MacBooks have been around for a while now, and in that time, they’ve cemented themselves as some of the most popular laptops available. They’re well-designed, easy to use, and come with some great features. But why are they so popular? And more importantly, why are they better than Windows-based laptops?
Here, we’ll explore several reasons why we think Apple laptops are better than the competition, touching on everything from durability to ease of purchase and more.
8. The Apple Ecosystem
The Apple ecosystem is made up of all the hardware and software that Apple designs and puts out. Almost all Apple devices, apps, and operating systems are a part of the ecosystem: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Mac, iCloud, Apple Music, and so on.
So, when people talk about the Apple ecosystem, they’re actually referring to how well all these products work together. It’s the ecosystem that makes it possible for you to start a task (like reading an article) on your iPhone and then pick up right where you left off on your Mac or iPad.
This seamless switching between Apple devices is a key reason why MacBooks are better than Windows laptops. While other laptop manufacturers have tried to create their own ecosystems, none of them have been as successful as Apple.
The unique benefits of the Apple ecosystem, thanks to the company’s years of R&D in user experience, have resulted in MacBooks offering a more integrated and seamless experience than other laptops.
7. The Immersive Experience
Another reason MacBooks are better than other Windows laptops is their high-quality audio, video, and typing experiences, making them a more immersive package. For example:
- The Retina Displays on Macs have a higher pixel density than most Windows laptop screens, which makes everything appear sharper. Only very high-end Windows laptops come with comparable display quality.
- The keyboard uses scissor-switch keys, so the key travel and spacing make it very comfortable to type on, not finicky like most Windows laptops.
- MacBook’s speakers are way ahead of the competition and sound far better than almost every other Windows laptop in its class.
Windows laptops with excellent keyboards are mostly for gaming, but they still don’t have great speakers. Then, if they have great displays and sound, the keyboards aren’t good enough. Apple, on the other hand, manages to do everything simultaneously to create a one-experience-fits-all device.
6. The Magic Trackpad
The Magic Trackpad is one of the best features of the MacBook. This trackpad provides a smooth, responsive tracking experience that is unlike any other laptop on the market for multiple reasons.
Firstly, Apple’s trackpad is built around haptic feedback. So, instead of buttons beneath its surface, the trackpad uses magnets and motors to register a click. This means that users can click anywhere on the trackpad, and it will be registered. Many Windows laptop manufacturers have now resorted to this design.
Secondly, the trackpad comes with a ton of gestures that (combined with the software) make controlling your Mac super convenient. For example, you can zoom in or out almost anywhere by pinching with two fingers or activate Mission Control by swiping up or down with four fingers.
Lastly, the trackpad is also beautifully large and comfortable to use, making navigation quick and easy. Most laptops from other brands today have smaller trackpads, as their focus is on other utilities.
5. macOS and Apps
Another big selling point for MacBooks is the operating system. MacBooks come with macOS, a highly stable and user-friendly operating system built specifically for Apple’s computers. Though the general perception is that macOS is not user-friendly, first-time users actually find it easier to use macOS compared to Windows.
Moreover, it comes with a variety of built-in Mac applications that are designed to work well with all your other Apple devices. The App Store is also filled with more high-quality apps that are perfect for productivity, creativity, and entertainment.
4. Quality and Durability
Not only are Apple laptops packed with industry-leading hardware, but they’re also high-quality and durable. With regular, moderate care, a Mac can easily last you six years or more. All you need to do is take care of your Mac properly.
Though many laptops compete strongly in this area, MacBooks take the lead. They have an aluminum unibody design, which makes them sturdy and significantly more resistant to wear and tear (unless you drop and dent them, of course).
And even if anything goes wrong, Apple covers every product with a one-year warranty, with an easy repair booking process at your nearest Apple Store.
3. Longevity and Resale Value
One of the best things about MacBooks is their longevity and value retention. While many laptops can last you several years (or more), MacBooks are the only laptop that will still look stylish after all that time and still fetch a good price on the second-hand market.
As time goes on, apps grow bigger, and all computers start slowing down. But Apple is one of the best companies around for continually supporting old devices with new software updates. Not only does this keep you safe from security threats, but it means you can also keep getting new features on your Mac as it ages.
Perhaps this longevity is the reason why MacBooks retain their value so well. You can usually sell a three-year-old MacBook for around 50% of its original price. But a three-year-old Windows laptop? You’d be lucky to get 25% of its original value.
2. Ease of Purchase
There are two reasons why MacBooks are easier to purchase than other Windows or Linux laptops.
Firstly, they only come in two kinds—MacBook Air and MacBook Pro—each with different target markets. This shortened list of options makes choosing the right MacBook for you easier. Compare this to other brands, like HP, who have tons of varieties of the same laptops with undecipherable names.
Secondly, Apple’s online store is well-organized and easy to navigate, and the company’s retail locations are dotted all across the globe, packed with knowledgeable staff to help you make your purchase. In contrast, many other laptop manufacturers’ websites can be difficult to navigate, and their retail locations can be cluttered and overwhelming.
1. Design and Social Image
Let’s face it: MacBooks are cool. They have a sleek design that other laptop brands try (and fail) to copy, and Apple has spent years building its brand’s social status as premium and creative.
People see you with a MacBook and are likely to think you’re creative, stylish, and probably successful. Of course, you can be all of those things with any type of laptop. But there’s no denying that MacBooks offer a certain social cachet that other laptops just don’t have.
MacBooks vs. Other Laptops: Make the Right Choice
From their longevity and resale value to their design and social image, there are plenty of reasons to choose a MacBook over another type of laptop, like Windows or Linux machines. When you factor in ease of purchase and the immersive multimedia experience, it’s clear why MacBooks are industry-leading products.
But, MacBooks still have some drawbacks. Depending on what you want to use your computer for, the MacBook may not suit you that well. One such example is gaming, where MacBooks aren’t made with gamers in mind.
