I switched to a MacBook after using Windows for over 30 years. Here’s what happened. Leave a comment
My Dad launched me to computer systems with a Windows 3.1 work laptop computer after I was in elementary faculty, and I’ve been a Windows fanboy ever since — effectively, virtually ever since.
When Apple launched its M1 processor in 2020, I lastly caved and purchased my first MacBook. I used it for mild work whereas touring as a result of it solely had a 13-inch show and couldn’t run my three exterior displays. That meant I spent 80% of my working time on my Home windows PC.
I eventually upgraded to the 15-inch MacBook Air when it arrived, however I nonetheless delay utilizing it as my day by day driver till I lastly discovered a manner to make use of my triple-monitor workstation with it.
However now that I’ve a DisplayLink dock to work round that monitor drawback, I knew I needed to attempt utilizing it as my principal machine — and after per week, I don’t suppose I’m offered on the Apple ecosystem.
Amazing battery life and sleek form factor
The extended battery life and sleek form factor that Apple silicon delivers is a recreation changer for me, because it permits me to work between three to 4 hours with no need to cost my laptop computer. Other than that, the laptop computer is skinny and light-weight sufficient that it’s truly handy to carry anyplace I am going, making me second-guess my iPad Air purchase.
That is inconceivable with my Home windows laptop computer, which may barely final over an hour. Granted, that’s a gaming PC I purchased in 2020, and many more recent and higher choices have come out since then, however the best MacBooks are nonetheless among the many laptops with the best battery life.
macOS has its own quirks and features
As a long-time Windows user, I know my way around the operating system and have memorized the apps and hotkeys that let me work much faster. But when I switched over to macOS, I had to relearn a lot of things, like how to take a screenshot and getting used to the placement of the Option and Command keys.
Finder is one of the Mac apps that I had a hard time getting used to. For example, I open apps, files, and programs by hitting Enter and delete them by pressing Delete on File Explorer in Windows; these intuitive hotkeys make navigating my drive much easier. But Apple requires you to press Command + Down Arrow and Command + Backspace to do the same actions, adding one more keypress to what should’ve been a simple single step. I solved this by downloading third-party apps that helped me get the Windows feel on my MacBook.
Despite that, macOS does a couple of things much better than Windows. I love Spotlight Search as it gives me nearly everything I need in an instant. This feature is often faster and more accurate than Windows Search straight from the Start Menu. Furthermore, I love how macOS lets you calculate and convert figures straight from the search bar. You can also do this with Windows, but it’s just not as fast.
Installing and managing apps is also less complicated, especially if you stick to the App Store. But even if you download apps from a website and not through Apple’s own marketplace, adding software to your Mac could be as simple as dragging and dropping its icon to the Applications folder.
Apple’s trackpad is also so good that I invested in a separate Magic Trackpad for use when I’m at home. The gestures are just plain intuitive, and gliding your finger on its glass surface is just heaven. It’s something many Windows laptops tried (and failed) to copy.
No, 8GB is not enough RAM
Apple VP for worldwide product marketing Bob Borchers once said in an interview on BiliBili that 8GB of RAM was adequate for macOS due to how environment friendly it’s — however my expertise says in any other case. I solely selected the bottom specs of the 15-inch MacBook Air as a result of I’ll largely use it as a journey and backup gadget.
It had no issues then after I was working simply a few apps. However now that I’m utilizing it as my principal work laptop computer with my standard workflow, my MacBook Air is stuttering. Once I checked the Reminiscence tab in Exercise Monitor, it confirmed my gadget utilizing greater than 7GB out of the 8GB RAM that it had.
It is a drawback, particularly since I haven’t launched Trello but, which may deplete a whole lot of reminiscence. Once I edit photographs in Photoshop and Lightroom, the lag will get so extreme that I need to shut a number of the browser tabs I would like and even restart the pc.
Upgrades not allowed
My Windows laptop’s old memory sticks, plus the packaging of the SSDs I recently installed on it.
This is the biggest drawback for me with MacBooks — you need to spec the hardware you’d need in the future at the time of purchase, as you can’t upgrade the storage and memory on these devices. Since I initially bought my MacBook as a backup device, it only has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
This was more than enough for its original purpose, but now that I’m using it as my main computer, I’m struggling with the available hardware. I wish I could bump this up to 32GB of RAM and at least 1TB of storage, but it’s just impossible with Apple silicon Macs.
I can’t help but compare this with my Windows laptop. It had 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 1TB HDD when I bought it, but I’ve since upgraded it to 32GB of RAM and 2.5TB of SSD storage. This added more life to my already five-year-old laptop, and the upgrades cost me less than $200.
If I wanted to level up my current Mac, I’d have to sell it or trade it in. Apple currently values it at $540, but I still have to pay at least $1,200 if I’m getting the MacBook Air 15-inch M4. This can give me 16GB of unified reminiscence and 256GB of storage, but when I need to improve it to 32GB of RAM and 2TB SSD, I have to pay $1,200 extra. This primarily doubles the value of the laptop computer to $2,400.
Even with the low cost, I’ll shell out over $1,900 simply to get the reminiscence and storage I would like. Certain, I’ll get a brand new processor (that I don’t really want) — however at almost 10 occasions greater than what I paid to improve my Home windows laptop computer. It’s not price it.
I’m nonetheless sticking with Home windows
MacBooks are nice units, and Apple provides an choice at almost each value vary. They’re simple to lug round in every single place I am going, and the effectivity of M-series chips modified my life.
However after 30 years of utilizing Home windows, macOS is definitely slowing me down. I may get used to the working system, however it should possible take a 12 months or two of utilizing it full-time earlier than I can hit the identical effectivity I’ve with Home windows. Sure, Home windows is imperfect and has its fair proportion of bugs, however at the least I can function it in my sleep.
Extra importantly, economics is holding me again from going all-in with macOS. I should buy a Home windows laptop computer that delivers related efficiency to a MacBook at a fraction of the value. As well as, I’ve the choice to get an upgradeable Home windows laptop computer, permitting me to make use of it for years to come back.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply I’m ditching my MacBook Air. It’s an incredible journey laptop computer and likewise serves as my backup gadget for my principal PC. Perhaps I’ll be a full Apple convert when it could possibly run GTA 6 natively. Perhaps.