The enterprise world that makes use of computers has this not so long-standing dilemma when purchasing inventory- to choose between Mac vs Windows PC for businesses. Traditionally, Windows computers were the only preferred choice for desktops. But the popularity of mac, especially in the developed world is rising. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of using mac PC and Windows PC for remote working and how enterprises can make the right choice when procuring devices for remote working.
Desktop and Mobile Usage: An Overview
The use of computers in the last decade has grown monumentally. With the introduction of mobile technology, mobile phones quickly replaced personal devices that people used to check their emails, play games, or entertain. In the household environment, there has been a consistent upsurge in the use of personal computers, with 80% of households in developed countries having at least one computer per home. However, this number is still lesser when compared to the mobile penetration in developed as well as developing countries.
In the business environment, laptops still have a winning edge over smartphones. According to a study, computers are used by more than 80% of the workforce for computational superiority or enhanced operational efficiency, with 50% of the workforce exclusively using desktops.
Choosing Devices for Remote Working
Needless to say, enterprises are still purchasing and using computers by and large. When procuring these devices, enterprises now have to also consider the capabilities of the device to withstand ‘remote working’- the new normal. The demands of remote working are different from on-prem working. The devices operate outside the known networks, the usage is highly unmonitored and troubleshooting has to be done over the air.
To simplify the decision-making process of choosing between macOS computers and Windows 10 PCs for businesses, we’ve listed out macs vs pcs pros and cons for you to analyze what to choose to make remote working a breeze.
Learn More: How to Maintain Security When Employees Work Remotely
Choose Mac for businesses When
1. You want the best in class hardware
Of course, every business wants to have the most reliable, robust, and durable hardware but with Windows 10, this heavily depends on the hardware you choose. Mac is designed and assembled by Apple, meaning the hardware and software are bundled together and you don’t need to compare several hardware products offered by several manufacturers and compare them side by side. You can simply compare the Mac models on Apple’s official website and make your purchase.
2. You have more creative jobs
For businesses that employ a large creative staff from graphic designers to UX developers, video editors to moviemakers, Mac is a better alternative. Mac hardware + software combination offers a seamless experience for design jobs. Since remotely working individuals need not have space for maintaining large work desk infrastructure, Mac’s compact design is a better choice. Besides, Apple’s software has in-built tools for writing, design, video, and music editing and are offered coupled with the device and don’t require additional costs for purchase.
3. Your employees use iPads and iPhones
Unlike Microsoft, Apple has its own range of iPhones and iPads that are widely popular for their sleek design, user experience and security. If your employees are already using iPhones or iPads, Mac would be an appropriate addition to their ecosystem making connection and collaboration between these devices seamless. The employees can use their personal Apple IDs for a personal mac setup or you can leverage Apple Business Manager for device enrollment, Apple MDM setup and remote app publishing via VPP.
4. You want better performance and security
Remote working or otherwise, productivity is the key priority. Mac is not as popular as Windows, which also means that fewer malware attacks are targeted towards it. Apple controls the hardware + software updates making the user experience seamless, lesser lags and crashes and long battery life. In case you experience a sluggish performance that begs you to question why your mac is slow, finding the cause behind the issue and fixing it should not be too hard.
5. You want simpler troubleshooting and repairs
Mac is supported and covered by the Apple extended warranty, unlike Windows where the warranty is provided by the OEM and is different from one OEM to another. Repair requests can be directly set up from the employee’s location. Moreover, for simpler troubleshooting, the device can be factory reset natively, and reinstall doesn’t require software kits and activation keys. Although it is important to note that Windows support is always cheaper than that of mac.
Choose Windows 10 for businesses When
1. You need cost-effective hardware
Compared to iMacs and Macbooks, the total cost of ownership is lower for Windows 10 computers. If your business requires procuring devices within a stipulated budget, Windows 10 makes a more obvious choice.
Learn More: Total Cost of Ownership Mac vs PC in the Enterprise
2. When familiarity is your priority
The business workforce is diverse and more commonly, a mix of frontline and knowledge workers. For enterprises having a large frontline workforce, the learning curve of the computer should be short enough to make mobility acceptance easier. If that is the case, look no beyond Windows 10. Familiarity while working remotely on Windows 10 devices means shorter onboarding training and fewer support calls.
3. You want to leverage the capabilities of Office 365
Windows 10 enterprise PCs+ Office 365+ Azure AD makes for a legendary combination that is incremental in supporting remote working. From simplifying provisioning over the air using Windows Autopilot to enabling disk volume encryption using BitLocker this combination makes remote provisioning, monitoring and security super easy for the IT teams.
4. You want customization
Mac comes preloaded with hardware and software components which can be a preference for many. But if your business requires customization- be it with a larger monitor or a more ergonomically designed keyboard to high-performance CPU, or a new graphics Windows lets you do it. In remote working environments, customization is critical since employees want to make use of their pre-invested hardware components for simplifying their tasks.
5. You want to support BYOD
Of course, Mac BYOD can also be well-supported with the help of the right macOS MDM but it is important to note that Windows 10 MDM is ownership-agnostic. Unlike Apple, Microsoft offers additional capabilities to provision Windows BYO PCs using a Windows 10 MDM. Also, you can secure and protect corporate data on Windows BYO PCs using Windows Information Protection without hampering the user experience.
The Verdict:
There can be no one winner for the debate of Mac Vs Windows PC and businesses can make use of the pointers mentioned above to land on the decision which suits their needs. To actualize a successful remote working, it is imperative to choose an ideal MDM solution that ensures the capabilities of Mac and Windows PC are leveraged to the fullest extent, the security is undeterred and the employee productivity is amplified.
Scalefusion MDM offers remote working solutions for company-owned as well as employee-owned Macs and Windows 10 desktops and laptops.
