Macs vs. PCs: The Great Showdown
If you've gone laptop shopping before, you've definitely wondered: Mac or PC? And while the popular choice might be obvious, it might not be the option that best suits your needs. To help you make the perfect decision, we're here to help. Here are 10 reasons MacBooks are better than PCs—and 10 advantages only PCs offer.
1. Build Quality
It goes without saying that MacBooks have excellent build quality; they're not meant to be bought and replaced every two years—they're made to last long. And the quality goes beyond the surface appearance, which is what makes these machines so popular (and costly).
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2. Security
MacBooks are extremely secure, meaning you don't need to download any anti-virus kits from the web. Sure, you should still be careful when browsing, and invest in a few good AdBlockers, but MacBooks are far less vulnerable to viruses than PCs, due to their built-in security features.
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3. Design
Not only are MacBooks built well, but they're also built beautifully. These devices are sleek, clean, and modern, and despite how thin they are, they're powerful machines and can do various heavy-duty tasks, like video editing and animations.
4. Apple Ecosystem
If you own more than one Apple device, you're probably familiar with how seamless the Apple ecosystem is. Everything just connects and works with each other so smoothly and efficiently, which greatly enhances the overall experience.
5. Retina Display
Sure, "Retina Display" might just be Apple's fancy way of saying high-resolution, but MacBook screens are, admittedly, breathtaking. From static graphics to flowing animations and vivid, vibrant colors, Retina Display certainly lives up to its name.
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6. Longer Battery Life
MacBook batteries last longer than traditional PCs. One of the reasons for this is how MacBooks utilize each charge cycle, and how efficiently. This is why the new Silicon processors used by Apple are able to optimize energy and performance in ways the original Intel chips couldn't.
7. Better Sound
MacBooks also have crisper sound than PCs. This means you'll have a much better experience when listening to music, watching videos, or playing games. Many other machines don't come close to the speaker quality of MacBooks, even if they sport a bigger build.
8. Higher Resale Value
Given MacBooks' superior build quality and popularity, even if you own an older device, you may still be able to resell it for a good price. Apple also offers refurbished devices, meaning you can buy a slightly older MacBook at a discount while getting a practically new machine.
9. Exclusive Software
From iMovie and GarageBand to Logic X Pro and Final Cut Pro, MacBooks come equipped with exclusive software you can't get on any other machine. Some of these are included straight from the box, which means you can play around with them immediately.
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10. Dedicated Customer Support
When you buy a PC, it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint who to contact for support. With MacBooks, however, you can get connected to an Apple expert fairly quickly, at any hour of the day, to resolve or troubleshoot any problems you might run into.
Even with how great MacBooks are, there are still some advantages PCs hold over them. Let's touch on 10 in particular:
1. Cheaper Cost
One of the biggest advantages PCs have over MacBooks is, hands down, the cost. MacBooks are extremely costly, and the only way you might get a good discount is if you're a student or you purchase a refurbished device. PCs, on the other hand, offer a far more affordable price point.
2. Better for Gaming
MacBooks might be fast and efficient, but they're not great for gaming. PCs not only offer a bigger library of games, but they're also better at handling graphic-heavy and power-hungry games, given that they're much better equipped with the right hardware.
3. Customizable
PCs are far more customizable than MacBooks. You can basically build your own to truly personalize your machine (which perfectly sums up why PCs are called personal computers). MacBooks, on the other hand, come with the specs you buy, and you can't easily tweak these features afterwards.
4. Operating System
Some people like to compare the experience you'll have on a MacBook versus a PC to driving an automatic versus a manual. MacBooks are easier and much more intuitive to use, while PCs give you more settings, options, and features that allow you to customize them the way you like.
5. More Ports
Sure, MacBooks are thin and extremely lightweight and portable, but that comes at a cost: they barely include any ports. At most, you might get an HDMI port, an SD slot, one or two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, and maybe a headphone jack, but that's about it. With PCs, a variety of ports are included, so you won't need to use an adapter for everything.
6. Future-Proof
MacBooks offer superior build quality and fast in-house processors, but one disadvantage of having everything made by a singular company is that, if things go awry, everything will be affected. But since PCs don't have all their eggs in one basket, there's less chance of this kind of domino effect happening.
7. More Hardware Options
As previously mentioned, PCs offer much more flexibility and customization, and this extends to hardware, too. Unlike MacBooks, which have specs that can't be altered, you can easily swap out different cards to personalize your PC exactly the way you like it.
8. Cheaper Support
While MacBooks have dedicated support from Apple, if you happen to break anything or need something replaced, like the battery, it'll come at a steep price. PCs, on the other hand, can be fixed just about everywhere, and typically don't cost an arm and a leg to repair.
9. Less RAM Required
Windows on PCs typically don't require as much RAM—your computer's short-term memory—as MacBooks do. Not only that, but they'll also run more efficiently on lower RAM than Macs. So while a PC might be slower than normal on low RAM, it's better than having a MacBook that can't handle it at all and crashes.
10. Choice
PCs offer more choices than MacBooks, meaning you'll be able to find the perfect one that suits your needs best. Plus, given so many options, you're more likely to find one that's far cheaper than the starting price of a regular MacBook.
