1y ago

Need Suggestions: MacBook or Windows Laptop?

Backstory/Context: My wife is an aspiring writer and wants to self-publish a novel that she's been writing. Currently she's typing on my old Asus ROG gaming laptop that I no longer use. It's (barely) running Windows Vista, it was built with Crysis in mind (really shows you how old it is), it's bulky & heavy, and the battery is completely dead (no longer charges)

Originally, I wanted to get her a MacBook because she can switch between MacOS and Windows (via Boot Camp) to get the best of both worlds, that's until I found out Boot Camp no longer works/exists. I also felt sticking with the Apple ecosystem might be better in the long run, allowing her to sync her iPhone, use iMessage/FaceTime/iCloud etc... when she's not near her phone, better laptop design & portability.

I've been using MacBooks since Leopard-era and have experience with Apple computers before (candy colored iMac and 5200LC) so I know my way around an Apple keyboard & the shortcuts.

She, on the other hand, has only used Windows.

Definitely looking for laptop recommendations in general. Sure, it might be bias to post this in an Apple community but as an Apple user, I'd like to hear other opinions. Maybe there's a Windows laptop with a similar feel/design of a MacBook? Perhaps the MacBook is the better choice?

Might be worth mentioning that I've heard horror stories about people finding spyware on Windows laptops (I think Dell/Alienware was the big one) and I'm totally out of the laptop game.

44 comments

Only one reply saying you should involve your wife in this decision. Not enough.
You need to involve your wife in this decision. Her use case is nothing for a modern laptop, either Windows or Mac. Anything new will run like a dream in comparison to what she's got. Literally anything. Get her to a physical store to type on the keyboards and make sure she likes whatever models are in contention. This is highly personal and subjective so other opinions aren't worth much.
I do think it worth mentioning that switching ecosystems isn't something to do lightly. She needs to be involved in that decision. I've used both Windows and Mac. I'm comfortable with both, but generally prefer Windows. They are way too different to treat the possibility of switching flippantly.
- This needs to be the top comment in my view.
  Pretty much any new laptop running any operating system will be able to adequately do word processing but they will all feel different and they will be a range of price points. This is why involving your wife who will be the user for this device is critical. One of the key advantages with Apple is that you can try out every current model in person at an Apple store. I don't know how easy it is for you to get to one, but if you have the option I would definitely recommend sending your wife to do that.

You should ask your wife what she wants.

Focusing on the tech instead of the writing itself is a mistake. You see this among wannabe photographers as well, who buys expensive cameras that they can't fully utilise. Get her a manual typewriter.
- I thought you would say a chisel and some stone.
- Morse code button and an Arduino morse decoder with serial output. You can then connect an old dot matrix printer to the serial port.

There's pros and cons to both platforms and there's plenty of people willing to argue each side. I wouldn't necessarily focus on this as much as trying to find the laptop she's most physically comfortable typing on. Also for an aspiring writer you may want to look into a screen that's easy on the eyes over long periods.

Obviously my first point is take her to a Microcenter or something and test them out. Every keyboard has different travel distance and resistance.
I write in my m1 MacBook Pro. When I type very fast I sometimes worry I’m clipping under the keys. Other than that, I love it. Ive written way more since I got it, and the feel of the laptop is perfect. There are some solid windows laptops for typing too. Ultimately, for a writer, it’s going to come down to what keyboard she likes the feel of. It’s hard to write when it feels like a chore because I hate the keyboard (the old butterfly switches for example, I could NOT use.

Just get the cheapest M1 Air you can find.

Just reinstall Linux onto the Asus. It'll run like new, free, and if she's just using it for word processing, Bing bang boom.
Option 2(that I actually did for a writing laptop): buy a used Chromebook at a computer store(they have stacks of them) for 40 bucks, enable Linux(or stu ck with chromeos) and you have a lightweight little weird processor). My only issue was there keyboard was too small and I ended up using a Bluetooth keyboard anyway.
- I'd love to extend the life of the Asus laptop, give it a new battery and install a better OS. But she'll have to deal with the weight & bulkiness, especially going on trips. Need something more practical where she can take it wherever like a coffee shop or on a vacation trip.
  Chromebook might a good idea. I've also thought about an iPad with the keyboard cover. Both are very practical.
  
