It can be challenging to decide whether to purchase a Mac or a PC; they are two very different computing devices. Both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages and also have a very distinct appeal.
As such, your preferred system of choice will depend on features that are the most important to you. For example, while Mac’s reign supreme in terms of security features, PCs are more affordable.
There are multiple factors to consider, but there are four categories that are the most important.
Design and Aesthetics
Apple has a reputation for having impeccable design and build quality on its products. As such, Macs also have the proprietary sleek, visually captivating design like other Apple products that focus more on aesthetics while PC manufacturers prioritize functionality.
However, Apple may not always have the upper edge when it comes to aesthetics. Since everything about a PC desktop is customizable, there are plenty of custom-designed PC towers on the market that rival Mac’s clean design aesthetic.
Hardware and Software
One of the critical factors that might influence a computing system’s decision is its hardware and the software that it powers.
- Hardware – Macs are robust systems, but they are preconfigured and offer limited options in upgrading. On the other hand, PCs are highly customizable, and their processing power is only limited by what you can afford. For the money, a PC will be far more powerful than a Mac.
- Software – Macs are powered by macOS and hold a reputation for being a more user-friendly OS than Windows. Since Apple designs it, it is more secure. It is also based on UNIX and is thus the more preferred OS for web developers.
As of November 2020, Windows is the most common OS and powers 73.21 percent of all desktops. Linux is another popular choice for programmers and can be installed and run dually on PCs. It is less secure than Mac OS X but supports a much broader library of programs and video games.
Customer Support and Repairs
Apple has always had the reputation of having much better customer support when compared to PCs. According to a survey, Apple outperformed Microsoft, Google, and Samsung in the laptop tech support category.
If your Mac acts up, you can avail of Apple’s customer service via Twitter, a fast and responsive live chat, or over the phone. If you need your device repaired, Mac owners can utilize a local MacBook repair shop, as not all will work on Macs. Be sure to research and search for them specifically.
Judging customer service for PCs is much more complicated. In-house servicing will depend on the maker of your laptop. In the case of custom-built desktops, most independent repair shops will be able to work on your device, but their quality and service charges will vary from place to place. In general, PCs are easier to service, but quality service centers may be hard to come by.
Viruses
Windows has had a tumultuous history with its security features. Even as Microsoft became concerned about its security at the turn of the century, computer viruses and malware are still much more common on Windows-based systems than macOS. There are several reasons why this might be the case.
- Windows is Popular – As mentioned before, Windows singlehandedly dominates the OS market. The sheer number of devices powered by Windows makes infection cases more prevalent as well. However, as more and more people are using Macs, the number of Mac-infected devices has been rising. Most Mac users never install anti-viruses since they consider it unnecessary.
- Apps Aren’t Restricted to The Google Play Store – Windows users can download apps and programs from any source; this often leads to inexperienced users downloading infected programs from unverified sources. The primary security problem lies in the fact that the number of such unverified and suspicious sources far outnumber the number of official sources on the internet.
On the other hand, Mac’s programs can only be downloaded and run either from official sites or from the App Store. Although this restricts availability, it plugs one of the significant security issues that PCs have.
Mac vs. PC: A Subjective Debate
There is a reason why most Mac vs. PC debates end in an “it depends.” The two, undoubtedly, have stark differences in terms of functionality, OS, security, etc. However, in the end, your choice of a new computer will most likely be a matter of personal preference and what you find more comfortable to use. As a general rule of thumb, buy a system that supports the OS that you’re the most comfortable with for the best experience.
