If you have plans to get a new laptop, you have a plethora of different options. However, the ultimate decision usually comes down to the brand and operating system.
Right now, MS Windows is the most popular OS in the world for computer users. On the other hand, macOS has been slowly catching up.
Let’s take a look at the differences that will hopefully help you decide which of the two choices suits you the best.
Price
First and foremost, it is worth checking the price. Now, a lot comes down to how much money you can spend. Like with other goods or services, buying decisions come down to the budget.
There is a saying that MacBooks come with a premium price. Some argue that this is a bit of a stretch, but it is hard to deny the fact that between a Mac and a Windows laptop with similar hardware parameters, the former costs more.
Ultimately, people on a lower budget ought to reconsider the decision to purchase a MacBook because the device is quite pricey.
External Accessories
Next, we have external accessories. One of the benefits of a laptop is the fact that you have a built-in keyboard, webcam, microphone, and even a trackpad that replaces a computer mouse.
However, there are other third-party peripherals that computer users have to rely on quite often. One such example is a printer. If you need to print a document or figure out how to scan a document, you need to know what you are doing, and it starts with connecting the accessory to the device.
Between MacBooks and Windows laptops, there are hardly any instances of compatibility issues. Whether it is a wireless connection or a connection via cable, you should not have issues connecting a peripheral, meaning that it is one less thing to worry about.
User Interface
There are some major differences between the user interface between macOS and Windows. For someone who spent their life using a Windows computer, the switch to macOS might not be a smooth transition. The sense of familiarity is often overlooked. If you feel like you are comfortable and fine with using MS Windows, then stick to it.
On the other hand, you might be feeling a bit adventurous, and a new operating system might be just the thing to try.
Overall Performance
The overall performance is hard to define. Once again, it comes down to hardware and how much you can afford. Naturally, the more money you can spend, the better.
At the same time, it is worth noting that you need to take care of your computer regardless of its brand. For instance, you need to clean the dust inside the laptop regularly, make sure that there is as little drive and desktop clutter, manage background processes, and so on.
In case you are looking to get a laptop not just for work but also for entertainment, remember that macOS is not necessarily optimized for certain pastimes. Gaming, for example, is not that great on a MacBook even though Apple has been improving the hardware and its capabilities.
The situation is a bit different if we are talking specifically about work or studying. The trend is that MacBooks are quite popular among different professionals, such as bloggers, graphic designers, or video editors.
Flexible UI and responsive user experience are some of the biggest advantages of a MacBook. If you plan to get a new laptop for work, then a Mac is a great option.
Available Software
Built-in software is one of the areas that make macOS superior. Finder, Spotlight, and Time Machine are a few app examples that you cannot really find on MS Windows.
Of course, most app and software developers try to avoid exclusivity and create tools that are compatible with both MS Windows and macOS (other operating systems are included too).
One other difference is that Apple has its own app store, which is not something available for Windows users. One might think that because there are separate stores for Android and iOS, that should also be the case for macOS and Windows. Unfortunately, it is the former that has a tailor-made app store with a plethora of different apps and categories.
Upgradability
The last thing to mention is hardware upgradability. Looking at a laptop purchase long-term, you might need to upgrade the hardware so that the computer can keep up with the software demands.
In the hardware upgrade aspect, MS Windows is a superior option. MacBooks come with integrated hardware, and there are very few models that allow users to modify the hardware.
Windows laptops are more flexible in this regard. If you want to replace a hard drive with a solid-state drive or add extra RAM, you will have an easier time with MS Windows.