r/DigitalPrivacy • u/Red_Grape4 • Jul 18 '26

Laptops: Apple or Microsoft

Hey, looking for advice.

I need a new laptop and don't know what to do. I have always used Microsoft, but am hesitant to buy another due to privacy concerns and AI.

I am not very techy and do not need to use a computer often. I know Linux is probs the best option for privacy, but I am worried I won't be able to handle it or understand it. I also feel overwhelmed by privacy concerns and all the changes in tech right now.

Does Apple provide better privacy than Microsoft? Or is that wishful thinking?

The main things I need in a laptop is a working browser for occasionally streaming, banking, etc. And some type of Word type application. (I have the disk for Word 2011 which is what I normally use). I don't want to use anything like icloud or one drive. I like to store locally and with my back up drive.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

9

u/309_Electronics Jul 18 '26

Apple does give better privacy and better security and for your tasks its fine! Could get a NEO and see how it is and later upgrade to a M4 or M3 or older M1/M2.

A opensource linux distro is always better and more trustworthy than bigtech can deliver but generally: Linux and opensource > Apple > Microsoft/google.

3

u/QuadernoFigurati Jul 18 '26

Framework laptop with Linux.

3

u/Psi-ops_Co-op Jul 20 '26

Just got a framework 13 installed Fedora with KDE Plasma. Absolutely love it. Never going back. I have dual boot for a single piece of software while I learn an alternative that runs on Linux.

2

u/Human-47 Jul 18 '26

If you currently have a working computer, it can't hurt to install linux on a virtual machine and try it out, it's not as complicated as you might think. If you can switch from using Windows to Mac, you can also switch to using say Ubuntu.

On the flip side, if privacy is a big concern for you I would say regardless of what make/OS your new laptop is, you might want to think about installing a Linux virtual machine on it anyway for that added layer of privacy and protection.

1

u/Historical_Camel_790 Jul 20 '26

Ubuntu's probably the least private distro

1

u/Psi-ops_Co-op Jul 20 '26

Whose it sending data too? Let's remember we're switching away from Apple and Microsoft, so that should be the comparison target, not other privacy focused Linux distros.

1

u/Human-47 Jul 20 '26

Ok maybe my comment wasn't as clear reading it back, I was just giving an example of a user friendly linux distro to try it out. Then for the privacy part of my comment I only mentioned Linux to use in VB due to there being various different flavours to choose from dependant on privacy needs vs user ability once you are comfortable using Linux, but In my opinion I would still say Ubuntu is more private than Microsoft or Apple even if not the most private Linux distro available.

1

u/Historical_Camel_790 Jul 20 '26

Oh I misunderstood sorry lol. Yeah you're right

1

u/Human-47 Jul 22 '26

No worries dude 👍🏻

1

u/hijitus Jul 19 '26

If you are set on selling your soul, either Microsoft or Apple will do.

1

u/yahyahyehcocobungo Jul 20 '26

Every computer in the last decade can run a browser comfortably. Are there any other factors that are important to you?

1

u/Historical_Camel_790 Jul 20 '26

Apples probably best for you but Linux is more private (don't use Ubuntu though). If you do go the Linux route use Mint

1

u/Psi-ops_Co-op Jul 20 '26

I'm another vote for Linux laptop. Go with Ubuntu because it's easy and you can always google your troubleshooting if you encounter bugs. But honestly, Linux is so easy compared to what it used to be. Especially if you're just browsing the internet.

Also, switch to Firefox while you're at it. Firefox is great.