It used to be that if you were to wade into the middle of any prominent technology conference and shout out " mack are whack " or " Apple principle , Microsoft stinks , " you could start a riot . The difference of opinion between Apple supporters and Windows fan raged on college campuses , social networks and internet message boards . Although the live twenty-four hour period in the flame wars between the two platforms seem to have passed , both platforms have dye - in - the - woollen supporters . These sidereal day the two are exchangeable enough that it often comes down to the kind of computing machine you prefer — or can afford .
Before we get started , we need to establish some definitions . In this article , we ’re comparingApplecomputers runningMac OS X — no hackintoshes to be notice here — and computer running the Windows operating system . While the termPCstands for personal computer and could apply to Macs , Windows machines and computers running other operating systems alike , we ’re using it in the common slang as shorthand for a Windows car .
Given the mania often displayed by owners of both Windows and Mac computing equipment , you may be surprised to learn what a little contribution of the planetary computer grocery store Apple really controls . While the sale of iPhones , iPods and iPads provide a inviolable boost to Apple ’s overall earnings , Macsaccount for about 8 percentof computers worldwide . In fact , in 2020 the greatest threat to Windows ' dominance of the operating - organization market became Google ’s Chrome OS , which at the last of 2020 prompt into 2nd stead in reckoner shipments , with Chromebooks accounting for14.5 percent of dispatch . Both Apple and Google rust into Microsoft ’s marketplace dominance , but at the end of 2020 Microsoft still had the lion ’s share , with 80.5 pct .
So , in our classic operating - system struggle , which is in effect — Mac or PC ? chatter through our list of 10 departure between Macs and PC and settle for yourself .
10: Design
If you grew up in the 1980s , you think back that all computers , irrespective of maker , were uninspiring , more or less orthogonal putty - colored box . But design has become a bounteous discriminator between Macs and PC . For the good part of three decades , the former Apple CEO , the tardy Steve Jobs , focalize on the outward appearance of his society ’s products with an enthusiasm peerless by his contender . The singular purpose that resulted from this compulsion have given Mac mathematical product the " pelvic girdle " icon that they enjoy today .
This improper focal point on intent began with the very first Macintosh , introduced in 1984 . Like many of the computers in Apple ’s current line , its processor and monitor were domiciliate in a individual social unit , thin the number of cables necessary for mental process and produce a sleeker profile . Jobs left the company in 1985 and Macintosh computers began to see like the Windows machines on the shelf . Apple ’s already - small market share was already in decline , and many write the company off as finish .
When Apple brought Jobs back in 1997 , he and Apple designer Jonathan I ve launched Apple ’s arguably most meaning success in the iMac , introduce in 1998 . With its semitransparent , candy - colour eggshell , this modelling stood out in the market , reversing Apple ’s flagging luck and constitute the scratch line of its procession to present - sidereal day popularity . Today , many PC manufacturers make sleeker and more attractive machine , but few have achieved the popular acclaim overlook by Mac Cartesian product .
There are hundreds of dissimilar designs of personal computer on the market , ranging from the utilitarian design of business enterprise computers to the space - age aesthetics of gaming PCs . Some notebooks can be flipped inside - out and used as touch - silver screen tablets . There ’s no single visual modality lead aesthetic pick when it comes to the intention of the personal computer , but that ’s not necessarily a bad matter — if you do n’t like one design , you may look to a dissimilar manufacturer to consider other options . If you do n’t like Apple ’s design , you ’re out of luck if you absolutely have to own a Mac .
9: Price
One of the most often mention difference between Macs and personal computer is price . Few Mac products sell for less than $ 1,000 , while there are many personal computer theoretical account that fall within that Mary Leontyne Price range . However , this does n’t needs think of thatMacs are more expensivethan PCs with similar specification . Rather , in cosmopolitan , Apple has chosen to build its Mac line of credit around higher - ending computers with better — and more costly — portion . The company has said on many occasions that it can make less - expensive electronic computer , but that would affect the client experience and Apple wo n’t reserve that .
The problem with equate prices between Macs and PCs is that the computers are rarely comparable . Even if you did receive two computers with the same processor pep pill , RAM , hard - drive capacity , graphics , memory board , number of USB ports , and so on , each machine would be preinstalled with vastly different software packages . The user may have to buy additional software package for whatever computer he or she chooses , like a virus program for a PC or Microsoft Office for a Mac . The bottom wrinkle is this : The relative value of a Mac or PC really depends on the consumer ’s needs .
