Mac vs. MacBook: Which Is Right for You?

Apple’s sales on the Mac continue to grow. Last year, they shipped 6.9 million Macs in the fourth quarter alone.

But should you purchase a Mac, or is a Macbook more suited to your needs?

If you educate yourself a bit on the perks of each, you can find the right fit. It all depends on your specific budget, need for mobility, and more.

See below for an in-depth guide highlighting which Apple computers are right for you. You’ll have more confidence in your purchase.

1. Do You Need Mobility?

This one is fairly straightforward. Some of you will require more mobility from your Apple computers than others.

Perhaps you’re an entrepreneur who’s always on the go. Maybe you have a hybrid job (partially remote, partially in-office) that needs to be able to plug in wherever you’re working from.

Whatever the case might be, the Apple Macbook is the way to go. It gives you all the benefits of an Apple computer in a mobile, travel-ready setting.

You’ll find it easier than ever to take your work with you, as well as create things on the fly. It answers the call that modern-day workers have for a mobile-yet-practical laptop.

As you might imagine, the Mac desktop computer isn’t much for traveling. It’s intended to stay in one place for a longer period.

For example, it’s perfect for placing in an at-home office for personal use or in a work office setting.

So why are there so many people that prefer to purchase Macs, even with their lack of mobility?

Apple tends to roll out the newest features in the Macs first, so if you’d consider yourself in an innovator category of the customer base, we recommend you give the Mac serious consideration.

2. What is Your Budget?

First, we should preface this by saying one thing: your budget shouldn’t be the end-all-be-all when it comes to buying computers.

Apple computers tend to last as long as eight to ten years, so you’ll want to find the perfect match for your needs.

That said, it’s important to ensure you have the proper funds for your new device.

As you might expect, Macs cost more than Macbooks, so make sure that you create a reasonable budget for your search.

The price of an Apple Macbook can range anywhere from $1,000 to $2,800 depending on things like the size of the Macbook, features, model, age, and so on.

Macs, on the other hand, can cost as much as $3,500 depending on which model you purchase. It can also get up to $4,200 if you wish to purchase a flat-panel monitor with it.

If you aren’t in desperate need to purchase the device by tomorrow, we recommend saving up as much as you can.

Focus on purchasing the Apple computer that gives you the highest return on your investment, not just looking for the cheapest option.

There are also amazing deals that tend to pop up during Black Friday, so it might be worth it to wait.

3. How Important is Storage?

We’ve all had those dreaded moments when your Apple device won’t let you take any more actions due to having full storage.

For the next ten minutes, you’re stuck scrolling through your Settings app looking for anything to delete. It’s never a good feeling.

That’s why storage is so important. It ensures that the computer you purchase can keep up with your personal and professional lives. The storage can stack up quickly.

Make sure that you pay special attention to the storage capabilities of the device you purchase.

Most customers assume that any Mac will get them more storage, which isn’t true. In fact, the 24-inch Mac has the same level of standard storage as the Macbook Air: 256GB.

As a general rule of thumb, the more storage you have, the better. That said, 256GB is more than enough for most people, especially considering that external drives are a thing.

4. Which One Do You Have a Feel For?

You could purchase the latest Apple computer with all the bells and whistles, but if it doesn’t fit your preferences, you won’t enjoy it.

Try to consider all the small details in your search. Get a feel for the keyboard, mouse/trackpad, display, Mac menu bar settings, features, and more.

While you can certainly purchase online, we recommend at least taking a visit to the local electronics store to try out the model you’ve got your eyes on.

5. Is There an Opportunity for Both?

Apple devices have some of the most collaborative features in the entire tech industry. So if there’s a chance for you to purchase both a Mac and a Macbook, we recommend doing so!

You’ll enjoy working on your Mac desktop whenever you’re at home, then using your Macbook Air/Pro when you’re on the go.

If you have to choose between the two, then it’s just a matter of which one better fits your needs. If you have the opportunity to purchase both, then you should do so!

Find the Best Mac vs Macbook for Your Needs

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on comparing Mac vs Macbook, be sure to use this information to your advantage.

If mobility is the top priority, then a Macbook is probably the way to go. If you want to max out the features, then the Mac may be a better fit.

Take the time to browse our website for more articles on Mac laptops, as well as many other topics you’ll enjoy.