With the development of Apple products and its competitors, it is only natural that customers wonder which to bet on when choosing their next smartphone or another device.
Like how students often check paperwriter reviews to find out which academic writing service is the safest choice, thorough tech lovers look for answers in other users’ feedback and professional reviews—on YouTube or elsewhere. So, let’s explore who is currently ahead in the Mac vs. PC race.
The Evolution of Apple’s Ecosystem in 2024
The term ‘ecosystem’ even seems appropriate because Apple has always prided itself on creating an ecosystem that’s more than the sum of its parts. The interconnectedness of the different devices Apple produces and their limited connectedness with non-Apple products warrant using the term. This approach has reached its peak in recent years and is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
Apple continues to enhance cross-device functionality—presumably to improve the user experience. But there’s another side to it. One of the main criticisms Apple products receive (and rightly so) is that it’s downright inconvenient for a user to have just one Apple product. It makes more sense to go with Apple for all your devices or none.
The integration between macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS is tighter than ever. While incredibly convenient, it is also good for business: it essentially forces users to switch to Apple unless they are die-hard haters. Also, while this is news to no one, people appreciate Apple’s more responsible approach to data security. That’s another huge point in favor of Apple products.
The PC Ecosystem and Its Recent Developments
Only naive Apple fans believe there is no progress outside the Apple ecosystem. The number one reason it makes sense to go with non-Apple devices these days is the diversity of options. For example, if you want to stick to Apple when buying a new laptop, you have less than ten viable options. If you are open to all manufacturers, you have hundreds, if not thousands. As you’re probably well aware, competition keeps the prices lower than they could be, as you can see with top coursework writing service, for example. This can’t be said about Apple.
However, with non-Mac products, you’re missing out on that cross-device functionality that all Apple lovers appreciate. Users appreciate having a Mac and an iPhone simultaneously (alongside other Apple products) because it’s convenient. If at least one of the devices you use daily is not Apple, and at least one of them is, you’re missing out. But is the unique advantage Apple has to offer—that interconnectivity—worth the price tag and other flaws of Apple?
The Cost
The price matters unless you’re lucky enough to belong to the 1%. While iPhones are getting closer to the average non-Apple prices by the year, this is not the case with Mac, at least not yet. MacBooks, as well as other Mac computers, remain significantly more expensive than competitors with comparable characteristics.
Among other things, you’re paying for durability—Mac devices are notorious for remaining fast and functional for up to a decade after a user buys one. Although few Apple lovers are willing to acknowledge this, you’re also paying for the brand name. To put it bluntly, having an iPhone and a Mac simultaneously is a flex. It makes many users feel better about themselves and their purchasing power.
However, one of the biggest problems with Apple devices, including Mac computers, is that they aren’t fully competing with non-Apple products. People devoted to Apple will always choose Apple, and the company knows this. As a result, the price of a MacBook is notably higher than that of a non-Apple laptop with the same tech characteristics.
This image courtesy of Unsplash
Software and Compatibility
All Apple devices are flawlessly interconnected; you can pair all of them with one another and enjoy a seamless experience. Even more importantly, you can enjoy the same apps and aren’t forced to look for alternatives. If some of your devices are from Apple and others aren’t, that’s not the case. And let’s admit, most mobile apps are better if you have iOS. There are exceptions, but as developers work on iOS vs. Android versions of an app, they always start with the former.
It’s also not uncommon to go with Mac devices because of the access to software they grant. For example, for creatives and professionals using specialized software like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro, staying within the Apple ecosystem makes perfect sense. Is it fair? It’s hard to answer, hence the number of antitrust lawsuits against Apple. But when you depend on a piece of software only available to Apple users, and there are no decent alternatives, there isn’t much you can do.
However, unless you need access to something uniquely Apple’s you typically have more options with non-Apple PCs. Unlike iPhones, Macs have yet to become the default option. Trying to get ahead, other manufacturers are actively improving and expanding the software available to their users. Currently, they outweigh Apple in terms of diversity and the sheer number of options.
The Verdict
Despite Apple’s constant criticism, the answer to our initial question is still, “Yes, it’s worth it.” Even more so if all your devices are from Apple or if you rely on Apple’s unique software for work or studies. A MacBook is more expensive than a comparable non-Apple laptop, but there are reasons for that (some fair, others not so much).
However, if at least part of your devices isn’t from Apple, and you don’t need the software available only to Apple users regularly, you might want to look elsewhere. There are excellent alternatives out there, and some of them are significantly more affordable.
