"Are these tech bloggers praising MacBook out of their minds?"
I'm not kidding, five years ago, while I was lounging in my college dorm watching videos on Bilibili, I had exactly this thought every time I saw those glamorous bloggers gushing over how advanced and superior MacBook was.
Because I just couldn't understand why they thought MacBook was so great.
With the same 10,000 CNY budget, I would buy a Windows ultrabook, a gaming console, maybe even pick up a couple of monitors on the second-hand market, or just go ahead and get a gaming laptop. What game couldn't I play? What software couldn't I run?
Unless your goal in buying a Mac is to hang out at Starbucks for the ambiance or simply because you fancy the Apple logo on the back, then I have nothing to say~
Yeah, that's right. I've always been a staunch supporter of Windows PCs. In fact, even at work, I just hook up my ROG laptop to a monitor and use it as my main rig. Let me tell you, it's pretty sweet. After work, just unplug the cables, and you can still get in some Elden Ring gaming on the way home.
However, I've always been troubled by a problem with Windows PCs, and that's their generally poor battery life. Every time I take a Windows laptop on a business trip or to a product launch event, I inevitably experience battery anxiety. Even if I bring a charger along, I'm always worried about not finding a place to charge it.
And the reality is just as I feared. The number of power outlets at many smartphone launch events is comparable to that of a lecture hall at a university.
To address this pain point, I've tried many solutions, including but not limited to: intentionally bringing a laptop that supports PD fast charging, and then pairing it with a high-capacity power bank, switching the laptop's operating system to Linux or Chrome OS, and I even tried writing drafts using the hammer TNT.
These solutions, well, they do address some of the battery life issues, but at the same time, they bring along some new headaches, to be honest... quite a hassle. Until recently, a colleague suggested I give Mac a try. So, I spent $4100 on a used MacBook Air.
And... I'm absolutely loving it.
Because all I need is a laptop for "editing videos and writing" while on business trips, my requirements are pretty straightforward: good screen, decent speakers, comfortable typing, plus long battery life. This laptop, I must say, perfectly fits the bill, especially when it comes to battery life, leaving most Windows notebooks in the dust.
Can you believe it? Last month, I went on a business trip to Beijing. I was hustling all day attending press conferences and writing articles at night, and guess what? I didn't even have to charge my laptop once in those three days.
Sure, I admit, you can snag a brand-new, higher-capacity Windows notebook for around four grand, but hey, my needs are pretty straightforward. I've dabbled with those sleek, AMD and Intel-powered ultrabooks before, but the battery life on a Mac just blows them out of the water.
Considering the current entry-level Mac mini with the M1 chip, priced around $3000, adding just over a thousand more gets you a decent quality screen, speakers, and keyboard. Plus, it has long battery life, making it quite cost-effective when you think about it.
However, I wouldn't recommend blindly buying a MacBook. Personally, I don't need another computer; this MacBook is specifically for business trips, my "writing buddy". I'm perfectly content using a Windows PC for everything else—I'm a Windows enthusiast through and through.
Moreover, what suits me might not suit you. If you're a hardcore gamer or an engineering student, you might as well pass on the Mac. Many desktop games and engineering software are exclusive to Windows, with macOS still lagging behind in support.
When it comes to whether Mac is good or not, it's bound to stir up some debate in the comments section. The controversy surrounding Mac has always been significant. If you ask those who have used Apple computers, you'll find that their opinions on Mac are somewhat polarized.
In reality, usability is a relative concept. Many people's first computers were Windows-based, and after using them for so many years, their habits are deeply ingrained. So, when they switch to Mac, it's definitely a case of feeling out of sorts in many ways, just like how I felt initially.
For example, when I first started using Mac, I couldn't even find "My Computer" – there's no C drive or D drive. And to my surprise, the minimize, maximize, and close options were on the left side of the window instead of the right. I tried to copy something, but it ended up duplicating the file instead.
