But even though MacBooks are quite capable machines, they are not without their drawbacks compared to Windows laptops. The first – and most important – trade-off is price. MacBooks are undeniably expensive.
And for that price, you could get an equivalent, if not better, Windows laptop. MacBooks have additional drawbacks, both hardware and software. Before you buy one, it’s important to know what these drawbacks are and how they might affect your daily use of the laptop.
Some apps cannot work on MacBooks.
With macOS and Windows being two of the leading laptop operating systems, many consumer applications, such as Slack, Chrome, and Microsoft Word, are readily available on either platform. You will generally have no difficulty installing these applications and using them as intended. This means that for casual users who rely primarily on popular desktop apps or web apps, MacBooks can be just as good as Windows laptops in terms of software support. But for gamers and power users, it’s a completely different story.
Some games don’t have a macOS equivalent, so you can’t install and play them directly on a MacBook. The biggest example is Valorant, which can only run on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, and Hogwarts Legacy also don’t support macOS.
If you’re an engineer or create CAD and 3D designs, you’ll also be at a disadvantage with a MacBook. Major design software like SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor are exclusive to Windows, forcing you to rely on less powerful alternatives. The same goes for users of niche applications like Microsoft Access and Microsoft Project. Many Microsoft apps support macOS, but not Access and Project.
In addition to being completely incompatible with apps, macOS versions of some apps may offer fewer advanced features. Take AutoCAD, for example. Not all Windows features, including Design Center, multiple windows, and rendering, are available on macOS.
MacBooks have limited ports.
Unlike many Windows laptops, MacBooks lack two traditional ports: USB-A and Ethernet. USB-A ports are the primary way to connect a USB mouse, printer, or desk fan to your device. The Ethernet port, on the other hand, lets you use wired Internet on laptops, which is generally faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. MacBooks also don’t include a Kensington slot — the hole on the side of the laptop that looks like a port but isn’t. While this won’t affect performance, it’s important for security.
To get around this MacBook limitation, you’ll need to purchase a separate USB-C hub. This allows you to plug in more types of devices while using just one port on your MacBook. There are many USB-C hub options on the market, such as the Anker 6-in-1 USB-C Hub or the Ugreen Revodok 6-in-1 USB-C Hub. When choosing one, find a model that has all the ports you regularly use.
MacBook models have the same physical design.
To the untrained eye, the MacBook Pro, Air, and Neo may all look the same at first glance. All three models generally have a similar physical design and hardware construction. This makes them great for general use cases, but in terms of variety and specialization, they are not as flexible. The MacBook Pro is the largest of the three, with its wide screen and thicker chassis. The Air, as its name suggests, is lighter, noticeably thinner, and smaller than the Pro. The Neo, on the other hand, is slightly smaller than the Air and comes in different colors, such as Citrus and Blush, which are not available on the other models.
In comparison, Windows laptops, even from the same brand, come with a wide range of hardware options and designs. If you want something lightweight yet powerful, you can opt for an ultrabook. They are generally thin, but they work well enough to meet your daily productivity needs. If you like gaming, you would want a gaming laptop.
They usually feature a sleek design, cooling systems, and a high-resolution screen, though they are heavier than usual. If you like the portability of tablets but need all the computing power of laptops, a 2-in-1 laptop is for you. They feature a touchscreen that typically supports a stylus and can be folded into a tablet or removed from the keyboard altogether.
There are also business laptops with professional-grade durability and sophisticated security features, as well as rugged laptops designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. This wider range of laptop types allows you to choose one that better suits your personal and professional needs.
You can’t upgrade a MacBook.
To avoid this huge RAM problem when purchasing your next laptop, you might be better off using a Windows device instead. Some of the latest Windows models come with removable RAM and storage, especially gaming laptops like the Alienware 16 Area-51 and ROG Strix G16 2025, as well as business laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6. If you insist on using a MacBook, its non-upgradability is a drawback to consider before heading to the Apple Store.
It’s best to think very carefully about what RAM and storage levels to use. If you’re a casual user and don’t plan to use the MacBook for demanding applications, the base RAM configurations – 8GB on the Neo and 16GB on the Air and Pro – should be sufficient. If you plan to edit photos and videos, stream, and play games, aim for at least 32GB. For storage, you could probably get by on the lowest tier and move some of your files to the cloud.
