Laptops are now so powerful, they are the preferred choice for most people rather than a desktop. After all, our work and homelife are now almost completely online, so our choice of a laptop is important.
Mac products have always commanded a much higher price than their PC equivalents, so if budget is your primary concern, then you’re probably better off buying a PC.
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So when it comes to buying a new one for your family, should you choose a Mac or a PC? Both have their diehard fans, but if you’re on the fence, here are some things to consider.
MacBooks
Operating system
Known for being fast and reliable, the MacOS is a very user-friendly system. If you’ve used a PC up until now, it will take a little bit of getting used to, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be converted. Mac operating systems are provided free of charge, whereas you will need to pay for Windows if you decide to upgrade from the version that comes pre-installed on your hard drive.
Quality of hardware
Even die-hard PC fans have to admit that Macbooks are well built and of excellent quality. MacBooks are amongst the hardiest of laptops and should serve you well for many years. If you do have any issues or screen breakage, there are many specialist repair shops as well as Apple Stores that can help you.
Pre-loaded software
Every Macbook comes preloaded with excellent software for video, video editing, and its own version of popular office applications. Macbooks are very popular with those who use heavily resourced graphics or video software in their jobs
Though the Mac is superior in many areas, there are a few things you might want to consider before you buy one. The major one is the price. You’re looking at £1000 for the entry-level MacBook Air model. Higher spec MacBook pros can run into the thousands.
Apple has also phased out USB and other standard connectors in favour of their thunderbolt ports. This could mean having to splash out on specialist cables to connect peripherals to your MacBook.
If you have any issues with your PC or Mac or find that you can’t update it there are many programs you can use to help you.
Windows PC
Operating System
If you’ve grown up only using a PC, then you are familiar with how the Windows operating systems work. As such you’ll find it much easier and faster to navigate around.
Price
An entry-level Windows laptop can be bought for a few hundred pounds. Of course, you can always choose a higher spec model from a popular brand which would cost a lot more. Whatever your budget, you’re usually able to find a Windows laptop to meet your needs.
Better range of software
The vast majority of software programmes are created for PCs with only the bigger ones usually having a MacOs option too. This usually leaves Mac users having to find a different often more expensive app for the same use.
Easy To Upgrade
It is far easier and cheaper to upgrade RAM, graphics, and hard drives on Windows laptops. Many people have managed to extend the usefulness of their laptops by swapping to an SSD hard drive or upping the RAM.
Security
The majority of malicious software and viruses are targeted at PC users, but that also means that Windows laptop software makers are working hard to stay one step ahead. The current version of Windows 10 has some very strong security protection as standard. Adding an antivirus will make your protection even stronger.
Compatibility with educational software
It’s very common for schools to use certain educational software for children to access for homeschooling or homework. While most of these will be cloud-based and able to be accessed from a browser window, there are some that will require downloading and installing on your computer. It’s a good idea to check if your child is going to require any of these and if they are available for both Mac and PC platforms.
Child safety
If you have young children in the house, you want to be sure that they are as safe as possible when they are online. Generally, it is the profiles you set up on the computer that let you set certain restrictions around which folders and programs can be accessed. There are many third-party programs that you can install on your system which will give you a greater level of control and let you choose exactly what your children can or can’t access. It’s worth looking for ones that you can also use on smartphones and can be controlled and alerted via an app on your phone. This gives you real-time oversight into what your children are doing online.
The major safety and security platforms can be installed on both Mac and PC systems.
Also, consider – additional devices
Another factor that you should consider when making your decision, is which other devices you use. For most people, this will be a smartphone of some kind, a gaming console, or similar. While you can probably make these systems all talk to each other, having a streamlined system that connects everything can be a huge benefit. So having a MacBook that is synched with your iPhone and Apple TV box doesn’t require any additional work. Similarly, Windows and Android devices work seamlessly with Xbox and Playstation consoles.
Final thoughts
Choosing a new laptop is a big decision. Choose wrong and you may end up with an unreliable model that doesn’t suit your needs. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you could be spending thousands on the tech that you don’t need.
When deciding, think about what types of software you will be using day to day and how many resources they’ll need to run them. Consider also the amount of storage you’ll need and which types of peripheral devices you need to connect as part of your home office set-up.
Try and aim for a balance between getting a laptop with the spec you need, with a little bit of future-proofing built in to handle any future use. Check out Shop Abunda for buy now pay later laptop and pc.
*This is a collaborative post