It’s perfectly fine if you’re unsure whether to buy a MacBook or a Windows laptop. Both the Apple and PC worlds continue to assert superiority over the other, frequently citing hardware advancements that improve performance and battery life.
So, while you don’t have to worry about the “AI PC,” you might need help deciding whether to transition from Mac to PC (or PC to Mac).
While the software on these laptops varies substantially, the differences between the most recent Windows 11 and macOS versions are only part of the tale. The range of devices on either side of the argument is vast, providing us with lots of topics to discuss while deciding between Windows PCs and MacBooks.
Let’s discuss software: macOS vs. Windows 11
Because many Windows laptops resemble MacBooks, the most significant distinction between the two is the operating systems they run — and the user experiences these personal computers offer. This is undoubtedly the most heated and subjective topic in the market, so don’t expect to reach a conclusion right away. I know PC zealots who persist with Windows 11 despite their dissatisfaction with the experience, and many Apple fans lament the status of macOS.
Of course, MacBooks are a natural choice for anyone who owns an iPhone due to the Apple ecosystem’s interoperability. This hardware is designed to be used simultaneously, so you can make calls on my MacBook while using the same programmes on both devices. Sure, the Microsoft Phone Link programme on Windows 11 allows you to talk and text from your PC, but you may not want to worry about the Microsoft-made app needing an update if Apple changes something.
Apple goods’ cross-platform synergy goes well beyond that. AirDrop makes file sharing extremely simple, as you and your friends can simply send hundreds of images from a night out to each other without worrying about attachment limits. Windows PCs and Android phones have their own versions of this. Quick Share allows for file transfers. But the Apple Watch also unlocks the MacBook, using Apple Pay is almost too simple on all devices, and iCloud syncs data across a variety of programmes, from Apple’s own Notes app to the pricey Ulysses writing programme.
Snap Layouts, which provides a variety of window layout options allowing you to organise multiple applications to your desire, were previously the most distinguishing feature of Microsoft Windows 11. The present version of macOS only allows you to split your screen in half between two windows in full-screen mode. Fortunately, that changes in macOS Sequoia (out in Fall 2024), which allows you to resize windows to suit the left, right, top, and bottom halves of your screen, as well as each of the four quarters. Snap Layouts still appears to offer a wider range of layouts — though we’ll need to check this once macOS Sequoia is released.
Furthermore, Windows 11 is built for both click and touch, with a slightly different interface when switching between tablet and desktop modes, making it easier to tap icons and things with your fingers. In contrast, MacBooks continue to lack a touchscreen option.
That is not to argue that everything is fine in the Windows world: the Windows 11 Start menu and Taskbar are both cluttered with unnecessary items. The search menu in the Taskbar always appears to have some seasonal suggestion that you never really asked for, and when checked the Dell XPS 14 has a “Games for you” area with a Tetris copycat and other dumb games like Bubble Shooter HD. The Widgets board, on the other hand, contains sponsored content and “news” of doubtful worth, such as an article titled “24 ‘Rich Person Activities That Most ‘Normal’ People Would Never Even Think About.” All of this cruft can be concealed if you know which options to disable, but you shouldn’t.
Furthermore, Windows “beat” macOS to the full generative AI problem with CoPilot, which is built into Windows. Heck, CoPilot+ PCs are already a thing, and the industry is buzzing about deep integration with Windows. These PCs may help you recall what you were doing using a “Recall” feature (which has already raised some privacy issues), teach you in Minecraft, and assist you in creating photographs, among other functions. At the time of publication, these functions had not been tested, and the value of Microsoft’s CoPilot assistant had not yet been established.
Similarly, Apple is introducing its own kind of generative AI content, dubbed “Apple Intelligence.” Image production and editing, text rewriting, and a revamped Siri with expanded capabilities have all been announced.
Which applications do you need?
While Apple has always positioned its machines as essential tools for creative professionals, those users are no longer limited to MacBooks in today’s Windows-based world. Adobe Premiere Pro and Pro Tools enable cross-platform film and music production on both PCs and Macs.
However, MacBook users have access to a number of useful and highly polished third-party software that are not available on PCs, such as the Pixelmator image editor tool, which is an outstanding Photoshop replacement that does not require a membership. There’s also the fantastic, feature-rich Overcast podcast app, a well-made independent alternative to Spotify and the other major players. I also don’t know how I’d survive without the Drafts software, which is installed on my iPhone and MacBook docks. It syncs with both devices and is where all of my notes begin.
However, Windows laptops outperform MacBooks in one software category: PC gaming. Sure, the rare top-tier title, such as Baldur’s Gate, is released on Mac within weeks or months of its PC debut, but other mega-popular titles, such as Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, and Diablo IV, remain unreleased on Mac for a long time. Apple consumers continue to get their fair share of Mac games, ranging from recently ported big name titles like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 to hundreds of lesser titles on the Apple Arcade subscription service.
For those who have yet to commit to either side of this conflict, we are pleased to propose the following laptops, which will all help you get through the day’s work and support an evening of relaxation.
Gamers may prefer PCs out of habit, but Apple is making inroads in that market. Value-conscious clients may constantly go in the same direction, but I can tell you from experience that MacBooks are always solid purchases that last nearly a decade.
iPhone owners, unsurprisingly, have compelling reasons to stick with Apple for their laptop. Sure, there’s some cross-platform support, but Apple’s walled garden is heavily populated for good reason.
The good news is that you have many options, whether you desire a MacBook or a Windows laptop. Today’s Apple vs. PC battle has victors on both sides.