When it comes to choosing between a Mac or PC for your business environment, it can be a tough decision. Both have pros and cons, ultimately the answer will depend on your specific business needs and preferences. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a Mac or PC in a business environment to help you make an informed decision.
Mac Pros:
- Graphic Design: Macs are known for having high-power graphic design and video production capabilities. While PCs can match the needed specs, designers, developers, and marketing professionals tend to prefer Macs.
- Simplicity of Choice: Macs have only one designer and manufacturer; the choices are much simpler than PCs with numerous makes, models, and manufacturers.
- Reliability: Macs are known for their durability and reliability. They are less prone to crashes and errors than PCs, which can result in less downtime and increased productivity. While we recommend a 4-5 year asset rotation plan, Macs tend to have a longer lifespan.
Mac Cons:
- Cost: Macs are generally more expensive than PCs, which can be a downside for small businesses with tight budgets. Additionally, if you have to get your Mac repaired outside of warranty, this also will cost you more than with a PC.
- Compatibility: Some business software is incompatible with Macs.
- Management: Macs are very focused on autonomy and user privacy. This makes it difficult to manage company assets without implementing an MDM (mobile device management) solution.
- An MDM is essential for business environments with multiple Macs to manage. An MDM will allow you to control admin rights, applications, Apple IDs, enforce security policies and push critical updates.
- Limited Upgrades: Macs are not as upgradeable as PCs, which can disadvantage businesses that need to upgrade their hardware frequently.
- Security: Macs are less susceptible to viruses and malware than PCs, but they tend to be less compatible with modern security software tools, which can, in turn, leave them more susceptible to being the source of a data breach.
PC Pros:
- Compatibility: PCs are compatible with a wide range of software, which can be an advantage for businesses that require specific programs. Beyond software, PCs also tend to have more connection ports for peripherals in the office.
- Management and Security: PCs are better designed for corporate management to ensure all devices comply with a company’s privacy and security requirements.
- Upgradability: PCs are highly upgradable, which can be a major advantage for businesses that need to upgrade their hardware frequently.
- Cost: Even if you need a PC capable of graphic design or video production, you’ll be money ahead with a PC, and they’re more affordable to repair outside of warranty if something happens.
PC Cons:
- Reliability: The Windows Operating System on PCs does tend to be more prone to crashes and errors than Macs, which can result in downtime and lost productivity.
- Lifecycle: PCs tend to need to be rotated out more frequently than Macs as productivity and compatibility decrease sharply after 4-5 years.
Ultimately choosing between a Mac or PC for your business depends on your specific needs and budget. There are additional considerations based on your environment that should weigh in on the choice beyond user preference: such as whether you want to leverage the capabilities of Office 365, if you have a domain-based network, if you have compliance requirements that would necessitate certain security software, or policies limiting end-user abilities. We recommend that you discuss the nuances and needs with your IT staff or MSP before making promises to a new employee, as you may save yourself time and money by thinking through all the nuances upfront.