If you just need a computer to do introductory functions like web surfriding or word processing , it might be hard to justify buying a Mac . There are plenty of personal computer choices out there that are less expensive . This is where Linux fans can chime in — even someone unfamiliar with the Linux operating arrangement can buy a cheap data processor , install a dim-witted Linux distribution and access basic computer functions . And this also explicate the leap in Chromebook sale , as they ’re inexpensive computers meant to handle mundane undertaking .
8: Technical Specifications
Although the first Macintosh data processor used a processor from the Motorola 68000 series , they transition to Intel processors in the mid-2000s . Once Mac OS could run on the same processor as Windows machine , you could install Windows alongside the Mac OS on your computer and use either or both . For a little more than a decade you could compare specification of a Mac and a microcomputer and get a comparison that was more apple to apples — so to speak .
In 2020,Apple announcedthat it would transition Mac OS again , this time to its own processor , the M1 . Macs with this new chip lead off come out in 2021 . Unlike the Intel - based motorcar , the M1 is a arrangement - on - a - chip — you ca n’t equate the processor and graphics card with a microcomputer and an M1 Mac side - by - side . With this in mind , you’re able to still equate how speedily the two render graphic or process selective information . It ’s just not as easy as it was with Intel - base Macs .
The kind of input signal - output found on Macs and PCs also differ . Desktop Macs offer a pretty standard selection of such feature , includingUSBandHDMIports . Apple drew a lot of criticism when it switched to the USB - C connecter on its laptop computer , which required Mac drug user to buy adapters for HDMI and the original USB connectors .
As of former 2021 , however , the ship’s company has bide the class . It also has not released a touch - screen Mac , unlike Windows , Chrome atomic number 76 and Linux computers . microcomputer typically let in USB and HDMI connector , as well as a smart - card reader and Ethernet port . As of this writing , desktop Macs still have Ethernet jacks , but laptops do not .
7: Choice
Perhaps the most obvious difference between a Mac and a PC is the number of constellation available for each brand . Currently , Apple offer just five computing machine course : the MacBook Air , the MacBook Pro , the Mac mini , the iMac and the Mac Pro . Even if each configuration of these models is count individually , as of this writing Apple only offers 20 uniquecomputers . This limited choice is not a mark of failing , but a part of the companionship ’s " less is more " approach to marketing .
PCs , on the other hand , add up in a wide change of embodiment and size . Consumer Reports look back 12 distinct brands of Windows - base information processing system , include familiar names such asAcer , Asus , Dell , Gateway , HP , Hyundai , Lenovoand Samsung , each pop the question legion configuration of desktop andlaptopmodels . Many consumers see this gravid selection as a benefit because they ’re more likely to incur a reckoner that meets their exact need .
6: Availability
When it come to third - company retail stores , Appleis more selective than the PC manufacturers about where it will sell its product . The California ship’s company ’s flagship retail electrical outlet is the Apple Store , which first opened its doors in 2001 at the Tysons Corner Mall in McLean , Virginia . Since then , Apple has openedmore than 300 additional storesin 43 states and 11 area . Because these outlets are more often than not built only in expectant universe centers , Apple has entered into several on - again off - again agreement with electronics chains and department stores to reach a broader client nucleotide . Still , Macs are n’t available at many of the stores that trade PCs — namely the world ’s large retailer , Walmart . Of of course , you’re able to order Macs and Windows machines from stores on the net , as well .
Microsoft has a different strategy . For a long time , the companionship did n’t make hardware , or else licensing its Windows operating organization to other company . Most of those companies push their products into as many stores as they can . So while you might not see an Apple computer in your local computer shop , you ’ll see dozens of Windows PC .
5: Operating Systems
Theoperating systemhas been a long - stand difference between Mac and PC ; currently , Mac information processing system are preinstalled with the late translation of Mac OS , while most PCs come with the latest Microsoft Windows . In the 2000s and 2010s , Apple ’s computers used Intel ’s processor , which let consumers run both Mac OS and Windows on their machines . This was especially helpful for people who needed both operating systems for their daily work .
Apple upended that model in the 2020s , however , with the advent of its M1 processor . As of this writing , Windows will not run on these machines , forcing consumers to prefer between the two — or buy one of each . But while Apple is run away from Windows compatibility , it is moving toward compatibility with its own popular mobile devices running iOS and iPad OS . Apple ’s CPU program may make it possible to start the same apps on computers as it incline on higher - power pill and phone .
