The MacBook, Apple’s laptop, is everywhere. From universities and offices to coffee shops and homes, you can see these powerful laptops everywhere you go. For some non-Apple users, the company’s products can look overpriced, and the best MacBooks may not feel like a particularly attractive investment considering their starting price. In reality, Apple became the world’s first trillionaire company in 2022, confirming that its products have something tens of millions of people value and are willing to pay for them. So, are MacBooks worth it? Why are they so popular? Let’s dive into it.
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MacBook vs. PC: A battle for durability and support
When considering the purchase of a new MacBook, one of the most asked questions is why you should buy a more expensive MacBook instead of a PC laptop. Fair enough. You only have to look at the price tags of Apple’s MacBooks in any retail shop to understand that they are pricier than many PC laptops.
It can be challenging for those who like Apple to sound unbiased when stating that Macs have much better durability than PCs. It wasn’t very far from the truth a while ago. However, the release of Windows 10 and the systems created since then have considerably improved the durability of Windows laptops. We can say that, even if Apple offers extensive support for its products, PCs are up to the task as well nowadays.
The progress of competing operating systems and PC manufacturers means that today, saying that Windows is worse than Macs and PCs are short-lived can no longer be justified appropriately. Therefore, we should not only analyze the durability. It’s time to look further.
Price amortization and good value over the years
You buy a MacBook once and amortize the investment over several years by maintaining the performance of the equipment with very little change (which many don’t notice) over those years. As mentioned before, the durability of PC laptops has improved in recent times, but Apple has been offering excellent durability from the very beginning. The foundations are solid.
Choosing from a wide range of MacBooks can also be a titanic work. That’s why identifying your usage is the most important thing you can do before browsing deals. Think about a MacBook for basic usage if you plan to use your laptop for tasks that don’t require an over-the-top performance. In this case, you could be paying less than a PC laptop.
On the other hand, for example, getting a refurbished M1-powered MacBook Air will give you extraordinary performance in the years to come while saving money. The only difference is that a refurbished device is a pre-owned product that professional refurbishers thoroughly test and clean before selling it again. Apart from that, the only thing you would need to consider is the cosmetic condition of the MacBook.
5 strengths of the MacBook
As we’ve seen in the previous sections, the MacBook is an excellent piece of technology. Knowing if you should get your hands on one highly depends on your usage and the following strengths of Apple’s laptop.
1. Outstanding performance
MacBooks are difficult to beat as an all-purpose laptop, which has very much to do with their performance. Although the newest MacBooks, like the M2-powered MacBook Air, might be off-limits for some people unwilling to spend more than necessary, the power of the M1 chip in previous models is still outstanding. Smooth performance and multitasking capabilities are two of the main reasons to buy a MacBook, even those that have been on the market for a few years.
👉 Learn more: 13-Inch vs. 15-Inch MacBook Air M2: All the Differences
2. Great battery life
Battery life is in Apple’s spotlight for all its devices, especially for the newest MacBooks powered with the M1 or M2 chip. While you can find many PC laptops that run out of battery in just a couple of hours of demanding work, MacBooks are known to resist everything you throw at them. Also, the MagSafe port prevents damage to the cable, the connector, or the laptop itself if you accidentally pull the cable.
3. Beautiful design and visually appealing
Apple would not be the company it is today without the polished build and design of its products. MacBooks are beautiful, slim, and elegant, but their downside is the high temperatures and the throttling as a consequence. In any case, all Apple products are visually appealing, and MacBooks are no exception. Due to this, it’s the first choice among some graphic designers.
4. High-quality materials
It’s easy to find computers that, from a distance, are beautiful. But, if your new laptop isn’t made of high-quality materials, the user experience will undoubtedly suffer. The appearance is not everything, but once you hold the unique all-aluminum construction of the MacBook, there is no going back. No company has ever succeeded in trying to imitate it.
5. Seamless ecosystem integration
Before choosing a new MacBook, you should consider other Apple devices you may have, such as an iPhone, an Apple Watch, or an Apple TV. Apple products are designed to work together seamlessly and be part of a dynamic ecosystem. Airplay, Airdrop, and iCloud tie all the devices together to form a complete interacting experience. Although this is not uncommon in other brands, Apple’s ecosystem is genuinely exceptional.
👉 Related: 10 Best MacBook Accessories in 2024
4 weaknesses of the MacBook
To properly know if MacBooks are worth it and if your next purchase is a good investment for your particular situation and usage, we must also analyze their cons, such as:
1. More limited software support
Compared to other operating systems, there are fewer software titles to choose from when using macOS. As for the gaming world, many titles work both on Windows and macOS, although many work exclusively on Windows. Moreover, the experience with macOS without dedicated versions can be poorer. Make sure that macOS adequately support your favorite apps and games before purchasing a MacBook.
2. Restrictions in hardware upgrades
Apple’s computers and laptops are restricted regarding hardware upgrades, which is prevalent in all models. If you need to upgrade your device, you may have to buy a new or refurbished model and get the extra processor capacity, storage, or memory you need. Contact a laptop repair store in your area to get professional advice.
3. Expensive storage
If you require a fair amount of storage for your device, MacBooks can often feel a bit limited. You can choose up to 1 TB or 2 TB of SSD storage for a MacBook, but the laptop’s price will increase excessively. A quick and less expensive solution is to get an external hard drive to store everything you need and don’t use on a daily basis.
4. Transition from Intel-based chips
Apple is transitioning from Macs with Intel’s x86 chips to Apple Silicon. The company-designed chips will be the new standard, providing high efficiency, performance, and battery life. However, this can create software compatibility problems using an Intel-based Mac. In short, Silicon chips will cause app developers to update their software in order to be compatible with them, making Intel-based Macs obsolete for these apps—except if you use Rosetta 2.
👉 Learn more: Apple M1 vs. Intel MacBook Pro: Similarities and Differences
Takeaway
We think MacBooks are worth it, especially considering their durability and performance. Still, you need to do your own research and think about what you will use it for: basic usage, programming, gaming, graphic design, communication, video editing, and so on.
Depending on the use, the choice will vary, and you can pick between the original MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. Whatever you choose, you will get a beautiful, compact, portable, and outstanding laptop for your needs.
On RefurbMe, we specialize in comparing hundreds of refurbished Apple products from multiple merchants. They are 100% functional and have been tested from top to bottom. If you want to get a new laptop at a discounted price, check out our best MacBook deals here.
Good luck!
Frequently asked questions
MacBooks usually last from 6 to 8 years, sometimes even longer, up to 10 years, or even more. However, you might be unable to use some apps and perform some tasks several years from now if you use a model incompatible with the latest developments.
Macs tend to last longer than many PCs due to their engineering. Durability is at the forefront of Apple’s design. If you take care of them properly, they can last even more than a decade.
If you are a gamer, a MacBook is not the best option. macOS does not support most triple-A video games. Some games, even if compatible with MacBooks, are not optimized well enough to offer a smooth experience. You usually need to use a virtual machine with Windows to play them, and the Silicon chips may present incompatibilities.
Do not get confused with the power of the ten-core GPU. The MacBook Pros, such as the 13-inch MacBook Pro or the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple M2 processors, offer incredible video or photo editing performance. However, because of the compatibility issues mentioned above, MacBooks cannot compete with windows laptops.
Yes, MacBooks are an excellent option for students. They are durable and robust, and models like the MacBook Air are easy to carry around and compatible with the latest macOS 13 Ventura. In addition, some refurbished models are available with great discounts, which can highly benefit the budget of students.
