Are Mac’s really overpriced compared to Windows PCs and laptops? This is a question that many people ask themselves when they are first looking for a new computer. It seems like the Mac vs PC battle has been going on for years now, but there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing between the two, including price, performance, features, and software.

The Mac

There are different types of Mac computers, such as the Mac Mini, Mac Pro, Mac Studio, iMac and the laptops in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Each one has its own features, design, and price range.

Windows

Unlike the 6 Macs, there are loads of brands and models of Windows PCs and laptops, which depending on your outlook can make deciding which computer you want more difficult or it gives you a greater choice in terms of hardware components, sizes and shapes to choose from, from the very budget to very ultra expensive computers, but some enjoy this customisation where you can choose from different hardware components depending on your budget.

The Comparison

If we laid down all the different types of Windows PC and laptops with all the Macs and averaged the prices, then you’ll probably find that Macs are more expensive than PCs, but don’t let that fact sway your decision, because there are some exceptions at the lower end of the mark, such as Apple’s cheapest Mac in the Mac Mini, which is Apple’s cheapest Mac and is seen by some as the gateway to MacOS, and it was my first Mac.

As a person that has used and still uses Windows PC’s more often than Mac’s, I feel that one of the main advantages of Mac’s, is that they are more user-friendly and have a more simple interface compared to windows PCs and laptops. With the recent updates to MacOS, if you do have an iPhone or iPad, then you’ll find the interface, very familiar to iOS and iPadOS, which MacOS has been made to be more like, allowing it to appeal to users who just want to get their work done without distractions.

While you hear about less Mac’s getting hacked, they aren’t completely safer to use, if you open the wrong email, then it doesn’t matter what operating system or PC or laptop you’re using. The higher level of security and stability that Macs offer, combined with the fewer malware and other security issues and vulnerabilities compared to Windows, is partly down to the Macs having that lower market share and because of its Unix based architecture.

Another benefit of Mac’s is that they have an edge in media editing and other creative tasks, thanks to their integrated applications, which can be used in the base Mac’s like the Mac Mini or Macbook Air’s, all the way up to the top of class Mac’s like the Mac Pro and MacBook Pro’s, obviously the experience with the higher end Mac’s will be smoother and more refined, but because Apple make the hardware and software of these computers, they are able to achieve a better and consistent operating system and hardware integration resulting in being able to optimise MacOS based on the specs of the hardware components, so they are able to maintain high, seamless and efficient performance for extended periods without compromising functions, keeping the CPU temperature lower than most Windows laptops while pulling the least amount of power and generating very little noise.

If you’re in the market for a long lasting laptop, the new generation Apple Silicon Macbooks powered by their M chips, have a longer battery life compared to Windows laptops, once again thanks to their efficient processors and optimised software and you’ll often find that the price of the few Windows laptops that can almost reach the levels that you get with the Macs, come at a premium price.

But, Mac’s do have some drawbacks, yes, they are more expensive than windows PCs and laptops, which may be steep for some users, especially if you want to upgrade them or buy accessories. As the hardware and software are made by Apple, it means that MacOS is inherently attached to the Mac computer, meaning that some of the hardware components such as the CPU or RAM cannot be upgraded easily after you’ve made the purchase and had it for some time. Just look if you’ve speccing up a Mac purchase online, just how much of a premium it adds to the cost when you want to improve the GPU, memory or storage.

Another disadvantage is that they have fewer third-party programs than Windows PCs and laptops, which means you might not be able to find the software or games that you want to use, which sometimes means having a Windows PC may be the only option for you.

Looking at this from the Windows point of view, One of the main advantages of windows PCs and laptops, is that they offer more customization and flexibility than Mac’s at both the time of purchase and in upgrades after you’ve purchased it. You can choose from many hardware components to customize your computer according to your needs and preferences in a whole variety of sizes, shapes, colours and prices.

Gaming

If you’re a gamer, then, in the current state of MacOS, having a Windows PC or laptop should be your only choice, because, A, they are generally going to be better for gaming and, B, nearly all games are going to be compatible with the appropriately spec’ed Windows PC or laptop and the same goes for third party applications, because in Windows PCs, you’re able to buy more powerful graphics cards, larger storage options, and benefit from that wider compatibility with games, applications and accessories. Don’t forget, when your PC gets older and slower, you can upgrade it and prolong its life even further.

However, Windows PCs and laptops also have some drawbacks. While this is probably a personal gripe, one of them is that they have a more blocky and old-school design compared to Mac’s, which might not appeal to some people who prefer a sleeker and modern look, but that’s me probably being a little biased, but here me out, I prefer a laptop with a minimalistic and elegant design that focuses on simplicity and functionality.

The Verdict

So, which one is better for you: Mac’s or Windows PCs and laptops? Well, it depends on what you value more: user-friendliness or customisation, security or variety, design or compatibility, price or quality.

There is no definitive answer to this question, as both types of computers have their own strengths and weaknesses.

The best thing you can do is to compare the features, performance, and prices of different models and see which one suits your needs the best.

If you like gaming, then there’s an obvious choice, but if you’re a content creator, then the choice becomes a little more challenging.

I think, from the surface, Mac’s are more expensive, but in terms of the overall package you’re getting, performance, battery life, design, the ecosystem this computer lives in, which is definitely going to increase your productively, that could the thing that justifies the price for some people? in terms of the laptops, yes I could get a cheaper Windows laptop, but am I going to have to sacrifice performance or battery life just to get a cheaper device.

If you want to see the video version of this article, check out the YouTube link below: https://youtu.be/k3VxMvcnWZY