Anyone switched to Windows PCs?

[NickPhamUK]

Was in the market for a new personal laptop. Considered MBP no-touch bar 2017 or the new MBA, but couldn't justify the high price tag with such a keyboard.

Just bought the HP Envy 13 for $800, such a gem. Stunning design, and the build feels extremely solid.

It does have some flaws, e.g. the fingerprint sensor doesn't work 100% of the time (I usually type the 4-number PIN code anyways, a much faster way to log in), the track pad is not as good (I prefer to use my mouse so it's not a big deal), the fan sometimes kick in for no reason, and there is no black/gray color (only silver and pale gold).

Other than that, I got 2 USB-A ports (which I appreciate a lot), a 54 Whr battery which usually lasts 10 hours+, and a keyboard that is extremely pleasant to type on (almost as good as the one on my Thinkpad work laptop). I use Excel a lot and thus having a good keyboard is extremely important to me.

I plan to keep this laptop for 2-3 years. Let's see if Apple will offer something worthy in the future, but I'm afraid they won't. Reverting the keyboard design means admitting defeat, and I'm sure Apple won't do that. And with how the company keeps pushing the "iPads can replace laptops" garbage, I'm quite certain Apple won't put too much effort into developing the Macbook lineup.

Anyways, anyone switched to PC? What's your experience so far? The Windows PC market is extremely ahead of the Mac right now (with all the Dell XPS, HP Spectre, Thinkpad X1 Carbon, Surface Book etc.)

 

[LostAggie]

I tried to switch to Surface Laptop 2 but the screen was too shiny and it was still Windows. Build was good though.

 

[darksithpro]

Anyways, anyone switched to PC? What's your experience so far? The Windows PC market is extremely ahead of the Mac right now (with all the Dell XPS, HP Spectre, Thinkpad X1 Carbon, Surface Book etc.)

In some aspects, yes. I have a MSI GS63VR, 6700HQ, 1060 6GB, 16GB DDR4, 256SSD, 1TB HDD, 1080p. Battery sucks arse. Great when plugged into wall, no so great when not. Carbon fiber good, lack of extended support not so good. Grass isn't always greener on the other side. Sure, overall performance is better, but lack of support and terrible battery life has made my take on it not so good.

 

[NickPhamUK]

In some aspects, yes. I have a MSI GS63VR, 6700HQ, 1060 6GB, 16GB DDR4, 256SSD, 1TB HDD, 1080p. Battery sucks arse. Great when plugged into wall, no so great when not. Carbon fiber good, lack of extended support not so good. Grass isn't always greener on the other side. Sure, overall performance is better, but lack of support and terrible battery life has made my take on it not so good.

Most gaming laptops do not have a great battery so I'm not surprised at all.

Apple has the best support out of all laptop makers, gotta admit that.

 

[SDColorado]

I have a Surface Book 2 and a Surface Pro Gen. 5. The screens are bright, good contrast ratio. I like the keyboards on both, but particularly the SB2. Trackpad is as good as I have seen on a non-Apple laptop. Battery life is great. Screen is shinny as @LostAggie describes, but that is fairly typical of the touch/pen type 2-1's I think? It is durable Gorilla Glass. The antiglare coating on the MBP wouldn't hold up to touch/pen. It barely holds up to being cleaned.

 

[darksithpro]

Most gaming laptops do not have a great battery so I'm not surprised at all.

Apple has the best support out of all laptop makers, gotta admit that.

The thing is gaming laptops make for perfect every day browser computing operations. They're almost as fast as your average high end desktop. They don't lag at all as the cheaper laptops do, super fast in web browsing rendering. You can pair it with a 23-27 inch monitor and it will act and operate as a desktop in the traditional sense.

 

[Pangalactic]

I've moved to Surface Book 2.

Negatives:
- the trackpad is really good but you really have to press quite a bit to click (after the MBP especially), Apple still has the best
- the CPU is kinda eh
- no USB C and no USB C charging (power banks work, but wall plugs do not)

Positives:
- best keyboard I've ever tried
- INSANE battery life, I was doing my masters degree and at the end of the day everyone was asking everyone else "do you have a charger for the MBP?". Meanwhile, I was sitting at like 40% battery.
- great build quality
- GTX 1050 in the 13-inch model is wonderful
- USB A port
- SD card slot
- one of the best webcams on the laptops
- great speakers
- very bright, good looking and not a very reflective screen
- 2 in 1 gives you a lot of options to use it
- no touch bar, no Bridge OS crashes, no stuck keys, no crackling speakers
- Windows version of MagSafe
- a second camera for taking pictures on the tablet

Overall a wonderful machine, can't wait for SB 3.
[doublepost=1542270045][/doublepost]

Apple has the best support out of all laptop makers, gotta admit that.

I would disagree on that. Check out the iMac Pro repair videos on youtube, it tells you more than enough.
As for regular laptops - you can get same day repairs for most Windows machines. Meanwhile, Apple takes away your laptop for several days, cause the best laptop support company glued all things together for better customer service

 

[StellarVixen]

The only thing to make me even remotely consider switching to non Apple laptop is the possibility of installing Mac OS. But, it would have to work flawlessly.

