PC vs Mac Revisited – A Friendly Discussion
Do indulge me if what I am about to relate seems like a well-worn IT subject in which partisan views frequently rouse passionate responses, endless argument, and occasionally all-round bad feeling. It is of course, the ongoing debate of PC vs Mac. With constant technical updates in both camps, it is worth reviewing the benefits and disadvantages.
As someone who uses both PC and Mac in my work and personal life, I feel like I can be as objective as anyone. And in going through the pros and cons, I will try my best to remain so.
Firstly, it is important to note that any comparison between the two pieces of hardware typically involves a comparison between the Windows operating system that PC’s generally use, and the MacOS operating system that only Mac’s use.
Typically, you will tend to see a lot of Mac’s used in creative industries, such as marketing, website design etc, whilst PC’s tend to be the solid workhorse for most other forms of business and VCFSE organisation, though the picture is of course varied.
PC Pro’s
- Generally lower cost
- More easily upgradeable and flexible
- More choice
- The workplace world tends to use PC’s and Windows, so if you are a PC user you may find more familiarity in the work environment
PC Cons
- Can be more unreliable
- Less integration between platform devices i.e. laptop and mobile
- More viruses, and typically less secure
Mac Pro’s
- Beautifully designed
- Fewer viruses tend to affect the devices
- Better security and privacy
- Better integration between platforms i.e laptop and mobile
- Well made with a long lifetime
Mac Cons
- Almost inevitably, Windows for Mac will have to be bought at considerable extra expense on top of the initial unit purchase
- More expensive
- Support is less widespread, and may cost more
- Not as popular as PC, so may be less visible in work settings
What do the above pros and cons mean, and how should they inform purchasing decisions?
In all honesty, I cannot tell you what you should buy, but hopefully the above pluses and minuses identified can inform you on what decision is best for you. Ultimately, as with most IT purchasing decisions, it will often come down to budget and requirements.
If budgets are tight then realistically PC is the only option. If there is more financial flexibility, then this makes Mac a potentially viable option. Though if you do consider Mac for your organisation, bear in mind your IT support options, as not all support providers cover Mac as standard.
I hope this this overview has been helpful, and that if it is a catalyst for discussion in the office, those with more entrenched opinions can remain at least on speaking terms.
As ever, for more information, please contact me at [email protected] or on 01473 345321, and I would be happy to have a discussion about anything in this area.