Mac vs. PC Comparison Guide: Which One Should You Select for Your Practice?

How to Pick the Computer System That Supports Long-Term Growth

Key Takeaways

• Macs often last longer and need fewer repairs; PCs usually cost less upfront but may need more replacements.
• Macs have strong built-in security; PCs offer broader software compatibility but require more upkeep.
• Tops on Mac delivers orthodontic software with the stability, security, and efficiency for smooth daily operations.

Mac or PC? Every orthodontic practice has to decide, and the choice rarely feels simple. You’re balancing budgets against performance, convenience against security, and today’s needs against tomorrow’s growth. Pick wrong, and you could be stuck with mounting costs or a system that can’t keep up with your team.

To help you decide, we’ve narrowed down four key factors that matter most in an orthodontic system: cost, security, speed, and reliability. But first, it helps to understand what sets a Mac apart from a PC.

What’s the Difference Between a Mac and a PC?

While both can perform the same basic tasks, “Mac” and “PC” describe two different approaches to building a computer. A Mac is the product of one company (Apple), which designs both the hardware and the macOS operating system to work as a single, integrated system.

A PC generally refers to a computer running Microsoft Windows, where the operating system is made by Microsoft, but the hardware comes from many possible manufacturers. This difference in control over design and components affects everything from compatibility and customization to security, support, and long-term performance.

We’ll start with the factor most practices want to understand first: cost.

1. Cost: What You Pay vs. What It Costs You

It’s easy to look at a PC’s price tag and feel like you’re saving money. For a new or growing practice, that lower upfront cost can be tempting. But the real number you should care about is what the hardware costs you over its lifetime.

For example, orthodontists who move from a PC-based system to Tops on Mac hardware often find the math looks very different over time. What seemed like a bigger upfront investment turns into measurable yearly savings.

“It will pay for itself a few times over. Sorry, PC. I did the math.”
— Dr. Tom Olson, Olson Orthodontics

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“Conservatively, we’re reducing our expenses between $10,200 and $14,500 per year.”
— Dr. William Neale, Neale Orthodontics

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Mac Cost Pros vs. Cons

PC Cost Pros vs. Cons

Maximize Savings with Tops TotalPackage

With Tops TotalPackage, you can equip your practice with Apple hardware without a big upfront bill. Macs, iPads, and accessories come in one low monthly payment, making it easy to upgrade without straining your budget.

• Refresh your hardware every 3 years by sending back the old and getting the latest models
• AppleCare+ covers repairs, so you avoid most unexpected costs
• Genuine Apple products, ready to run Tops like any other Mac app: fast, reliable, secure

One predictable payment covers your practice management software and the hardware it runs on, keeping budgets clear of surprise IT invoices.

2. Security: Guarding Your Data, Your Patients, and Your Reputation

Orthodontic practices handle highly sensitive health and payment data, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. In 2024, the FBI warned the American Dental Association (ADA) about a credible threat aimed at oral and maxillofacial surgeons, with the likelihood it could spread to other dental specialists.  

Just months later, Westend Dental paid a $350,000 settlement after a ransomware attack exposed patient data and violated HIPAA rules. It’s a clear reminder that even a single breach can cost your practice hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Mac Security Pros vs. Cons

PC Security Pros vs. Cons

How Tops Can Lower Your IT Costs

Because Tops on Mac runs natively, you don’t have to worry about remote desktop lag and the constant patching that comes with third-party tools. Overnight updates keep your system current without taking time away from patients.

And by integrating imaging directly into the patient chart, Tops eliminates the need for extra software, separate licenses, and additional hardware. This streamlines logins and vendor management, reduces points of failure, and keeps IT calls and support costs low.

3. Speed: How Quickly You Can Get from Click to Care

When your system slows down, so does your entire day. Charting takes longer, images load more slowly, and appointments start to run behind. By the time the last patient leaves, those small delays have stacked into hours of lost productivity.

Mac Speed Pros vs. Cons

PC Speed Pros vs. Cons

How Tops Keeps Your Schedule Running on Time

With Tops on Mac, speed is built in. The software launches instantly, integrates imaging directly into the patient chart, and handles multiple programs without lag. Automatic overnight updates prevent mid-day slowdowns, so your team can keep appointments on time and move smoothly from the first patient to the last.

4. Reliability: Technology You Don’t Have to Think About

In a busy orthodontic clinic, even small tech problems can throw the day off track. A reliable system runs smoothly from morning to close, without crashes, unexpected downtime, or slow software holding you back.

Mac Reliability Pros vs. Cons

PC Reliability Pros vs. Cons

Why Tops’ Reliability Goes Beyond Hardware

Tops runs smoothly on Mac, handling patient charts, imaging, scheduling, and communication without stalls or crashes. Updates run after hours so your team can work without interruptions, and your data is automatically backed up to keep every patient record current and secure. You get consistent, day-to-day performance without the cycle of unexpected breakdowns or mid-day slowdowns.  

And when you do need help, our support team has been in your shoes! They’ve worked in orthodontic practices and understand the urgency of getting you back online fast.

Choose the System That Pays Off

The right system makes itself invisible. It’s ready when you are, stays out of the way, and keeps pace from first check-in to last chart. That’s why so many orthodontists choose Tops on Mac. The technology finally feels like an ally, not another job to manage.

Tops gives you a fast, secure, steady foundation for your workflow, backed by a support team who knows orthodontics. With flexible options like Tops TotalPackage, predictable costs, and tools designed to keep your clinic running without interruptions, it’s an upgrade you feel on day one and keep feeling long after.

Ready to run your practice on a system you don’t have to think about? Schedule your Tops demo.

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References

Alder, S. (2025, January 2). Indiana AG Agrees to $350,000 Penalty to Resolve Egregious HIPAA Violations. The HIPAA Journal. https://www.hipaajournal.com/indiana-ag-westend-dental-hipaa-violations/

FBI Warns ADA Hackers Targeting Dental Specialists. (2024, May 15). Orthodontic Products. https://orthodonticproductsonline.com/practice-management/it/fbi-warns-ada-hackers-targeting-dental-specialists/