So far, this isn't possible. While you can get great results on desktop PC, on laptop, there is certainty that something will not work, and that is mostly WiFi. And to not forget the trackpad...they are horrible on non Apple laptops.

 

[Macintoshrumors]

I've moved to Surface Book 2.

Negatives:
- the trackpad is really good but you really have to press quite a bit to click (after the MBP especially), Apple still has the best
- the CPU is kinda eh
- no USB C and no USB C charging (power banks work, but wall plugs do not)

Positives:
- best keyboard I've ever tried
- INSANE battery life, I was doing my masters degree and at the end of the day everyone was asking everyone else "do you have a charger for the MBP?". Meanwhile, I was sitting at like 40% battery.
- great build quality
- GTX 1050 in the 13-inch model is wonderful
- USB A port
- SD card slot
- one of the best webcams on the laptops
- great speakers
- very bright, good looking and not a very reflective screen
- 2 in 1 gives you a lot of options to use it
- no touch bar, no Bridge OS crashes, no stuck keys, no crackling speakers
- Windows version of MagSafe
- a second camera for taking pictures on the tablet

Overall a wonderful machine, can't wait for SB 3.
[doublepost=1542270045][/doublepost]

I would disagree on that. Check out the iMac Pro repair videos on youtube, it tells you more than enough.
As for regular laptops - you can get same day repairs for most Windows machines. Meanwhile, Apple takes away your laptop for several days, cause the best laptop support company glued all things together for better customer service

Yet here you are in a Apple tech site, says everything you need to know.

 

[Eason85]

ThinkPad P1 here. Previously a Dell XPS 15 9570. Dell and Lenovo have excellent support. Next business day to your house or workplace. Much better than being without a computer for weeks.
[doublepost=1542275122][/doublepost]

Yet here you are in a Apple tech site, says everything you need to know.

No it doesn't. In fact, it says nothing at all except you still enjoy talking with others about Macbooks (though I admit less and less since I have seen Apple's unfortunate "development" over the past 3 years).

 

[c0ppo]

Switched everything. No iPhones anymore, no MBP, and no iMP. Build a desktop workstation, and bought a X1C Thinkpad. At the moment I'm testing out SB2 15".

Unless Apple changes their course, I'm not ever coming back. And by changing course I mean pricing, keyboards, and some other stuff.

I'm on mac since 2008/9, and I still love Mac OS way more then I enjoy using windows or linux. But lousy hardware and failing keyboards aren't my cup of tea. Especially with insane prices that Apple keeps increasing all the time. But I think that what broke me down is nickel and dimming that Apple is doing. Stuff like removing extension cable from MBP, moving to usb-c/tb3 on MBP only, but if you want to connect it to iPhone, you have to purchase additional cable or a dongle, then that same iPhone has no more dongle for headphones, you have to spend additional $$$ for that one as well... I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

To be honest, those additional expenses aren't that big of a deal to me. But it's a matter of principles. I really don't like to be taken as a fool that Apple thinks they can milk how and when they want.

I guess only way for Apple to change is the change in leadership. And it's not just about TC, he isn't alone in decision making process.

Funny thing is, Apples sales are obviously declining rapidly. I just hope they keep doing so, because sooner or later, Apple is gonna have to change course. But if that doesn't happen, well, I really don't have to use Mac do get my work done. I wouldn't like that, but I dislike current Apple way more then not using Mac OS.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Anyways, anyone switched to PC? What's your experience so far? The Windows PC market is extremely ahead of the Mac right now (with all the Dell XPS, HP Spectre, Thinkpad X1 Carbon, Surface Book etc.)

I tried to save money a few years ago by buying a Windows laptop for my wife. Within a year, the thing was acting up and having issues waking from sleep. Then the trackpad stopped working. I wound up buying her a Mac that has been problem free.

In the long run it would have been cheaper for me to buy her the Mac from the start.

 

[maflynn]

I've used windows machines at home, I've had a SurfaceBook laptop, I also support, use windows machines at work. Most recently, I owned a RazerBlade 15" Laptop. I returned that within the return period and instead went with the MBP for a variety reasons - chief among them was the desire to be back on the macOS platform.

 

[RJ2010115]

Was in the market for a new personal laptop. Considered MBP no-touch bar 2017 or the new MBA, but couldn't justify the high price tag with such a keyboard.

Just bought the HP Envy 13 for $800, such a gem. Stunning design, and the build feels extremely solid.

It does have some flaws, e.g. the fingerprint sensor doesn't work 100% of the time (I usually type the 4-number PIN code anyways, a much faster way to log in), the track pad is not as good (I prefer to use my mouse so it's not a big deal), the fan sometimes kick in for no reason, and there is no black/gray color (only silver and pale gold).

Other than that, I got 2 USB-A ports (which I appreciate a lot), a 54 Whr battery which usually lasts 10 hours+, and a keyboard that is extremely pleasant to type on (almost as good as the one on my Thinkpad work laptop). I use Excel a lot and thus having a good keyboard is extremely important to me.

