MacOS Vs Windows – Pros And Cons

8 min read

It could be said that there are two types of people, those who use Mac and those who use Windows. This is why in this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both, in a Mac vs Windows comparison.

Generally speaking, macOS has the advantage of being more stable and secure than Windows. In addition, its design is minimalist and easy to use. On the other hand, Windows has the advantages of having more software available and having computers at more affordable prices.

We will compare the pros and cons of each of these Operating Systems (OS) so that you can determine for yourself which of the two suits you best.

Why choose macOS?

Created by the American company Apple, Mac is the operating system that all their desktop and laptop computers use, in fact, several of their computers are also known by this name, since they are called Mac or Macintosh.

They are known worldwide for their minimalist designs, their performance, and their cost. Acquiring a Mac can require a lot of money since they are synonymous with exclusivity. In addition, Apple manufactures its own computers, so the Operating System is tailor-made.

Top 5 advantages of acquiring a Mac as a personal computer

laptop with macOS
macOS Monterey

Here, we will present some of the advantages that we consider most relevant when choosing this type of product.

1. Everything is made by Apple

Both the computers, the Operating System, and the peripherals are made by the same manufacturer. This means that everything is tailored to have the best possible performance, so it is a great advantage when compared to equipment made by different manufacturers that have to adapt to a single OS.

Monitors, mice, keyboards, audio outputs, and a great number of peripherals are also manufactured by the American giant, which means that there are no compatibility problems in these products.

2. It is very intuitive

MacOS is especially characterized because it is extremely intuitive, whether you are an expert user or a completely new one, you will have no problems adapting, since its visual elements guide the user in an impeccable way, making the experience when using it very pleasant.

3. Minimalist design

Apple is known for making computers with a great visual design, and its Mac product line is no exception. They are usually of simple and clean designs that do not take up much space. In short, they are minimalist computers, so they look great in your workspace or office.

4. They are innovative

Mac products are synonymous with innovation, not for nothing was it the first commercial computer, accessible to almost any middle-class person in the world. In addition, they were among the first computers to use USB Type-C ports and their laptops have multi-touch trackpads, which allow you to touch, slide, pinch or spread one or more fingers on the touchpad to perform useful actions.

They also have Thunderbolt cables, which allow you to connect different Apple computers and devices to each other, be it a TV, another screen, a phone, or even an external storage disk, all through the Thunderbolt port.

5. They are less vulnerable to threats

Given that they are not the majority, computers using macOS are less vulnerable to cyber threats, making it less of a problem when browsing the web. But beware, it is always important to take precautions, since, although they are less likely to be attacked by malicious software, the possibility is always there.

Top 3 disadvantages of acquiring a Mac as a personal computer

We have already seen the advantages, but like everything in life, it has its counterpart, so now we will expose the disadvantages of using a Mac computer, thus continuing with our Mac vs Windows comparison.

1. High prices

Being such exclusive products, in addition to being manufactured by Apple, all these computers have a very high cost, most of the time amounting to thousands of dollars. And not only the computers themselves, but everything about them.

Tables, peripherals, spare parts, technical service, everything needs a large amount of money, so if you want to buy one of these computers, you have to consider that its cost will be high. Fortunately, being such well-manufactured equipment, a great option is to get them second-hand, so their price will be reduced a lot and you will continue to have a quality product.

2. Less software available

This point is related to the previous one, since, being such expensive and exclusive products, only a small percentage of users use Mac as their main computer, so the vast majority of programs not developed by Apple are not compatible with Mac.

In fact, in terms of video games, very few games are available at launch for macOS. Therefore, you will have to wait a while until a version for your device is released, if it is.

However, Mac computers are used mostly for work, and there they do have a wide range of useful applications.

3. More complicated repairs

Although Apple is characterized by having a high rate of customer satisfaction and they are known for their good service, if your city does not have an Apple store, it will be quite difficult for you to find a technician specialized in this type of product.

Remember that they are computers that are used by a minority, so repair specialists are more dedicated to working with other types of manufacturers. In addition, repairs are expensive, including upgrading the equipment, since expanding the memory of a Mac computer can cost up to $300.

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Why choose Windows?

