The age-old argument (in our house at least!) Mac versus PC - It’s a question I don’t think we will ever agree on! But even if you don’t have this ‘discussion’ in your home you’ve no doubt asked yourself what makes one better than the other or whether you should be considering a Mac or PC when buying a new computer. This month we’re going to get to the bottom of this and crown one a true winner ok not really, but we are going to look at the pros and cons of each and help you decide which is best for you. |
You read that right a Mac is literally a PC, in the strictest definition a Mac is a personal computer and therefore a PC. Of course, that’s not how it’s been marketed and now we are led to believe there are two choices- Mac or PC. But for all intents and purposes they are both personal computers, one using a Windows based operating system and the other using the Mac operating system. Mac and PC are so similar that these days you can easily install Windows on a Mac alongside the Mac OS.
Mac or PC- It’s Personal Preference
The real question when you’re choosing between the two would be what would you prefer and what can you afford? The differences between Mac and PC’s come down to design, functionality and cost. All PC’s used to look the same - boring, grey boxes but Mac changed all that when they started producing innovative, funky computers - who remembers the first iMac?! There are lots of choices for PC’s these days and there’s bound to be something that ticks all the boxes from one of the many manufacturer.
- Cost - It’s a common misconception that Macs are more expensive than PC’s, but this is not necessarily the case, and it all comes down to the spec of the machine you are buying (alongside any extras such as fancy monitors etc). Indeed, a high spec PC can cost just as much as a high spec Mac. The problem is it’s almost impossible to compare the two as you are unlikely to find a like for like PC/Mac.
- Choice - Apple has much less variety to choose from when it comes to buying a new computer- this is just their marketing strategy, but it does mean you are limited to what you can buy. PCs on the other hand have plenty to offer- with lots of different manufacturers each offering all manner of configurations.
- Brand Power - Probably the biggest factor when choosing a Mac or Pc is brand loyalty. Meet a lifelong Apple user and they’ll no doubt tell you Macs are easier to use, secure and look great. PC users will tell you PCs are better value for money, more choice and software availability.
- Compatibility with Other Devices - Apple products are designed to work together and the same goes for Windows products. This doesn’t mean they can’t be mixed but if you’re not tech savvy you might find it a bit of a pain to get the different devices to communicate with each other. You can always call on your tech guru for help setting up devices.
- Security - Because there are more Windows PC users than there are Mac users, there are more viruses and malware attacks on PC’s than there are Macs. This isn’t to say that Mac’s aren't targeted– if you have a Mac, you should install and activate Antivirus software, but there is definitely a reduced chance of a Mac being successfully attacked by malware.
Conclusion
It really does come down to personal choice and budget. Mac’s are user friendly and look great and Apple has great customer service as seen in a report published back in 2020.
PCs are customisable, easily upgraded and there are absolutely loads of machines to choose from.
If you need more help choosing the right computer for your budget and needs, then get in touch and we can chat about the many options you can look at.