rather have a PC I built than one I bought pre-made. The biggest reason is that building a PC is cheaper. With how often parts go on sale on Amazon and Newegg, you can build a PC using the same parts as a pre-made PC for less money. High-end PCs are more expensive because of the branding, labor, and custom lighting. But if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and shop around to find the best deal, you can build your dream PC and stay on budget. And upgrading is much easier once you know how to assemble a PC.
In the four years since I built my first PC, I’ve gone through three GPUs, two CPUs, various RAM and storage upgrades, and a complete rework of the cooling system. And unlike buying a new PC for a large sum, I made those upgrades incrementally, adding a part here and there over several years. PC building can take up so much time it’s practically a hobby, but it’s very rewarding.
Mac
The great thing about Macs is that they create the fewest obstacles for users. The low barrier to entry means virtually anyone who knows their way around a keyboard and trackpad can use a Mac almost instantly. But Apple’s tailored experience comes at the expense of locked-down hardware, and the company has tightened even more in the past decade.
For example, it used to be that you could upgrade the memory for some Macbooks, though that’s no longer true. Since you’re stuck with the parts it comes with, you should consider buying the highest-spec model of whichever Mac you’ve chosen. Aside from that, there isn’t much you can do about upgrading a Mac except upgrade to a newer model.
Which One Should You Choose?
Picking between the two is an easy choice for some people. Users that prefer form over function will typically choose a Mac, while tech-savvy users or users on a budget will typically opt for a Windows PC. Ultimately, it comes down to which computer will offer the most value, serve you the longest, and work best for your needs.
I’ve been a user of Windows PCs and Macs, and I like parts of each system. When it comes to Windows PCs, I enjoy the freedom to upgrade the computer as I see fit. As for Macs, I like how easy they are to use and how I seldom have to troubleshoot computer issues. Still, I’d pick a Windows PC over a Mac because it suits my power-hungry needs. As for you, the choice is yours to make!
Cover image via Freepik.
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