When it comes to trading, any advantage one can get is beneficial, especially when considering the technology that’s used. And given the current computing industry environment, which is highly polarized between Mac and Windows PC, the question of which one would be best suited for trading will inevitably arise.
Between Mac vs. PC for trading—day trading or otherwise—PCs are generally the better choice simply because most trading software caters to Windows PCs. However, if you prefer a Mac, you can still trade effectively by installing Windows readers to access PC-catered software.
In this article, I’ll take you through the main reasons why PCs are generally favored among scalp, day, swing, as well as position traders. For those better accustomed to Macs (and prefer to continue using them), I’ll also go through the advantages Macs can offer in trading and how you can use them to compete with PC users efficiently.
IMPORTANT SIDENOTE: I surveyed 1500+ traders to understand how social trading impacted their trading outcomes. The results shocked my belief system! Read my latest article: ‘Exploring Social Trading: Community, Profit, and Collaboration’ for my in-depth findings through the data collected from this survey!
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Advantages of Windows PC Over Mac in Trading
Starting out in the trading business can be rather intimidating, and many young traders seek to gain every advantage possible to increase their chances of succeeding in such a challenging market. One commonly considered advantage is operating from a device that’s best suited to the trading process and its specific software.
When it comes to all trading strategies, using a Windows PC is usually better, as it has several clear advantages over using a Mac.
PCs Are More Compatible With Trading Platforms and Software
The first, and most important advantage of Windows PC over Mac in trading is its compatibility with every central trading platform. Consequently, most support systems are also catered to PCs. As most of their apps and software are designed with PCs in mind, choosing Windows over Apple allows you to avoid that extra work Mac users have to put into making their device compatible with a platform.
Better compatibility also plays into PCs’ better functionality which, overall, makes the trading process easier.
For that reason, the majority of traders lean towards Windows as the default device when choosing an ideal system. This means that many instructions and informational support systems are built with PC users in mind, making it easier for them to reach out to the community and find information suitable to them.
PCs Are More Customizable and Versatile
Windows PCs are also more customizable and versatile in general, meaning you can tailor the device to serve your needs best. While Macs come with a central source for apps, drivers, and programs that users can download, PCs offer you limitless possibilities in customization, which, in turn, make your device a better fit for your specific purpose.
Still, given that most apps and software are natively supported on PC, it’ll give you a lot more choice in your trading decisions, as well as flexibility. Having this variety in choice allows you to better compare assets and market conditions and make better-informed investments that have a better chance of yielding satisfactory returns.
PCs Are More Affordable and an Overall Better Value
Another significant advantage of using a PC is the cost. Given that a Mac usually costs over double the price of a standard PC, it’s no mystery why many young traders would gravitate towards the latter. Not to mention the fact that most professionals tend to have several coordinated devices for trading, making the cost of going for Macs even more unjustifiable.
Overall, when it comes to trading, a PC offers better value than a Mac. Choosing a Windows device gives you a more compatible and flexible system for almost half the price. Although Mac has its own advantages (which we’ll discuss below), if you don’t have any strong pre-set preferences, then going for a PC would be the best choice.
Reasons Why a Mac Might Be Better Than a PC for Trading
If you’re more accustomed to using a Mac, it can be made to be better for trading by prioritizing reliability, speed, usability, and customer support over platform compatibility and overall value.
Indeed, one of the most significant advantages Mac has over PC is its reliability, and this is because the macOS infrastructure is noticeably more stable than its PC counterpart. In general, it works better over a more extended period of time and generally faces fewer bugs, security, and operational issues.
The system’s stability and reliability often come at a proportionate price premium, but more often than not, the hefty price tag is justified by the device’s quality.
By comparison, Windows PCs slow down more over time due to their constant software and program updates, while Macs retain their speed and agility better. As marginal as it may be, this difference in speed is often crucial in trading. In many instances, it only takes a minute— sometimes, only a second— to make all the difference between profit and loss.
Overall, Macs are generally easier to use. They involve some very basic or even no setup, and they don’t require additional software and programs. As it were, this quality will hinder your customization possibilities, but if a simple setup process is crucial to you, Mac would be the way to go.
