Windows vs. Mac: How Windows Caught Up and Redefined the PC Experience
The debate between Windows and Mac has raged for decades, with passionate advocates on both sides. As someone who has never been an Apple user—my disdain for the brand rooted in early experiences as a teenage computer repair entrepreneur and later as a T-Mobile employee selling against the iPhone—I’ve always leaned heavily toward Windows. My perspective isn’t clouded by Apple fandom, but I’ll set aside personal biases to examine how Windows has closed the gap with Mac, particularly in areas where Apple once held a clear edge. With Chromebooks carving out a growing niche, the computing landscape is more competitive than ever. Let’s dive into how Windows has evolved, why it now rivals or surpasses Mac for most users, and what this means for the future of personal computing.
A Shifting Market Landscape
The PC market in 2025 is more diverse than ever. According to recent data from Statista, Windows commands approximately 60% of the global desktop operating system market, macOS holds 24%, and Chrome OS has climbed to nearly 6%. Linux, while beloved by enthusiasts like myself, remains a niche player due to its steep learning curve and limited mainstream appeal. Chrome OS, however, has emerged as a dark horse, adopting Apple’s old strategy of targeting schools to build brand loyalty among younger users. My own children, aged 11 and 14, have used Chromebooks since grade school, and it’s not hard to imagine their generation gravitating toward Chrome OS as they enter adulthood.
Apple’s macOS has long been a premium choice, praised for its sleek design, ecosystem integration, and perceived reliability. But Windows has undergone a dramatic transformation, particularly with the rise of ARM-based Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. These advancements have addressed Mac’s historical advantages—virus protection and battery life—while offering greater flexibility and value.
Myth-Busting Mac’s Virus Immunity
One of Mac’s most touted advantages was its supposed immunity to viruses. Whether this was ever entirely true is debatable; macOS’s smaller market share historically made it a less attractive target for malware developers. Regardless, the gap has closed. Windows 11 includes robust built-in security features like Windows Defender, Secure Boot, and real-time threat detection. As a Windows user, I haven’t encountered a virus in over a decade, even when experimenting with crypto miners or other potentially risky software. Windows is quick to flag suspicious programs, requiring manual overrides to proceed—an annoyance at times, but a testament to its proactive security.
Data from AV-TEST, an independent IT security institute, shows that Windows Defender consistently ranks among the top antivirus solutions, offering near-perfect detection rates for malware. macOS, while still secure, is no longer the untouchable fortress it once was. Malware targeting Macs has increased in recent years, with threats like OSX/MacDownloader and KeRanger ransomware proving that Apple users aren’t immune. For most users, Windows’ security is now on par with, if not superior to, macOS, especially when paired with common-sense practices like avoiding dubious downloads.
Battery Life: Windows Closes the Gap
Battery life was another area where MacBooks historically dominated. In the early 2010s, my high-end Windows laptop struggled to last 2-3 hours, while MacBook users boasted 8+ hours of unplugged productivity. This gap persisted for years, with Apple’s power-efficient hardware and optimized software setting the standard for laptop battery life.
Enter the Windows Copilot+ PCs, launched in late 2024 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors. These ARM-based systems have rewritten the rules. My personal experience with a Snapdragon-powered Surface Pro has been transformative. Fully charged on Monday, it endured a multi-day power outage, powering through 8-10 hours of use across coffee shops by Friday, with 50% battery remaining and an estimated 11 hours left. For lighter users, these devices can last 10-15 days on a single charge, rivaling or surpassing even the latest M3 and M4 MacBooks.
Independent tests back this up. PCMag reported that the 2024 Surface Pro with Snapdragon X Elite achieved over 16 hours of battery life in video playback tests, matching or exceeding the MacBook Air M3’s performance. Unlike the early 2020s ARM-based Surface Pro, which suffered from software compatibility issues, the 2024 models benefit from near-universal app support, thanks to Microsoft’s improved x64 emulation and broader developer adoption of ARM-native software.
Performance and Value: Windows Takes the Lead
Beyond battery life, Windows Copilot+ PCs offer performance that rivals Apple’s M-series chips. Benchmarks from Geekbench show that the Snapdragon X Elite competes closely with the M3 in multi-core performance, while offering better power efficiency than Intel-based Windows laptops. For tasks like video editing, gaming, or machine learning, high-end Windows configurations with discrete GPUs still outperform MacBooks, which rely on integrated graphics.
Price is another area where Windows shines. A MacBook Air M3 starts at $1,099, while a comparable Copilot+ PC, like the Dell XPS 13 with Snapdragon X Elite, can be had for $999 or less with promotions. Windows devices also span a wider range of price points, from budget-friendly laptops to premium ultrabooks, making them accessible to more users. macOS, by contrast, remains tethered to Apple’s premium pricing, with fewer options for cost-conscious buyers.
Customization is another win for Windows. While MacBooks are locked into Apple’s walled garden, Windows supports a vast ecosystem of hardware and software. Need a touchscreen? A 2-in-1 convertible? A gaming rig? Windows has it all. This flexibility extends to software, where Windows’ open platform supports everything from legacy enterprise applications to cutting-edge AI tools.
Chrome OS: The Wild Card
While Windows and Mac duke it out, Chrome OS is quietly gaining ground. Its lightweight design, cloud-centric approach, and affordability make it a favorite in education and budget markets. Chromebooks now account for over 20% of K-12 device purchases in the U.S., according to Futuresource Consulting. For students like my kids, Chrome OS’s simplicity and integration with Google Workspace are second nature.
However, Chrome OS isn’t a direct competitor to Windows or macOS for power users. Its reliance on web apps and limited offline capabilities make it less versatile for professionals or creatives. Still, its growth signals a shift in user priorities, and Microsoft has taken note, integrating web-centric features like Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) into Windows 11.
Who Still Needs a Mac?
Macs retain an edge for specific niches. Video editors and music producers often prefer macOS for its optimized software ecosystem, including Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Apple’s tight hardware-software integration also ensures a polished user experience, which some users prioritize over raw power or customization. However, even in these areas, Windows alternatives like Adobe Premiere Pro and Ableton Live have closed the gap, and cross-platform tools like DaVinci Resolve run equally well on both systems.
For the average user—students, professionals, or casual consumers—Windows offers more value, flexibility, and performance. The days of Macs being the default choice for “creatives” or “power users” are over.
Conclusion: Windows for the Win
The Windows vs. Mac debate is no longer a close call. With the advent of ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, Windows has matched or surpassed macOS in battery life, security, and performance, while maintaining its edge in affordability and customization. My week-long test during a power outage proved that Windows laptops can now go toe-to-toe with MacBooks in real-world scenarios, and at a lower cost.
Chrome OS looms as a potential disruptor, especially for younger generations, but it’s not yet a threat to Windows’ dominance. For now, Windows is the best choice for most users, offering a balance of power, versatility, and value that macOS struggles to match. The geek in me still dreams of a Linux-powered future, but in 2025, Windows is the king of the hill.
References
- Statista: Global desktop OS market share, 2025.
- AV-TEST: Windows Defender and macOS security reports, 2024.
- PCMag: Surface Pro (2024) battery life tests.
- Geekbench: Snapdragon X Elite vs. Apple M3 benchmarks.
- Futuresource Consulting: Chromebook adoption in K-12 education, 2024.