Backstory/Context: My wife is an aspiring writer and wants to self-publish a novel that she’s been writing. Currently she’s typing on my old Asus ROG gaming laptop that I no longer use. It’s (barely) running Windows Vista, it was built with Crysis in mind (really shows you how old it is), it’s bulky & heavy, and the battery is completely dead (no longer charges)
Originally, I wanted to get her a MacBook because she can switch between MacOS and Windows (via Boot Camp) to get the best of both worlds, that’s until I found out Boot Camp no longer works/exists. I also felt sticking with the Apple ecosystem might be better in the long run, allowing her to sync her iPhone, use iMessage/FaceTime/iCloud etc… when she’s not near her phone, better laptop design & portability.
I’ve been using MacBooks since Leopard-era and have experience with Apple computers before (candy colored iMac and 5200LC) so I know my way around an Apple keyboard & the shortcuts.
She, on the other hand, has only used Windows.
Definitely looking for laptop recommendations in general. Sure, it might be bias to post this in an Apple community but as an Apple user, I’d like to hear other opinions. Maybe there’s a Windows laptop with a similar feel/design of a MacBook? Perhaps the MacBook is the better choice?
Might be worth mentioning that I’ve heard horror stories about people finding spyware on Windows laptops (I think Dell/Alienware was the big one) and I’m totally out of the laptop game.
Writing is not hardware-intensive; a Chromebook would be much cheaper if that’s all she does. What else will she use this laptop for that makes you want a MacBook?
Chromebook has planned obsolescence built in. Don’t get a Chromebook.
And Macs don’t? 2018 is now the earliest Mac that still receives updates. 5 whole years.
Well, most PCs from the last 20 years can run up-to-date lite distros of Linux. If she only needs a text editor and browser, it may be a good option.
I think they’re just phasing out the Intel Macs. Completely talking out of my ass, but I think the Apple silicon Macs will receive updates for more than 5 years.
Yep, and there is end of support for Mac platforms as well. You can keep installing newer versions of Windows, but eventually you’ll reach the limitations of the hardware, or a new feature will have to be supported (looking at you TPM and Win 11) that will force you out of the hardware.