What Are the Main Differences Between Macs and PCs?

Mac users are famous for their loyalty to their favored Apple product. Much of the rest of the population doesn't quite 'get' why anyone would pay so much more for, what they see to be a similar product but Mac enthusiasts -- everyone from students to office workers to designers to Jackpot Capital no deposit bonus codes  gamers -- believe that the money that they save is an investment.

What are some of those main differences between Apple computers and computers that run the Window operating system that encourage so many people to prefer Apple products?

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Design

Is a computer's design a good enough reason to pay double the price over the cost of its competitors? Millions of Mac users think that, if that's not enough of a reason, it certainly counts as a good part of the reason.

Since Apple burst on the market in 1984, design of Apple products has been a major reason for its success. Apple always focused on the outward appearance of their products and have made them the preferred product of consumers who want a machine that goes beyond function.

Apple's focus on design dates back to its first and best-known CEO, Steve Jobs, who wanted to sell a product that would be 'hip' and would appeal to discerning consumers. Back in 1984 the first Macintosh made waves because it had a sleeker profile than its competitors and was housed in a single unit, reducing the need for cables and plugs.

Jobs left the company in 1985 and Macs were soon looking like other PCs but when Jobs returned in 1997 design was his first order of business. He encased the computer in a translucent, candy-colored shell so that it would stand out and started working on mechanics so that it would be easier to type on the keyboards, easier to navigate between windows, easier to locate files and even nicer to the touch.

IN addition, Macs are seen by the general public as being more durable than PCs. Graphics designers and artists generally prefer Macs because they come equipped with a variety of high-quality creating applications that run across the Apple ecosystem and its user interface is seen to be easier and more intuitive than that of a PC for creators.

Price

A basic laptop Mac today can cost as little as $1,100 while a simple PC laptop can go for as little as $400.  The difference, however, goes way beyond the size of the machine. Macs are made with better components. In addition, a Mac comes fully loaded while a PC needs an operating system loaded. That can involve significant additional expense.

Much also depends on what the computer will be used for. If you just need a computer to perform basic functions like word processing or web surfing  there are plenty of PC choices to meet your needs. But for those who plan to use the system extensively and use it for complicated tasks, the Mac might be the way to go.

Technical Specs

Here again, the differences in technical specifications are significant. Mac operating systems don't even run on the same processors as Windows machines any more and the new Apple chip means that the Mac renders graphics and processes information at a much faster level than that of a Mac.

There are a wide range of applications that run on the Mac including Final Cut Pro X, iMovie, GarageBand, Safari, Mail, Messages, Logic Pro, Photos, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, FaceTime, Calendar, Contacts, App Store, iTunes, iBooks, Maps, Time Machine and Photo Booth.  Almost all applications that run on a PC will run on a Mac but not all Mac-enabled apps run on PCs.

Choice

There are multiple configurations available for both a Mac and a PC but Apple offers fewer computer lines -- the Mac mini, the iMac, the Mac Pro, the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. That's significantly less than Windows' based computers 12 distinct brands which include Samsung, Lenovo, Hyundai, HP, Gateway, Dell, Acer, Asus and others.

But Apple aficionados see the 'less is more' approach to be more alluring because they feel that, whichever brand they choose, it's most likely to meet a wider range of expectations.

In addition, the Apple iPad Pro, which includes a proprietary M1 chip, can function as a laptop more readily -- some users say -- than ipads that support Chrome OS and Mac OS. The M! Chip is the same processor as that that powers many of Apple's desktop and laptop Macs which makes it, if not the most powerful ipad, one of the most powerful tablets on the market.

Gaming

One area that Apple users would like to see the company move forward is on software written to support gaming on its operating system. Over the years Apple has invested in its developers but, say many hardcore gamers, it still has a ways to go to eliminate the software gap.

Some specialized software developers are still not creating iOS versions of their software. As cloud-based tools that run on any computer become more available, that argument might no longer hold water but in the meantime, most computer gamers are gravitating towards the PC because there's still more recreational software available for Windows' systems.

Still and all, Steam currently features more than 5,300 games for Mac so the gap is closing.

Security

No discussion of Apple vs. PCs can conclude without mentioning security. Simply put, since most of the world's computers run on PCs, most cyberattacks are launched against Windows operating systems. Malware generally harms PCs but rarely  targets Macs.

Apple isn't blind to attacks and supports anti-virus software available for its users  but, at present, Macs are less vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Satisfaction

Studies show over and over that Apple customers tend to be more satisfied with their Mac than are PC users. A 2020 MBLM study rated Apple as the top computer brand thanks to its reputation for good customer service that provides Apple phone tech support, Apple Stores staffed by Apple technicians. Apple users know that, come hell or high water, they can get an Apple technician through the Apple company who will know how to fix their problem. That's a big plus for a society that is increasingly dependent on its computers.

Kareem Winters

Update 22 September 2021