TIME TO READ: 7 MINUTES
With a headline like that, you might think we are going to dump on Macs in this article. No—Apple devices work well for their intended purposes, such as basic computer work, visual design, and video editing.
What we are pointing out is that when used as PC replacements, they can & often do cause unique support issues. Why?
Apple built Macs for individual ownership, not to be part of a business network. This doesn’t mean you can't use Macs in business—we have many customers that do. However, if you want to use Macs in your environment, you need to know some crucial
differences.
We asked PlanetMagpie's Support Engineers for the issues they run into on a day-to-day basis supporting Macs in business environments. Here is what they had to say.
8 Issues with Macs in Business Environments
1. Networking Problems
Macs do not cooperate well with office networks. We can join them to the network, but we cannot enforce password policies consistently.
Macs do not like cooperating with Group Policy Objects from a Windows Server either, and this forces network administrators to make an awkward choice. Do you...
- Sacrifice granular control of your network (elevating your risk of malware infections), OR
- Maintain two sets of Group Policies, one for Windows PCs, and one for Macs.
To make things worse, these networking issues can interfere with SOX compliance, costing thousands in extra regulatory steps and documentation.
2. Third-Party Backup Disruptions
This is arguably the most important issue. A third-party backup system requires full disk access to the machine. Macs will not give this access unless you physically enable it on each computer.
That permission doesn't last either. OS upgrades can undo third-party permissions, which means you have to re-grant the permission manually to re-enable backups.
iCloud can serve as a full-disk backup for Macs, of course. However, you do not control where the backup resides, nor can you maintain a local copy.
3. Extra Cybersecurity Steps
It is no more difficult to secure a Mac than it is a PC; however, the methods differ. You will need to make more network-level changes to effectively protect your Macs.
Software is also a concern. Macs and PCs do not have all the same options when it comes to antivirus/antimalware solutions. If you have a mixed environment, use caution when selecting your EDR to make sure it supports both Macs and Windows.
4. Incompatibility with Third-Party Cloud Apps (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
Major financial cloud services have all sorts of problems when supporting Macs.
For instance, we have logged dozens of issues with SAP from multiple Mac customers over the years. The problem is not SAP; it works fine when accessed on a Windows computer. Access it through a Mac—even though it is a cloud service—and you
can experience daily issues performing basic tasks. Like printing!
5. QuickBooks Errors
Every accountant has a QuickBooks horror story. Mostly in the form of printing, exports to Excel, and data loss.
What triggers them? Version incompatibility. The Mac version of QuickBooks is one version behind. We can overcome this incompatibility, but it takes additional support time.
6. PC/Mac UX Differences
The UX is totally different between a PC and a Mac. If you are an all-Mac shop, and you hire a PC user, expect additional support time. Users will suddenly have a learning curve on basic computer use, even after years of productive work. For instance,
a new Mac user will ask, "How do I right click? Why can't I backspace and erase content? Where is everything?!"
Of course, the learning curve exists for users moving from a Mac to a PC as well. Best advice here—stick with the computer platform most used in your industry and make rare exceptions.
7. MS Office Headaches
The Mac version of Office is one full version behind the Windows version. This is even true today, with Microsoft 365. We see more customer frustration on the Office issue than any other.
A user switches from a PC to a Mac, loads Office, and everything is different. The Excel keyboard shortcuts do not work anymore. Accounting processes need to change.
In the Spring of 2024, Apple's newest OS update caused issues with sending and receiving email through Outlook. Customers would think their email sent, only to find out no one received it later. We had to roll them back to the previous Outlook version
until Apple released a patch.
8. Lock-In with Apple Ecosystem
Apple's ecosystem is tightly controlled, aiming to lock businesses into using only Apple products/services. Its proprietary nature limits compatibility with third-party solutions, forcing companies to purchase Apple-certified accessories, AppleCare repair
services, and exclusive software (that's more expensive). The lack of flexibility in hardware choices, and the fact that the hardware is not as configurable as a PC, can raise operational costs over time.
Even Higher Support Costs: Mac/PC Mixed Environments
We haven’t even touched on the challenges involved in supporting Macs alongside PCs in a mixed environment. Check out our article on standardizing your IT environment for more information.
Who Should Use a Mac at Work, and Who Should Not
In general, this is what we recommend when a customer asks for Macs:
If it is a C-suite executive or a high-level manager and they prefer a Mac, a Mac will work. Viewing reports, using email, basics apps...Macs will perform.
If they work in Graphic Design, Web Design, or Video Editing, absolutely use a Mac! Macs have an extremely tight integration between hardware and creative software, making them often the first choice for creative professionals. For example, Final
Cut Pro is only available on Mac and is built specifically for their processor.
If they work in Finance or Development, we suggest a Windows machine. These roles require a hardworking computer that runs complex software all day, every day. You can also easily add additional RAM or a bigger hard drive to a Windows machine
when needed.
Best Advice: Use a Mac as a Mac
While having Macs in your environment will increase your support costs, there are other types of costs to consider, like user productivity. Make the best choice for your business, whether that be Macs, PCs, or a mixed environment. Whatever you choose,
we will be there to support you.
Have you ever switched from a PC to a Mac on the job? Send us your experiences at woof@planetmagpie.com!
UPDATED OCTOBER 2024