Windows to Mac

[HuskyHawk]

Like many of the old farts here I predate the PC. So naturally my experience with Microsoft OS, including Windows, goes to the very beginning. I was trying to resurrect a nice Dell XPS 13 that was my daughters' (she wrecked every USB-C port and the Thunderbolt port so it won't charge). Repairing it costs more than buying a replacement. I got her a MacBook Air so she won't wreck the ports but I need a new computer and hoped to revive hers. While doing the research I stumbled on a Mac Mini with an M2 chip brand new, for less than a used PC laptop. I never take my PC anywhere, just my iPad, so it seemed a cheap way to get a much more powerful machine. The M4 chip minis aren't expensive either but I'm not doing anything complicated.

My only hesitation is the learning curve of switching from something I've used for over 30 years and still use daily at work, so a different OS and file system. The Mac file system never made sense to me. I don't even like most of the changes to Windows in recent years, they hid all the things I tend to use in file explorer. I'd also probably need a new docking station but I discovered they have some that fit an integrated SSD. That's the other thing I want to accomplish with this computer, putting all our old pictures and movies on storage that is off network.

Has anybody made the switch? How bad was it? I asked my daughter and she likes the Mac, said it wasn't too hard to get used to, but I've used Windows much longer than she's been alive.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Like many of the old farts here I predate the PC. So naturally my experience with Microsoft OS, including Windows, goes to the very beginning. I was trying to resurrect a nice Dell XPS 13 that was my daughters' (she wrecked every USB-C port and the Thunderbolt port so it won't charge). Repairing it costs more than buying a replacement. I got her a MacBook Air so she won't wreck the ports but I need a new computer and hoped to revive hers. While doing the research I stumbled on a Mac Mini with an M2 chip brand new, for less than a used PC laptop. I never take my PC anywhere, just my iPad, so it seemed a cheap way to get a much more powerful machine. The M4 chip minis aren't expensive either but I'm not doing anything complicated.

My only hesitation is the learning curve of switching from something I've used for over 30 years and still use daily at work, so a different OS and file system. The Mac file system never made sense to me. I don't even like most of the changes to Windows in recent years, they hid all the things I tend to use in file explorer. I'd also probably need a new docking station but I discovered they have some that fit an integrated SSD. That's the other thing I want to accomplish with this computer, putting all our old pictures and movies on storage that is off network.

Has anybody made the switch? How bad was it? I asked my daughter and she likes the Mac, said it wasn't too hard to get used to, but I've used Windows much longer than she's been alive.

I’ve owned and used both quite a bit. The learning curve is very easy. I haven’t used Mac in a while but when I did, Microsoft very clearly made a worse Excel product for Mac than Windows. That was probably my only real issue (which I resolved by creating an instance of windows on a partition) outside of one-off times when software wasn’t compatible with Mac. I have to imagine compatibility issues have gotten lessened over time.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I’ve owned and used both quite a bit. The learning curve is very easy. I haven’t used Mac in a while but when I did, Microsoft very clearly made a worse Excel product for Mac than Windows. That was probably my only real issue (which I resolved by creating an instance of windows on a partition) outside of one-off times when software wasn’t compatible with Mac. I have to imagine compatibility issues have gotten lessened over time.

Yeah, that was back when Apple had it's own office suite. They have abandoned that and Office now runs flawlessly on Mac. Same apps.

Good to hear it isn't too hard to switch. I am frustrated by some things with Windows. Waking from sleep is terrible. Apps freezing or hanging.

 

[Chuck]

I switched to Mac about 10 years ago and went back to PC. It just felt too personal focused and not as business focused (apps, navigation). That may have been 30 years of bias.

My company went to "bring your own device" and I'm an Apple user (phone and tablet), so I switched again (Macbook Air) a little over a year ago. This time it's been pretty flawless. I still think Office apps aren't as tight, but they are very close. I really like the quality of the build, battery and integration with my personal stuff on the Mac.

 

[Lafayette]

Apple's mac mini I think is a steal if you don't need portability - otherwise macbook airs are superpowerful and light.

Everything is moving to USB-C now (Euro mandate) so even USB sticks are USB-C now (new ones). So however you go, don't get lightning ports.

I even use Excel on the Mac to track my Panini UConn NIL basketball card collection.

