71% of College Students Prefer Macs Over PCs According to Jamf Survey

Students pursuing higher education prefer to use Macs over PCs, according to new data shared today by Apple device management company Jamf.

71 percent of students surveyed said they would either use a Mac or prefer to use a Mac if cost were not a consideration. At the current time, of those students, 40 percent use a Mac and 60 percent use a PC. 51 percent of current PC users would rather be using a Mac.

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70 percent of students surveyed said they would choose or stay with an organization that offered a choice between Mac and PC. 78 percent of students said that it's important for employers to offer their employees a choice between PC and Mac.

Students who said they preferred Mac over PCs offered up several different reasons. 59 percent cited ease of use, 57 percent cited durability, and 49 cited synchronization over other devices. 64 percent said they "like the brand," while 60 percent preferred the style and design of the Mac.

Among those who said they preferred PCs, the only dominant factor in the decision was price.

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43 percent of students using a PC said that the Mac provides the greatest value despite its higher price point, while 80 percent of Mac users said that the Mac offers a better value. 83 percent of students currently using a Mac said they want to continue using Macs in their workplaces.

"Employers are looking for top talent in a competitive job market. Providing workers with the tools they know and love is a key way to attract, retain and empower them to be their most productive," said Dean Hager, CEO, Jamf. "The next generation of job seekers wants their tech to just work so that they can focus on their job. They see Mac as more modern, intuitive and reliable - and would like to continue to use it as they launch their careers."

Jamf's survey, conducted by Vanson Bourne, is based on responses from 2,244 current college and university students across five countries.

Top Rated Comments

BarredOwl Avatar
63 months ago
If only Apple loved the Mac as much as their long-time customers...
Score: 74 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TwoBytes Avatar
63 months ago
A survey conducted by a company that makes mac only software. I'm sure there is no bias in this at all...
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
satchmo Avatar
63 months ago
A large number of those 71% will be greatly disappointed when they enter the real world.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Moonjumper Avatar
63 months ago
Where is the option for "Use Mac but prefer PC"? It should be there for accuracy. There are people that crazy!
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
63 months ago
Users have loved the Mac for decades. I came to Apple because of the Mac, and I hope I won't have to leave because of the Mac. It's Apple that's turned it into a shadow of its former self, and still the Mac brand is persevering.

I hope there will be a reversal. But after years of fruitlessly waiting for Tim to deliver his fantastical "pipeline", the hope is gone dry. The only thing that keeps OSX alive in the minds of users is that despite their great strides, Windows is still a worse experience in comparison.

As it is, I cannot recommend in good conscience a Mac to anyone.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
63 months ago
Rightfully so.

MacOS is the superior OS. :)

However, it is as I suspected: Brand cachet is no. 1
I don’t see how MacOS is superior, maybe in usability but that’s about it.

I am in Engineering and in my field Windows and Linux distros are the best options. I don’t know what the people in this survey study but I can’t use MacOS for all my professional needs.

If gaming is within your likes, you also need Windows.

It is the same when I read that “iPad” replaced their computer... what the F?... I love my iPad but it is miles away from replacing a computer, not even for web browsing.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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