Windows , of course , run on information processing system and tablets , but itdropped its consecrated telephone OSin 2017 in favor of Windows Mobile . Microsoft is unbelievable to allow Google and Apple have all the playfulness , though , and will carry on detect way to operate between computers , tablets and phones . The Microsoft Surface , a microcomputer with a slim , light and tab - like strain factor is trial impression of that .
4: Users
One thing that both Mac and Windows PC fans have in vulgar is passion for the brands themselves . Get a various grouping of computer substance abuser together and introduce the subject of Macs versus PCs and watch the sparks fly ! Mac substance abuser will bring up conception like surety , usability and invention . PC owners will counter with price , software compatibility and selection . It can get really ugly really firm ( but it ’s merriment to find out ) .
In 2011 , an unscientific online written report show that the popular " Get a Mac " ads from the 2000s featuring John Hodgman and Justin Long as a personal computer and a Mac , respectively , were generally accurate theatrical of their stereotypes . Hodgman ’s microcomputer was the boring , all - business simple machine , while Long ’s Mac was the more fun and creative computing gadget .
Although Windows microcomputer users often fetch up the so - called " Apple taxation " — Apple computers generally appear to cost more than microcomputer on store shelves , it appears that Apple computer , telephone set and tablet have become a sort of position symbolization . have an iPhone or fall apart AirPods says something about you .
For one reason or another , it depend like perceptual experience and government will go on to flirt roles in the pick of equipment to buy for years to come .
3: Software
One of the most important reasons Mac has n’t captured a larger share of the estimator market is the comprehend lack of software written for itsoperating organization . In the nineties Apple ’s descent scare developers away from the platform . Steve Jobs ’s riposte to the company inspire trust , and so did a 2009investment in the companyby Microsoft itself . Since then , Apple ’s commitment to its developer — include Microsoft , which keep an up - to - particular date version of its Office retinue of business software for the Mac — has break away away at the software package gap . Nevertheless , there are still some specialised software developers who do n’t make Mac versions of their software , but in turn , there are some Mac developer who wo n’t write Windows software . With the increasing amount of web - establish business concern tool that will range on just about any computer , this argument becomes more disputable .
It ’s not just work that is impede by Mac ’s perceived limited software system excerpt — it ’s also diddle . Most computer gamers gravitate toward the PC , thanks to the wide selection of amateur computer software declare oneself for Windows system . For a foresighted time , developer refuse to port their biz to the Mac . But Apple ’s revitalisation has also created chance for Mac gamers tojoin in the fun . At the sentence of this authorship , the " What ’s Being Played " category on the on-line gambling platformSteamreveals more than 5,300 games for Mac . There are still more game for Windows , but the gap has closed more or less .
2: Security
Another self-aggrandizing difference between Mac and PC is the level of security you could have a bun in the oven from viruses and other unwanted usurpation . Because the vast majority of the humankind ’s computers run Microsoft Windows , most attacks focus on microcomputer . Malware likeTrojans , which flim-flam users into installing them by pretending to be something suitable , like anti - virus programs and botnets , which restfully enlist computer into an regular army ofzombie machinesdesigned to distribute spam or promote fraud , are now common threat to PCs , but more seldom harm Macs .
This does n’t intend that Mac exploiter should completely discount certificate . As Macs claim a gain grocery share , these threats have increase . And just as lawful developer have created cross - platform apps , cross - platform malwarehas also become more common . However , there is still some truth to , as one observer puts it,“a Mac owner who runs no security department package is vastly less likely to be the victim of a successful flak than a Windows user who ’s protect up to his eyeballs . "
1: Customer Satisfaction
Probably the most striking deviation between Macs and PCs is in customer satisfaction . In 2020 , Appletook the top spotin a Brand Intimacy COVID Study by the MBLM branding agency , which surveyed all brand , not just computing machine . But the American Customer Satisfaction Indexrated Applethe top computer trade name in both 2019 and 2020 , with Samsung and Acer in the second and third berth .
Apple has long enjoy a reputation for good customer service . That ’s probably due in part to the way that the company provides service of process . personal computer owners can call tech financial backing or go to a third - party repair entrepot , but Mac user can get face - to - case assist from a technician at the Genius Bar aid desk located in any Apple Store .
It also helps that Apple has a centralized identity . If you have a job with a Mac , whether it ’s the ironware or the operating system , you could go to the Genius Bar . But what happen if your PC is on the fritz ? You might have to speak to two or more company just to identify the underlying problem . Although Microsoft also has technological services in their stores , it only supports its own gimmick like the Surface and Xbox .
In the end , the choice ofPCorMacdepends upon you more than anything else . Declaring that one is better than the other is like saying Orange are better than — well , you have it off .
