When deciding between a Windows PC and a Mac, it’s the distinctions that matter the most. Make a list of the characteristics that are most important to you in your new device. In the interest of full transparency, I am primarily a Windows user, as are more than 80% of desktop and laptop users. I, on the other hand, am an iPhone lover with a lot of Mac experience as a software reviewer. By no means am I anti-Mac or anti-Apple.

Should you use a Mac or a PC? The one that’s appropriate for you is determined by several factors, the most important of which is your budget. Let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option. Windows computers are less expensive, easier to upgrade and work with more software, but Macs simplify the user experience to give a high-end machine that looks and performs well.

Windows computers are less expensive, easier to upgrade and work with more software, but Macs simplify the user experience to give a high-end machine that looks and performs well. Except for a brief period in college when I possessed a MacBook Air, I’ve always been a Windows user. I’m also familiar with Chrome OS, having owned 1 Chromebook, and I’ve dabbled in Linux via Kali, RedHat, Ubuntu etc

However, I’m familiar with the four major operating systems and their pros and cons. While I won’t delve into Chrome or RaspbianLinux due to their limited use, I’ll compare the two most popular OSs: Windows and macOS.

I’ve spent a lot of time with both operating systems and can’t make a definitive recommendation. It relies on the user, as it does with most things in technology.

It all comes down to your budget, patience, and whether you’d rather buy a pre-built computer or build your own. Each system has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to pick which method is best for you, however I can assist you. Here’s everything I’ve learned so far. Maybe it’ll help you narrow down your choices.

Design

Mac OS

Apple has pared down its device lineup to a small number of options that appeal to a wide range of customers. You can choose between a Mac Mini, a MacBook Pro or Air, an iMac, or a Mac Pro when you visit an Apple Store. That is all there is to it. Granted, each computer may be customised to the buyer’s preferences, but the choices are straightforward. A laptop, a tiny PC, a desktop PC and monitor combination, or a professional-grade desktop computer are all options. Having a restricted number of selections is easy for people who don’t understand the difference between storage and memory.

For two reasons, Apple charges more for their computers than other manufacturers with equivalent machines: how they look and how they make you feel. You’re a member of an exclusive group, according to a Mac, which includes content makers, videographers, photographers, and animators. I bought a MacBook Air in college because I needed a new computer for graphics, and also because I assumed it would make me a better student right away. Every kid had a MacBook, which made me feel as though I had to have one to fit in.

I’ll tell you the truth. Apple products, in my opinion, are beautiful and advanced. Apple’s attention to precision and minimalism is remarkable, which is why so many competitors’ products appear disturbingly similar. I’m also a big supporter of the operating system, which is simple, and sleek, and streamlines how people interact with their computers.

Apple does not offer physical products. They make a living by selling people’s dreams. The fantasy of being able to do whatever you want as long as you have a Mac in front of you. But this isn’t accurate. Macs aren’t necessarily better at Premiere Pro than Windows PCs, and they aren’t necessarily better at Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, Illustrator, or any other piece of creative software. What counts most is the internal hardware, and while Macs have good hardware, the pricing does not reflect the specifications. That is the crux of my issue with Apple.

Windows OS

Because no single business produces Windows computers, they do not have the same design language. Although a Lenovo laptop and a Dell laptop may share many of the same components, their appearances will always differ, with each manufacturer adding unique features to entice customers.

Lenovo’s Yoga series and HP’s Spectre and ENVY series of PCs are also attractive, but it’s clear that the designs were significantly influenced by a Cupertino-based, fruit-branded corporation. All of these slim, portable laptops have the same brushed-metal finish, thin screen bezels, and a small number of ports.

In the realm of desktop PCs, pre-built models often share a uniformity: they’re large, bulky, black towers lacking visual appeal. Gaming PCs, on the other hand, boast flashy designs with tempered glass side panels and RGB lighting, yet these aesthetics are ubiquitous.

Windows computers lack the cohesive design that distinguishes them on store shelves. So it doesn’t matter whether they’re more economical and easy to update for aesthetes who place a higher priority on design.

Budget

Desktop Computers

I’ve used a Windows computer for the majority of my life, and I’ll be the first to acknowledge that they’re far from flawless. Because there’s so much going on behind the scenes in the Windows operating system, it’s often difficult to pinpoint the problem that’s causing your system to malfunction.

I’ve had a problem with my computer shutting down unexpectedly over the last year, which I believe is due to a battery issue. I eventually corrected everything, but there were times when I wanted to throw the whole thing away. I’m familiar with Windows PCs and know how unreliable they can be at times, but they’re also ridiculously cheap.

Windows sells PCs that are comparable to Macs in terms of price and hardware, but they often have more features.

Laptops

If you want to compare laptops, see how the 13-inch Macbook Air compares to the Dell G3 laptop. Both manufacturers provide users with a small but powerful laptop, but the Dell G3 machine outperforms the competition on the spec sheet.

Both laptops cost $1,199, which is a lot for a laptop, and they both feature 512GB of internal SSD storage, but that’s about it. The Dell G3 includes a four-core, eight-thread Intel Core i7 processor from the 10th generation. It also boasts a maximum turbo frequency of 4.2 GHz, even though the base frequency is just 2.1 GHz. The Dell G3 adds four additional gigabytes of RAM, for a total of 16GBs, and runs at a blistering 2666 MHz.

Sure, the MacBook Air has a Retina display and other Apple-only features like the Magic Keyboard and Force Touch touchpad, but that isn’t enough to compensate for everything else. Although Apple makes the best trackpad I’ve ever used, it isn’t a deciding factor – at least not for me. You should get the most bang for your buck if you’re going to spend more than $1,000 on a laptop.

Security

If your gadget is hacked, all of your hard work will be for nought. Seeking devices with multiple layers of protection, defence capabilities, and assistance is crucial. In 2020, Mac endpoints faced nearly double the security risks compared to Windows endpoints, as reported by Malwarebytes’ State of Malware Report. Furthermore, there was a 600% increase in the occurrence of threats on Macs compared to the prior year. So, if you want to keep your data safe, a PC is just the best option. Windows 10 and 11 also have built-in Windows Security, providing the latest antivirus protection for enhanced security on your device.