Throwing Apples Against Windows

Does using an Apple a day really keep the computer doctor away? 7.5% of you sure think so!*

So what makes using a Mac so lucrative even though it isn’t as versatile nor compatible as it’s Windows PC counterparts? Could it be its aesthetics, its reliability, it’s “immunity” to viruses, or even just the fact that it isn’t running Windows? Let’s dive in a little further on why a Mac may or may not be right for you.

First and foremost, Apple products are typically going to be more expensive than their competitors. This definitely applies with MacBooks and iMacs – the most common personal computers Apple offers. For essentially the same hardware, you’re paying almost double than if you got a PC (we’ll refer to Windows-based computers as “PC” although Macs can certainly qualify as a personal computer). The price you pay does lend to the fact that the parts are of high quality, along with your computer experience being near seamless.

The big qualifier in why Apple products are so popular is because Apple designs both the hardware and the software. What this means to you is a computer that fully knows what’s inside of it and could utilize it to the fullest. It’s rare to have a Mac computer with custom parts inside because of this. Simply put, you’re getting the full package. This is unlike Windows which is generic enough to work with computers from companies like Lenovo, HP, and Dell – but drivers and compatibility issues can come to rise.

Many users who already have an iPhone or iPad can identify where to find things in a Mac. Granted, the process is a little different on the computers but the icons, names, and essentially the functions are the same. It should be noted that there is still a learning curve with using a Mac computer if you’re used to Windows. To many, it’s simplified down; not as many options. This may actually appeal to you as you don’t have to worry so much about particular settings or obscure menus. Just get done whatever you set out to do!

A very important thing to note is the fact that compatibility is not as strong as Windows machines. You’re not going to find all the programs and games available to you as what you could get with Windows. Granted, the list is certainly growing and many companies are creating products for both Mac and Windows – but using specialized programs or the latest games may not be available on Mac. There are ways around this by using programs such as Bootcamp or Parallels, but those can raise some issues also.

I’ll save the best for last since it’s one of the most commonly thought idea about Apple products: they don’t get viruses. Technically it’s true that they don’t get viruses in the literal definition of a virus. They certainly are not immune to malware, which to most people may as well be a virus. The difference isn’t as important to identify as it does to create a false sense of security that you can go anywhere on the web and not get anything malicious on your Mac. It simply is not true and in fact the amount of malware being designed for Mac computers is growing immensely due to this belief and the growing market share. Bottom line, you can still get infected on an Apple computer.

Although we don’t see any many Apple computers come in as PCs into the shop, we definitely see them sometimes have the same problems. As reliable and well-built as they are, they aren’t immune to having problems – albeit it doesn’t happen as often. Getting a Mac is an important decision to make and one that most people do not regret. Just be ready to learn to use your computer in a different manner than you’ve been used to with Windows!

*7.5% is the share Apple has in the computer market as of 2015, compared to other companies such as HP, Dell, Asus, and Lenovo among others.