Is Mac or Windows Better For Med School?

If you’re heading to medical school soon, one of the many decisions you’ll need to make is what type of computer to buy. 

The two main options students consider are Windows laptops and MacBooks. But which one is better for medical school – Mac or Windows? 

Today, I’ll compare the pros and cons of using a Mac versus a Windows laptop in med school. 

I’ll also provide specific recommendations to help you choose the best computer for your needs as a future doctor. Let’s begin.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Med School Laptop

Before we discuss the differences between Mac and Windows, let’s first go over some of the key factors you should consider when deciding on a laptop for medical school:

Compatibility with Software Programs

In med school, you’ll need to use various software programs for tasks like taking notes, accessing course materials, studying, and more. You’ll want to ensure your laptop’s hardware and operating system can smoothly run all required and recommended programs.

Battery Life and Portability

You’ll be carrying your laptop to classes and study sessions regularly in med school. That’s why weight and battery life are also important factors. You want your computer to be portable enough to carry without weighing you down. But you also need sufficient battery to last through long days of active use.

Durability and Warranty

Your med school laptop will probably take some bumps and bruises during years of heavy use. Durability is key. You don’t want your laptop breaking early on. A good warranty can provide added protection in case issues do pop up down the road.

Storage Space &  Connectivity

From lecture recordings and notes to textbooks and diagrams, you’ll store a lot of files on your med school laptop. So, get one with ample storage space. Also, make sure your laptop has the right ports for peripherals, including HDMI connections.

Performance and Responsiveness

In med school, you’ll be having multiple programs, windows, and files open at once. Getting a laptop powerful enough to handle all that without lagging is a very important factor.

Mac vs. Windows for Medical School

Now let’s look at some of the major upsides and downsides of using a Mac laptop versus Windows laptops, specifically in the context of medical school:

1. Compatibility

Mac: The majority of essential software that medical students use is available on a Mac OS. For example, note-taking apps like OneNote, and studying tools like Anki have Mac compatibility. 

Windows: Almost all software commonly used in med school is designed to run natively on Windows. 

2. Battery Life and Portability

Mac: One major advantage of MacBooks is their exceptional portability. For example, the MacBook Air weighs just 2.8 pounds and offers up to 18 hours of battery life. And even more powerful options like the 14-inch MacBook Pro still only weigh 3 pounds.

This makes MacBooks easier to transport across campus all day. The lengthy battery runtime also keeps you powered through long classes and study sessions.

Windows: There are many more options in portability and battery stats among Windows laptop models. On the lower end, you have heavier and bulkier machines with battery lives of just a few hours. But many premium options can rival MacBook stats.

For example, the Dell XPS 13 weighs 2.6 pounds and lasts over 12 hours on a charge. And the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 gets up to 19 hours of runtime. 

3. Durability and Warranty

Mac: MacBooks are renowned for their impressive build quality and durability. Features like a unibody aluminum chassis make them extremely resilient to dents and scratches. 

Apple also offers best-in-class support and warranties. Their standard 1-year limited warranty covers manufacturer defects. And you can extend coverage further via AppleCare+ if desired.

Windows: Like battery stats, durability differs substantially among Windows machines depending on what you choose. Many Windows laptops won’t hold up nearly as well as MacBooks over years of active use. But premium options like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop line or Lenovo ThinkPad series compete closely with Apple’s reliability.

Most major PC manufacturers provide at least a 1-year limited warranty too. Just be sure to physically inspect any Windows laptop you’re considering closely before buying.

4. Storage Space

Both MacBooks and Windows laptops offer ample storage space even on base models nowadays. And they all allow expanding storage via external hard drives if needed.

Mac: The current MacBook Air starts at 256GB of SSD storage. And the 14-inch MacBook Pro begins at 512GB. This provides good built-in capacity for the average med student’s needs. 

Windows: Most standard Windows laptop configs now start at 256GB for the main system drive, the same as base MacBooks. Some only include 128GB, which is likely too small. But storage on Windows machines is also nearly universally upgradeable for a price. So you can expand the built-in capacity either at purchase or later on if required.

Recommended Best Med School Laptops

Now that we’ve compared the overall pros and cons of Macs versus Windows PCs for medical school, here are some specific laptop recommendations:

Best Mac: 14-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro

With an excellent balance of portability, battery life, power, and a brilliant display, the 14-inch MacBook Pro stands as my top choice for a med school MacBook if your budget allows. 

The new Apple Silicon M2 Pro processor inside provides game-changing speed and efficiency, handling anything med school throws at it without breaking a sweat. 

The 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR screen strikes the perfect size balance between portability and ample screen real estate.

Best Windows: Dell XPS 13 or Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

For Windows, I recommend either the Dell XPS 13 or Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 without hesitation. Both provide excellent overall packages tailored well for medical school needs:

The Dell XPS 13 remains a benchmark for premium Windows ultrabooks. It crams speedy components into a slim, impeccably crafted chassis without compromising durability. You can configure it with up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD too.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 4 offers incredible portability at just 2.76 pounds. It also provides impeccable build quality and responsiveness inherent to Microsoft devices. Configuration options scale up to an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with integrated Radeon graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.

Either Windows machine will serve med students exceptionally for years. Just choose based on your exact budget and preferences.

Which OS Laptop Do Most Medical Students Use?

According to a recent survey by JAMF, over 70% of students use and prefer to use Mac laptops. However, Windows laptops are a popular choice as well.

What’s Best for Your Situation?

Deciding whether to use Mac or Windows for medical school is an important choice that can highly impact your experience. So, here are a few final tips for choosing the best med school laptop for your situation:

• If you already own other Apple devices like an iPhone or iPad, sticking with a Mac will be a better option. Or if you currently use a Windows PC, upgrading to a Windows laptop may be an easier transition.
• Check if your medical school requires any specific Windows or Mac software that could make the decision for you one way or another.
• Focus on factors like weight, battery stats, storage space, warranty coverage, and overall performance.
• Choose based on your budget, feature needs, and personal preferences. Both Mac and Windows offer great choices.

Final Thoughts

When deciding between Mac versus Windows for medical school, there’s no universally “right” choice. Both Mac and Windows offer great options that can handle the demands of med school. By focusing on factors like battery life, software compatibility, and cost, you can decide which one is best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What specs should I look for in a medical school laptop?

You should prioritize at least 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, 8+ hour battery life, a 13 or 14-inch HD screen, and a lightweight but durable build. 

2. Do I need antivirus software on Mac or Windows?

Windows Defender comes built-in with Windows and provides excellent protection. Macs have a much more strict environment than Windows, so you won’t need any antivirus. 

3. Is buying a refurbished model OK to save money?

As long as the refurb model is from the original manufacturer and comes with at least a 1-year warranty, a refurbished laptop can be a great budget choice.

4. Should I pay extra for extended warranty coverage?

You’ll be heavily relying on your laptop for 4+ years of medical school, extended coverage for up to 3 years can be worth investing in for peace of mind.