Worldwide, Apple’s macOS has claimed 17.56{bc6b7d432e449a8124a913f7d467b8a29390f8cbfde314277514a7e0cab65102} of the desktop market. Windows, by contrast, remains on top, with a staggering market share of 77.12{bc6b7d432e449a8124a913f7d467b8a29390f8cbfde314277514a7e0cab65102}. Linux and Chrome OS, on the other hand, account for only a little over 3{bc6b7d432e449a8124a913f7d467b8a29390f8cbfde314277514a7e0cab65102} of the OS market.
With Apple computers becoming more popular, you may be wondering, “Are Macs worth it?” What’s so special about these devices that make them cost so much, anyway? Most importantly, should you consider getting one of these pricey gadgets yourself?
The debate over whether Macs are worth the price has been around forever. As such, we decided to delve deeper into why some say that they’re worth it, while others say they’re too pricey. Read on to learn all about Macs, what makes them worth it, and when it doesn’t make sense to get one.
Stringent Quality Control
Apple works with over 200 suppliers of hardware and software components. However, Apple itself is the sole designer of each part that goes into the company’s products. The company handles the research, testing, and implementation of the tech it uses.
Because of this, Apple can implement stringent quality control standards and procedures.
This is also why Mac users know who exactly they should go to if they experience issues with their devices. That’s none other than Apple, which also strictly monitors its service centers.
What’s more, Apple requires each technician to first pass exams to become Apple-certified. This means that Apple’s authorized service centers only consist of Apple-certified techs.
With that said, Macs are worth it if you want exceptional product support. If you have a problem with your Mac, you simply take it back to the authorized re-seller who sold you the device. As an authorized merchant, they will be the one to send this to an Apple-certified tech.
In the meantime, you can sit back and relax as you wait for the tech to finish the repairs. Of course, if it’s still under warranty, you don’t have to pay for the repairs.
Seamless Integration With Other Apple Devices
A previous survey found that the average US household owns 2.6 Apple-made products. Households at the top of the income tier own even more: a staggering 4.7 Apple products!
If you plan to hop on the bandwagon, know that the tech giant makes it easy to sync your devices. For example, you can integrate an iPhone with your Mac and access many of the smartphone’s features on Mac. You can send iMessage texts, do Facetime calls, and even track a lost or missing iPhone using Mac.
You can also sync the contents of your other Apple devices, such as your iPhone or iPad, to a Mac. You can do this by simply signing in to your Apple ID as you set up your new Apple computer. You can then choose to integrate iMessage, contacts, photos, and videos to your Mac.
You can also link an iPad to your Mac and use the tablet as a drawing pad or even as a secondary screen! You can do this through the Sidecar feature, which Apple rolled out with its macOS in October 2019.
Product Longevity
The average computer lasts for about three to five years. Some Macs, especially those that have seen a lot of rough use, are no exception. However, many Mac owners say that their devices have withstood the “average” test of time.
Indeed, some users reported that their Macs have lasted seven years or even longer. Although this involved updates, like battery replacements, the internals remained unchanged. This should give you an idea as to how Mac laptops are worth it, so long as you take good care of them.
Macs Look and Feel High-End
Aluminum is two-thirds lighter than steel. However, with forging processes, it can be just as strong as or even sturdier than some types of steel.
Because of aluminum’s exceptional properties, Apple has incorporated its use in Macs. The 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, for instance, has an enclosure made of low-carbon aluminum. The MacBook Air also utilizes the same high-quality, exceptionally-strong material.
Thanks to these innovations, Macs not only look and feel high-end, but they are strong and sturdy. This is especially true compared to other laptops that consist mostly of plastic.
A “Green” Option
Macs manufactured over a decade ago made use of highly recyclable materials. For example, more than a third of the materials used in the 2009 MacBook consisted of recyclables. These include aluminum, magnesium, and polycarbonate.
Even the packaging used for these older Macs used 25{bc6b7d432e449a8124a913f7d467b8a29390f8cbfde314277514a7e0cab65102} post-consumer recycled content!
Fast forward to 2018: Apple successfully used 100{bc6b7d432e449a8124a913f7d467b8a29390f8cbfde314277514a7e0cab65102} recyclable materials in some Macs. This includes the 2018 MacBook Air and Mac Mini. The company manufactured these devices using 100{bc6b7d432e449a8124a913f7d467b8a29390f8cbfde314277514a7e0cab65102} recycled aluminum.
With that said, if eco-friendliness is a major deciding factor for you, then a Mac is worth it. The longevity of Macs further enhances its eco-friendly features. After all, if you get to keep an Apple computer longer, you can reduce your e-waste and carbon footprint.
Fewer Bugs, Quicker “Squashing” Response Times
Apple’s computers are the only ones that can run macOS, so there are just tens of them instead of thousands. Because of its limited product offers, it takes less time for the company to find bugs in its systems. Once found, the company immediately creates a fix and then deploys it as an update.
This doesn’t mean that Macs are invincible to malware, though. In fact, they’re now twice as likely to get infected by adware than PCs. Adware is a type of unwanted software that can flood your screen with advertisements.
While adware isn’t as dangerous as other types of malware, they’re still annoying. However, Apple’s strict system monitoring protocols allow it to squash these bugs quickly.
This doesn’t mean your chances of getting adware or malware are zero. However, you can at least feel assured that Apple is quick to do something about it.
So, Are Macs Worth It?
For users who want the exceptional customer and product support, Macs are no doubt worth it. The same goes true for those who want seamless integration with other Apple devices. The longevity of Apple computers also makes them an excellent choice.
Of course, there’s also the fact that Macs look and feel incredible. If you buy a new Mac, you even get one year of Apple TV for free! You also automatically get 5 GB free of iCloud storage when you sign up for Apple ID services.
Apple also offers academic-related discounts of at least $100. So, if you’ve wondered, “Are macs worth it for college?” then yes, it can be, as you can get a MacBook Air for only $899 as a student. Educators can also request a discount on Apple products they’ll use for teaching.
Macs are also worth it for folks who are in the creative industry. After all, the Mac is the first-ever home of Adobe Photoshop. Macs had exclusive rights for both the first and second versions of the app.
This is why most people who work with graphics and design prefer Apple computers. However, even if you’re a first-time user, you’ll find Macs easy to get accustomed to. Its interactive user interface is newbie-friendly, so it won’t take long for you to master its use.
When Are Macs Not Worth It?
If you take the time to check it out, you’ll learn that videogamers aren’t fond of Macs. That’s because entry-level Macs don’t have the specs needed to run complex games. They can do a lot of tasks at the same time, but unfortunately, they lag if you add video games to the mix.
Macs may also not be the best choice if you’re on a tight budget.
As mentioned above, Macs for students can cost at least $899. Without the discount, you’d have to shell out $999 for the lowest-priced MacBook Air. You can already buy a mid- or even top-tier Windows laptop for the same amount of money.
More powerful Macs are available but expect to spend thousands of dollars on such a set-up. They can cost so much that you can get several Windows-running laptops for the same price.
Macs aren’t as customizable as other brands, especially not if you want to use non-Apple products. Not all peripherals are compatible with Macs, either, so you need to be careful when buying. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a non-working or a glitchy external device.
Consider Your Needs and Budget Before You Buy a Mac
There you have it, the ultimate guide that answers your question, “Are Macs worth it?” To Apple loyalists and creative folks, they are worth every penny. However, if you’re more into gaming or if you prefer customizability, then a Mac may not be your best choice.
So, before you go with the flow, be sure to consider your needs and budget.
Ready for more guides like this to satiate the geek in you? Be sure to check out the rest of our site’s tech news and blog posts then!