Not to go unnoticed, customer support and overall community feel is a space where Apple reigns unchallenged. Compared to other companies similar in size, Apple may have the best customer support feedback out of all of them. They also nurture a solid community feel, and if this aspect is of high importance for you, choosing a Mac might be your best choice.
How To Make Mac More Compatible With Trading Platforms?
As demonstrated, you can succeed in trading even if you’re adamant about using a Mac due to its reliability and usability.
If you don’t mind the limited selection of platforms that Mac offers, you can simply go ahead and use your device as is. But if you’d like to make your device more efficient in trading, I suggest giving these methods a try, as they can notably increase your chances of choosing successful investments.
One of the most used techniques is making your Mac device more compatible with trading platforms, which, as mentioned, are designed with the Windows system in mind. This approach provides access to information and programs catered to both systems.
Although it seems like an ideal solution, this approach adds to the complexity of the process and raises your initial costs of getting started as a trader. When making a decision on the best device to buy for your goals, these added costs should be taken into account carefully, as operating using a Mac comes with a hefty price tag to start.
You can make your Mac more compatible with trading platforms by downloading software, such as Boot Camp or VirtualBox, to permit the use of Windows applications on your device.
By using this approach, you can access every single major platform and investment, which allows you to optimize your trading process and increase your chances of making successful market decisions.
Author’s Recommendations: Top Trading and Investment Resources To Consider
Before concluding this article, I wanted to share few trading and investment resources that I have vetted, with the help of 50+ consistently profitable traders, for you. I am confident that you will greatly benefit in your trading journey by considering one or more of these resources.
- Roadmap to Becoming a Consistently Profitable Trader: I surveyed 5000+ traders (and interviewed 50+ profitable traders) to create the best possible step by step trading guide for you. Read my article: ‘7 Proven Steps To Profitable Trading’ to learn about my findings from surveying 5000+ traders, and to learn how these learnings can be leveraged to your advantage.
- Best Broker For Trading Success: I reviewed 15+ brokers and discussed my findings with 50+ consistently profitable traders. Post all that assessment, the best all round broker that our collective minds picked was M1 Finance. If you are looking to open a brokerage account, choose M1 Finance. You just cannot go wrong with it! Click Here To Sign Up for M1 Finance Today!
- Best Trading Courses You Can Take For Free (or at extremely low cost): I reviewed 30+ trading courses to recommend you the best resource, and found Trading Strategies in Emerging Markets Specialization on Coursera to beat every other course on the market. Plus, if you complete this course within 7 days, it will cost you nothing and will be absolutely free! Click Here To Sign Up Today! (If you don’t find this course valuable, you can cancel anytime within the 7 days trial period and pay nothing.)
- Best Passive Investment Platform For Exponential (Potentially) Returns: By enabling passive investments into a Bitcoin ETF, Acorns gives you the best opportunity to make exponential returns on your passive investments. Plus, Acorns is currently offering a $15 bonus for simply singing up to their platform – so that is one opportunity you don’t want to miss! (assuming you are interested in this platform). Click Here To Get $15 Bonus By Signing Up For Acorns Today! (It will take you less than 5 mins to sign up, and it is totally worth it.)
Conclusion
When it comes to trading, a PC would be the best choice for most investors, as it has better compatibility with major trading platforms and offers better performance at a lower price in general. Using a PC also allows you to find information and communities better catered to you, which in turn helps you to make informed decisions that increase your chances of making successful investments.
Still, having said that, if your budget allows and you strongly prefer its reliability and usability, a Mac could be the better choice for you.
BEFORE YOU GO: Don’t forget to check out my latest article – ‘Exploring Social Trading: Community, Profit, and Collaboration’. I surveyed 1500+ traders to identify the impact social trading can have on your trading performance, and shared all my findings in this article. No matter where you are in your trading journey today, I am confident that you will find this article helpful!
Affiliate Disclosure: We participate in several affiliate programs and may be compensated if you make a purchase using our referral link, at no additional cost to you. You can, however, trust the integrity of our recommendation. Affiliate programs exist even for products that we are not recommending. We only choose to recommend you the products that we actually believe in.
