Windows or macOS? It’s a life-long debate that has entertained tech forums for ages but doesn’t really have an answer. Determining the laptop, you’ll buy vastly depends on what you need it for since each computer comes with its advantages and disadvantages. While MacBooks are usually better for productivity, Windows usually offers a better gaming experience.
Budget
One of the main things one should consider before buying a laptop is its price of it. If you choose to buy a Macbook, the cheapest brand-new model you can buy is the M1 , which comes with 256 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, and an 8-Core GPU, and this model is sold for £999 by Apple. This is not so generous when compared to what Windows laptops have to offer for the same price.
On the other hand, you can find Asus offering 16 GB of RAM, an , and a 512 GB SSD with the for the same £999 price, for instance. This means that for the same price, you can have a laptop twice as powerful that will also support gaming. Still, with their optimized architecture, Apple products usually offer better management of the resources, so this 8 GB of RAM will still let you perform several tasks efficiently.
Operating Systems and Apps
Apple offers an ultra-optimized operating system with native apps providing unique functionalities for improved productivity. It’s the perfect choice if you don’t know how to optimize your system and need to use these functionalities across several Apple devices with ease. This is all well and good for file transfers or browsing web pages, but it won’t do much if you’re looking to play video games, as Mac see few releases.
Windows as an operating system offer more possibilities than MacOS, but you’ll also have to optimize some things by yourself and rely almost exclusively on third-party software. Whereas Macs feature powerful built-in tools, on Windows looking for apps that will do the same thing is inevitable, and you’ll sometimes encounter compatibility issues, you’ll have to solve.
Security
As evoked above, a Macbook is an all-in-one package, and this applies to security as well. Apple secures the computer on the hardware and software side. That’s why you rarely see Mac users install antiviruses. However, there’s no such thing as zero risks, so even with a Macbook, we’d recommend installing third-party antivirus software to protect your data.
On a Windows laptop, you’ll have Windows Defender – It’s a powerful protection, but it’s not enough, and hackers know how to beat it easily. So, if you’re going for a Windows computer, one of the first things you want to do, even before going online, if possible, is to install antivirus software. Furthermore, it might be a good idea to choose a trustworthy antivirus since they’re usually worth the price tag. Antivirus brands like or are reputed for their high-end security measures. No, a VPN isn’t a proper antivirus, so it’s not enough to stay protected online.
Ecosystems
Apple’s strength is clearly its ecosystem, and once you’ve started using it, going back to Windows will feel like stepping out of a DeLorean, and everything will appear rough. Each app on macOS has built-in features to share content to your iCloud or to another Apple device using AirDrop, which is immensely practical. Moreover, Apple parted ways with Intel a few years ago, so their laptops can offer even more exclusive functionalities such as a universal clipboard shared across devices, auto unlock, and universal control, which lets you continue tasks on another Apple device.
Microsoft currently tries to play catch-up with the hyper-connectivity and accessibility offered by Apple. The latest improves accessibility with many new features; however, these don’t always work as intended due to the possibilities offered by the different hardware available nowadays. Still, Windows now has some interesting features that Apple doesn’t offer, especially if you don’t have all the pricy Apple devices at your disposal.
Internals
Inside a Windows computer, you can find almost anything since each laptop can come from a different brand and partner with numerous constructors for the parts. Some brands, like Asus, will make the motherboard themselves but rely on Nvidia for the graphics card and Intel for the processor, for example. So, what’s inside your laptop depends entirely on what you’re willing to pay. Moreover, you’ll have to research the parts before purchasing to ensure the laptop is up to your standards and to let you do what you want.
However, if you buy a computer from Apple, things are easier since there are only a handful of possible configurations. Macbooks from the previous generation still used Intel processors, but now Apple uses its own parts, and you can choose between the M1 or M2 processors depending on your budget. Then, you’ll simply have to pick what you want inside in terms of memory, RAM, and the size of your screen.
Convenience
When it comes to convenience, most Windows laptops won’t hold a candle when compared to Macbooks. For instance, the Macbook Air is the lightest and thinnest computer currently available on the market, making it easy to carry in any type of case or bag. Moreover, Macbooks start-up in a flash and come with several unique and cool system features.
What’s certain is that you won’t have to worry about the performance of any of these laptops for any general basic tasks, whether it’s for word processing, accessing the internet to watch movies, or playing , for example. This is because, generally, almost all computers nowadays are able to perform the most basic functions. All of today’s laptops should allow you to quickly connect to the internet wherever you are, as long as you have a battery and an internet connection.