Mac versus PC, the age old showdown that could be approached many different ways. Some who have tried to tackle this argument sought to answer the simple question of “which one has the better specs on paper?” While others choose a more complex route consisting of benchmarks and price-to-performance ratios. My approach will be a simple one: Which computer should the average college student buy? As an owner of both a Mac and a PC, I’ll try to be as unbiased as possible.

What I mean by “the average college student” is someone that mainly wants to use their machine for school purposes and maybe a few “extracurricular activities” (ie: word processing, internet browsing and the occasional Netflix binge). To keep things simple, I will only be including laptops. Tablets and desktop machines have their callings, but in my opinion school is not one of them. Nothing combines the portability of a small screen with the comfort of a physical keyboard quite like a laptop. For both Mac and PC, I have gathered two laptops that I believe are perfect for college use. One will be on the lower end of the budget (under $1,000) and the other will be a little more expensive (over $1,000). Nothing too pricey though, we are still debt-ridden college students after all!

In the red corner, we have team PC. For the under $1,000 category, I have selected the Dell XPS9250. This laptop has many great features for school use. At 2.8 pounds with a 12.5 inch touchscreen, this $550 powerhouse is great for note taking in class. It also has a solid state drive, so uploading files is a breeze. As for video streaming, the Dell boasts a 6.75 hour battery life and a detachable keyboard for the most comfortable watching experience. For the more expensive PC option, I have recommended the LG gram Touch. At $1,699, this laptop is well equipped for almost any task. The Intel i7 processor and 15 inch touchscreen make this a perfect option for multitasking. Perhaps writing a paper while watching Shameless is your type of multitasking, this laptop would be perfect for you. With a 13 hour battery life and a weight of only 2.4 pounds, the LG gram has the features to boost your productivity.

In the blue corner, we have team Mac. The under $1,000 laptop is the 13 inch MacBook Air. At $999, it just fits into this price bracket. However, the famous Apple build quality and features of this machine make it worth every penny. The Intel i5 processor and aluminum body are definitely upgrades from the Dell. The i5 with an ultra fast solid state drive is a pair that is tough to beat and great for school. The $2399 15 inch MacBook Pro is one of the best looking laptops on the market. With the new touchbar to help make tasks easier and faster, this laptop is years ahead of any other laptop. The Intel i7 processor and 16gb of RAM make this machine a total powerhouse, although at a premium price. Both of Apple’s offerings would be perfect for school and years beyond.

So, the answer to the ageless question of “Mac or PC?”. Even though I hate to say it, all four of these laptops would be excellent choices. It all comes down to your priorities.Whether you value build quality, features, or price, any of these laptops would make a great machine for school. My personal choice, however, would be the LG gram. With many great options on the market, it’s hard to go wrong with a laptop these days. But with a little research, you can find your perfect laptop and answer the question of “Mac or PC?”. Links to each laptop are below:

LG gram:

http://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-gram-15Z960-TAA75U1-ultra-slim-laptop

Dell XPS9250: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-XPS9250-1827-Touchscreen-Laptop-Intel/dp/B017XPPB3K

MacBook Pro 15 inch:

http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MLH32LL/A&step=config

MacBook Air 13 inch:

http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air?product=MMGF2LL/A&step=config