Why choose Mac over Windows — even financing it is worth it
I know it sounds like cope. Here’s the actual ROI case for spending more on a Mac.
The real reason: Unix terminal
This is not about aesthetics.
macOS is Unix. The terminal just works — Git, SSH, Node, Python, Docker — all behave the way they’re supposed to. No wrestling with WSL2, no PATH issues that are Windows-specific, no “works on my Mac but not the server” chaos.
If you’re writing software that runs on Linux servers (which is almost all production software), developing on macOS is the closest equivalent. Windows is a different OS pretending to be compatible. It mostly works. But “mostly” costs you hours.
Battery and build time — where hours add up
An M-series MacBook runs 10–15 hours on battery. A comparable Windows laptop runs 5–8 hours if you’re lucky.
If you work 2 hours away from a plug 5 days a week, that’s 10 hours/week where a Windows machine is dead and a Mac isn’t. Over a year, that’s 500 hours of extra productive time.
Apple Silicon also runs builds significantly faster than equivalent Intel/AMD chips for most frontend and backend workloads. A Next.js build that takes 90 seconds on Windows often takes 25 seconds on an M3 Pro. These aren’t benchmarks — they’re from my own machines.
Developer ecosystem: tools that just work
Homebrew is the best package manager for development tools. It doesn’t have an equivalent on Windows. Installing Redis, PostgreSQL, or any CLI tool is one command and done.
XCode + simulator if you ever need to build iOS apps. Native.
Most dev tooling is built by engineers who use Macs. It shows.
Resale value: the real math
A MacBook Pro M3 holds its value unusually well. In 3 years, it resells for 50–60% of the original price. A comparably performing Windows laptop depreciates faster and sells for almost nothing in 3 years. The effective cost gap over 3 years is smaller than the sticker price implies.
Run the math: (purchase price - resale value) / 36 months = your actual monthly cost for the machine.
The financing math vs lost productivity
If you’re an engineer earning a decent rate, the productivity difference between a Mac and a budget Windows laptop likely costs you more in lost time per month than the monthly payment on a MacBook.
I’m not saying borrow money for gadgets. I’m saying: if the choice is between a year of fighting with Windows tooling versus a 12-month payment plan on a Mac — run the numbers honestly.
The takeaway
The Mac advantage for engineers is real and measurable: Unix terminal, battery life, build times, and resale value. It’s a productivity tool. If the budget allows it, treat it like one.
Building something? Follow me on Instagram and Twitter — I document everything.