Skip to main content
X

Send us a Topic or Tip

Have a suggestion for the blog? Perhaps a topic you'd like us to write about? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Fancy yourself a writer and have a tech tip, handy computer trick, or "how to" to share? Let us know what you'd like to contribute!

Thanks for reaching out!

The Final Verdict on Why People Prefer MacBooks Over Other Laptops

Apple logo on top of Windows logo with test saying "why Apple over Windows"

The Apple vs. Windows debate is endless. Each has a following of die-hard fans who swear their preference is superior. However, research has shown that more people prefer Mac even though many are still using Windows.

Still, there are people who prefer Windows, and for decades each side has failed to prove why their preferred operating system and device is the best. Even sound logic doesn’t seem to sway anybody to switch sides.

It’s impossible for preferences to be right or wrong, so let’s shift the conversation toward exploring why Apple fans love their MacBooks:

1. A Smooth and Interactive User Experience

A MacBook’s user experience is vastly different from any Windows computer, but it’s not just the software. All the components factor into the user experience.

The Keyboard

MacBook keyboards, including wireless keyboards, require minimal finger pressure and create a pleasant sound when the keys are struck. Interacting with the keyboard is a pleasant experience.

Decades ago, when keyboards had large, stiff keys, typing was difficult and noisy. Since then, manufacturers have released silent keyboards, which do have a small market. However, the MacBook user experience would be ruined with a silent keyboard. Keyboard feedback tells the user they’ve pressed the key, and the sound is almost hypnotic.

The Keyboard and Trackpad Setup

MacBook fans love the keyboard setup because everything is arranged to require minimal hand and finger movement while typing. The MacBook keyboard/trackpad setup is even preferred by desktop users. To satisfy this preference, a company called Bullet Train developed the Express Keyboard Platform to give desktop users their favorite MacBook keyboard/trackpad setup.

The Trackpad

The trackpad on a MacBook is pleasant to use. MacBook fans enjoy being able to tap the trackpad instead of clicking, but the Force Touch trackpad takes the user experience a step further by providing haptic feedback. This works by simulating the feel of a click, even when the user hasn’t pushed the trackpad.

When combined, all of the above features work together to create a pleasant typing, scrolling, and clicking experience for users.

2. Multiple Options for Taking a Screenshot

Capturing a screenshot on a MacBook is fast, easy, and doesn’t require opening any programs. Users can take a full screenshot, select a specific area, or capture only a specific window. Most MacBook users are aware of the first two screenshot options. The third isn’t widely known.

Say you want to grab a screenshot of your entire browser window, minus your desktop. You could press Shift + Command + 4 to bring up the crosshair and drag an outline around your browser, but there’s a better way to get a precise screenshot.

Once you’ve pressed Shift + Command + 4 and you see the crosshair, press the spacebar and you’ll see a camera icon appear. Move your cursor over the browser window you want to capture and click. A .png file will be automatically saved to your desktop.

3. Default Programs Have Important Features

MacBook lovers have an advantage over others when it comes to software. Standard programs offer many features most people need to pay for.

Signing PDF Documents

You can sign and annotate PDFs in Preview. Most people try to use Adobe Acrobat and realize they need to pay for an upgrade to access these features. That’s true for a Windows user, but not for MacBook users.

Batch Renaming

You can rename files in batches using nothing more than MacBook’s finder. This feature allows you to replace text, add text, or change the format by appending numbers to the filename.

Get Mail from Multiple Accounts

MacBooks also come with Apple’s Mail program, which users prefer to Outlook and similar programs. Mail comes with all the same features, but it’s easier to use. The toolbar is fully customizable, and you can set up rules that determine where certain emails will go.

Screen Recording

QuickTime can be used for screen recording. While the recording capabilities are limited compared to paid applications, it’s sufficient for many people. If you need to capture audio, just install Soundflower and you’re good to go.

4. MacBook Users Have Specific, Detailed Preferences

Just like people prefer certain cars for comfort and performance, MacBook users are captivated by the look, feel, and experience of their MacBook. Apple lovers want innovation and a smooth and easy user experience, which happens to be the company’s mission. Judging by the number of loyal fans, it’s safe to say they’re achieving their mission.

Anna Johansson
the authorAnna Johansson
Contributing Author
Anna is a freelance writer, researcher, and business consultant. A columnist for Entrepreneur.com, Earth911.com, and more, Anna specializes in entrepreneurship, technology, and social media trends.
Be Sociable, Share This Post!

