Mac vs. Windows PC

Over the years, Apple and Microsoft technologies have revolutionized our world. The creators of Macs and Windows PC created amazing tools and resources, putting useful information at our fingertips. The Mac versus Windows PC debate has been an ongoing discussion for a long time. Although there are arguable advantages and disadvantages to each, the choice is ultimately up to you! Keep in mind what you like and what you want to do with your system.

 

Manufacturers 

Due to the fact that Macs are built by a single manufacturer and PCs are built by dozens of manufacturers, certain pros and cons arise. For example, former Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, focused on the design and outward appearance of Mac products. However, because so much time, money and effort has been put into developing high-quality devices, Mac products have been known to carry a hefty price tag. Furthermore, fewer options are available when it comes to designs and specs. On the bright side, when you are in need of customer service, you have one primary place to turn to. After taking the device to your local Apple store, a specialist will quickly resolve the issue and send you on your way. 

 

Compared to its more expensive counterparts, Windows offers dozens of choices of styles  and configurations, giving you the opportunity to find the perfect PC. Furthermore, Microsoft is best known for its Office Suite which includes apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Additionally, the vast selection of available PC software allows for backwards compatibility, meaning you can run older versions of software or operating systems on new hardware. Unfortunately, PC customer service does not always measure up to the reputation of Apple. Because PCs are built by multiple manufacturers, your devices may need to be sent to a specific manufacturer for repairs.    

 

Operating Systems 

Another main difference between a Mac and a PC is the fact they run on two different operating systems. Macs run on the OS X system while PCs operate on the Windows system. Unfortunately, although it is possible to run an OS X operating system on a PC, the system will not function as well as it would if installed on a Mac device. 

 

Touch

Compared to  its Mac counterparts, Windows PCs have the most advanced touch capabilities. While the Touch Bar is only available on certain MacBook Pros, Windows 10 has full touch screen support. Furthermore, PCs offer a Tablet mode that allows you to switch between using the keyboard and the touch-compatible pen to write on the screen. 

 

Voice 

Macs and PCs both come with voice capabilities. One year prior to Apple’s introduction of Siri, an intelligent personal assistant, Microsoft released Cortana, a voice recognition installation available for PCs. Both Siri and Cortana have the capacity to open apps and web pages, tell you the weather, find directions, open documents, send emails and more.     

 

Mobile Device Integration 

Both Macs and PCs allow you to share documents, web pages, photos and videos between your smartphone and your Mac or PC device. With AirDrop, all of your photos from your Mac device can be transferred to your smartphone and you can engage in video calling with FaceTime across Apple devicesPCs allow you to conduct SMS messaging across multiple devices but do not have built in multi-device video calling. 

 

The Mac versus Windows PC debate will continue as long as there are two hardware manufacturers. Although there are advantages and disadvantages to each, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whichever you choose, enjoy it!