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There is a continuous debate between Apple and Windows users that seems to be going nowhere. While Apple controls a small share of the computer market globally, Windows has a huge fan base. But there’s a perfect equilibrium between the banter from both sides.
Whatever operating system you’re using or planning to buy, each of them comes with a set of unique features that makes them what they are. In this article, we will bring together differences that can help you buy the operating system you’re looking for.
Design
The design aspect is a big and clear differentiator between Apple Macs and Windows computers. Windows laptops come with clean dimensions and you will find a lot of variety and options to select from.
When it comes to Apple computers, nothing can beat the sophistication they bring along. The aesthetic design of MacBooks is incomparable and you will hardly find any similar device with such robust specs and appearance.
Technical Specifications
The first Macintosh computer is known to integrate a processor from Motorola 68000 series, and later, adopted by Intel in the mid-2000s. Windows computers, from the very beginning, come integrated with Intel processors and continue to stick with the same technology.
In 2020, Apple transitioned with an all-new processor – M1, its own proprietary chip. You can compare the performance of the two processors by rendering graphics or processing heavy-load apps. If you find apps freezing on macOS, learn how to force quit on a Mac.
Price
The price is another major differentiator that often impacts your purchase decision, no matter what operating system you like. If you’re a student, you would want to purchase a MacBook, but are more likely to buy a Windows laptop, due to budget constraints.
Windows computers are highly affordable. Plus, you get the flexibility to select from a range of options that are all worth considering. Macs are heavily priced. As long as you earn a decent salary or have a good amount of savings, you refrain from buying a Mac.
Software
One of the reasons why Mac hasn’t successfully grabbed a huge share of the computer market is the lack of applications. Even though you will get dozens of highly-responsive apps that you can easily download from the App Store, there’s still a lot more Apple can offer.
With Windows, the situation is entirely different. You will get an app for Almost everything.
Whether you want to improve your work productivity, streamline your workout schedule, or attend meetings, you have an array of responsive and highly compatible apps available.
Security
When you compare Macs with Windows computers, getting to a conclusion is difficult. As far as security is concerned, Apple wins a point as hackers prefer the operating system with more apps and programs, and of course a large percentage of the user base.
Since Windows OS has plenty of apps available on the web and so does the number of downloads, there’s a big opportunity for hackers to gain unauthorized access to data. However, you should power your computer with an antivirus, no matter what OS you use.
Integration
macOS integrates seamlessly with iOS and iPadOS devices, and you will hardly notice a difference in the performance of these devices. Since all the apps and OS are developed by Apple only, you can view data or transfer files between Apple devices quite easily.
When you are using Windows, you are using apps developed by different manufacturers. Even though Windows supports thousands of third-party apps, it is likely to face difficulties while installing an app on Windows. Security can be a major concern.
File System
Both Windows and macOS support a wide range of file systems; however, a small difference can be seen. The file systems supported on Mac computers are HFS, HFS+, APFS, AFP, UFS, NFS, FTP, NTFS, UDF, SMBFS, ZFS, ISO 9660, WebDAV, and FAT.
File systems supported on Windows include FAT, FAT32, FATX, ISO, NTFS, UDF, HFS, HFS+, and ISO 9660. You can run Windows on macOS, but not vice-versa. Update management in Windows is Windows Update, while it’s Software Update on macOS.
Which One Would You Prefer – Mac or Windows?
As mentioned above, both Mac and Windows computers include features exclusive to them. Buying a Mac is more about the budget than features while you get a lot of affordable options when buying Windows.
Windows can run most of the applications available on the online app stores, whereas Mac can run applications developed by Apple. Moreover, among the very few Mac apps available, most are paid, so you have to keep that in mind.
If a clear comparison has to be made, Windows computers are easy to upgrade while Mac limits you to the hardware that you got at the time of purchase. To upgrade your Mac, you have to visit the nearest Apple store.
