Computers are one of the most used electronic gadgets, although different companies develop and manufacture them. Macs and PC are developed by different companies.
Some of them are well-known companies, such as Apple, HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. They are very different from each other from cost to specifications. Distinct features tell them apart from each other.
Key Takeaways
- Macs run on macOS, while PCs use the Windows operating system.
- Macs have a closed, proprietary hardware and software ecosystem, while PCs offer more customization and hardware options.
- Macs have a higher price point, while PCs cater to a broader range of budgets.
Mac vs PC
Mac is any computer that is manufactured and developed by Apple Inc, and its full name is Macintosh. PC means the personal computer and is a multi-purpose microcomputer that is meant for individual use. It is made by different companies like HP and has different operating systems like Windows and Linux.
Mac is shortened from Macintosh, any computer produced by Apple. The price of a Mac starts from a very high of 699 USD. Moreover, the Mac was manufactured and developed by Apple inc. However, Mac has a UNIX-like operating system.
Games are not developed particularly for Mac users. However, users are mostly used for personal and business purposes along with the creative department. Additionally, the available languages are multilingual.
PC is shortened from a personal computer, any computer produced by an IBM-based operating system. The price of pc is way cheaper than a Mac.
Moreover, pc manufactured by several companies and developed by Microsoft(Windows), Ubuntu(Linux), Sun(Solaris), etc. A variety of games are developed especially for pc users.
However, users are mostly used for personal and business personal specifically. Additionally, it has multiple languages available.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Mac | PC |
|---|---|---|
| Short | Mac refers to a macintosh | pc refers to a personal computer. |
| Produce | Mac has many computers produced by Apple. | PC has many computer IBM-based operating systems. |
| Cost | The price of mac starts from 699USD. | The price of pc is way cheaper than mac. |
| Manufactured | The mac is manufactured by Apple inc. | PCs are manufactured by several companies, such as HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. |
| Developed | The mac is developed by Apple inc. | The PCs are developed by Microsoft(Windows), Ubuntu(Linux), Sun(Solaris), etc. |
| Operating system | Mac has a Unix-like operating system, | PC has windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, etc. |
What is MAC?
Mac is shortened form of Macintosh. Many computers are produced by Apple. The Mac is manufactured and developed by Apple inc. It has a UNIX-like operating system. The latest operating system is MacOS Big Sur (version 11.4).
As for the specifications, the Mac has similar internal parts as a common pc, such as RAM, hard drives, graphic cards, etc. Macs have better hardware optimization than common PCs.
Besides, the standard selection of features by Macs is SuperDrive, audio in and audio out, USB, firewire, thunderbolt, and ethernet. Although, it has lesser customized optimation than PC.
Moreover, the Mac is compatible with almost all pc files, while it is compatible with MacOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems. Also, the supported architectures are intel processors and Apple Silicon M1.
Games are not developed for Mac specifically. However, many apps have been developed for Mac in the latest years.
The popular applications of Mac are final cut pro, logic pro, photos, iMovie, GarageBand, pages, numbers, keynote, safari, mail, messages, facetime, calendar, contacts, app store, iTunes, iBooks, Maps, Photo Booth, etc.
Mac has voice commands (Siri); maps; internet browsing supports safari, edge, chrome, firefox, brave, opera, Vivaldi, etc.
The cost starts from 699 USD for the Mac mini desktop and 999 USD for the MacBook Air notebook. It is more pricey than common pcs.
What is a PC?
PC is shortened form of the personal computer. Several companies produce these computers: HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. The PC is developed and has an operating system of Microsoft(Windows), Ubuntu(Linux), Sun(Solaris), etc. The latest operating system is Windows 10.
As for the specifications, pc has similar internal parts as the Mac, such as RAM, hard drives, graphic cards, etc. PCs have less hardware optimization than Macs.
Besides, the standard selection of features by PCs are Blu-ray players, TV tuners, touch screens, and HDMI ports. Although, it has better-customized optimation than Mac.
Moreover, the pc is compatible with almost all pc files except Mac-based files, while it is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. Also, the supported architectures are Intel and AMD processors.
Games are developed for pc. Additionally, many apps have been developed for pc in the latest years for personal and business uses.
The popular applications of Mac are MS Office, Internet Explorer, Media Player, Windows Defender, SkyDrive, VLC media player, and chrome browser.
Also, the PC has voice commands (Cortana); maps; internet browsing supports edge, chrome, firefox, brave, opera, Vivaldi, and Tor. Microsoft store is available for downloading apps for pc.
The pc is more on the budget side as they are cheaper than the Mac.
Main Differences Between MAC and PC
Mac and PC are very different from each other. Although, the use of computers has the same basic hardware. Both have very similarities as well as differences in specifications.
Computers are developed and manufactured by several companies and have different operating systems.
- Mac refers to a Macintosh and any computer produced by Apple, while pc is referred to a personal computer and any computer IBM-based operating system.
- The price of a Mac starts from 699 USD, while the price of pc is way cheaper than a Mac.
- The Mac is manufactured by Apple inc. Meanwhile, PCs are manufactured by several companies, such as HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, etc.
- The Mac is developed by Apple inc. Meanwhile, the PCs are developed by Microsoft(Windows), Ubuntu(Linux), Sun(Solaris), etc.
- Mac has a Unix-like operating system, while pc has windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, etc.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02783640022066716
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=oMcqBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Mac+vs+PC&ots=ww2_gqlT8j&sig=tmr45WgsY-nnGWkV3UV_XAMmYMY
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The closed hardware ecosystem and higher price point of Macs are important factors to consider when choosing a computer. PC’s customization options make it a great choice for those with different needs and budgets.
I completely agree. It’s crucial for consumers to understand these distinctions to make an informed decision.
Great comparative analysis of Mac and PC. It’s always interesting to see the differences between these two leading computers.