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Dalton asked: “Aside from malware and viruses, what would be the better computer for an everyday user, for typical internet browsing, papers, watching videos? Is Mac more practical, or is Windows better?”
Dalton, the most practical is what meets your needs best.
Mac and Windows both can pretty much do the same things, Mac has some nice features if you have to do a lot of repetitive things, Automator and Folder Actions can take care of batch tasks very easily, Windows usually has more options for software to do more obscure tasks, and usually is the first to get products even from companies like Quicken and Quickbooks, since Windows dominates the user base.
Now, “everyday tasks” these days mostly means “things I do online, and a Word processor” if that’s the case, either will serve you well, and Windows will serve you well for less money.
For everyday tasks, you may be able to get away with using a tablet even
For everyday tasks, you may be able to get away with using a tablet even, and that would free you from any fear of malware and viruses.
If your everyday tasks are email, Facebook, maybe some online shopping, then a tablet or Chromebook may be worth considering. The risk of malware drops to almost nothing, and you can do those things.
If you’re looking at office suites and specialized software, Windows will get you what you need for less money, it will have the highest risk of malware, but it shouldn’t be anything you cannot manage.