Mac vs Windows
Computers are evolving at an unprecedented pace and brands such as Apple are delivering increasingly compelling marketing campaigns and new designs that raise even a little envy in the most staunch of Microsoft’s followers.
In this world of increasing competition, it can be very confusing to decide what type of computer to go for so Which? Europe’s largest consumer rights organisation has recently tested Microsoft’s Windows laptops against Apple Macs to help unravel some of the confusion and allow customers to make a more informed choice when trying to choose between a Mac or Windows laptop.
Operating System:
The Mac operating system is user-friendly and stable, but Windows users should expect a learning curve. It’s possible to run windows on a Mac, or alongside Mac operating systems for the best of both. If you use a computer at work, you’re more likely to be familiar with Windows. Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system is widely regarded as a great improvement on previous iterations.
Security:
Macs are less susceptible to viruses out there, but they’re much less common than those for windows and macs are therefore more secure. Windows is more susceptible to malware. However, there are plenty of good security software options available, not to mention built-in Windows security.
Price:
Although Apple has introduced lower-price versions of some of its laptops, such as the £849 MacBook Air. MacBooks are still expensive compared with most Windows laptops. You get more features for your money on Windows laptops and often more memory toosuch as the Dell inspiron 15R that has 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive is just £479.
Range:
MacBooks are made by one company and the choice is limited. There are 3 types: MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. There are different versions of each and you can configure them. Many manufacturers make Windows laptops. This means more choice in terms of specifications and features, but the array of different makers can lead to software compatability problems.
Design:
Apple makes beautiful laptops with clever touches, such as the magnetised power connection and glass touchpad. However, you can’t always swap out the battery or upgrade components. There are plenty of good looking Windows laptops but few can compare to Apple. However the range means you can choose the design that suits you and most are more easily upgradable.
Software:
Macs come with excellent software such as the iLife Lifestyle suite that can edit photos and videos. There’s no annoying pre-installed trial software, as you often get with Windows. There’s a much wider variety of software available for Windows – both paid for and free open-source software. Plus, if you’re into gaming, you’ll find many more games available for Windows.
Latest Technology:
Apple was the first into the ring on the tablet round with its iPad. It is leading the way with construction techniques and innovative battery and disk design. Windows laptops were the first to include the faster USB 3.0 connection and Blu-ray drives. Intel’s Core i7 processors appeared in Windows laptops first.
So, overall Windows beats Mac on price and range but Mac beats Windows on design and security. However, if you want the best of both worlds there are a number of solutions that can help you to run OS X and Windows on the same machine.
Fancy a bit of both?
If you want to use Windows on your Mac, then installing Boot Camp first will let you do it. This utility enables you to install a number of different operating systems, such as Windows or linux and run them at their usual speeds. If you want to switch between OS X and Windows, then just choose which one you want each time you start the computer. If you want to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, then VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop both let you do it.
VMware Fusion allows you to run multiple operating systems (including Windows and Linux) simultaneously with OS X. From a single physical machine, you can run multiple virtual machines at the same time. VMware Fusion also comes with advanced safety features, such as embedded antivirus.
Similar to VMware, Parallels Desktop lets you operate Mac, Windows or Linux simultaneously. It delivers the convenience of running Windows and Linux applications and offers access to operating system specific devices, without restarting the Mac which enables you to take the PC with you when you move to Mac.
Linux vs Windows
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