Information technology is always a significant financial investment for a small business or start up – getting the right system in place has a massive impact on efficiency, productivity and the day to day running of a company. However, it can be difficult to get impartial advice on the system that is right for a specific business. For those without much IT experience or know how, the assortment of choice on the market can be bewildering. One of most fiercely debated arguments revolves around the respective merits of a PC versus an Apple product for business use.
James Clark of IT business provider Symitry IT North has this provided some useul advice for small businesses looking to invest in their IT.
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- Best For Business Mac Or Pc Computer
- Mac Vs Pc For Business
The pros and cons
PC and Mac security. Viruses and malware are much more common on Microsoft Windows-based PCs. Hackers target them because there are far more PCs out there. 'There are fewer viruses for Macs, but as Macs become more popular the risks will grow,' explains John. What's more, Macs can pass infections on.
The argument for Mac vs. PC pretty much boils down to the operating system, i.e. Mac OSX vs. Microsoft Windows. In terms of hardware, Macs and PCs are very similar. Both use the same core components – a motherboard, processor, memory and storage – but it is the way in which these components are utilised that makes the difference. Macs tend to come in three distinct flavours: basic (such as the Mac Mini or MacBook Air), mainstream (iMac or MacBook) and high end (Mac Pro or MacBook Pro); whereas Windows based PCs and notebooks come in a wide variety of specifications to suit individual needs.
- The MacBook and MacBook Pro are Apple’s best modern computers, but even those products have issues, like reports of faulty keyboards and, on the Pro side, a lack of ports and other features.
- Update: A recent published survey of 500 IT professionals found that 96% of businesses support Macs, compared with just 92% that support PC. Windows tablet support sits at 46%, compared to 81% of.
Pricewise, a Mac costs around the same as a Windows based PC with a similar specification, although the wider range of PC specifications on offer may make this the better option for some. However, it is worth remembering that unlike a PC, an iMac comes with a monitor, webcam and speakers. But the problem comes when upgrading the system at a later date. Whilst it is easy to add extra components such as a more powerful graphics card or an extra hard drive to a PC, this is more difficult to do with a Mac.
Dispelling the Mac myths
1. Viruses
It is often said by Apple enthusiasts that Macs don’t get infected by viruses, but unfortunately this isn’t true. Any device which is connected to the Internet is susceptible to a virus. That said, it is true that Macs are less prone to malware (where a virus can infect a Windows PC with no input from the user at all). Most Mac viruses involve action from the user, such as downloading a file or opening an email attachment. The reason for this increased resilience to ‘drive by’ virus attacks is due to the way in which Apple software is written, but this shouldn’t mean that you don’t remain vigilant against viruses and phishing attacks, which are just as likely on a Mac as on a PC.
2. Compatibility
The Apple brand has traditionally been seen as less business oriented, despite the release of products such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, which have done much to increase Apple’s popularity. However, Apple’s range of computers and notebooks seem to struggle against their PC counterparts, indicated by the fact that Apple’s US market share for the last quarter was 10.5%, far below the likes of HP and Dell. This is due in part to a number of misconceptions over the Apple’s ability to work in a business environment, such as business applications not being able to run on Mac; compatibility issues between Mac and PC and it not being possible to add Macs onto a PC network – none of which are true. This means that businesses often stay with PCs when Macs would be the better option.
3. Range of software
In addition, as the Apple Mac increases in popularity, more and more software developers are writing software works on both Windows and Mac OSX. Even Microsoft have released a Mac version of their Office suite of programs, which means that documents created on a Mac can be opened on a PC and vice versa. Where a Mac version of a software application is not available, there is also the option to use Boot Camp, which allows you to run Windows on your Mac and therefore makes any PC software accessible.
4. Networking
Best Computer For Business Mac Or Pc
Another misconception is that Macs can’t be added to PC network. Again, this isn’t the case: Macs can be added onto a domain (a network controlled by a central server) just as easily as a PC with no loss of file sharing capability.
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So, when making the important decision about which kind of computer to invest in, it pays to be able to separate fact from fiction. Whilst much of what people think they know about Macs may in fact be untrue, it may still be the case that for a small business on a tight budget that PCs are the better option, simply because an entry level PC or laptop, although far less powerful than the basic Mac, does work out as less expensive. But balanced against this is fact that a Mac can share files with a PC, it can be added onto a PC network, and it will work just as well, if not better, than its PC counterpart. So, once in possession of the facts – and not just the myths – you can make the right IT decision for your business.