Windows was designed by the American company, Microsoft. Unlike Mac, Windows is used by computers made by thousands of other companies, making it the most popular choice for the common consumer.

This Operating System is known to have access to a large amount of software. In addition, since there are thousands of manufacturers using Windows, their prices are more accessible and there is a great variety of peripherals.

Top 5 Advantages of using a Windows computer

laptop with Windows 11
Windows 11

Here, we will point out some of the advantages that we consider most relevant when choosing a computer that uses this OS.

1. It is the most used OS worldwide

Windows is the most used OS in the world, whether it is in homes, offices, colleges, or universities, the vast majority of computers have Windows installed.

This is a huge advantage since it is a standardized OS, practically everyone has used Windows, so it is very likely that you are one of those people. Therefore, it is not necessary to go through an adaptation process, since, due to its great popularity and use everywhere, the vast majority of users are used to using Windows.

2. More accessible prices

Windows, being used by so many manufacturers, means that you can get good equipment at very good prices. $200 will be more than enough to have a computer that you can use for work and for surfing the web. Additionally, you will always have the option of looking for more powerful hardware, but of course, the cost will rise.

3. Software of all kinds

As we mentioned in the first point, Windows is the most used OS in the world, in fact, studies indicate that more than 80% of PC users have Windows as their main OS. Therefore, it is not surprising that the vast majority of PC programs and applications are compatible with Windows, which is a huge plus in this Mac vs Windows comparison.

Be it tools for work or leisure applications such as video games, they are always tested first in Windows and then in other Operating Systems, so they have a large amount of software available to their users.

4. Greater variety in peripherals

Because there are thousands of manufacturers that work with Windows, you can get many more options of mice, keyboards, and other peripherals at different prices, most of them more accessible than Apple products.

5. Easier technical service

Due to the enormous popularity of Windows, many PC repair specialists have extensive knowledge of this OS. Because of this, it is easier to find someone to fix a problem for this OS than with Macs, since for the latter you need to go to an Apple service center, and many cities do not have one.

Top 3 disadvantages of using a Windows computer

After discussing the advantages of having a computer with Windows, it is time to see the other side of the coin. Here are the cons of using this famous Operating System.

1. It can be unstable

Most Windows computers are not created by Microsoft, but the manufacturers have to adapt to this, which can cause some Windows functions not to be compatible completely with the installed software.

One of these examples is the more than well-known blue screen. This can be caused by a compatibility error, a problem with the processor, RAM, and an infinite list of things that can cause it, be it a badly installed update or a network card, which is not supported by the operating system.

Speaking of updates, that is another cause of instability, since you always have to do system updates to resolve multiple errors in it, and sometimes, updates deteriorate the performance since the hardware does not support it.

2. It is more vulnerable to viruses

Another disadvantage of Windows is that it is more likely to be the target of cyberattacks. This occurs due to the popularity of this OS and being used by so many users. Therefore, Windows is where hackers aim, since it is more likely that someone will catch the hook, either with a download or through an email.

Luckily there are many antiviruses on the market, and although Windows itself has an antivirus, it does not offer all the protection you need, so you will have to invest in specialized software.

3. There are many low-quality computers

Being compatible with such a variety of components from different manufacturers can be very beneficial. However, the pirate market is much more present in this OS, so there is the possibility that you acquire equipment at low cost, but made with very poor quality components. This will result in an unpleasant experience for the user, so you must be careful when choosing your computer.

How to choose between Windows and Mac?

After having analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of both Windows and Mac, we can see that neither of them is perfect and each has advantages that the other does not have. Neither is a bad choice, it just depends on your priorities.

You can choose a Mac computer if you prefer more stability and security. In addition, Mac is also recommended for people who want a minimalist and simple design. However, Mac computers are generally more expensive and have fewer applications available.

On the other hand, you can opt for a Windows PC if you tend to use more software. In addition, these types of computers also have a greater variety of peripherals and more accessible prices. The disadvantages of Windows are its greater instability and its vulnerability to viruses.

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Profile image of author Jefferson Huera Guzman

Jefferson is the main author and administrator of Computernoobs.com. I like sharing information and news about technology.