 

[boba]

I use both, along with various distro of Linux. Windows is going the wrong way with its UI (CoPilot is a security nightmare) but Apple designed its UI to be completely opaque and annoying, as well as making it difficult to override the bad defaults they continuously force upon you with every update.
So it's pick your poison. I use Apple because it's what researchers use, but Windows provides more support and flexibility for the microscopes and attending programs we use. Also while I don't play games, apparently it's Windows or don't bother if you do.
FWIW Mac mini is a real powerhouse for the average user.

 

[CL82]

Like many of the old farts here I predate the PC. So naturally my experience with Microsoft OS, including Windows, goes to the very beginning.

Same. I can remember writing DOS programs and setting up your own "apps" to do stuff before they were ubiquitous.

My sense of Apple is that it works really well as long as you do things the Apple way. Said differently, in my previous forays into it it seemed less customizable than Microsoft

 

[boba]

And Safari (web browser) is based on WebSh!t (webkit) which is about as noncompliant as a browser can be and still work. Only reason it is so popular is because it is the sole one allowed on IPhones. (Chrome is a skinned Safari on the IPhone)

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Good to hear it isn't too hard to switch. I am frustrated by some things with Windows. Waking from sleep is terrible. Apps freezing or hanging.

That’s mostly a hardware issue, not software. I have my PC boot drive on an m.2 SSD and it is up in no time. I think sometimes people conflate windows issues with just having cheap or old windows hardware. Eventually a Mac will get old and outdated and have the same issues.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Apple's mac mini I think is a steal if you don't need portability - otherwise macbook airs are superpowerful and light.

Everything is moving to USB-C now (Euro mandate) so even USB sticks are USB-C now (new ones). So however you go, don't get lightning ports.

I even use Excel on the Mac to track my Panini UConn NIL basketball card collection.

Apple solved the USB-C charging issue with a magnetized power port on the Macbooks. It's USB-C/Thunderbolt but the end is magnetic so using/moving the laptop while plugged in doesn't wreck the port.

 

[HuskyHawk]

That’s mostly a hardware issue, not software. I have my PC boot drive on an m.2 SSD and it is up in no time. I think sometimes people conflate windows issues with just having cheap or old windows hardware. Eventually a Mac will get old and outdated and have the same issues.

My brand new Dells won't wake from sleep and have SSDs. I think it's a battery life thing. The energy settings are different.

I use both, along with various distro of Linux. Windows is going the wrong way with its UI (CoPilot is a security nightmare) but Apple designed its UI to be completely opaque and annoying, as well as making it difficult to override the bad defaults they continuously force upon you with every update.
So it's pick your poison. I use Apple because it's what researchers use, but Windows provides more support and flexibility for the microscopes and attending programs we use. Also while I don't play games, apparently it's Windows or don't bother if you do.
FWIW Mac mini is a real powerhouse for the average user.

I don't need portability, which is why the Mac Mini appeals. I won't use it for work. I hate working off a small laptop screen. It will be mostly browsing, writing posts here and personal email. I'm on Apple for iPhone and iPad so the integration appealed. Ease of moving photos from phone to PC etc. As a purely personal device it seems like a bargain.

 

[Chuck]

That’s mostly a hardware issue, not software. I have my PC boot drive on an m.2 SSD and it is up in no time. I think sometimes people conflate windows issues with just having cheap or old windows hardware. Eventually a Mac will get old and outdated and have the same issues.

This might be part of it. People say Macs are expensive, but I think you need to compare them to more expensive PCs.

We've always had a home computer. My wife is usually the user because I use an ipad for most of my personal stuff and she handles more of our family stuff anyway. We've gone through a handful of family PCs over the years. Dell(2), Microsoft, Lenovo are the brands I remember. They were relatively expensive, but always cheaper than Macs and they never lasted more than 3 years before something crashing (or breaking with the Lenovo). We got a Macbook Air about 4 years ago and it's been great. Quality build and just works.

 

[CL82]

This might be part of it. People say Macs are expensive, but I think you need to compare them to more expensive PCs.

This. People compare the performance on Macs to the performance on bargain PCs. Of course the Mac is to be much better and have a far longer shelf life.

