How Do I Leave the Apple Eco System

[The Mercurian]

The OP brings up similar issues to what I face every time I think about doing the same thing. While I always think it would be easier to be on Windows because of work issues, I always run in to these same roadblocks where staying on the MacOS would make other things easier.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Still not sure which way to go... pain either way...

Funnily enough for work things I’m agnostic about OS - it’s the personal stuff - photos etc where I feel stuck in Mac ecosystem

 

[Matz]

Beat me to it!

 

[BlankStar]

It's not they've built a walled garden, it's just that Windows doesn't seem to have walls nor a garden... You need extra software for absolutely everything where MacOS comes loaded with stuff. I've even started growing fond of Pages & Numbers. Only a small % of Office users are real power users, the rest of us just need to type some text, add some pics and do some lay-out.
Same with the pdf's, pictures, etc, etc.

I have to work with Windows at work, and I hate it. Last year we upgraded to Windows 10 and I hoped the experience would be on par of MacOS, but it isn't, it really isn't...

The only reason I can imagine switching is because the hardware is cheaper and better suited for gaming. But for anything else: mac all the way. (and more and more iOS: iPad Pro)

 

[xraydoc]

Funnily enough for work things I’m agnostic about OS - it’s the personal stuff - photos etc where I feel stuck in Mac ecosystem

So I would also agree with that, but I have a 2013 3.5GHz quad Core i7 27" iMac at home in the basement which is still going strong. Hasn't slowed down in the slightest (I take good care of the OS) and acts has my iPhoto server/repository and iTunes server for local content on the Apple TVs. I'd keep this machine in place if I were to go with a Windows device for my laptop &/or tablet, which tend to be my main productivity devices.

I'm not an iMovie kind of guy -- my kids are in college so I don't really need to make home movies and such, so I don't need the creative aspects that the Mac excels at much these days.

 

[Plett]

I am curious if anyone else was able to leave the Apple eco-system without too much issue.

It is not as easy for me because not only am I invested in hardware, but software and peripherals as well.

........

LOL you are in the Matrix there is no escape.

 

[SDColorado]

You need to name some names here.
Lenovo, Dell and HP all make machines in the $200-$5000 range.

Are you saying that a XPS 13 feels "flimsier" than a MBA or that any ThinkPad keyboard does not feel as "solid" as the butterfly abominations that Apple is currently shipping?

That’s sort of how I feel about it. I keep looking at PC laptop alternatives, but as much as I am comfortable with Windows 10 and want to fall in love with one, I am having a really hard time doing it.

I had a look at the new Dell XPS 15 last night. Looked okay at first glance, but the track pad had a little bit of a “floaty” feel to it, keyboard was just OK, screen brightness at 400 nits just OK. Maybe more important was that beyond the nice look and feel of the carbon fiber, the overall fit and finish was poor. When closed the lid fit was sloppy and uneven. Some elements looked like corner cutting decisions.

I am going to have another look at one elsewhere to just see if that particular one was abused, but left last night overall unimpressed.

I liked the overall build quality of the MSI machines, but it was definitely a heavier and thicker machine than the XPS 15 or MacBook Pro.

Aside from that. Reviews for the XPS 15 are a mixed bag, with a lot of problems and issues.

Still, may give one a try if it proves out that the one I looked at last night was just ridden hard as a floor model.

Kind of wishing for the Lenevo X1 Extreme or a Microsoft Surface Book 3 maybe. The former may be late 2018, the latter 2019 or beyond.

Going to keep looking. I recently purchased a 2018 15” MBP, but also use Windows 10 machines and don’t have any problem returning the MBP and picking up a Windows Laptop if I can find one to love. So far, I just haven’t