Having the right IT infrastructure is crucial to any organization’s success. Despite this, many businesses are using systems that aren’t best suited to their needs. Even at the basic level of choosing an operating system to use, many organizations arbitrarily choose either Mac or Windows operating systems without really determining which is best for their business.
Equipping employees with systems that don’t fully meet their needs reduces productivity and increases costs. By examining the differences between operating systems, however, it’s easy to determine which one is right for you.
If you want to get a definitive answer to the Mac vs. PC debate, take a look at some of the major differences between the two:
1. Maintenance
When choosing your IT software and hardware, it’s important to consider ongoing maintenance requirements. If machines and software need regular upgrading, it can wreak havoc on your firm’s operations.
While Windows systems typically require frequent user-initiated maintenance procedures, these are few and far between on Mac machines. In contrast, Mac systems can be completely maintained by an experienced Mac management company with minimal impact on your company’s performance, and without the hassle of learning new programs yourself.
2. Security
Windows operating systems are a major target for hackers, malware, and ransomware. Because Macs are newer and represent a smaller part of the market share, hackers have a better chance of succeeding if they continue to attack PC users instead of targeting a newer, smaller market, so Macs are targeted much less frequently than PCs.
While it’s a good idea to install antivirus software no matter which operating system you have, Windows systems typically require comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solutions, while fewer third-party security services are required on Mac systems.
3. Design
The design industry operates almost exclusively on Mac systems, so it’s an easy choice for organizations operating within creative industries. The vast majority of design software was created on Macs, and they remain the industry standard.
While virtually all designers and creative companies use Mac systems, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the design benefits of Mac if you don’t specifically operate within a creative industry. By having the functionality already in place within your IT system, you retain the option to bring your design requirements in-house at any point.
4. Status
Macs are built and used as high-end products. While some businesses consider them an unnecessary luxury, this is arguably shortsighted. In many cases, Macs will outlast PCs, even when compared to machines retailing at similar price points.
Furthermore, the reputation of luxury that comes with using Macs creates a professional image. Within commercial and corporate settings, using top-quality equipment can boost clients’ confidence in your company and reassure investors that you are utilizing the latest technological solutions to improve productivity and profitability.
5. Operation
As most PCs are highly customizable, many organizations choose them so that they can provide varying machines to their staff. While this can be seen as a benefit, PC upgrades aren’t as reliable or as secure as they need to be, particularly if your business operations are reliant on them.
Although Macs are not as customizable as their counterparts, they do provide a wide range of business functions. Indeed, the majority of organizations find that everything they need is built-in on Mac machines, which minimizes the need for third-party software and upgrades.
Furthermore, Macs are known for delivering consistently high performance, with responsive trackpads and bright displays. In addition to this, they are highly user-friendly and intuitive, which means they can be used by staff members with a range of technical proficiencies.
6. Cost
PCs can be obtained at a lower cost than Macs, which is a big selling point for many—but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re cheaper in the long term. While you can pick up budget-friendly PCs, these generally don’t last as long as Macs and may require more frequent repairs.
As a result, Macs can be more cost-effective overall, particularly if you factor in the possibility of downtime and data loss associated with malfunctions and failures.
Mac vs. PC: You Decide
As you can see, Macs and PCs differ significantly, and their differences run far deeper than visual appearance. With functionality, operation, cost, design, security, and maintenance all offered at different levels of efficiency on Macs and PCs, it’s important to determine which factors are most important to your business.