When buying a new computer, the first question people usually face is whether they want a Mac or a PC? Despite the introduction of ChromeBooks, which are a viable option for basic tasks (and also have Android apps on them), most people still do the majority of real computing tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, or Photoshop, on the likes of a Mac or a PC. So, which should you choose? We’ve put together a list to help make the decision easier.
Macs
Macs have long been the favorite of graphic designers. And, it is true, the Apple product design itself is great. Traditionally, the big graphic design softwares were better on Macs, or weren’t available on Windows, but this has changed over time, and there have even been introductions of Windows-specific design hardware such as the Microsoft Surface with stylus. Nonetheless, old habits die hard, and people still tend to use Macs for creative-inspired pursuits.
The limited selection of Apple computers, which is relative to the crowded PC market where iPhones battle numerous Android phones from many manufacturers, means a more streamlined product experience, with software specifically designed for the hardware. The iOS ecosystem also presents less issues in the form of bloatware and viruses, which tend to impact Windows machines more. Also, due to the prevalence of Apple Stores, customer service and getting your machine serviced is a bit easier than a typical PC. In addition to the physical retail outlets, Apple is known to stand behind its products a bit better than most PC manufacturers — which they are able to do since they cost quite a bit more. The days of incompatibility issues between Mac and Windows files are long gone, and the primarily incompatibility issue you would have would be switching a portable hard drive from one ecosystem to another, which would not work.
PCs
There are a few big advantages to PC’s. One of the biggest is that they are cheaper. As with Android phones, there are many Windows PC manufacturers, and this drives the price down due to the large selection. There are expensive PC’s, but there are also very cheap PC’s. Another advantage of Windows machines is that certain kinds of software, such as Microsoft Office, has features that work better on Windows computers than they do on the Apple counterparts of the software. There are also a lot more hybrid-type Windows devices, such as the Yoga series of tablet/laptop hybrids from Lenovo. And if you want the same build quality as an Apple computer, you can check out the Microsoft Surface Laptops, which have a similar study build quality and feel to a piece of Apple hardware.
While there is a lot of overlap between software that is available for Apple and Windows, Windows remains the dominant ecosystem, so there are often times versions of software that you will find available for Windows that is not available for a Mac. There are also a lot more options for Windows PC customization, such as video cards, graphics cards, memory, processors, and so forth, while Apple mostly needs to stick to its own proprietary bits of hardware. Along these lines, hard core computer gamers, who tend to like to customize computers, prefer using PC’s for gaming. Finally, with the large selection of Windows machines, it makes it easier to find the computer you need with the hardware you want. With the various kinds of connection ports out there, you have a higher probability of finding a machine with what you want in the realm of PCs.
In Conclusion
The biggest part of your decision may come down to price. If you’re willing to pay more for the Apple experience and product, it’s price premium not without merit, due to their superior customer service and product longevity. Many PC users complain about having to replace their machine every two years because this or that stops working. But, if you’re on a budget, or if you want the access to the larger selection of PC hardware, a Windows machine can make a lot of sense, especially now that Windows has dispensed with the much hated Windows 8. Whatever machine you choose, it is sure to be pretty fast, as computer hardware has vastly improved over the course of the last decade. Make sure to look out for a solid-state hard-drive if you want an extra speedy experience.