 

[Apollo]

Moved from Windows to a Mac about 15-years ago and will never touch a Windows based PC again. The learning curve is very easy… it’s like an iPhone on your desktop.
Performance is better, easier to keep organized, less susceptible to malware and the interface is much easier to navigate. Might take a few days to figure out the nuance, but it is a pretty easy operating system to get used to.
Worth the extra couple bucks.

 

[Deepster]

I use both. It took me a while to get the keyboard shortcuts down for Mac but I don’t even think about it at this point. Just takes time.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Like many of the old farts here I predate the PC. So naturally my experience with Microsoft OS, including Windows, goes to the very beginning. I was trying to resurrect a nice Dell XPS 13 that was my daughters' (she wrecked every USB-C port and the Thunderbolt port so it won't charge). Repairing it costs more than buying a replacement. I got her a MacBook Air so she won't wreck the ports but I need a new computer and hoped to revive hers. While doing the research I stumbled on a Mac Mini with an M2 chip brand new, for less than a used PC laptop. I never take my PC anywhere, just my iPad, so it seemed a cheap way to get a much more powerful machine. The M4 chip minis aren't expensive either but I'm not doing anything complicated.

My only hesitation is the learning curve of switching from something I've used for over 30 years and still use daily at work, so a different OS and file system. The Mac file system never made sense to me. I don't even like most of the changes to Windows in recent years, they hid all the things I tend to use in file explorer. I'd also probably need a new docking station but I discovered they have some that fit an integrated SSD. That's the other thing I want to accomplish with this computer, putting all our old pictures and movies on storage that is off network.

Has anybody made the switch? How bad was it? I asked my daughter and she likes the Mac, said it wasn't too hard to get used to, but I've used Windows much longer than she's been alive.

I’m feeling this post with my very soul. I too don’t get the Mac file system. Or how they think they own your data. I don’t like at all that Apple shoehorns you to use their devices and software as they think you should.

Unfortunately Windows has trended that direction, but I’ll stick with it. I “get” it. Which was why I had a Windows phone until they 86’d them.

BTW, I have an engineering degree, so relatively tech savvy.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Well I bought the Mac. Let’s see how it plays out. Taking my inspiration from Barry from Risky Business.

 

[Hunt for 7]

You have to be proficient on both platforms. I avoided MAC and Apple products for many years, but for the last ten or so I am not sure I could function without my IPad.

Work stuff is all Windows based. Many of my go-workers use their MAC and all that goes with integrating but that always seemed like to much work for me.

Until recently always preferred Android based phones but just like with computers my personal phone has been an iPhone for years and I use some S version of the Samsung Android phone for work. I have gotten really fond of my new iPhone and when I am done working I think I will be all Apple.

 

[HuskyHawk]

You have to be proficient on both platforms. I avoided MAC and Apple products for many years, but for the last ten or so I am not sure I could function without my IPad.

Work stuff is all Windows based. Many of my go-workers use their MAC and all that goes with integrating but that always seemed like to much work for me.

Until recently always preferred Android based phones but just like with computers my personal phone has been an iPhone for years and I use some S version of the Samsung Android phone for work. I have gotten really fond of my new iPhone and when I am done working I think I will be all Apple.

This is the side element for me. I've been on iPhone & iPad for years but always Windows. But I think I've got about a year left and then I'll have had enough of working. This Mac will last quite some time (M4 chip) so it will get more use once I'm no longer working.

 

[UCan3]

Like many of the old farts here I predate the PC. So naturally my experience with Microsoft OS, including Windows, goes to the very beginning. I was trying to resurrect a nice Dell XPS 13 that was my daughters' (she wrecked every USB-C port and the Thunderbolt port so it won't charge). Repairing it costs more than buying a replacement. I got her a MacBook Air so she won't wreck the ports but I need a new computer and hoped to revive hers. While doing the research I stumbled on a Mac Mini with an M2 chip brand new, for less than a used PC laptop. I never take my PC anywhere, just my iPad, so it seemed a cheap way to get a much more powerful machine. The M4 chip minis aren't expensive either but I'm not doing anything complicated.

My only hesitation is the learning curve of switching from something I've used for over 30 years and still use daily at work, so a different OS and file system. The Mac file system never made sense to me. I don't even like most of the changes to Windows in recent years, they hid all the things I tend to use in file explorer. I'd also probably need a new docking station but I discovered they have some that fit an integrated SSD. That's the other thing I want to accomplish with this computer, putting all our old pictures and movies on storage that is off network.

