When purchasing a dependable work laptop for your business needs, the choice between a Mac or a Windows PC takes on even more importance than with a home computer. Considering your productivity and living are at stake, you do not want to take chances and use a less than optimal machine. But which computer best suits your work requirements and gives you the tools to accomplish work-related tasks most effectively? Both models have advantages and disadvantages that you'll need to take into consideration before making a final decision. The major factors are cost, replacement time, and software requirements, as well as corporate network compatibility

A generic, non-Apple PC will typically come equipped with Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 7. Since its introduction, Windows 7 has received consistently high marks for dependability and a noticeable absence of major bugs. It's fast, smooth and supports a ridiculous amount of software, both free and proprietary. Whether it's software for accounting, multitasking, productivity, presentation or desktop publishing, there's an application out there that will be specifically designed for the Windows environment. If you're constantly in need of the latest and greatest hardware, PCs are cheaper so you can replace them more often, reselling used equipment while it's still marketable. In addition, if your company has competent IT Professionals on staff that are well versed in PC trouble shooting and repair, it makes sense to choose a PC.

Macs are undeniably more expensive, but come with generally better internal hardware. When you do a little digging, you'll find that a Macbook Pro comes with the latest chipsets, processors and high speed RAM as well as Graphics Cards. Although Macs may initially cost more than a PC, the long term expenses of Mac ownership can sometimes be lower. Since Macs typically ship with better than average components, they remain viable for a longer period before obsolescence sets in. Also, technical support and warranties are generally better with Apple products, which can save you a lot of money down the line. Many Mac laptops are still in use five years after being purchased, which is an eternity in the technology world.

The bottom line is that either platform is equally suitable for business use, depending on your specific requirements. Software has reached a point where the range of applications for both Mac OS X or Windows ensures that there is a tool out there for any project or job that you may be working on. If you're a freelance graphic designer, a Mac would probably be a better fit for you. But absolutely both the Mac and the PC can run any operating system as well as most software one way or another. Your decision should be made with your own preferences in mind, as both choices allow you to accomplish any business related tasks that your work entails.