There is a plethora of dedicated mobile device management (MDM) software that exclusively manages devices running on either one of the OS. Similarly, Apple offers an MDM framework to manage macOS machines.

Organizations purchase System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) for Windows devices. It allows IT teams to enroll and deploy new devices, configure settings remotely, push software updates, manage inventory, and ensure security. Next, a management system is needed for all the machines in an enterprise environment. The essential software required for security and other deployments means an uptick in the operating cost of PCs. Companies must purchase Microsoft Windows and other software separately, including encryption and antivirus software. While Apple computers come with a copy of macOS (free) along with the licenses needed to operate the machines, the same can’t be said for PCs. PCs, on the other hand, are more affordable because OEMs produce laptops with lower-end specs for price-conscious buyers. The cheapest laptop from Apple starts at USD 999 and goes northwards depending on the configurations. Hardware and Essential SoftwareĪ computer’s hardware is the direct cost associated with the TCO. Here the software cost for Macs is higher than for PCs. However, not all users are comfortable using Apple’s built-in apps, so organizations choose to deploy Microsoft Office which natively runs on macOS. Mac comes with productivity apps–Keynote, Pages, and Numbers–right out of the box. They work the same way for PCs as they do for Macs and vendors charge the same irrespective of the platform. This often includes mail accounts, cloud storage, help desk support, expense management, collaboration tools, and other functional services. The cost of a Client Access License (CAL) is the same for Mac and PC.Īfter power, internet, and a license for the directory service, companies will need to license other services for users to do their work. Microsoft’s Active Directory is popular and Macs can be easily bound to its directory services.

Then, organizations will need to connect their computers to a directory for users to connect to the network resources they need for work. The cost is essentially the same for both computer platforms. At the outset, power and internet connectivity must be available.

Base ServicesĮvery computer in an organization needs a set of basic services. IT departments should consider a few factors while calculating the TCO to determine cost efficiency. Total Cost of Ownership Mac vs PC in the Enterprise Mac vs.

Pc vs mac market share