New Hardware - Change to Apple / Stick to Windows?

[Dan_1981]

After some views on this if people fancy weighing in, would prefer it not to become a typical Apple vs The others thread but realise this may be difficult with the topic matter!

Current Windows based PC is now 7 years old, its old, outdated and pretty slow. Its also taking up rather alot of space in the spare room.

So the intention is to in the next couple of month upgrade and replace.

We use the system mainly for web browsing, some basic spreadsheeting, I play a few basic games - Champ Manger etc but this is not very common. I also do quite a bit of photo editing, mainly using Elements - no video work however. So nothing too intensive really.

Could probably fulfil all these requirements with a reasonably middle of the range laptop.

However I keep being tempted to change to Apple and go for something from them. Both wife and I used Iphones and are unlikely to change.

But i've never used an Apple system so am unsure what level of tech we'd need.

So what would you go for?

Windows based Laptop?
Apple Laptop?
Imac?

Way behind on spec so am unsure what is available and what we'll need - would like some future proofing as don't intend to upgrade again for at least 5 years or so.

Understand solid state hard drive is a nice to have.
Currently have several external hard drives for photography back up - would these work OK with an Apple product?

So what should I buy?

[Dan_1981]

Agree that selecting a system as I own an iphone seems a little extreme!

Budget is flexible and I realise the price differential is quite large between all the options.

How much would I need to spend on Apple kit to be happy that I could do what I want for the next 4 / 5 years or so?

[Dan_1981]

So can I get away with a Macbook air or do I need to go for a pro?

Say budget is a slightly flexible £1000 give or take a couple of hundred

[Dan_1981]

Thanks all.

With regard to laptop / desktop I would prefer a desktop however the office space is being reallocated!

I'm trying to find a space to squeeze one in but it's looking more and more likely that it'll have to be a laptop.

Which makes me think it'll have to be 15"?

[Dan_1981]

3 months down the line and still haven't made a decision.

PC is on the verge of dying.


May possibly have managed to work in space for a desktop version of whatever I choose.


Sooooooo

If I was to go for Windows based / PC system what sort of spec do I need to be looking at these days? Need some future proofing - don't tend to upgrade anymore often than once every 5 years or so.

And if I was to go Apple, are the specs comparable in terms of processor speeds and so on?

[Dan_1981]

Lets not get caught up on the gaming side of things - its definitely a minority activity, and really could be limited to Football Manager

I'm more concerned with having a spec that'll serve me well for a good 5 years, which I'm willing to spend more in the first place.

[Dan_1981]

Having a hunt around if I want to go Mac I have to go MBP to get a 15" screen (wouldn't want to go smaller) and would need to spend around £1500

A similar spec / feel laptop is gonna set me back a similar amount - thinking Yoga pro or a Zenbook or similar. So again £13 - 1500

If I go desktop then I can spec up a PC for far cheaper than what seems to be the equivalent Mac.

.

[Dan_1981]

Apple have updated their refurb store and even the 27" Mac is now looking attractive

I don't suppose there is anyway to combine both the education discount and also buy via refurb?

[Dan_1981]

Nope a quick google would reveal you can't.