The battle between Mac and PC has been going on for decades. Both companies offer a competitive product that helps make living in a technological world a lot easier and more fun. However, when you’re planning on purchasing a new computer you may want to know who actually stands where in this ongoing battle. Price is a huge factor for most customers, but getting a clear answer as to who is going to save you more is quite difficult. The truth is, it all depends on what you need out of your product. When it comes to Mac VS PC, your savings are based on your computer usage. These ten observations will help you figure out which direction you should go though, without forcing you to get trapped in countless arguments and articles over who is better than who!
1. Overall Price
Usually customers tend to look at the overall price of a computer before they make their purchase. This tends to let them know what is in their price range, so they can limit their choices slightly. Although each company offers various things for the overall price this number seems to be one of the biggest deciding factors for customers on a tight budget. So, when it comes to overall price PC is the big winner. You can shop all over the internet and find computers as low as $200! This is great for anyone looking for a quick replacement in a hurry. Of course, if your budget allows a bit more to play with then you can choose from a variety of upgraded computers on the PC market. There’s so many makes and models you can get for under $1k that it might take some time to choose which computer you want. Mac isn’t the best option for general price because you can end up spending thousands on the small selection of models they currently have. In fact, if you wanted a Mac at a price as low as PC you’d have to find a used model.
2. Durability
The amount of time your computer is going to last can be a huge factor in your decision. Both brands will give you enough use out of the machine until a sleeker more advanced model is to be released; however, Mac is the way to go if you’re looking for something that isn’t going to break quickly. Generally, PC users tend to replace their machines every 2 to 3 years, but with proper care the computers can last for much longer. Mac, on the other hand, is known to last for several years. You can purchase a machine and have it good a decade later in many cases, which can be a real money saver. These machines are especially good for anyone who spends hours at a time on the computer as you’ll get more use out the machine where a PC might lose quality after such tough usage.
3. Susceptibility
Viruses can be the bane of your existence. If they’re not causing problems with pop ups and slowing down your machine then they could be stealing your information and causing your machine to shut down. So, of course susceptibility is a huge thing to consider when it comes to your computer. Unfortunately, PC is more widely used and also has a lot of open components that can be attacked by a wide variety of viruses. When you purchase a PC you’ll have to make sure to find a good anti-virus program in order to keep your machine safe and in working order. These can be pretty pricey, so you may want to consider this when you’re pricing your computer. Macs don’t have a lot of issues with viruses, so you won’t have to stress as much about people getting your information or attacking your system. This will allow you to cut down on anti-virus and tech support costs.
4. Customization
Most people love making their machine, well, theirs. Customization is a huge part of today’s society and everyone wants a little something different. For instance, if you’re a game then you may want a better graphics card and larger memory so you can enjoy a larger variety of complex games. Musicians might want a better sound card and speakers. Some may even feel like switching up the colors of their laptop. No matter which way you need to go there’s one system that stands out amongst the other. When it comes to PC you can use your imagination to build up the machine of your dreams. Typically parts won’t compare to those of Mac and you may even be able to customize before you even get your computer if you order online. Of course, when a part of your computer breaks you may also want to consider a small upgrade. For instance, if your hard drive goes then purchasing a new on with more memory is definitely affordable with PC. Mac tends to be more about providing a few machines that go further, so you might not have a lot of freedom here.
5. Software
Software is where things get a little more complicated. If you love a wide variety of software then PC is for you. There’s a lot to choose from and most software has more support than Mac does. This is especially important if you are looking for cheaper versions of popular programs, especially in word processing and image editing. There’s several generic programs to choose from here that all run smoothly on the PC. Of course, this also means that software can be purchased for slightly cheaper, thus saving even more money. On the other side of the spectrum, Mac users have applauded their selection of pre-installed programs. There’s some exciting programs for video editing and music editing that you won’t pay any extra for. You can also get the popular brands like Photoshop for the Mac. So, when it comes to choosing a computer on software go with what you this will be best. Try looking up some reviews for different devices to get a greater feel of how people feel about the software on their machine.
6. Operating Systems
PC tends to come up with operating systems frequently and if you want to keep up then its up to you to either get a new machine or upgrade. The only drawback is the new operation system could set you back hundreds per computer in your home. Another major issue with this is the system are often bugged when they first come out, so you may deal with quite a bit of frustrating before all of the kinks are worked out. Mac tends to upgrade their systems far less and when they do it is only a small fee to upgrade the system you already own. This can be a big money saver, especially if you have your Mac for a long time. However, many Mac users are not downloading special programs so they can use PC’s Windows on their Mac machine, so this may indicate that the Mac ios system isn’t as great as its competitors.
7. User Friendly
After price, one of the biggest factors of a purchase is how user friendly they are. When polled most people find PC to be the easier system to use. This is largely because most people learn how to use a computer on a PC. Due to pricing PC tends to be the leading computer in schools, libraries and the common home. Thus, learning a new program is far easier to do on these machines. Although many praise Mac’s software for running faster, a lot would prefer to use just about any programs on a PC because using the program seems easier and less taxing on time constraints. You should consider what you find to be more user friendly before you purchase though. This can lead you to spend less on tutorials or tech support when learning a new program.
8. Accessories
When it comes down to it, Mac and PC has accessories that are fairly equal in price, so don’t let this be a huge factor in your decision. However, if you’re looking for a lot of accessories then PC is probably the way to go. There’s a lot of accessories compatible for this machine and you can even find generic products to help save even more money. From working on graphic design to playing arcade style video games there’s a wide assortment of items you can choose from without having to go overboard on the price. Mac had durable accessories, but when it comes to shopping for higher priced items like drawing tablets then you still might find PC’s pricing a whole lot better.
9. Availability
If you’re looking for a computer you can buy locally then PC may be your only option. Mac isn’t widely sold in stores, so you may have to go out of your way to actually find a location that stocks them. You may have an easier time looking at your local technological store or even department store for a PC as you won’t have to waste gas going from location to location. PC is pretty much anywhere you can buy a computer, whereas Macs can only be found in specific stores. Thus, if you don’t have a place that sells Macs near you then you’re going to have to go online, pay some extra fees as well as a shipping cost. Then, you’ll have to hope that the package makes it on piece and you’re home when it is delivered. Otherwise, you’re going to be filling out some paperwork and doing a whole lot more waiting. So, if you need a computer fast, don’t want to shop online, or don’t like shopping around then PC is the way to go.
10. Games
If your main platform for gaming is the computer ten this mght be a huge thing to consider when it comes to shopping for the right machine. Although Macs can run faster the right upgrade for a PC can keep your games running smoothly too. Of course, one major factor in this debate is who is going to have the best games. Well, it turns out that PC has a lot more games released for it than Mac does. This can really change up your opinion, especially if you like to play all the latest titles. Before deciding on which machine to get you should make sure to look online and see how many of your favorite games have been released on which machine. You may also look at the price difference between the games. More often, PC is the leader with the games as well as the prices. PC also has many accessories that make the gaming experience a whole lot better.
This debate will probably go on for years to come, but you shouldn’t let it affect your choice. Instead, look into the areas of the machine that are going to suit your needs and work from there. With this basic guide you should be able to find just what you’re looking for in a machine which will help you get your money’s worth so you won’t have to worry about budgeting even more money for your computing needs.
