At first glance, Macs, that have a starting price of $999 that increases depending on needs, is a considerably higher investment than PCs, that can average as little as $400 for a basic device. However, this is only the initial investment, not the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a computer. TCO takes into account the entire lifecycle of a machine, not only initial cost, but also how long a device lasts and the costs associated with it such as additional licenses, repairs and helpdesk support.
The reason Macs come with such a high initial cost is because they are built with high-end specs that are meant to last a long time. According to a 2018 Microsoft study, the optimal age of PCs is no more than four years old. Macs meanwhile average between 5 and 7 years of service, with some lasting longer. The initial cost of a PC can also greatly differ based on needs. A high-end PC can come close in price to a Mac with similar specs. Read more here.