Macbook Air? Or more for my money with Windows laptop?

[TimTheEnchantress]

I need a new laptop (my 8 year old Windows machine is getting unreliable). Having received some some back-pay I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford a Macbook Air (M1 or M2). I had almost decided to go for it but now I'm having kittens at the idea of paying so much for something I'm unfamiliar with (I.e Mac OS.).

I need a laptop for MS Office, Zoom, Teams and Web browsing. I don't have an iPhone so wouldn't get the benefit of syncing photos etc with a Mac.

So, my question is: should I buy a Macbook Air or should I spend a bit less on a good spec Windows laptop? I could probably get one for about £700 versus £950 - £1100 for a Macbook.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. 😊

I would go for a high spec windows laptop. Unless you specifically need a mac for software, or have other apple products, I think windows is the best option. For your budget you could future proof yourself quite well. Have you considered a desktop or do you need the portability of a laptop?

I have a macbook air, I've had it more than 7 years, and it's only now starting to show signs that it's getting old. I have an android phone and use a Bluetooth app to sync to it and upload photos from my phone, you don't need an iPhone to do that.

I also use a windows dell inspiring 1500 for work, and it's no more or less impressive than my 7 year old mac. I am.looking at replacing the mac this year, if i had the money I'd get another one, but I'll likely go for a windows laptop, purely due to cost.

I absolutely love my MacBook Air. I recently upgraded my old one to one with an M2 chip which feels like it runs considerably faster then the old M1. I've had Macs for the last 16+ years due to the nature of my work but wouldn't swap back to a PC now.

I have a MacBook, purely because it syncs with my phone and iPad, if I wasn't already an apple user I didn't think I would go with a MacBook personally. I find it not as easy to navigate as my old windows laptop.

Don't forget, if you buy a windows laptop you'll have to pay for your software. Whereas if you buy a Mac, you get the software included.

However - it's not MS Office! It's Apple's own, so Pages, Keynote (which, IMVHO is way, way better than Powerpoint) and Numbers.

You can buy MS Office for Mac, but you'll still have to pay the annual fee. However, you can always use Google's free software, which is compatible - Google Docs/Sheets. (No idea what the equivalent of PowerPoint is though!)

I love my Macbook and Mac generally and I'd never go back to Windows.

Thank you folks, this is really useful food for thought.

I definitely need a laptop (rather than desktop). I already pay for MS Office 365 which I would plan to transfer onto the new laptop as my work computer is Windows and I need to be able to transfer documents.

Everyone I know who owns a Macbook says they are very happy with them. I just need to be fairly sure it would be right for me if I'm paying that much. I have a natural guilt about spending which doesn't help!

MacBook
Mines 8 years old. Bombproof, easy to use, stable and still going strong. Battery lasts forever, even now. Unless it meant starving. I'd replace it in an instant.

You get better value for money with Windows with a much higher spec (so more powerful) for the same money as you pay for a Macbook with a lower spec.

MacBook every time.

After using both Mac and Windows since the 90s I can tell you in most respects Apple have always been the better option.

They sometimes cost more but always last longer. I remember when Sony Vaio windows laptops were a thing, they were just as good quality as Apple but cost just as much - so you can see Apple costs more primarily due to being better quality.

The new Macs with M1/M2 are a revelation in not having a hot device with loud fans on your lap, oh and cheaper to run (less electric cost).

MacOs is different though - so expect a few things you find odd, but I’ve not met someone who tried a Mac for more than a month and wasn’t converted.

I would never ever go back to windows. I have an elderly MacBook Air .

Just to add, my DC still uses my old MacBook I bought in 2014 for all their homework.

I’ve had both over the years (often run them side by side). When I come to replace current one will get a Mac again: just last longer than any other laptop I’ve had. And it’s pretty.

My MacBook Air is 9 years old and still going strong. I am starting to consider replacing it but there is no real reason I need to.

MacBook. We have 2, one 7 years old and one 8 years old. Used daily and rarely have any kind of hiccup. Still update to latest operating system etc.

Mum buys windows laptops and they last about 3 years at the most.

Windows always.

Mac Book if you want stability and reliability. I have two - the work one is 10 years old has Linux installed so it’s my coding laptop. It’s still as fast, if not faster, than most Windows laptops.