Leave a Reply

29 Comments

  • I have a MacBook Air right now, and it certainly isn’t because I want to use it. The look is basic, I really have nothing to say about that, however that is subjective. The feel is bland, there’s nothing extraordinary about that. Again, my opinion, but I have another computer that is an Asus, and it feels way better. The experience meanwhile is garbage. It runs slowly, there are limited options for entertainment because for some reason versions 10.15 and above can’t run simple 32-bit games, and it’s so different that software developers would rather share their code with a linux computer than this garbage. The arrow keys are shit, to small to consistently do anything, but that isn’t limited to Mac computers of course so not that big of a deal. Screenshots on Windows is as easy as literally 3 actions, and Windows also has a mail app that allows people to swap email accounts and easily receive emails. The storage is supposed to be extraordinary according to apple, but I have the same amount of storage on a 400 dollar school computer. It costs 1500 dollars but I have a computer that runs way better that is a Windows and only costed 1100 dollars. I think people should really talk about this more, it’s not as worth it as modern society makes it out to be.

  • I recently purchased a MacBook Air. Very good device but software wise I feel like I’m back somewhere in the 2000s. I find the whole menu hard to intuit and you have to know their paths. I think the other operating systems have come a long way and made themselves clear in use. Mac does what it does well but it needs an overhaul to bring it up to date. It’s too conservative. It’s like windows taking windows 98 and perfecting it over 20 years. Anyway I notice that the additional programs it comes with behave more like phone apps.
    Overall I see it as rudimentary. Only the slim design makes it appealing.

  • I’m looking at new laptops and have heard many people say they prefer Macs but never say why. So I did the obvious thing and ran a search. Your blog was well presented and easy to understand. Good links to other materials. Thanks for your help.

  • I’ve been a Mac user since 2008, i resisted for many years but once i used an iPhone over a Sony mobile the ‘just works’ philosophy was something i could not ignore. We now have several iMacs, a couple of MacBook Pro’s and a couple of Airs. Along with our miriad of iPads and iPhones they all just work. They may be a little more expensive, but i know longer have the time or inclination to fiddle with windows based hardware and software to work, when i need to work my tools (Apple devices) to work – they just do :-)

  • I have an ‘08. Still works like a charm. Also got a ‘12 pro. Both are workhorses and older Macs are also intuitive. How many PCs I’ve gone thru in the same time period. Macs win for me.

  • you missed the extraordinary convenience of the Dock, WiFi/network control, TimeMachine, Sleep, all of the features of the Menu Bar. System Preference…I’m a Windows convert and find having to help my wife with her Windows laptop a real hassle in finding things—applications and files—and then figuring out how to do things to fix her problems.

  • After using MS Windows PCs at home and work for over 25 years we purchased our first MAC, since then we have owned two iMacs and three MBPs. We love our Macs and will never go back. We agree with all of the points you make in this article. Everything just works better together. But the Mac printer interface is terrible.

  • Personally, it came down to the fact that I much prefer macOS over Windows.

  • YEP, always agree with what you have written to your article but it’s not possible for everyone to buy an expensive one like a MacBook. That’s why people would prefer to buy windows over apple.

  • I’ll add another reason, at least in my case: longevity/reliability. My MacBook Pro is almost 9 years old (17”, early-2011, purchased in February 2011) and is still going strong. I’ve had no problems with it, save for a screen issue that Apple fixed at no cost. I also replaced the internal HDD with an SSD. All of my friends’ PC laptops haven’t lasted half as long as mine.

    • I have (among somewhat newer machines), a mid-2010 MBP refurb. Although it now needs its optical drive replaced, otherwise it’s fine and makes a great backup unit. In all fairness, I also have a 2009 Dell Latitude laptop that had been through the corporate wringer before it was handed over to me. It’s still working fine and even survived HDD > SSD and W7 > W10 upgrades. Since this was business-class machine to begin with, you’d expect it to hang in there. AT the end of the day, for me, there is no perfect platform. I do prefer the Mac UX though.

  • For the last few years, the MB Pro keyboards are garbage. Too loud, too clunky, non-repairable. Won’t buy another unless they go back to pre 2015 type keyboards.

