It’s that time of year where university and college students everywhere are preparing to head back to school. Of course, preparing for school is a lot more than mental preparation; it also means gathering and purchasing all the school supplies, tools, and equipment you’ll need to complete your course with ease.
One item that may be top of the list for you is a brand-new computer or laptop. Clearly this can make your studies a whole lot smoother, and for many courses it is an absolute necessity. Take for example the online MS in Management through Merrimack College. Through this course, you’ll be preparing yourself for a successful career in leadership and management, but because this is an online course, a computer or laptop with an internet connection is an absolute must-have. This 16-month course will require you to be online for each and every course, plus you’ll need that same computer/laptop to complete all your projects, papers, and assignments.
So, this brings us to a common question that MS in Management students, and any college/university student has – should you go with Windows or MAC OS? Here we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each. Also make sure you stay updated about the latest Apple news.
Pros and Cons of Windows
Let’s get things off to a positive start by taking a look at the pros to choosing a Windows computer or laptop. In most cases, this will be the more budget-friendly option, which tends to be a priority for students. There are also a lot of companies/manufacturers to choose from, so you can really look around, compare prices, models, and features and be specific. Just be sure to also look into the warranty of any model you are interested in. As for the software needed to do your work, here’s where both platforms are pretty much neck and neck nowadays.
Now as for the cons, PCs are unfortunately known for the high amount of viruses, spyware, and malware that can take over the computer completely. Obviously, this risks your files and security. Then there is the fact that those budget models are just that – budget models, and don’t tend to last very long at all.
Pros and Cons of MAC
When it comes to the pros for a MAC, most users will rave about how user-friendly they truly are. If you’re new to computer/laptop ownership, these can be really easy to get a feel for. You also have a decent warranty of MAC models, which is important since they are more of financial investment. If it’s a MacBook Pro you’re looking at, then you can look forward to an impressive battery life which provides you with more flexibility. And then of course there’s the fact MAC is known for having very few if any issues with viruses, malware, and spyware.
As for the cons, well it’s just one company that is making MACs obviously, so there’s no such thing as comparison shopping between various manufacturers. And the price tag is usually quite a bit higher than Windows-based computers.
Be Clear with Your Needs and Expectations
At the end of the day, your decision needs to be based on your specific needs that match up with your classes and your expectations.