Has anybody made the switch? How bad was it? I asked my daughter and she likes the Mac, said it wasn't too hard to get used to, but I've used Windows much longer than she's been alive.

I just went through this with my kids / wife who went from PC to Mac in the iPad. The M4 is truly an innovation, and if anything underrated. I believe this is the first time that Apple manufactured their own chip as they used to rely on Microsoft owned companies and frankly those were clunky. I was very disappointed by my last Apple laptop purchase (5 yrs ago) but just recently upgraded my wife to the new M4 and it is lightning fast!

One thing a lot of people don’t understand and it needs to be explained better is that you can buy Word/Office to run on the Mac if you want. But there are ways around it to take full advantage of the Mac and do all the things that you do on a Microsoft computer without the Office for Mac package.

For example, I’m not sure if you use Google Drive but you can use Mac in the same way to share things that other people can access and read it.

For example, Mac has a program called Pages. This is the version of word. But you will find, it’s not great for sharing with other people. So what’s the workaround? Well, when you go save it - chose “Export file” and select” Word for the file and share it. Or put it to Google docs and then when you open it on Google Drive, it’s a Google Doc. And you can share that too!

The same as true with Mac’s Keynote which is their version of PowerPoint. When you’re done working on it, export it as a PowerPoint or upload it to Google Drive and it’s now a Google slide. Perfect for sharing or saving it as a PowerPoint on your computer and sharing it!

The same is true with Apple Sheets - their version of Excel. Now this one’s a little bit more nuanced as there are some advantages to Microsoft Excel and things you can do there that you can’t do on Sheets, but with the same concept in mine, you can export it as an Excel and then share it or upload it to Google and it becomes a Google Sheet. Now you can share it!

Frankly, I actually like Pages better then Word because it’s much easier to move around images and create something that looks more unique than Word Doc.

Taking just a little bit of time to learn these things can be quite beneficial and let’s face it, Apple has some serious advantages when it comes to things like iMovie and Photos and things like that so for me with the ease of using an iPad or Apple product, it’s the clear winner in my book.

I also have a Microsoft base computer and I’m not knocking it because it can do some great things but what you can do on an Apple product again what you can do to overcome sharing issues is not well advertised and most people never figure it out and just are happy with the advantages of the ease of use of an Apple product.

Just remember you’re not locked out of all the things that you liked about Microsoft.

Hope this helps!

 

[Greedo]

I’m 35 and still use the Mac I got in college for my personal use computer. I have a Surface Pro for work and still greatly prefer my MacBook. The functionality is so much better than the windows OS, and it has lasted forever. My Surface Pro constantly has issues that I need to troubleshoot.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Like many of the old farts here I predate the PC.

LOAD "*",8,1

commodore64 represent.

 

[UConnJim]

Been an Apple user for a long time and only used Windows computers for work. Apple was way ahead of IBM PCs back in the day and much easier to use. With Apple, all of my technology is on Apple and the experience is seamless. Added bonus is that malware/viruses are way lower than on Windows.

 

[storrsroars]

I haven't used a Mac in several years, but when I moved from PCs to Macs I immediately became a fan boy. Easy peasy to learn and switch over. Stuck with Macs for about seven years until I had multiple issues getting assistance from the Genius Bar at which point I realized I was a becoming a slave to them and their strict planned obsolescence policies. I tried going back to PC but it was torture compared to Macs.

I've been on Chromebooks now almost since they came out. I burn through them because of port issues (and once a spill) but they're cheap enough to be almost disposable. And there's no wait on startup. As I use Android for cell, the integration is fantastic. Of course Google knows every single thing I do, but they haven't done me wrong yet.

 

[Fishy]

I’m feeling this post with my very soul. I too don’t get the Mac file system. Or how they think they own your data. I don’t like at all that Apple shoehorns you to use their devices and software as they think you should.

Unfortunately Windows has trended that direction, but I’ll stick with it. I “get” it. Which was why I had a Windows phone until they 86’d them.

BTW, I have an engineering degree, so relatively tech savvy.

You are not tech savvy.