The best way to describe the difference between a Mac and a PC is that they are two different ways of thinking. In most cases, you can come to the same result using either, but they will go about.
The rivalry between the MacBook and the PC laptop has been ongoing on for many years. It is as fabled as the legendary battle of David vs. Goliath. On the one hand, the MacBook, and particularly the flagship MacBook Pro, is famed for its exquisite style, exceptional build quality and lightning speed of use. On the other hand, the PC laptop, featuring the Windows operating system and manufactured by a variety of brands, is celebrated for its inexpensiveness, its accessible user interface, and the usefulness of its programs. The battle continues, with several excellent new laptops from both sides of the debate hitting the shelves in the first few months of 2016. This blog post will take a quick look at some of these newest models and the ongoing battle between the two competing formats.
MacBooks were first released under the guidance of Apple’s technological mastermind, Steve Jobs, in 2006. MacBooks differed from PC laptops in that they were often more expensive than their counterparts.
They also made use solely of the OS X operating system, yet featured groundbreaking aesthetic design, lightning-quick performance, and minimal background noise.
They soon became immensely popular across the world and are currently the best-selling laptop model worldwide, being sold under the ‘MacBook Air’ lightweight edition, the regular MacBook, and the ‘MacBook Pro’ model.
PC laptops, on other hand, first appeared on the scene in the 1990’s, specifically with the release of IBM’s seminal ThinkPad.
Since then, models such as the Sony Vaio, HP Pavilion and Acer Aspire, celebrated for their ease of use and relative inexpensiveness, have achieved millions of sales globally.
As opposed to MacBooks, PC laptops make use of the highly familiar Microsoft Windows operating system, itself featuring the Microsoft Office Suite amongst numerous other useful desktop programs.This, in turn, appeals to a wide variety of demographics: students catching up on assignments, office workers creating PowerPoint presentations, and beginners attempting to use personal computers for the very first time.
What is the difference between a Mac and a PC laptop?
When faced with a physical model of the top level 15” MacBook Pro and that of your run-of-the-mill PC laptop placed side by side, you will most likely spot some marked differences in aesthetics. The current line of MacBook Pros, for instance, makes profound use of a utilitarian design ethos. Featuring striking curves, expensive materials, wafer-thin bodies and the ubiquitous ‘Apple’ logo on each cover, the MacBook Pro 15” model has praised by many for its stunning beauty.
On the other hand, PC laptops enjoy the accessibility and universality of the Windows operating system, complete with easy to access menus, a straightforward folder structure and extensive customisation abilities. Nonetheless, the popularity of the iPhone and other associated Apple products swings the pendulum in favour of the MacBook Pro once more, with connection between products, connection to Apple’s iTunes Store, and uploading to the expansive file storage service iCloud all big draws. Performance wise, both formats feature models of impressive capability, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y700, for instance, boasts 16GB of RAM and a 2.6GHz Intel Core i76700HQ processor, while the very topspec MacBook Pro makes use of a 2.5Ghz QuadCore Intel Core i7 processor and AMD Radeon R9 graphics card.
In terms of resourcefulness, PC laptops offer lots to students for a relatively low price. Models such as the Dell XPS 13, priced at $799, run the latest edition of Microsoft Office Suite, perfect for writing that last minute essay or creating a special effects laden PowerPoint presentation for tomorrow’s seminar.
Furthermore, models such as the Asus Zenbook UX350, featuring a clear and responsive keyboard, a straightforward graphical user interface and excellent social integration are clear winners in terms of functionality and ease of use. Wi-Fi connectivity is also wonderfully quick and very straightforward to access. The Asus, priced at $794, is relatively cheap to purchase. The Macbook Pro (priced between $1,099 and $2,499 ), also offers several key features to attract students, including a 3 month free trial of Apple Music, and a wealth of useful programs such as iTunes and Facetime.
Both PC laptops and the MacBook Pro have made significant strides in terms of battery life. The latest 13inch MacBook Pro supports up to 10 hours of internet browsing, while the similarly priced Toshiba Kirabook reaches the 9 hour, 7 minute mark. Other models, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 (priced at $999), the Acer Aspire One Cloudbook (priced at $218), and the Sony Vaio Z (priced at $1,549), have all been found to reach wellover the 10 hour mark of continuous web surfing.
Where both the Macbook Air models and Macbook Pro models appear to outperform is in their overall lifespan. The unibody aluminum shell of the latest line of MacBook Pro features, like most Apple products, very good buildquality and strength, while the products themselves come with very strong warranty agreements and the unique ability to enjoy free repairs at your nearest Apple Store.
In terms of overall performance, the highest specification MacBook Pro currently on the market, priced at $2,499, is top of the tree, featuring a 2.5Ghz QuadCore Intel Core i7, with a AMD Radeon R9 graphics card and 16GB of internal memory. Nonetheless, cheaper PC laptop alternatives also come close. The recently released Dell XPS 13, for instance, packs in an Intel Core i7 processor, a QuadHD touch display, and 8GB of internal memory, all for a mere $799. If you are in the market for something with a bit more grunt, the highly impressive Lenovo IdeaPad Y700 (priced at $1,035), with 16GB of RAM, a 2.6GHz Intel Core i76700HQ processor and a beautiful 15.6 backlit screen, makes the perfect companion for enjoying high-definition video or playing power-hungry video games with online friends.
In conclusion, the choice really depends on your budget and needs. If you are after a good-looking and lightweight laptop with an extensive battery life, the MacBook Air is an excellent choice; however it does come at a price of around $1000. The current line of Windows laptop PC’s, priced anywhere between $300 for the Acer Aspire Notebook, and $1,799 for the Sony Vaio Z, come with all the useful Windows programs and office suites you would expect, plus a straightforward menu design and lots of options for customization. If, however, you are after the very best in laptops in 2016, the current 15” model MacBook Pro offers fantastic styling, a bright and beautiful screen and very impressive performance, though for the higher price of $2,499.
