The MacBooks has always been expensive computers. Apple does have a low-price range called MacBook Air, however, it's not comparable to any Windows computer and a high end known as MacBook Pro. Does this justify the price, why are they so expensive and should you get one or move to a different device?
This has always been one of the most usual questions everybody asks to any "techie" computer guy in the family, should I get a Mac or a Windows Laptop; even if I wanted the answer to this and previous questions is not a straight answer.
Let's narrow down each question so you can decide if you should get an Air a Pro or something else.
Are you in Apple Ecosystem?
If the answer for this is yes, you are accustomed to the Apple way, but not too fast there are a few more questions that we should answer first.
Have you ever used MacOS?
With use we mean really use, on a daily basics. MacOS is very different to Windows, if you never use it prepare to relearn everything you know so far about using a computer.
MacOS is quite different to Windows, there is no "start menu" there is "Launchpad" which seems remarkably like the iPad home screen; there is no "Search" we have "Spotlight Search"; and the biggest shocking difference is the "My PC" on Mac we use "Finder", being honesty here, Windows My PC (Folders) is better than Mac.
Are you willing to pay premium for software?
Mac has created a reputation of never being cheap, so its assumed (by developers) that the average user will spend money on subscriptions or software licenses; and this is true, several close friends and multiple reports affirmed this.
The problem with this is most Windows users are used to "cracked" pirate software, which more insecure, it allows them to work around the paywalls to use expensive software such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and some other specialized programs.
Are you willing to pay premium for accessories?
Welcome to Dongle Life, jokes aside, Apple requires Dongles for anything.
You need to connect a Projector, a secondary display a USB, a Camera MicroSD, a wired mouse or keyboard, you will need a dongle for this and depending on the machine you buy you will be limited to the number of devices or dongles you can connect to the machine; this is problematic if your needs require multiple screens and accessories.
Do you need a good warranty?
Apple limited warranty applies worldwide, so if you experience issues with you decide you can get Apple's assistance in almost any place in the world except for those countries USA doesn't have good relationships with, North Corea, Cuba and some others; in top of this you can pay Apple+ Care, Apple+ Care extends your laptop warranty, and it covers:
- Your Mac computer
- Battery1
- Included accessories such as the power adapter
- Apple memory (RAM)
- Apple USB SuperDrive
- Up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other damage, plus applicable tax1
Almost no Windows OEM offers a similar service, some enterprise level laptops offer a similar thing but in those you deal with "certified" third parties and there aren't as worldwide available as Apple's offering.
MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?
MacBook Air M1 are very powerful machines, so powerful that many reviewers praise them, however MacBook Pro M1 or Intel-based are still in some scenarios better (and worse).
We'll summarize and extend this topic into another article.
Summarize version:
- If you are a casual user buy the MacBook Air M1
- If you are pro user buy the MacBook Pro 16"; if you can compromise buy the MacBook Pro 13" M1
If you want to compare all the Models you can head up to this Apple page:
Wrap up
You should buy the computer that works for you; yes, Apple's machine is objectively better than Windows based machines, but this is irrelevant if all your tools only work on Windows or if you can't put up the money to buy, again, all the software your bought already.
At the end it's a matter of preference and user needs, we recommend Mac over Windows based but let's not forget what Microsoft is doing right with Windows 10 and its incoming Windows 11.