  Chromebook might a good idea
  In fact, if her needs beyond writing are limited (eg no need to play games or run some proprietary software), then a Chromebook would probably be the best option. One thing I'd recommend though is to go for an ARM based Chromebook (eg using Snapdragon or a Mediatek chipset), as these tend to have a much better battery life compared to something with an Intel or AMD CPU. ARM Chromebooks also tend to be thinner and run cooler. Also, ideally I'd recommend getting at least 8GB RAM for better multitasking.
  The problem with iPads on the other hand is that they can be quite expensive, and lack some of the flexibility a Chromebook might have (eg, say you wanna store your written documents locally and then copy it to a USB drive or something). Most importantly, keyboard covers are kinda meh - especially for a writer - and the lack of a proper hinge/support means you can only use your iPad whilst it's propped up on a table, so you can't use it say if you're lying on the bed or couch etc.
  
  Keyboard covers are miserable to type on. She's mainly going to be typing on it right? Take her to a big box store and have her try laptop keyboards until she finds one she likes.
  I'd stay away from the Mac unless she really likes the keyboard, but that's just my bias.
  
  iPadOS is rather half-assed. Smooth, yes, but despite all that processing power it lacks a lot of functionality that you get with a MacBook. It'll also be way more comfortable typing on a MacBook than the portable keyboard.

Writing is not hardware-intensive; a Chromebook would be much cheaper if that’s all she does. What else will she use this laptop for that makes you want a MacBook?
- Chromebook has planned obsolescence built in. Don’t get a Chromebook.
  
  And Macs don't? 2018 is now the earliest Mac that still receives updates. 5 whole years.
  
  Yep, and there is end of support for Mac platforms as well. You can keep installing newer versions of Windows, but eventually you'll reach the limitations of the hardware, or a new feature will have to be supported (looking at you TPM and Win 11) that will force you out of the hardware.

I’d say if she’s just using it to write and is familiar with windows get a cheap windows laptop. Obviously ask her what she wants though. No reason to drop over a grand on something that can be done on literally any device (Including paper).
If however she wants to migrate over to MacOS then obviously go with an apple product.

With the switch to Apple Silicon, it’s pretty much impossible to justify buying a Windows PC unless you have specific needs that absolutely require it; the Mac hardware is just that much better. Shop around for the best discounts on an M1 or M2 MacBook Air and just buy it. I suspect she’ll especially appreciate how much better Apple’s trackpads are, plus the super long battery life that comes from power-efficient chips.

My previous laptop was a MacBook. It lasted me 10 years and had barely any issues. I've never owned an iPhone, but I imagine the integration features are quite nice for those who do.
While MacBooks are overall reliable and the user experience is good, there's no denying they're pricey. If all she is doing with it is going to be writing, I would get (at the most) an entry-level MacBook Air, and maybe only with a discount if you can manage one.
Otherwise, something cost-efficient like a Chromebook would be more than sufficient, as basically anything can act as a good text editor. George R R Martin famously writes all of the A Song of Ice and Fire books using Wordstar on a DOS PC from 1987 (though given how long he takes between books, maybe that is a bad example after all).
With that in mind, the decision is ultimately dependent on your own situation. If it doesn't break the bank to get the MacBook, sometimes getting something nice that costs a little bit more is better than getting just what you need. But for the situation you described, I'd say just about any laptop would do.

Wanted to chime in again with this article I found that may give you some starting points.
https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-laptop-for-writers

I can only give my perspective as a developer switching from windows to Mac (I had the surface book and switched to the M1 Pro MBP. I still also use a Windows pc at home daily since I game a bit.
I really did enjoy my surface book, it had great battery, great display, was versatile, the surface pen was nice. However, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a windows laptop. At least for me, my MBP has a level of polish that is quite hard to find. MacOS is fine for me, I got used to it and I don’t have any complaints, it has its pros and cons compared to windows, what’s new.
I do feel like your wife would probably enjoy the experience of a 14 or 15 inch MacBook Air. I think they are incredible value due to how powerful they are but also how power efficient they are. Standby on Macs is particularly amazing.
I can only guess, but I think the workflow of a Mac will probably suite a writer better than on windows. I feel Finder in macOs to be more friendly and easier to use, Stage Manager might be useful if she switches between a few apps while writing, and I just feel like a MacBook Air is really an excellent All-Rounder of a laptop.

