Mac or Windows PC : what’s the difference and which to choose ?

Are you hesitating between buying a Mac or a Windows PC, but don’t know which would be best for you? These two options, although designed for similar uses, present significant differences in terms of hardware, software and scalability. This guide has been designed to answer your questions, clarify the points of divergence and help you find the ideal solution for your budget, business needs or hobbies.

Mac or Windows computer: a matter of preference and habit above all else

The choice between a Mac and a Windows computer is often a question of preference, directly linked to the user’s habits. Windows and macOS, the respective operating systems for these two types of computer, have significant differences. Whether it’s the user interface, window management or keyboard shortcuts, each environment has its own specific features that can influence your experience.

For someone used to working on Windows, the switch to macOS can be destabilizing, and vice versa. Navigating in an unfamiliar system requires time to adapt: you have to learn new gestures, discover new logic and sometimes relearn simple tasks. Before making your choice, ask yourself the following question: are you ready to invest time in acclimatizing to a new system, or would you prefer to stay in a familiar environment that won’t disrupt your habits?

MacBook or Windows PC: evaluating your budget

Budget is a decisive criterion when choosing between a MacBook and a Windows PC. Generally speaking, MacBooks are positioned in a higher price range, even for basic configurations.

However, the gap narrows as you move upmarket. Top-of-the-range Windows computers with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards and large storage capacities can achieve prices similar to or even exceeding those of MacBooks. For example, laptops designed for gaming or intensive professional use (such as the Dell XPS or the top-of-the-range Lenovo ThinkPad) rival MacBooks Pro in terms of price.

Keep in mind if you’re deciding between a MacBook or a Windows PC:

• For a basic configuration, MacBooks are generally more expensive than most Windows PCs.
• For powerful configurations or specific needs (graphics, video editing, gaming), prices can become comparable between Mac and PC.

Your software needs: a potential obstacle for Mac users

The choice between macOS and Windows can be largely influenced by the software you or your employees need. Unlike Windows, which offers extensive compatibility with a wide range of software, macOS has a more restricted ecosystem, which can be a hindrance for certain businesses or specific professions.

For example, video editing software such as Vegas Pro is designed exclusively for Windows and has no direct equivalent on macOS. This type of limitation is common in sectors such as engineering, management or data analysis, where many specialized software products are only available on Windows. At the same time, macOS is less well-supplied with free or open source software, which often means investing more in paid alternatives, thus increasing overall costs.

What’s more, companies need to take existing infrastructures into account: collaborative environments or networks already configured for Windows can complicate the integration of Apple computers. What’s more, specific hardware, such as professional printers or scanners, sometimes benefit from drivers that are better optimized for Windows.

Business software such as SolidWorks (CAD) or Microsoft Power BI (data analysis) are not compatible with macOS, and their absence can weigh heavily in the choice of a system.

Parallels Desktop: an imperfect solution for emulating Windows on a Mac

Parallels Desktop lets you install and run Windows on a Mac via a virtual machine, giving you access to software exclusively compatible with the Windows environment.

However, this method is not without compromises:

Not all Windows software works perfectly in a virtualized environment. Hardware-intensive applications such as CAD software (e.g. SolidWorks) or graphics and video tools (e.g. Vegas Pro) may experience performance or compatibility problems.

Parallels Desktop requires the purchase of a license, just like Windows itself. These costs come on top of the already high price of a Mac, making this solution even more expensive.

Macbook or Windows PC: what about performance?

When it comes to performance, the choice between a Mac and a PC largely depends on your intended use and budget.

Outstanding performance for basic tasks

Since the introduction of Apple Silicon chips, Macs have particularly stood out in basic or general-purpose configurations. For example, the M1 and M2 chips offer a combination of CPU and GPU power that outperforms the previous-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processors found in entry-level and mid-range PCs. This makes Macs particularly fast for everyday tasks such as office work, multitasking or even light video editing. Added to this performance is an impressive battery life that exceeds that of most laptops in the same range, thanks to the energy efficiency of Apple’s ARM processors.

Limitations for video games and AAA titles

For uses requiring raw performance or specific needs such as gaming or 3D rendering, Windows PCs largely regain the advantage. Macs, even with their high-performance integrated GPUs, can’t compete with a PC equipped with a high-end processor like an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7700X, combined with a dedicated graphics card like an Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4070. These configurations enable PCs to handle intensive tasks, such as 4K video rendering or gaming with AAA titles, much faster and more efficiently than Macs.

Gaming is one area where the Mac is clearly at a disadvantage. Not only are a large proportion of recent games not compatible with macOS, but the graphics performance of Apple Silicon chips, while impressive for an integrated solution, falls far short of the requirements of modern gaming. Even with a solution like Parallels Desktop to emulate Windows, performance remains limited and incompatibilities frequent. So if gaming or resource-hungry software is a priority, a Windows PC will be much more suitable.

MacOS or Windows: which operating system is more secure?

MacOS is often perceived as more secure than Windows, but this difference is primarily due to factors linked to market share and the approaches of malicious developers. In 2025, Windows dominates the PC market with 73.38% market share, compared with 14.16% for macOS. This imbalance naturally attracts more hackers to Windows, as targeting the majority operating system maximizes damage and reaches a greater number of users.

In practice, Windows is exposed to more malware, ransomware and other attacks. On the other hand, this does not mean that macOS is invulnerable. Although the Apple ecosystem benefits from a more closed structure, which limits the installation of unauthorized software and restricts malicious behavior, the growing popularity of Macs is gradually attracting the attention of cybercriminals. The latter are already starting to develop macOS-specific attacks, although these are still less frequent than on Windows.

Microsoft, aware of the risks to Windows, has considerably improved its native protection tools over the years. Windows Defender is now integrated into all modern versions of Windows, offering robust, continuous protection against common threats without the need for third-party antivirus software (for everyday use). However, its effectiveness depends largely on users’ vigilance. For example, downloading software from untrusted sources or ignoring security updates remains a major problem on Windows.

Hardware maintenance: a Windows advantage

Hardware maintenance on a Mac is more restrictive. Apple takes a closed approach with its products, limiting access to internal components and making it almost impossible to modify or repair them yourself. On modern MacBooks, RAM and storage are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded once purchased. In the event of hardware failure, users have to go through an Apple Authorized Service Center, which entails very high costs.

Windows PCs, on the other hand, are designed to be modular and upgradeable. On most Windows PCs, it’s easy to replace or upgrade components such as RAM, hard disk or Wi-Fi card. This enables users to extend the life of their computer or boost its performance without necessarily investing in a new device. What’s more, repairs can be carried out by a wide variety of computer specialists, with more economical options than those imposed by Apple.

Software updates: a strong point for macOS

Apple stands out for its consistent, centralized approach to software updates. On macOS, updates are simple, fast and generally support multiple generations of hardware (even older models). Updates include new features and regular security patches. This uniformity makes software maintenance easier for users, as Apple controls both hardware and software.

Windows, on the other hand, is used on a wide variety of devices from different manufacturers, making updates more complex. Windows users may encounter problems related to hardware or software incompatibilities during major system updates. This may require a manual search for drivers or additional adjustments, and requires more technical knowledge.