I'm trying to buy a laptop for myself. Nothing too fancy; just something on which I can play some games and watch some movies when I'm not using the MacBook Air given to me by work or testing out loaner laptops for review.Right now, I'm strongly leaning towards a Windows 10 laptop, not least because I've come to prefer Microsoft's operating system over even the latest Apple MacOS. But it's also because, you know, Windows laptops are almost always cheaper than a comparable Mac, and I'm not made of money.And yet, buying a Windows laptop can be an extremely frustrating and time-consuming process, and all the Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Asus machines I'm looking at tend to blur together after a while.Just browsing the PC section at any given store involves comparing a lot of very similar looking machines, all with very slight variations on screen resolution, processor speed, memory, and the like. I like to think of myself as reasonably tech savvy, and it's still exhausting — not to mention the fear I might pick the 'wrong' PC and waste my cash.It's a great reminder of just how smart Apple has gotten in the twenty or so years since Steve Jobs came back to the company and launched the company-saving iMac: Buying a Mac is so much easier and more straightforward than buying a PC ever has been. And it's a big part of why Apple keeps growing market share in a shrinking PC industry.The genius of AppleIf you have an older MacBook, the new MacBook is guaranteed to be better. Trade up the thing you know you like for the newest version of the thing you like. Apple only has five PC product lines to choose from — MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air, plus the iMac and languishing Mac Pro and Mac Mini desktop computers.This is a vastly streamlined process, taking a lot of the stress out of computer shopping. Walk in to an Apple Store with your budget set, and Apple has the right laptop for that price point — provided you're willing to spend at least $499 for the Mac Mini or $999 for the MacBook Air, the cheapest Apple desktop and laptop computers you can currently get.And speaking of the Apple Store, that was another big Steve Jobs initiative that really helped the Mac become what it is today. It provides a friendly place to try Macs out, as well as knowledgeable staff members who can help you figure out if you really need a MacBook Pro versus a MacBook Air. All of this together, combined with its famed 'It Just Works' approach to software, is a big part of why Apple can command luxury prices, even when the specs on each individual machine may not be anything special compared to a PC. Macs don't even have touchscreens yet!They're simply easier to buy, and you can be assured you're getting something better when you trade up from last year's model to the new one. People are willing to pay when you spare them a difficult decision.On babies and bathwaterFrom Microsoft's perspective, Apple's oversimplified approach is throwing the babies out with the bathwater: One of the longtime strengths of Windows is that you can get it on expensive, high-end gaming PCs, or you can get it on the cheap $200 laptops you can find at Walmart. It's been this way pretty much since Windows launched in the 80's.As an operating system company, not primarily a hardware company, Microsoft is a big fan of Windows making its way to computers of all shapes and sizes. The variety and choice available to the consumer is a wonderful thing, but it also increases complexity and the difficulty of making a decision.At the same time, Microsoft is attacking Apple's market position with its Surface line of hardware. In the same way that this year's MacBook is better than last year's MacBook, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is better than the Surface Pro 3, which is better than the 2. It's a clear, logical way to label its own premium hardware line that makes things clear to customers without going into the specs.And while they're not as common as the Apple Store in most places, the company has made a big bet on the Microsoft Store, where the company showcases a relative select few Windows laptops and tablets, with employees on hand to guide through the process and offer tech support.Still, not everybody can go to a Microsoft Store, and not everybody can afford those higher-end machines. I have a hunch that a lot of shoppers end up just buying what's on sale at Best Buy or Costco that week and moving on with their lives. That's how PC shopping has always been, and as long as there's a PC market, that's how it'll always be. And I'll probably still pick up a Windows 10 laptop. It's just that this process has really made me reflect on how Apple spotted a real hole in the market, and exploited it for all it's worth.

Today’s computer shopper has a choice of two great software platform standards in Windows and Mac, but lines have blurred between the types of hardware, which generally share Intel® CPUs.

I'm indecisive if I should I get a Mac or a PC for university? I want a Mac, but my dad says that I'm only paying extra for the status symbol. For me, I rather have a laptop that I actually like that one that I don't like as much. I'm going to be a business major, if that's any help. Should I get a MacBook Pro or a PC laptop for college? For college students, the old “reading, writing, and ’rithmetic” morphs into writing papers, doing basic stats, and creating presentations (and yes, still lots of reading).

Today’s computer shopper has a choice of two great software platform standards in Windows and Mac, but lines have blurred between the types of hardware, which generally share Intel® CPUs.

Which Platform Is Right for You?

• Consider if you like the Mac hardware and software aesthetic or would prefer the roll-your-own configurations that come with PCs.

• Decide whether you will use touch and voice input capabilities.

• Determine what software you’ll use and where you’ll keep it—on your computer or in the cloud.

• Consider whether your future needs might require upgrades and additions to the computer.

