Here are the common questions we get from business owners:
- « Should I be using Mac or PC for my business? »
- « Will all of our software work on a Mac? »
- « Can a Mac work with our Microsoft server ? »
- « How expensive are Macs? »
- « Will my staff be able to learn a new platform? »
Being in the IT industry since the early 2000s, it’s no surprise that Macs were traditionally associated with creative industries like graphic design and marketing, but over time more businesses have started to adopt Apple technology. We now see them in so many industries such as:
- Health Care
- Real Estate
- Legal Law
- Associations
- Non for profits
- Technology Companies
- Government
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Education
- Finance and Insurance
- Construction
- Retail
- Restaurants
- Etc.
There are several good reasons for this, but many businesses still view Macs with suspicion and hesitate to make the transition from PC to Macs.
A common criticism levelled at Macs is their high cost. But while they don’t come cheap, they’re generally comparable to high-end PCs in terms of price tag, and tend to offer superior performance and longevity. We often present our clients the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a Mac compared to a PC. IBM recently published a study revealing that Macs costs less over the course of 4 years than a PC.
It’s easy for businesses to stick to what they know and keep relying on PCs, but there are a ton of reasons to consider switching to Macs.
Let’s dive into a few of the bigger ones.
1. Macs are more secure
Macs are known to be safer than PCs. As a rule there are fewer viruses written for Apple, and they are targeted less by hackers and cyber criminals. Their sturdy macOS operating system offers solid defence against most attacks, and cyber defence should be towards the top of any business’s list of priorities.
According to research by Gartner, IT organizations spend an average of $2000 to $2300 per user, per year to secure their PCs. That’s a big chunk of anyone’s budget, and Macs are cheaper to manage.
Of course, Macs aren’t invincible. You’ll still need to keep them secure and loaded with the most up-to-date defence strategies, and SupportMyMac can help you with this.
- The Importance of Cybersecurity for Business Owners
- Do You Know How to Spot a Phishing Email?
2. Macs are easier to use than PCs
One of the biggest reasons we prefer Mac to PC for business, is because they are user-friendly and much much easier to use! It is definitely a great selling point of Apple products, along with their notorious accessibility.
A common worry among PC-based companies is that their staff will struggle to adapt to an entirely new kind of technology if they switch to Apple. This shouldn’t put anyone off making the change, though, because Macs are so easy to get used to. Apple even has a webpage dedicated to helping ex-Windows users make the switch!
Macs are designed to be user-friendly, intuitive, and pleasant to work with, which could lead to your employees becoming happier and more productive.
3. Macs integrate well with other Apple devices (and Microsoft!)
As we know, iPhones and iPads still dominate the smartphone and tablet markets. Despite being more highly-priced than many of their competitors, Apple devices reign supreme because of their user-friendly nature and long standing popularity. So why not bring the best of two worlds at work.
This makes them ideal tools for businesses, because not only are they easy and pleasant to use, but they also help companies put out a tech-savvy and trendy image.
But how does this link to Macs? Well, it’s easier to run a network of Apple devices when your IT infrastructure is based around an Apple ecosystem.
The Apple platform now integrates really well with Microsoft solutions including MS Office Apps (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Microsoft365 Environment (OneDrive, SharePoint, Mail, Contacts, Calendars) Microsoft’s Active Directory and more!
In corporate environments where Macs are a small percentage of the overall end-user computing environment, they are still able to access most corporate resources including file sharing, cloud applications, VPN access and even endpoint mobile device management (e.g. Microsoft InTune).
4. Macs have great build quality
Macs (and Apple devices in general) are known for being high-performance devices with a strong build quality. They last a long time, and rarely run into faults or performance issues.
A common suggestion we make to business owners looking to buy new machines is to consider Apple’s Certified Refurbished Products. They are available here. They come with the same 1 year warranty as new machines and are also eligible for the AppleCare Protection Plan Warranty (3 years). You can also expect savings of 10-15%! Why not right?!
Macs also have a higher resale value, so you could resell your 5 year old Mac for more than you could resell your PC, thus reducing your total cost of ownership.
This feature alone is worth paying for, as over time it can save big money on repairs and maintenance. A durable and reliable IT infrastructure is a massive boost to pretty much any modern day business, and Macs can help achieve that.
5. Macs can easily be managed and deployed
Apple users can draw on a whole range of great software to help manage their fleet of Macs and make their lives easier.
One example of this is JAMF, which we use at SupportMyMac to help manage your Apple systems. It comes with a whole host of neat features to keep your IT running securely and effectively, taking the burden off your shoulders.
Zero-touch deployments is now easier to do and can help companies scale faster without the need of a dedicated IT person that configures machines before they are handed to an employee.
**Bonus** They look freakin’ amazing!
Beauty, of course, is only skin-deep. That said, when deciding whether to go Mac or PC for their business, many owners see the benefits of their business looking more up-to-date and modern.
With their sleek design and recognizable appearance, Macs say: ‘We care about our image’. They show that your business is unafraid to spend good money on its IT and prevent you from seeming behind the times.
An office kitted out with top-of-the-range Apple computers just looks… better.
Additional Resources
- Worried about compatibility of your applications? We compiled a cheat sheet list of every potential software a small business may need to run their business.
- While you’re here, you might also enjoy reading our free Guide to Drama-Free Apple IT.
Are you considering a transition to Apple?
SupportMyMac is here to assist with that transition. Click here to schedule a free consultation with our team!
