So I did a bit of research on the ancient PC vs Mac debate and this was my conclusion:
In summary, Just buy what you want. They are both good and most of the nitty-gritty specs and details won’t matter to most people in real-life usage anyway (most oo!!! not all).
All right, now for the few it really matters to, let’s get into the details. For easier understanding, I’ll treat the subject in a pros and cons format instead of a head-to-head format. Especially since we aren’t trying to decide a winner, but what’s best for each user.
PS: most of the info I give will be focused majorly on laptops 💻 but are mostly still applicable to desktops 🖥 too.
Ok, that’s enough stories, let’s start with Mac
Pros👍
💻👍 Mac computers rarely run into errors as most of the software if not all that you’ll be using are optimised for the hardware, making the errors that do pop up easy to troubleshoot.
💻👍 Mac computers are less prone to security breaches. This is because there are fewer viruses created for the macOS operating system, as there are fewer Mac computers compared to PCs
💻👍 Mac computers have a more simple, sleek, firm and aesthetic build(the recent ones at least). The trackpad and keyboard are also one of the best if not the best in the computer world according to users who have used and tested a wide variety of computers.
💻👍 The most recent Mac laptops like the Macbook Air have more long-lasting battery life than any PC you’ll find out there. Majorly because of software optimisation, better battery tech, and power management.
💻👍 If the user has other Apple products, connecting them to the computer will be easy as Apple products are designed to work together. Whereas one would probably need to watch one or two youtube videos to connect Windows and Android devices.
💻👍 Mac computers are easier to set up and use straight out of the box for less tech-savvy users like elderly people for example as they have a more user-friendly interface. So if you want to buy a computer for your mother-in-law, a Mac would be your go-to.
📌 Now, at this point, I think it is necessary to note that most of the advantages of the Mac stem from software optimization and even this and every other advantage can be attributed to the fact that there’s only one manufacturer for Mac, making software and hardware compatibility easier to achieve.
As with everything man-made, Mac is also not without a few cons
Cons❌
💻❌ The number one con and probably the reason why Mac users and Apple users in general feel like they are from a superior race, is the high price of Mac computers and Apple products in general
💻❌ Mac computers have inferior processors to PCs making them unsuitable for heavy and demanding tasks. Although since the introduction of the M1 chip, there seems to be hope for the future.
💻❌ If you’re a gamer, forget about the rest of this post and get a PC as Mac computers were not built for gaming.
💻❌ Mac laptops come with very few input ports quite intentionally so on the part of the manufacturers, so users would need to get dongles for added input. It is no news that it is an Apple policy to make their customers spend as much as possible.
💻❌ With Macbooks, what you buy is what you get. There is no way to increase memory or storage or upgrade any other feature without having to buy a new computer. And it goes without saying that upgrading a feature during purchase comes with a hefty increase in price.
Now for PCs
Pros👍
💻👍 First pro on the PC side is that with PCs, there are cheaper options. Although one would still need to splurge a little if they want high-end performance, but not as much as you would when going for a Mac.
💻👍 PCs have better processors and can handle very demanding tasks such as video rendering and gaming, especially with a powerful graphics card.
💻👍 PCs are upgradeable. virtually all components of a PC can be upgraded without breaking the bank or having to buy a new one. It is also easier to personally build and customise a PC desktop, which could be a cheaper option than buying ready-made.
💻👍 On PCs, third-party software can be installed and PCs have far more software created for them so you might find yourself unable to perform a task because Apple hasn’t yet made software for it but that will never be the case for PCs. Generally, a PC affords more freedom to the user as opposed to Mac on which software installation is more exclusive and restricted.
💻👍 PCs offer touchscreen options and foldable laptops that can be used as tablets.
💻👍 PCs also have the advantage of offering more connection ports and types of ports on any one system and the ability to select a system based on the number and type of connections. If a particular kind of port is important to you, you can find just the right system with that port.
Cons❌
💻❌ Most hackers and computer viruses target PCs. But there is the windows defender that comes with the Windows software to mitigate this and there are many companies that create software to prevent this. So PC users could install some programs for added security.
💻❌ As there are a large number of PC makers variations in hardware configurations can cause software stability problems. But this is not something a user that’s only performing simple tasks has to be worried about.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the day, If all you do is simple tasks such as business tasks and home usage etc, your choice would depend on your personal preference (and how deep your pocket is, to be honest).
For a programmer, it would depend on which programming environment you’re working in. And with virtualization tech, that also could be overlooked.
For content creators, A Mac would be a good option as it is well-suited for media.
For gamers, there’s no question, It would be a PC.
The Mac vs PC war will continue as long as there are two major options in the market. Each option has features in which it excels better than the other and your choice should boil down to which feature you personally need and not to other people’s opinions.
📌 Feel free to comment with any pros or cons that I may have missed. I know I definitely missed a few and I’m eager to read them in the comments. Also I’ll be writing another article on the team red vs team blue wars.