In computing circles, “PC vs. Mac” has long been a topic of debate—advocates on both sides felt so intense that it was better to steer clear of the subject unless you were up for a furious debate. While Macs and PCs still both have passionate followings, the differences between the two types of computers have dramatically lessened over the years. The result is your decision comes down to subtle preferences—but you really can’t go wrong with either choice. It has become less a matter of hardware and software than of style and personal taste.

The Ecosystem: Do You Think Less Is More or More Is More?

When you buy a Mac, you’re buying a philosophy as much as a piece of computer technology. The same company produces the hardware and software, and the computers share an aesthetic sensibility with Apple* phones and tablets. Mac offers just six computer styles with a limited choice of configurations—a “best of the best approach” that eliminates the need to wade through an excessive amount of options. If you don’t like deliberating over RAM, disk space, and other hardware components, Mac does much of the work for you.

With PCs, roughly a dozen major manufacturers produce the hardware, and most run the Windows operating system. You can have hundreds of choices of style and configurations, allowing you to find exactly what you want, though it may take more time and deliberation. Whether more is more or less is often in the eye of the beholder.

Mac Or Pc Laptop For College

Price: Look Beyond the Price Tag

Macs have long carried a reputation for premium pricing compared to PCs, though advocates would say that was simply the cost of higher-end components that provide better performance and reliability.

Making an apples-to-apples comparison on price for PC vs. Mac has always been difficult, though, because PCs and Macs typically have different pre-installed software and components, such as graphics cards, ports, and processor speed. The standard model Macs tend to offer less memory and hard drive space, so you need to take the specs into consideration.

Because of their lower cost, PCs have often been the choice for people who needed basic computing functions, like word processing and web surfing, while creative professionals who perform tasks such as design or video editing have been willing to shell out extra money for the apple of their eye. That said, the premium for the Apple know-how has shrunk to a couple of hundred bucks, making price a smaller consideration.

Maintenance: Are You a Troubleshooter?

Just as Macs offer a narrow number of choices, the systems tend to stay as they are – typically only the hard drive and RAM can be upgraded. PCs, coming in so many models from so many vendors, usually allow any of the individual hardware components to be switched out, from the central processing unit (CPU) to the displays. Whether that matters may depend on how you use the computer, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you are adept at handling some of your own maintenance.

Because Apple makes both the hardware and software, you have one primary place to turn when you have an issue, and issues can usually be resolved quickly. With PCs, different vendors make the hardware and software, and problem solving can be more complicated. Partly for this season, Apple has always received high marks from Mac owners for customer service.

Software: Your Choice May Be Up in the Clouds

In the past, it was easy to pick a Mac or PC based on the type of software you needed. Business productivity tools were domain of the Windows operating system, while editing, photo and other creativity apps were clearly a Mac world.

And though the PC tends to dominate in the workplace, many software programs for professional use—including Microsoft* Office and the Adobe* Creative Suite—have versions for both operating systems. The software has also become a smaller issue as many people no longer load software on their computer but maintain subscriptions for software they can access via the cloud. If you stream videos on YouTube, for example, your browser doesn’t care what type of computer or operating system you’re using.

Playing Games: Close the Window on This One

Gamers have always flocked to PCs, and that won’t change anytime soon. PCs can now stream games from Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and the number of titles available on a PC dwarf the Mac. So if gaming is more than just fun and games in your house, the PC wins hands-down.

Getting Touchy-Feely: PCs Emphasize Speech and Touch

For all the passion of Mac users, PC advocates can now honestly say they have a more touchy-feely relationship with their computers. Recent versions of the Windows operating system have embraced touch and speech, such as the new feature Cortana* in Windows* 10, which enables voice commands to schedule appointments. Apple has integrated its voice recognition software, Siri, into its desktop models but has been resistent to introduce a touch feature into its operating system, OS* X.

Mac Vs Pc For College 2019

So if you prefer speaking to your computer, or moving your finger across the screen, to a keyboard and mouse, PCs offer a clear advantage.

Security: Mac Still Gets the Nod

At one time, PCs were known for frequent crashes, but the Windows operating system has become significantly more reliable. While Mac hardware and software is denoted by its stability, the difference here has lessened.

The odds of getting a virus or malware with a PC remain higher than with a Mac, but this is more about the numbers game than technology. About 7.5% of the computers in use are Mac, according to IDC, so hackers spend more time and creativity attacking PCs.

That said, a sprinkling of Mac-attacks have begun to appear, such as last year’s Keyranger ransomware which attacked the OS* X operating system and encrypted all files on a hard drive until users paid an extortion fee. The proper antivirus program and other safeguards will keep either system safe, but PCs will be at greater risk.

The Choice:

PCs and Macs do offer some clear-cut differences; which of those differences are the most important is something that each person has to decide for his or herself. Due to price and availability, PCs tend to be the winner, while Macs remain the choice for the more elite or anti-Windows computer users. Either way, you can’t really go wrong. It truly is the golden age of computers.

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