What do you actually gain from using apple products besides the debatably better build quality? I personally think the keyboards now are obnoxious.
- Unbeaten battery life and out of integration of her iPhone (where she most likely dumps her ideas)
  
  What do you actually need the battery life for?

MacBook. Probably an M2 Air.
Obviously you should talk to your wife yada yada like everyone else said, but my opinion is that a MacBook would be best. Best battery life, screens etc plus the ecosystem stuff you mentioned with her iPhone.

Already lots of good points here, but I’d add an additional thought: if the use case is writing plus lightweight computing (email, web browsing, messaging, etc.), you may also want to consider an iPad. It, too, plays in the Apple ecosystem along side her iPhone and provides a lightweight and portable device to work on.
They’re pretty dead simple to use and you aren’t stuck with a single, permanent keyboard. There’s multiple first and third-party options for keyboard cases/folios and you then have the option to use a nice desktop keyboard at her usual work location.
And, something that is much rarer on laptops, you also have the option of cellular. If connectivity and mobility are important, an iPad would provide both.

How does she feel about the MacBook keyboard? I personally quite like it, now that they're normal again, but especially for an aspiring writer I think that is a pretty significant criterium.

You don’t need much to write. Maybe consider a tablet with a keyboard instead. An iPad with a keyboard or even a Chromebook would be just fine and save the file locally as well as in the cloud.
- Especially since they can use any keyboard, like a mechanical keyboard that will feel much better than the laptops.
  Given that an iPad is still a full-screen app OS, it may be easier for them to focus mainly on writing by using a dedicated writing app.
  However, like many has said, involve your wife, let them pick.

Depends on use case. As others have suggested please ensure that she is in the discussions.
M powered macs are both a blessing and a curse. They are fast, battery efficient, and have the ports you need with the Pro.
But they force you to be stuck with the storage amount you leave the store with, no ability to upgrade, and a reduced software library thanks to the removal of x86 code. If she plays games on her machine, she's going to have a bad time.
Meanwhile, Windows machines haven't changed much since 2015. Yes they can still do everything that they could, so software isn't an issue and games play better than they ever did. But the cost is the amount of extra research you need to do to ensure you are getting a good machine.
My current windows laptop looked good on paper, but the battery life turned out to be worse than I expected and the speakers are so quiet I can't hear them.
With that said. If you have the budget, the Macbook is the better work machine in my view. Especially if your are just typing. We are leveling out on storage and RAM requirements, so long as you get more than 256GB of storage (1TB recommended 512GB min) and at least 8GB of RAM anything you get will feel snappy and quick.
However if she intends to use it for more, I.e. games, video editing, photo shop, connecting other devices to it like a Garmin. Then you should ensure that whatever you get can do it. (Web browsing doesn't count any more)
You can't just fallback on Linux just yet, as there is only a few distros for it and software is still limited.
- A Mac is never going to be the greatest gaming machine, but an M-series MacBook is still preferable to an Intel one. For instance, Civ VI via Rosetta runs better on my M1 MacBook Pro than it did on my previous i7.
  
  I do not consider a Mac for a gaming machine since it’s library is extremely limited compared to a pc.
  With that said, a steam dec+Mac would be a good combo.

As someone who used primarily windows for 20+ years, used the surface pro line from the 1st through 7th iterations, and now only runs with a MacBook Air, I would say absolutely get the cheapest M1 Air you can find.
If she's not a heavy user and is just doing word processing and light computing, it will be vastly more than enough machine, and be best in class in the most important things I can think of when thinking about a laptop for a writer:
nice big, bright, high res display for crisp text and easy reading/writing
insane amounts of battery life for writing in cafes or libraries or wherever for probably longer than she could stand to work in any given day
nicely portable and discreet for carrying around to places where she can write
decent keyboard and possibly the best laptop trackpad around for ergonomics (such as they are, in a laptop)
Getting used to MacOS will take a few days at most, and there are plenty of free/Foss apps to improve quality of life for Windows users moving to macs.

Install Atlas OS to the old machine and prosper. Atlas is a stripped down Window based OS. Itruns really well on decade old hardware
Or you know buy a $2,000 piece of s*** you'll throw away in a few years anyways your money
Don't be wasteful reduce reuse recycle. They have perfectly viable hardware they just need a better OS on it

44 comments