I plan to keep this laptop for 2-3 years. Let's see if Apple will offer something worthy in the future, but I'm afraid they won't. Reverting the keyboard design means admitting defeat, and I'm sure Apple won't do that. And with how the company keeps pushing the "iPads can replace laptops" garbage, I'm quite certain Apple won't put too much effort into developing the Macbook lineup.

Anyways, anyone switched to PC? What's your experience so far? The Windows PC market is extremely ahead of the Mac right now (with all the Dell XPS, HP Spectre, Thinkpad X1 Carbon, Surface Book etc.)

Yes. In the process of selling a 2016 touch bar 512gb 460, 15 inch MacBook pro.

Bought a Msi GS65, 1070 max Q, 512Gb, (did an upgraded and added a 970 evo 1 TB for 299€).

So now I have triple GPU performance for games and 3d (blender), ports (even an ethernet port) in a package that's 5% larger than the MacBook. weighting the same. And it gets less hot.

The price difference, if comparing with the new mecbook with vega 20, would be the MacBook pro being 70% more expensive and still, about half of the gpu performance.

The less good is build quality (except for the keyboard which is miles better than the MacBook, for me) and trackpad.

I think this path apple is taking which is increasing prices across the board, from a company that was never cheap to begin with, is where I draw the line, Laptop wise, at least.

 

[Pangalactic]

Yet here you are in a Apple tech site, says everything you need to know.

Yet here you are in a windows PC thread, says everything you need to know

I do like and own some Apple products. Ipad Pro is great, iMac Pro (when you don't have to repair it) is also pretty solid.
The MacBook Pro though is meh.

 

[JamesMay82]

I think some of the windows hardware looks great and I was really tempted by the surface but I can't get over the idea of switching to Windows. I find it to clumsy to use and I really don't like the way it looks. I was windows from 95 - 08 and I can't see myself switching back.

 

[phillytim]

After a wonderful ride with my 2011 MacBook Pro, I also cannot justify Apple's MacBook prices for what little it gives (8GB RAM is STILL a standard in an over-$1000 laptop?!!!) and takes away (RAM & HD upgrades).

Got my eye squarely on that sweet Lenovo ThinkPad P1, or perhaps a ThinkPad X1 model. I consider Lenovo to be the Apple-equivalent of the Windows world, and those particular models to be the MacBook-equivalent-only-better.

The P1 has easily accessible slots for (2) RAM sticks and (2) PCIe SSD sticks!!!!!!!!

32GB RAM here I come!!! I should call it "ThankPad"!!!

I will vote my dollars elsewhere, Apple!

 

[MBAir2010]

i want to switch to windows because apple does not care about any of their products they made 12 months ago.

 

[Spankey]

I haven’t switched to a “Windows PC” but my Mac Mini has almost been running solely Windows. Windows 10 has been great and works better with an eGPU than Mac OS. I get to run Windows on Apple hardware while still having Mac OS for Apple apps.

 

[hajime]

i want to switch to windows because apple does not care about any of their products they made 12 months ago.

I was afraid of switching to Windows 10 but it is actually quite good. A change in interface is refreshing

 

[Pangalactic]

I think some of the windows hardware looks great and I was really tempted by the surface but I can't get over the idea of switching to Windows. I find it to clumsy to use and I really don't like the way it looks. I was windows from 95 - 08 and I can't see myself switching back.

I suggest you give Windows 10 a go. It's very different from previous versions and definitely is the best windows version by far.

 

[MBAir2010]

My mac OSX has become bothersome, annoying and untrustworthy! The bothersome is simple thing like having to switch audio outputs on every app, and system preferences instead of having a quick toolbar option near the sound icon. and half the time the selection does not work in VLCVLC were i need to mute the computer just to get a sound from the sound source. that is just one hindrance of apple OSX

 

[LeeW]

I have no issues with Windows nowadays, not since 10 but I still prefer macOS that is more to do with Windows not suiting my workflow as well, I can do it but spend too much time on Windows making it always work whereas on macOS it just works all the time.

I still have a PC for some casual gaming and the fact I have to put in effort firing up the PC to do it makes it stay casual

The PC that I built last year has an i7, 512 GB NVMe, 16GB DDR4 Ram and a decent 1050TI. I will always keep my options open and should the day come when I fall out with Apple then Microsoft can have me back on a permanent basis.

My allegiance is to whoever fits my overall needs best and that can change.

 

[MBAir2010]

back in the day Apple was made for artists and Windows for buck teeth geeks, now everyone is a buck-tooth artist, there really is no standard for which is a better platform or computer. they are all disposable, infiltrating machines that we spend too much time behind.

 

[tromboneaholic]

back in the day Apple was made for artists and Windows for buck teeth geeks, now everyone is a buck-tooth artist, there really is no standard for which is a better platform or computer. they are all disposable, infiltrating machines that we spend too much time behind.

Actually, I just saw a video about how much better Adobe Premiere Pro runs on an iMac Pro than on a $10,000 Windows PC due to the more standardized hardware of the Mac.