Summary
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For many, the decision between a MacBook and a Windows laptop may seem simple at first. In reality, however, the multitude of available models and technical differences make the choice more complex than expected. This overview highlights the key criteria to help with your selection - whether you're looking to buy or lease.
MacBook or laptop: what does everyday use look like?
The central question is: for what purpose do you need the device? The answer will affect all further decisions. You may be planning to use the laptop at work - for example, for creating reports, presentations, spreadsheets, media production, or software development.
Or perhaps you want to play demanding games, where graphics power and processor performance are essential. There are also specific requirements for applications like CAD, 3D modeling, or regular office tasks.
Depending on how you intend to use it, you'll prioritize aspects like performance, battery life, ergonomics, display quality, and mobility. Today's market offers a wide variety of devices with different strengths - from ultramobile business laptops and powerful MacBooks to specialized workstations and gaming machines.
If gaming is your focus, Mac products are not the first choice — Windows laptops offer much broader compatibility with current games, especially due to widespread support for NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards as well as DirectX 12. For creative or media industry work, however, Macs are particularly well suited. They are optimized for the Adobe Creative Cloud and professional software like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or Sketch. Tools like Keynote or Affinity Designer, which are exclusive or run best on macOS, are also popular in marketing and design.
MacBook or laptop: design, ergonomics, and user experience
1. Ergonomics and design
Apple devices such as the MacBook Air (13", M4) or the MacBook Pro (14" and 16", M4 Pro/Max) are known for sleek designs, premium materials, and quiet cooling systems. The MacBook Air is entirely fanless, making it completely silent in operation. The MacBook Pro models offer a wide range of ports, excellent keyboards, bright and color-accurate mini-LED displays with up to 120 Hz refresh rate, and battery life of up to 22 hours.
Windows laptops have significantly improved in design and build quality. Models like the Dell XPS 13 Plus, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i, or Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offer high-quality aluminum housings, touch displays, and modern connectivity. Gaming laptops from ASUS, Razer, or MSI are powerful but usually heavier and louder. Their dedicated GPUs make them ideal for graphics-intensive applications, although often at the expense of portability.
2. The user interface
macOS 15 "Sequoia" features an intuitive user interface, ideal for quick adoption. It integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch). Features like Handoff, AirDrop, Stage Manager, and Continuity Camera boost everyday work efficiency.
Windows 11 excels with its extensive customization options, integration of Android apps, virtual desktops, and a redesigned Start menu. Snap Layouts make multitasking easier. For businesses, centralized management with Microsoft Intune or Active Directory is another advantage.
MacBook or laptop: operating system and software
1. Compatibility
Apple develops both hardware and software, so driver issues are rare and updates are stable. macOS is tightly matched to the hardware, ensuring high system stability.
Windows laptops are built from components by various suppliers. This requires driver management and can lead to compatibility issues. The broad range of hardware is an advantage, but also poses challenges for system maintenance.
2. Operating system
Windows is the most widely used operating system worldwide, offering the largest selection of software. It's highly customizable and can be centrally managed in enterprise environments. Windows 11 is stable, but its large user base makes it a frequent target for malware.
macOS is considered especially stable and secure. The App Store and Gatekeeper provide strict controls over software installation. Windows can no longer be natively installed on Macs with Apple Silicon; it only runs via virtualization solutions like Parallels Desktop.
MacBook or laptop: performance and lifespan
1. Lifespan
MacBooks are known for their longevity, retaining solid performance even after several years. Batteries often hold more than 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. Their aluminum chassis is robust, and software updates are delivered for at least five years.
Windows laptops vary more in quality and durability. Business models from Lenovo, HP, or Dell offer similar longevity, whereas cheaper devices tend to lose performance more quickly. Entry-level laptop batteries often reach only a fraction of their original runtime after 2-3 years.
2. Performance
MacBooks with the M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chips provide high CPU and GPU performance while remaining energy efficient. The Pro and Max models are particularly suitable for video editing, 3D rendering, and complex software development.
Windows laptops have an edge in pure graphics performance when equipped with dedicated GPUs like NVIDIA RTX 4060/4070 or AMD Radeon RX 7700M. New Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen 8040 processors also offer strong performance, especially for multi-core workloads.
MacBook or laptop: selection and price
1. Wide selection
The Windows segment offers a much broader selection. Brands like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Razer, and MSI provide devices for every need: office work, creative tasks, gaming, and mobile use. Options range from entry-level devices under €500 to high-end workstations costing over €4,000.
Apple offers a clear range of models: MacBook Air 13" and 15" with M3/M4, and MacBook Pro 14" and 16" with M3 Pro or Max. All models adhere to the same high-quality standards and offer a consistent user experience, simplifying the choice but offering less flexibility.
2. The budget
Of course, price is a crucial factor for businesses: budgets must be maintained while still equipping employees with reliable, high-performance devices.
Windows laptops cover a wide range of prices—from about €250 for basic models to well above €3,000 for high-end devices with dedicated graphics, OLED displays, or workstation-grade components. Thanks to the broad market (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus), there is a suitable model for almost every budget.
MacBooks are pricier in direct comparison—the current models start at about €1,299 (MacBook Air with M3 chip) and go up to over €3,000 for a fully loaded MacBook Pro 16" with M3 Max chip. Nevertheless, the devices provide strong value for build quality, stability, and long-term use. Companies can also lease these devices to avoid large upfront investments: leasing provides predictable, consistent costs and the option to upgrade to a newer model at the end of the contract.
Renting a MacBook or laptop? Easy with Fleet.
MacBook or laptop rental? It's easy with Fleet. If you choose a Mac, Fleet has an ideal business solution: we exclusively rent out high-quality Apple devices such as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air — perfect for professional use.
If you prefer Windows, we also offer a wide range of business laptops for rental. Our contracts are flexible and can be cancelled monthly, with support and quick device replacement in case of damage included for peace of mind.
