Mac or Windows: How an older guy chooses

As someone who has used a Mac for 39 years, I will consider how an 'older guy' should choose a computer, including Windows options.
I will organize my thoughts on how to choose beyond just looking at performance.

A 39-year Mac user
In a previous article, I wrote that I do most of my current work on a Mac.
This time, I will summarize my own thoughts on whether a Mac or Windows is better as a computer for home use.
I have been a Mac user for 39 years.
That does not mean I have only used Macs during this time.
I also use Windows, and I use Linux (a type of OS different from Windows or Mac).
However, because I experienced a major problem with photo management on a Mac in the past, I have used Windows for photo management ever since.

Cost and usage
When an individual chooses a computer for home use, I think the most important thing is not just the price, but 'what you are going to use it for'.
If you are just writing documents or using the internet, you do not need a high-performance computer.
On the other hand, high performance is required for 3D graphics, video editing, and local AI (using AI entirely within your computer).
As far as I know, Windows is the standard for CAD, but a Mac is also perfectly comfortable for video editing and illustration.
Since not many people use CAD at home, I don't think it makes a big difference for most people whether they choose a Mac or Windows.

Computer usage status
I currently personally own three Windows PCs, two Macs, and one Linux machine.
The work I do on a daily basis is mostly creating text and documents.
I do most of that on the desktop Mac mini (M4) I bought at the end of last year.
Of course, that excludes photo management.
The reason I bought this Mac mini was to try out local AI.
However, cloud AI has evolved faster than I imagined, so I rarely use it for that purpose anymore.
Even so, I am very satisfied with its comfort for daily use.

Machine failure
Any machine will eventually break down.
Therefore, you need to consider not only the purchase price but also the maintenance costs when it breaks.
The Mac laptop I was using stopped booting about three years after I bought it.
The repair cost was about the same as the price of a MacBook Neo with a student discount today.
I feel that a weakness of Macs is that they are difficult to repair yourself.
However, there have been some changes recently, such as improvements in the repairability of the Mac mini.
I am watching to see how things change in the future.

My conclusion
So, which is better for an older guy, Mac or Windows?
My answer is, 'It depends on the conditions'.
New Macs are by no means cheap, but I am very satisfied with their performance and comfort.
On the other hand, if a repair is needed, it can be a major expense.
The Windows PCs I currently own are all relatively inexpensive models.
Therefore, they do not match the Mac in processing speed, but Windows has the advantage of having a huge variety of models, making it easy to choose according to your budget.
Also, there is a sense of security in being able to replace parts or repair them yourself if they break.
Recently, the prices of computers and parts have been rising.
That is why I think it is important to consider not just the purchase price, but also how much it will cost if it breaks.
As you get older, the perspective of 'can I use it safely for a long time' and 'can I handle it reasonably if it breaks' becomes more important than just chasing the latest and highest performance.
In the end, there is no right answer between Mac and Windows.
Do you repair it when it breaks, or do you buy a new one?
Do you have the environment and budget to make that choice without strain?
I am prepared to accept either choice in that situation if it breaks.
I think choosing a computer with that kind of mindset leads to choosing a computer that suits you.

Summary
- Both Mac and Windows have their own strengths and weaknesses
- Not only performance, but also maintenance costs and ease of repair are important criteria for judgment
- The important thing is to choose one that fits your usage and budget
- If you want to use it for a long time, you need to consider how to handle it when it breaks
- Now that I am an older guy, I think it is important to choose flexibly according to the situation at the time