To be honest, Mac's settings can be a bit counterintuitive at times, especially with its various shortcuts differing significantly from Windows. But ultimately, it's all about inertia. It's like suddenly changing your pillow or your mattress - chances are, you'll feel a bit uncomfortable at first.
So, why do people stick with Mac despite its quirks? Could it be that their first computer was a Mac, so they've stuck with the platform ever since? Or perhaps, like me, they value the MacBook's long battery life?
Honestly, this question has been bothering me for a while, until recently when I attended an Apple event and realized I was overthinking it.
During the event, Apple brought in four MacBook users to chat with everyone about their experiences using Mac in their daily lives and work. To be honest, the whole process was a bit dull, but there were a few points shared by them that left a lasting impression on me.
For instance, one of our peers, a YouTuber who goes by the name Zhang Heihei, mentioned that his favorite feature of the MacBook is a one-click shortcut on the keyboard to enable "Do Not Disturb" mode. He highlighted how convenient it is, especially when sharing the computer screen with others, as it prevents private messages from popping up and potentially compromising privacy.
Because this button is inconspicuous, it won't alert the person you're screen-sharing with that you've quietly stopped the message pop-ups, which is considerate to their feelings while also avoiding offense for yourself.
One of host Toto's favorite features of Mac is its built-in Migration Assistant, which seamlessly transfers data from an old computer to a new one, including applications and user data. This means no need to spend time setting up the new computer or manually transferring data when switching devices, making it both convenient and stress-free for her.
Chen Zhongjia, a college student, finds the feature of being able to drag tasks directly from the Mac's To-Do list to the calendar very handy. She appreciates the user-friendly interactions like this one on macOS, and there are plenty more where that came from. Being an iPhone user herself, she enjoys the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, which makes her daily life much more convenient.
It's like how many people buy an iPhone just because it can take Live Photos. Similarly, there's a significant portion of people who stick to using Mac because of certain features it offers. Regardless of what others say, as long as it feels comfortable to use, that's all that matters. It's that simple.
Speaking of which, the purpose of my article is simply to share my experience of using Mac with everyone. I'm not trying to aggressively promote MacBook. Last week, I posted a video on my personal experiences on Bilibili, and it only got around 200,000 views, but the comments section blew up with nearly two thousand comments...
It's evident that there are differing opinions among folks, so I think it's worthwhile to address the question of "Is a Mac right for you?"
If you're a freshman in college and unsure about which computer suits you best, my suggestion is to consider getting a laptop equipped with the AMD Ryzen R7 7840HS processor. It balances performance and battery life well, handling everyday tasks and even some AAA gaming without breaking a sweat. If your budget allows, opt for the discrete graphics version.
After all, as the saying goes: if you're not sure whether to buy a Mac or Windows, go for Windows, you can't go wrong with that.
By the time you're in your third or fourth year and your major courses are settled, when you're sure you won't need any heavy-duty or incompatible software, and you want a lightweight solution, you can follow my example and buy a used MacBook. Even if you find it's not suitable, you won't lose much if you sell it off.
After you start working, the logic remains the same: choosing Windows is a foolproof option. But as time goes on, if you find yourself constantly on the move, attending meetings and giving presentations, opting for a Mac is a very wise decision. It can indeed boost productivity. Of course, if budget allows, why not have both Windows and Mac at your disposal?
Regardless of price, Mac is undeniably an excellent choice for a computer. Apart from its most obvious advantage of battery life, it's optimized for creative software. That's why we see many people using it for creative tasks like video editing, music production, design, and digital art.
If you're not using a computer for these tasks, then those special Mac perks don't really mean much to you. We're not married to Macs after all. At the end of the day, a computer is just a tool. Use whatever works best for you. As long as it helps with your studies or boosts your earning potential, it's a good tool.
Alright, by now, I reckon you've got a pretty good idea of what to choose. Here's to everyone finding their dream computer! Cheers!
