See, the problem is that if only magic counters magic, and magic counters tech, then it is not an equalizer, it is superior, unless tech has important things only it can do. And I think that tension is a more fundamental principle than magic superiority. Magic is extremely powerful, as are individuals that wield it, but it is not the superior force on the planet any more.
Tech has a lot of things magic can't do. It does multitasking a lot better (raising many stats simultaneously), it can teach people things they never once though of (skillwires, knowsofts etc), it can mass produce weapons and armor in levels and grades only the most powerful of ritual groups can think of (Casting a F12 armor spell isn't easy, let alone tank armor). That's not even touching the matrix and its capabilities, an entire territory magic will never touch on. And unlike technology, magic always comes with the immediate cost of drain.
The thing is that magic synergizes with technology, but that goes both ways, so it's hardly an argument against magic. Neither is have and have not, as that is always unbalanced.
What makes magic an equalizer is that it cannot be manufactured. The corps will have exactly as many mages as they can hire and their power will be derived from the very same training as the shadowrunning mage. You cannot fast track mages by giving them access to better guns, armor etc. Manufacturing foci is just as hard for corp mages as it is for others, the same goes for binding. Drain really is where it is at though. No amount of power, influence or money will make a corp mage throw bigger fireballs and stay awake/ alive any better than a shadowrunner. That is always determined by their inborn abilities. (ignoring the cerebral booster, which is available to both)
The only advantage the corps have in regards to magic is that they can afford to hire more mages (up to what the market will give them, which is little) and can have them specialize in their fields, just like they do with mundane people working the assembly line. The shadowrunning mage on the other hand has to branch out at least a little to survive in the shadows. At the end of the day however, he can build a network that eventually can end up equal to the corps assembly of mages. Sometimes more powerful, because shadowrunners are a lot less risk averse than the average corp mage is.
I never made a claim to magic superiority. I stated that magic counters magic better than technology does. Just like technology counters technology better than magic does. A mage has precious few options to stop a decker from bricking his cybereyes and a rigger with a few drones will eat most mages for breakfast. Bullets hurt mages just as bad as they do others, often more because mages tend to lack combat augmentations that help mitigate holes in your chest.
Contrary to popular opinion, most mages have no idea how to throw fireballs and it never once occured to them to order a spirit to do combat for them. They are scientists, researchers, doctors, entertainers, special effect people, con men, hustlers, talismongers, merchants, detectives etc. The percentage of militant mages is pretty small, just as the percentage of the awakened among humanity is pretty small. Spirits and Spells above force 3 are freaking rare. A force 8 spirit is about as common as seeing you local police contractor deploying his riot tanks. It happens yes, but when it does, everyone knows the shit has or is about to hit the fan.
Compare the damage potential of a Force 4 spirit to a Ruger 100 Sniper Rifle. A weapon with an availability of 4R. That is what the average corp mages is trained and expected to deal with. If you want a comparison of the F8 spirit, have a look at the Ranger Arms with APDS ammo or high explosive grenades. The differences aren't that big. Add the drain for the spirit and the fact that he bails out the second your services are gone and you'll see why most mages stick to normal force spirits (3-6) and don't give the corps a reason to deploy their heavy response teams. Those guys usually come in vehicles that are essentially tanks.