  • Yep can’t deny that Apple’s touch and feel/user experience is indeed sweet. I’ve been a Mac user since 2002 at home with MBP, and MacPro. However, I’m getting progressively more frustrated by the loss of upgradability,loss of input/output options and widening gap in pricing and functionality compared to a windows 10 computer. My 2008 MacPro is at end of life. Looking at options I find a Lenovo P53 15″ laptop with 16GB ram (128 max 4 slots), 6 core i7, NVIDIA QUADRO T2000, two SSD’s inside (a third 2.5″ drive can also be added), Ethernet, Thunderbolt 3, displayport, USB 3.1 gen2, audio cobo jack, smart card reader, 4in1 media card reader, 802.11AX wifi, Bluetooth 5 $1848.60 (Very upgradable in future)
    CONTRAST WITH-
    15″MBP- 6 core i7, 16GB ram, Radeon 560Pro, 256GB SSD, 802.11AC(notX). $2499 (NO UPGRADES POSSIBLE) Difference of $651 for a laptop that has drastically less capability and zero upgradeability. To have multiple storage drives I’ll need a dock and external drive enclosure. Add about $400 without drives. Now the difference is $1,051.
    I’ve used Lenovo laptops at work for over 15 years. They are not as pretty. But they are strong capable computers. The Apple value proposition just does not add up any more. Many of us really miss Steve Jobs!

    • Yeah, You can’t do anything with updating any h/w on a Mac these days. You get one with, say 8 MB RAM, and that’s it for life, etc. If I weren’t so comfortable with MacOS/UNIX, I’d…I’d…actually I do have a W10 l/t along with 4 Macs. In a way, it’s all the same to me—I’m just more fluent w/Mac. May I ask: By “audio combo jack,” does that mean combo headphone out and optical out? Opt. out is a big, big help.

  • In some older MacOS versions the ‘Batch rename’ facility is not available in the Finder’s File menu. However, you will find the feature in the gearwheel at the top of the Finder window once you have selected multiple files.
    Does anyone know the MacOS version in which this feature first appeared?

  • “each side has failed to prove why their preferred operating system and device is the best”

    This statement on its own is patently ridiculous. Why would one ever need to prove anything with regard to personal preference? My best is MINE. Not yours and not anyone else’s.

    Good god, the tribal nature of the interwebs is scary. Let people have their own likes and dislikes without judging them for it already.

  • “Just like people prefer certain cars for comfort and performance”: Terminal…UNIX…now drive! Oh, and thanks for the PDF/Preview tip.

    • Second the UNIX/LINUX terminal window – I spend 75% of my time in that! But Add VMWare and my job is so much more flexible working between LINUX clients and Windows clients, all on one laptop!

  • The day that macOS reaches 20% worldwide market share, Windows will be history in six months!

  • “The Keyboard”

    Eh?

    The 2012 MacBook is the last keyboard with decent key travel. Then, up to 2015, the keyboards are bearable, but not as nice. After that, well, it’s highly unlikely anyone reading this is unaware of all the widely publicized “butterfly” keyboard problems.

    All this to shave a few mm off the thickness of the computers…

    Then, the newer, wider trackpad looks quite good, but in actual use it’s a bit of a problem for people who want to rest their hands on the space on the sides of the sides of the trackpad. Like me, heh.

  • Regarding keyboards: call me a Luddite all you want, but, the very finest computer keyboard ever made was the one for the PC and PC XT all those years ago. They simulated the IBM Selectric keyboard, and were great.

    Noisy? Yes. But I could FLY on those things with nary an error, and they were of very high quality. If I could find one in Mac format I’d buy one for each of my desktop machines in a flash.

    The Apple keyboards are today’s best, but it’s not saying much.

    • The IBM/Lexmark Model M keyboard was a work of art. I bought two and used them for well over a decade.

  • I am typing on a new MacBook Pro now. I looked a Windows based machines and was about to change over after many years Mac only. (except for Windows emulators) I still love the OS. The hardware is now not a draw. If I did not have a Mac ecosystem and more importantly got a deal on a refurb from OWC, I would most likely be on a Windows box now. BTW I like my clicky keyboard that I picked up from OWC to use on my Trashcan Mac Pro.

    • Second the clicky keyboard. I have one on my 2009 Mac Pro. I have OWC SSDs in that machine and other updgrades.

  • If you state the MacBook keyboard is an advantage you loose credibility.

    I have several versons of MacBook Pros. Including a 2018. The keyboards are crap and most folks say so.