# Help Choosing between Macbook or Windows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Suggest a Laptop\ **Created:** [September 5, 2026, 1:45am UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/help-choosing-between-macbook-or-windows/608 "2026-09-05T01:45:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bobthebuilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobthebuilder](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/bobthebuilder)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 1:45am UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/help-choosing-between-macbook-or-windows/608/1 "2026-09-05T01:45:18Z")
Hello guys, I’m trying to navigate the current market for a laptop and would like more confirmation for my purchase on bang for buck due to how price inflated everything is. Some context would be that my budget is around 1800$, I’m trying to use this as a secondary / primary laptop for both school work and AI creation. Nothing serious regarding towards running local LLMs atm as I will explore that path later on. Video generation & Coding agents from AI might be the most intense task that I will output to it. I want to keep this for 4+ years as I want to bring this into the workforce alongside schooling. I might do SQL / maybe coding in the future but it’s uncertain currently. So not super Code heavy / Soildwork type of workload. I found some deals through a third-party that seems legit, my friend has purchased Macbooks from them before and didn’t have any issues afterwards. So I’m list Macbooks here only. As is: Macbook M3 Max 32gb / 1tb = 1900$ Macbook Pro M1 16gb / 1tb (with touch bar on keyboard) = 600 $ Macbook Pro M5 24gb / 1tb (without nano, not sure if it does anything) = 1,869.00 Macbook Pro M4 24gb / 512gb = $2,199.99 (1979 for open box) I had a previous laptop that ran windows with 16gb with 512gb of storage. The storage space didn’t feel plentiful due to gaming applications that I ran alongside chromium. But I still feel 512gb storage won’t last me more than 2 years of school work alongside work so I’m leaning towards 1TB of storage at least. I know that lot of people stated that RAM is important but I have found high and low within Reddit that 24gb RAM should be enough even for Video editing on the Medium load. So I’m not sure if 32GB is necessary or not in this case. Should I just opt for the 24gb of RAM? My windows laptop usually ran on 85%+ on 16 GB without games so I know 16gb is out of the questions if I want to incorporate AI into my workload. Just in case I need to keep applications open and AI constantly running in the background. Not sure if I’ve miss any other factors that I should state but I would also be open to alternatives than Macbooks if anyone would have any better suggestions. Mainly I wanted this to be portable as carrying a Windows is pretty heavy and not very battery friendly as I need to keep it plugged in mostly before. So portable with Battery life is another factor here, not really for travel per say. Like I said on the topic, would a Windows make more sense here or a Macbook? I feel like in terms of RAM, Apple is better prices or what should I pick here? Since I have a primary machine already that runs on Windows but is lacking in storage and RAM a bit. Thanks guys ---
**Author:** ![NoobiePro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.bestlaptop.deals/noobiepro/32/497_2.png) [@NoobiePro](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/NoobiePro)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/help-choosing-between-macbook-or-windows/608/2 "2026-09-08T02:18:11Z")
As for ur use case, u mentioned bringing this laptop into the workforce, so I would opt for 32gb of ram, 1tb storage seems ideal for u and I would suggest getting a LOQ 15 2026, the Panther Lake chips give incredible battery life and the CUDA cores in the GPU makes it really good for AI workloads, but if ur okay with macOS and u have done ur research on what apps u use will run well on Macbooks, the M3 Max that u mentioned is a really great deal as well. I would preferably go for Windows options with Nvidia GPUs for those CUDA cores honestly but if u care a lot about build quality, not worry about Windows updates and just have a clean software overall then Macs are better ---
**Author:** ![Wist\_Immortal](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.bestlaptop.deals/wist_immortal/32/562_2.png) [@Wist\_Immortal](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/Wist_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/help-choosing-between-macbook-or-windows/608/3 "2026-09-08T11:31:38Z")
The main thing about MacOS is application compatibility, as noted by prior user. 24GB of RAM should be sufficient; unified memory can’t make up for quantity of memory, but it does help. I think you’re right on the money with 1TB of storage space; that’s what I would recommend to any standard student if possible today. Keep in mind that gaming on mac is more limited although things like Crossover exist. I think overall the M5 24GB 1TB is what I’d go with. The nano-texture display just combats reflections (ie bright-lights, sunlight on a bright day) – the trade off is that the screen is noticeably grainy in lower reflection environments. I think it’s best to go with the regular, glossy display unless you expect to be working outside often, and also just because the Mini-LED screens are very bright to begin with. I would definitely recommend trying a Macbook out if possible. ---
**Author:** ![bobthebuilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobthebuilder](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/bobthebuilder)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/help-choosing-between-macbook-or-windows/608/4 "2026-09-10T00:40:55Z")
Thanks for replying! I went online and search around for the LOQ 15 and seemed like the Panther Lake chips are only Ultra 7 365H (16 cores) & Ultra 7 355 (8 cores), correct? I don’t seem to see any deals lower than 2000$ I believe? If you are able to, could you link some sites that has stock available? I would appreciate it. If the price range is around 2100$, would there be any other alternatives you would suggest also? The Macbook Compatibility Issue might not arise since I already have another machine, but I believe it should be sufficient for me currently since I’m not sure what other application I shall use. But I believe having a more portable option is key currently in my situation. I also got offered an M1 Max, 32GB, 1TB = ~1300$ (Slightly used). Would this top the M3 Max? ---
**Author:** ![Wist\_Immortal](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.bestlaptop.deals/wist_immortal/32/562_2.png) [@Wist\_Immortal](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/u/Wist_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 10:29am UTC](https://community.bestlaptop.deals/t/help-choosing-between-macbook-or-windows/608/5 "2026-09-10T10:29:59Z")
I don’t have time to look around right now unfortunately. The M3, M4 & M5 machines are significantly stronger than the M1 & M2, let alone an M3 Max.