For years, Macs were preferred in the design world, while PCs with the Windows operating system dominated the business world. When looking at the two for graphic design work, the focus is on the handling of graphics, color and type, the availability of software, and overall ease of use.
Overall Findings
If you have previous experience with either platform, you’re probably fine sticking with the one you use most. Both options provide the software and hardware power needed to create graphics. Both support peripheral devices like styluses, tablets, and digital assistants that make your work easier. A new user can do anything they want regardless of whether they choose a Mac or a PC, but they should know the strengths and limitations of each. Macs are generally more expensive but focus on compatibility. PCs have more software available, but Windows doesn’t have the seamless integration between devices like the Apple macOS, iPadOS, and iOS.
Graphics, Color, and Type: Apple Is Designed to Work
The handling of graphics, color, and type is a significant portion of a graphic designer’s job. Because of Apple’s long history of being the designer’s computer, the company focused on improving its handling of colors and fonts, especially when going from screen and file to print. If you had to choose between a Mac and a PC on this factor alone, Apple has a small edge. However, the same results can be achieved on a PC. For web design, neither wins out, although you need access to both operating systems to test your sites across all platforms.
Software: Both Platforms Have What You Need
The operating systems of both platforms are robust. Windows 10 offers touchscreens, window management, and Cortana. Apple lags in touchscreens, but Siri is available on desktop and laptop computers. Microsoft 365 made the most popular Windows applications in the world available to Mac users. Windows PCs have an edge in gaming software. While Macs got a jump start on music with iTunes, GarageBand, and the Apple Music service, the field leveled when iTunes and Apple Music became available on PCs. Both offer access to the cloud for storage and collaboration, while the third-party video-editing software available for macOS is more robust. As far as graphic design is concerned, there is no significant difference in the software available for the Mac or PC. All the major applications, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are developed for both platforms. Because the Mac is often considered the designer’s computer, there are some handy tools and applications that are Mac-only. Overall, though, more software is available for the PC, especially if you are focused on a particular industry, gaming, or 3-D renderings for architecture.
Ease of Use: Macs Are More User-Friendly
Apple focuses its operating system on ease of use, introducing new features with each release that improve the user experience. The integration from application to application enables a clean workflow. While this is most apparent in the company’s consumer applications such as Photos and iMovie, it continues through to professional tools and third-party products. While Microsoft has improved the user experience in the Windows operating system, Apple wins in the ease-of-use category.
Final Verdict
The choice may come down to your familiarity with either Windows or macOS. Because Apple makes its computers, the quality is relatively high, and the computers are relatively expensive. Microsoft Windows runs on powerful computers and not-so-powerful computers. If you only need a computer for email and web surfing, a Mac is an overkill. The drawback of the Mac used to be the price, but if you want a Mac and are on a tight budget, check out the consumer-level iMac, which is powerful enough for graphic design tasks. In the end, especially when starting out in design, you are probably as well off using a PC with Windows 10. With smart shopping, you can get a powerful unit for less money than a Mac, and you can use the same design software on it. Your creativity, not the cost of the computer, determines the outcome of your work.