Are you looking for the best PC to use for your graphic designing? Can’t decide between Windows 10 and Mac?
Well, we’re here to help you.
According to Apple, there are more Windows 10 users than there are Mac users. Don’t get fooled by these statistics because it doesn’t automatically mean Windows 10 is better than Mac. Everyone has his own reason for his preferred computer.
If you’re updated on the Mac vs Windows 10 debate, you might already know some of their pros and cons. If you aren’t, read on. Below are some advantages and disadvantages for both Macs and Windows PCs:
Brief History
You might have learned that most graphic designers prefer the Mac over Windows. There’s a reason for that. Did you know that Photoshop and digital typography were born on the Mac computer?
In the 1980s, the Mac was the lone computer to allow for digital typography. Susan Kare pioneered digital typography with her unique typefaces, fonts, and digital art. Later, she sold her other designs to companies like Microsoft and Oracle.
John and Thomas Knoll, the creators of Photoshop, built the first version on a Mac computer in 1988. The Mac was the computer with a color display and the capacity to handle the program at the time. For a long time, most graphic designers had one option for the kind of computers they could work on and it was Mac.
The reason why older graphic designers prefer Mac is because it’s what they knew would work.
Now, most graphic design software for PC is available for both Windows and iOS platforms. At this point, it all depends on your preference.
Hardware
If you’re a PC buff and you want a PC that’s upgradeable and customizable, get a Windows computer. Windows PCs allow for different configurations because you can swap out the components. That isn’t to say that you cannot upgrade your Mac PC.
There are limits to what you can upgrade on a Mac PC, which is swapping out the memory and storage drives only. Getting a Mac is one great choice if you don’t have the time or the familiarity with customizing your PC. In general, the easiest way to upgrade a Mac is to buy a new one.
Art software for PCs doesn’t require that many hardware changes. Thus, there won’t be much difference if you got Adobe Photoshop on a Mac or Windows PC. The differences will be the commands and the different Photoshop plug-ins.
Software
Now, there are tons of software created for both Windows and Mac. Each has its unique edge against the competition but both are trying to cover all bases. Both even have their own voice-controlled personal assistants: Siri and Cortana.
If you are a gamer and graphic designer, a Windows PC is your best choice. The Windows PC has the processing power, RAM space, storage, ports, and displays. These are all demands of high-end gaming.
Other than the advantage of games, Windows 10 has a few editions available. Some have more features and higher costs. If you’re planning on getting Windows, you might want to understand the difference between windows 10 pro and home before you buy anything.
The thing about Mac computers is they work better with other Apple programs. These are software like iTunes, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photo Library, Find My iPhone, iMessage, Handoff, or iCloud Keychain software. Mac is popular for its intuitive design for its own apps.
Since there are fewer Macs than there are Windows PCs, it is safer to use against viruses and malware. This makes the Mac less likely to get infected by malware. We still recommend taking steps for caution if you end up choosing a Mac.
As far as graphic design goes, the best graphic design software for Mac and Windows vary on your personal tastes. What works for you will work differently for everyone else. It’s all a matter of which one you’re more used to using.
Price
What you’ve got to spend on a computer is one big deciding factor for buying one. And computers are expensive. Are you a graphics or logo designer on a budget?
Think about this: the cheapest laptop with the Mac logo on it costs $999.99 USD. One reason for this is because the people who make the Mac software also make the Mac hardware. They have specific software designed to run on the hardware.
Here are some reasons why Mac computers are worth the price. Mac has regular software updates that make them capable over time. Its bug fixes and patches are even available for older versions of the iOS to keep old Macs safe.
The cheapest Windows PC could put you back about 300 USD. They’re great for people on a budget who could look to get upgrades for their PCs later. But, if you’re planning to do a lot of upgrading in the future, you might end up spending more on your PC than on a Mac.
Pros and Cons Summarized: Mac vs Windows 10
While there isn’t a better computer now, there is a preferred computer for each one. Below we’ve got lists for the pros and cons for Mac and Windows 10.
The strengths of a Macintosh computer include its intuitive design and better security. It is also compatible with other Apple products and software. The display and color calibration of Mac computers are also more accurate.
Mac Egpu Vs Gaming Pc
In contrast, the weaknesses of a Macintosh computer include its expensive price range. A Mac computer is not very customizable however it can last for a long time. It is also lacking support for high-performance games.
With that said, the Windows 10 PCs have advantages such as their cheaper prices and many customization options. When your components are inadequate or obsolete, you can always swap them out. Windows 10 also runs high-performance games.
However, Windows PCs are more vulnerable to malware and viruses. Another weakness of a Windows PC is that they aren’t as great communicators with other products as Macs are with Apple products. You’ll still need to do some manual syncing if you want to back-up some of your files onto your phone.
When it comes to choosing the computer for graphic designers, it all comes down to which you favor. You can have the same software and programs on both computers, almost. Still, you can do the same quality of work on both computers.
Design Graphics on Your Preferred PC
We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: It’s all up to which you like better. The Mac vs Windows 10 debate has been alive for decades now. For graphic designers like you, there is no real lead for either software or hardware.
Mac Vs Gaming Pc
Price is a big factor, but so is comfortability. Your comfort and your clients’ comfort matter. When choosing, also take note of which platform has more system compatibility with your clients.
In the end, your computer shouldn’t matter much as long as you get the job done.
Play Pc Games On Mac
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