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.
Only one reply saying you should involve your wife in this decision. Not enough.
You need to involve your wife in this decision. Her use case is nothing for a modern laptop, either Windows or Mac. Anything new will run like a dream in comparison to what she’s got. Literally anything. Get her to a physical store to type on the keyboards and make sure she likes whatever models are in contention. This is highly personal and subjective so other opinions aren’t worth much.
I do think it worth mentioning that switching ecosystems isn’t something to do lightly. She needs to be involved in that decision. I’ve used both Windows and Mac. I’m comfortable with both, but generally prefer Windows. They are way too different to treat the possibility of switching flippantly.
This needs to be the top comment in my view.
Pretty much any new laptop running any operating system will be able to adequately do word processing but they will all feel different and they will be a range of price points. This is why involving your wife who will be the user for this device is critical. One of the key advantages with Apple is that you can try out every current model in person at an Apple store. I don’t know how easy it is for you to get to one, but if you have the option I would definitely recommend sending your wife to do that.
You should ask your wife what she wants.
Focusing on the tech instead of the writing itself is a mistake. You see this among wannabe photographers as well, who buys expensive cameras that they can’t fully utilise. Get her a manual typewriter.
I thought you would say a chisel and some stone.
Morse code button and an Arduino morse decoder with serial output. You can then connect an old dot matrix printer to the serial port.
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You can connect external keyboards to a tablet. With a few adapters, even an IBM model M.
There’s pros and cons to both platforms and there’s plenty of people willing to argue each side. I wouldn’t necessarily focus on this as much as trying to find the laptop she’s most physically comfortable typing on. Also for an aspiring writer you may want to look into a screen that’s easy on the eyes over long periods.
Obviously my first point is take her to a Microcenter or something and test them out. Every keyboard has different travel distance and resistance.
I write in my m1 MacBook Pro. When I type very fast I sometimes worry I’m clipping under the keys. Other than that, I love it. Ive written way more since I got it, and the feel of the laptop is perfect. There are some solid windows laptops for typing too. Ultimately, for a writer, it’s going to come down to what keyboard she likes the feel of. It’s hard to write when it feels like a chore because I hate the keyboard (the old butterfly switches for example, I could NOT use.
Just get the cheapest M1 Air you can find.
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If all she’s doing is living in a word processor, she can use a tablet with a keyboard, or any old laptop with Debian/Ubuntu and LibreOffice on it.
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.
MacBook. Probably an M2 Air.
Obviously you should talk to your wife yada yada like everyone else said, but my opinion is that a MacBook would be best. Best battery life, screens etc plus the ecosystem stuff you mentioned with her iPhone.
With the switch to Apple Silicon, it’s pretty much impossible to justify buying a Windows PC unless you have specific needs that absolutely require it; the Mac hardware is just that much better. Shop around for the best discounts on an M1 or M2 MacBook Air and just buy it. I suspect she’ll especially appreciate how much better Apple’s trackpads are, plus the super long battery life that comes from power-efficient chips.
Already lots of good points here, but I’d add an additional thought: if the use case is writing plus lightweight computing (email, web browsing, messaging, etc.), you may also want to consider an iPad. It, too, plays in the Apple ecosystem along side her iPhone and provides a lightweight and portable device to work on.
They’re pretty dead simple to use and you aren’t stuck with a single, permanent keyboard. There’s multiple first and third-party options for keyboard cases/folios and you then have the option to use a nice desktop keyboard at her usual work location.
And, something that is much rarer on laptops, you also have the option of cellular. If connectivity and mobility are important, an iPad would provide both.
Wanted to chime in again with this article I found that may give you some starting points.
I can only give my perspective as a developer switching from windows to Mac (I had the surface book and switched to the M1 Pro MBP. I still also use a Windows pc at home daily since I game a bit.
I really did enjoy my surface book, it had great battery, great display, was versatile, the surface pen was nice. However, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a windows laptop. At least for me, my MBP has a level of polish that is quite hard to find. MacOS is fine for me, I got used to it and I don’t have any complaints, it has its pros and cons compared to windows, what’s new.
I do feel like your wife would probably enjoy the experience of a 14 or 15 inch MacBook Air. I think they are incredible value due to how powerful they are but also how power efficient they are. Standby on Macs is particularly amazing.
I can only guess, but I think the workflow of a Mac will probably suite a writer better than on windows. I feel Finder in macOs to be more friendly and easier to use, Stage Manager might be useful if she switches between a few apps while writing, and I just feel like a MacBook Air is really an excellent All-Rounder of a laptop.
What do you actually gain from using apple products besides the debatably better build quality? I personally think the keyboards now are obnoxious.
Unbeaten battery life and out of integration of her iPhone (where she most likely dumps her ideas)
What do you actually need the battery life for?
Umm… using the mac on the Go?