Further Information
James Clark is General Manager at Symitry IT North, an IT solutions provider who work with SMEs and corporate businesses to provide a range of IT products and services. Symitry IT North is based in Leicestershire.
15 years ago, the divide between “Mac” people and “Windows” people was much wider. Artsy types that needed computing power for graphic and video work gravitated to Apple technology, and enterprise and standard business needs tended to end up with Microsoft.
But in recent times, the divide between the two operating systems had become narrower with businesses of all types using either or sometimes both systems in their offices.
As of November 2020, Windows had 76.56% of the global desktop OS market share with OS X at 17.1%.
When you’re designing a productive business network, the operating system you use is important because it’s going to dictate just about everything else, from hardware peripherals to software. Each piece of technology you use, needs to be compatible with your employee computers.
If you don’t think ahead, you can end up wanting to use a particular software but being limited because it’s not compatible with the operating system that your company is using.
Your OS choice will also factor down into mobile device compatibility. If you use Macs, then you’ll want to be using iPhones and iPads when it comes to office mobile technology. Likewise, if you use Windows, Microsoft or Android mobile devices will be more compatible.
Following, are several considerations when choosing between a Microsoft PC or Windows Mac for your business workflows.
Considerations When Choosing Between Windows & Mac
Device Reputation
First, let’s look at the reputation of each device and how it evolved to eliminate some of the negatives.
Apple’s Mac operating system has been known for performance and being easier to use overall. This includes easier to install programs, easier to install printers and other peripherals, with no going through long setup processes.
On the negative side Apple is also known for being much more expensive and having far fewer options when it comes to computers and laptops as well as accessories like a keyboard and mouse.
In recent years, Apple has finally allowed 3rd parties to create things like wireless keyboards for about $25, which is much cheaper than a new Apple brand keyboard at $60+.
Windows has a reputation for being compatible with everything, giving users multiple choices for devices, device manufacturers (Dell, HP, etc.), as well as accessories.
It’s also the most used operating system for a reason, even though it has had a reputation in the past for certain versions being less stable than others.
One drawback when compared to Mac has been its cumbersome installation process for programs and peripherals, however this has become a thing of the past with Windows 10. The newer OS is much more user friendly than prior Windows versions.
Device Quality
Macs are known for quality, and you do pay for that quality in the price. However, pricing isn’t that much different than a high-quality Windows business PC.
Because Apple manufactures their devices, they can better control quality, so you can expect a consistent product every time you purchase a new iMac or MacBook.
Microsoft allows multiple manufacturers to create systems that use the Windows OS. This gives you more options, but also more inconsistency, depending upon which device you choose.
If you don’t choose wisely, you could end up with a PC that’s poorly manufactured and doesn’t last as long as you expect.
Software Compatibility
While just about all major software platforms can be used on both Windows and Mac, this doesn’t mean they’ll give you the same options or performance.
For example, Microsoft 365 has a Mac version, but it’s not as full featured as the Windows version. The reverse can also be the case when trying to use a native Mac program in Windows.
Mac’s productivity tools (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) can convert to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, though you may lose some formatting. But then, you’re using a two-app workflow just to send file attachments outside your organization that others can open. On the plus side, Mac’s productivity tools come free when you purchase a Mac.
You’ll want to take a hard look at productivity tools that you plan to use and how they actually work in your chosen operating system (not just that they’re compatible) before you choose between Windows and Mac.
Learning Curve
If you’re moving from one environment to the other, there is going to be a learning curve for users. Because of the upgrades in Windows 10 making the OS much easier to use, the technical learning curve in either direction is fairly similar.
However, since so many people use Windows and may have never used a Mac before, you may find more training is needed when moving from Windows to Mac.
Price/Investment
If you’re moving to an Apple environment, then you need to be prepared for higher initial investment costs for computers and laptops, without much wiggle room on the price.
With Windows, you have more pricing options and can purchase equipment that more closely matches user needs. For example, your receptionist’s computer may not need as much processing power as the person that creates your images and video marketing content.
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