The answer might surprise you!
Apple’s current lineup of Mac computers is arguably its strongest one to date. They are reliable, incredibly well built, and the new Apple Silicon chips are a big step forward in terms of performance.
There are Mac computers for every use case. They also come in a range of price points. So, why would you buy a Windows PC when the Mac is so good right now? There’s really no argument. Or is there?
1. Gaming
The Mac has never been the machine to buy if you are a hard-core gamer, and Apple has shown absolutely no signs of that changing any time soon.
Sure, there are some simple games in the Mac App Store, but if you want to play the latest blockbuster games like Elden Ring (and you don’t have a PlayStation or an Xbox), then you need a Windows PC. The Mac just isn’t built to run those AAA video games.
Similarly, if you have built-up a library of Steam games over the years, most of those will not work on the Mac. It might seem like they should, but they don’t. And that sucks.
Then there is the PC Game Pass—an all-you-can-eat buffet of top-tier games for just $9.99 a month. Yes, Apple Arcade is half the price, but those are mobile-centric games that were mostly never designed to be played on a Mac and, again, you don’t have access to the latest and greatest titles from the world’s best game developers.
2. Upgrades
At this time, the only upgradable Mac you can buy is the top-of-the-line Mac Pro. All other Macs are sealed up and don’t have upgradeable parts.
A Windows PC is different. Need more storage? Drop in a new SSD. Want some more RAM? No problem. That’s a five-minute job. Is your computer a little slow? A new CPU might be just what you need.
If you are buying a Mac from Apple, you need to think ahead. You need to try and predict the amount of RAM or storage you might need in two or three years because if you don’t buy enough when you choose your computer, you can’t add it later.
The ability to upgrade a computer does not apply to every Windows PC, but if this is something that is important to you, it’s not hard to find a machine that has this as an option.
3. Price
As good as a Mac is, there’s no denying that it comes with a price tag that limits the number of users it will attract. Of course, you can argue back and forth over whether any individual Mac is worth the price tag that Apple gives it, but there will probably always be more affordable computing options that run Windows.
Will that Windows computer be a better computer? Maybe. Maybe not, but when given the option of dropping $2,000 on a MacBook Pro or $1000 on a Surface Pro, the savings are clear. Are these comparable computers? No, but the point remains that PCs have a lower entry point than Macs.
People can only afford what they can afford, so it is not unreasonable to see people opting for a Windows PC now instead of waiting another six months until they can afford a Mac.
4. Windows vs. macOS
Believe it or not, the operating system is a significant reason why some people will always prefer a Windows PC over a Mac.
I use Windows and macOS daily. I feel comfortable in both environments, and I have no problem switching back and forth between these rival operating systems. However, not everyone feels the same way.
If a Windows computer is the only device you have ever used, the thought of switching fills many people with dread. The trackpad gestures are different, the keyboard shortcuts are different, and the buttons to close or minimize a window are on the opposite side from where you would expect them to be.
And those are just the superficial differences. When you are more comfortable with your operating system, you are more productive. You get things done faster. Your workflow is more efficient, and you get more done.
Switching to an operating system that you are unfamiliar with adds friction, and friction slows you down.
Are You a Mac or a PC?
If you put the fanboys and fangirls aside for a minute, it doesn’t matter whether you use a Windows computer or an Apple computer. You should use the one that meets your needs.
Forget all the arguing and just enjoy the fact that we live in a golden era of computing. Yes, Apple and Microsoft are building competing environments, but that’s actually a good thing for consumers. Competition drives innovation. It leads to more choice, and that means we all win.
Surely we can agree on that, right?
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