If you’ve come to this article, it’s because you’re considering buying a new computer and you’re probably wondering whether it’s better to buy a Mac or a MacBook.
The truth is that Apple offers such a wide range of options that it is sometimes difficult to choose. What’s the best Mac you can buy? The truth is that the answer will depend on what you will be using this computer for.
If a desktop computer is among your options, know that a Mac can outperform a MacBook for many reasons. Below, we’ll tell you the five reasons why we recommend buying a Mac instead of a MacBook.
1. Ports and Scalability
One of the biggest advantages of buying a desktop Mac over a MacBook is that desktop Macs often have more upgrade options. While the latest MacBook Pros have more ports than they’ve had in many years – three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, HDMI and an SDXC card slot – that’s still a far cry from what you get on the Mac mini. two USB-A ports) and the Mac Studio (up to six Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB-A ports), and even the 24-inch iMac has two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and two USB 3 ports.
An extra port may not seem like much, but it lets you connect even more external devices – hard drives, keyboards and other items you might need for your daily work – without the need for hubs
However, the days of “playing” with Mac desktops are over. Even if you buy a Mac mini or Mac Studio, Apple Silicon Macs do not allow user-installable internal updates, whether on a desktop or laptop.
RAM is built into the processor, so if you think you need more RAM than the standard configuration, customize your order at the point of sale. The same goes for the SSD for file storage, although with more ports you can easily add external storage.
The only Mac Apple currently sells with easily user-upgradable components is the Mac Pro. This computer, however, is designed for high-end professionals, and they are expensive machines.
Plus, it’s one of only two remaining Mac models that still use Intel processors. It’s possible that Apple will release a new Mac Pro this year with its own user-upgradeable Silicon, but it could also be just as locked down as the Mac Studio.
2. Choose the monitor yourself
Another of the great advantages of desktop Macs is the versatility they offer compared to compatible monitors. Yes, it’s true that you can connect a display to a MacBook, but you also pay a premium price for the built-in display, which is more than likely to close when connected to an external display.
If you’re going to be parked at a desk most of the time or want the flexibility of a multi-monitor setup, a desktop Mac is easily the smarter choice.
You just need to make sure what you need. Apple’s remaining Intel Macs and the Mac Studio can power more than two displays, but Apple’s Silicone Macs are different: the Mac mini M1 is limited to a total of two displays (one via Thunderbolt and one via HDMI) . .
The 24-inch iMac can add a second display via Thunderbolt. Still, that’s more than Apple’s M1 laptops – the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro – which can only connect one additional screen, making a proper multi-screen setup difficult, and you’ll have to spending nearly $2,000 for a 14-inch. or 16-inch MacBook Pro to power up to four external displays with Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports…
So if you want the best value for your multi-monitor setup, go with a desktop Mac and look for a good external display.
3. Macs offer better speed
One of the main reasons you might opt for a desktop Mac over a MacBook is Apple’s M1 Ultra processor. It’s the fastest, most powerful chip Apple has ever made, and it’s only available in the $4,629 Mac Studio.
Don’t get me wrong, MacBook Pros offer incredibly good performance, especially in the newer models, but they don’t offer the M1 Ultra, which makes Apple’s most powerful desktop Macs in the business. . And due to the M1 Ultra’s cooling requirements, it may never make it to a laptop.
4. A design that adapts to all places
While MacBooks can be extremely portable, they don’t always fit right in with the style and space you have in your office, another area where desktop Macs can shine.
While Apple offers more basic designs like the Mac mini or Mac Studio, the 24-inch iMac gives Apple users several color options to choose from.
This means you can choose a computer that matches your office color scheme without having to settle for the more minimalistic silver color of a standard MacBook.
Because there are smaller options like the Mac mini and Mac Studio, you can find a powerful computer that fits right into your office space, even if you don’t have a lot of desk space. This allows you to maximize your desktop space without wasting too much on your computer.
5. The best value for money
MacBooks can be exceptionally expensive, especially if you opt for the more powerful models. But you don’t have to just break the bank to get a great Mac computer.
Instead, multiple pricing options are available for several of the different desktop Macs available. For example, the new Mac Studio costs the same as some of the more powerful MacBook Pros, but you get more power, more ports, and more features.
Additionally, the 24-inch iMac that Apple launched with M1 processors starts at $1,499, much cheaper than the newer MacBook Pros with smaller screens.
Or you can pair a 24-inch 4K display with a Mac mini for even less. Macs aren’t cheap, but with the right combination of desktop and screen, you can get a full-fledged computer without breaking your budget by buying an expensive MacBook Pro.
These are the best monitors available for Mac.
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