What's the appeal of MacOS over Windows 10?

[mlody]

I have been using Macs for several years, but only at home. I also have an option to have a Mac for work, but I am avoiding it becasue I see no benefit to use Mac at work, only bunch of problems.

I read all the pros of mac's and while I agree on many of them, the reality is that Macs are just not as robust when it comes with integration with the Windows networks and any Microsoft services such Sharepoint, OneDrive, Visio, Project, Offcie 365, Exchange etc.

Also for the longest time, mac users would not even be able ot use Windows SMB shares without breaking ALCs.

It also blows my mind that I cant just simply close a lid on any mac without forcing it to go to sleep; meaning going from a meeting to a meeting, I see mac people running with the stupid lids open so they do not loose something that is active on their screen, or interput a webex or skype for business meeting, or you name it. I know that there are some apps that can help with this, but come on Apple.

Also, most Microsoft Office software is soo watered down on Mac, that is not even funny. You would think that things like Outlook 2016 or Skype for Business on Mac would have feature parity with Windows equivalent, but they are far far from having feature parity.

Before someone tells me that they are the same, take a look at this link
https://support.office.com/en-us/ar...-Windows-bd54cb79-d367-4c2f-89c7-3e5d16618f87

Overall, I enjoy Macs but in a home environment. I agree, the iOS and macOS has very nice integration. I like Time Machine, AirDrop and ofcourse iMessage/TXT integration, but when it comes to Microsoft business work and integration Macs still have a long way before I would consider one for work.

 

[niploteksi]

One example would be Core Audio, but I'm uncertain if that compensates for the low specs and high price on hardware. As a typewriter there are plenty of machines that I'd rather have than any of the Macs and Windows works just fine these days (I've used Macs and Unix for much longer than Windows).

 

[Ulenspiegel]

I use both OS on daily basis and prefer OS X/MacOS. Reasons:

1. Security.
2. Stability.
3. UI and ease of use.
4. Trackpad and its functionality.
5. Apple eco-system and stock applications (Safari, Mail etc.).
6. Possibility to run Windows or Windows based software.

 

[allan.nyholm]

Anyway, that's my Captain Obvious post for the day.

Take your trolling elsewhere if you are so unhappy with macOS.

Captain Obvious.

Why do we waste our time discussing and seemingly helping pople on their way with recommendations to their choice of OS and platform if they have made their mind up. That's the main reason for these thread which always is started by a troll who wants no answer but wants to see the world burn.

To the OP: you've been onboard since 2013? And you have YET to fit your brain to the concept of macOS? You have not been trying hard enough. 3 years!!! Geez.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Take your trolling elsewhere if you are so unhappy with macOS.

You don't know my fuller position on the Mac platform I have been using for over 20 years. It's the new year. You're off to a great start by continuing the trend of spewing hatred against people online.

 

[BarracksSi]

What I usually tell people making/trying the switch: stop using your Mac like you used your computer so far. Think about what you want to do, and how you naturally would expect the computer to behave. And most of the time, that's how it works on the Mac.

This is the same thing that one friend of mine, a recent Mac switcher himself, said to another friend. The other friend had asked, "How do I get this file over there?" The first friend answered, "Just drag it there and drop it, like you would do naturally. When in doubt, think of the simplest, most obvious way, and it'll probably work."

Anyway, what do I like about the Mac OS?

Primarily, and IMO, it comes down to Apple "controlling the whole widget", as Jobs liked to say. Many of the weird inconsistencies I find annoying on my Win10 work laptop are because of multiple vendors and an apparent lack of standards. Not only do I need to use a vendor-specific control panel for the trackpad, but even the vendor's control panel doesn't know that the trackpad has five buttons around it.

When stuff breaks, recovery has been easy, too. I had to get my HD replaced last week, and the only thing I "lost" was the time it took for Migration Assistant to copy everything from my Time Machine backup. All my files, usernames, passwords, system preferences... everything made it onto the new drive, and it's like nothing broke at all. It was similar to the only other time my Apple laptop broke (back in 2004, I think, Apple replaced/upgraded my iBook because of a known video card flaw). Got the new one in the morning, plugged in my backup and started copying during lunch, and I was playing with the new iBook by dinnertime.

Although I had been somewhat computer-savvy since learning how to use an Apple II in fifth grade, I didn't buy my first computer until 1999 when I got my first iBook -- and that's mainly because I was about to graduate college. I had been using school labs for class assignments, and although they had both Mac and Windows machines, I always gravitated to the Macs.

What further got me into sticking with Mac was learning how much more capable they could be. I've got a friend who's been doing IT security stuff for as long as I've known him, and he got one of the then-new Powerbook G4s soon after Apple switched to OS X. I knew he usually used Wintel laptops, so I asked what he liked about the Powerbook. He rattled off a list of things that were [at that time] foreign to me -- subsystems, server software, shells, you name it -- and raved about how the OS was able to handle so many of the cutting-edge things he was doing. That was about 15 years ago, and he's never strayed from the Mac since.

 

[cynics]

The appeal of MacOS vs Windows for me personally is the integration with other Apple products and security.

I enjoy continuity, handoff, answering phone calls, sending and receiving SMC and iCloud photo library when using in combination with my iPhone/iPad.

Security....well I just just feel more comfortable with having sensitive data on MacOS then Windows. I have no "point in case" for this its just how I feel....

I don't think one is better than the other just that one is better for me than the other.

 

[Toutou]

My MacBook is my only Apple product (the iDevices just aren't worth it), so I don't care about the ecosystem.
For me, macOS is the Linux experience in a Windows package. Nice and clean but POSIX compliant and development friendly.

If the downward spiral of macOS continues, I'm leaving the ship for Linux.

 

[thingstoponder]

None to be frank. Those who have issues with Windows 10 tend to be spouting myths or aren't serious users. It outperforms macOS on every front because APIs and drivers are optimal and updated frequently. File management is deeper and performs better on corporate networks too.

Where macOS continues to dominate, and Apple takes advantage of this, is just having a simple OS for laptop use. Apple knew years ago it can't compete as a workstation or gaming OS (though they still try) so all the innovation you see has been towards mobility and syncing with other mobile gadgets.

I don't think Microsoft will catch up with what Apple has done in that sector, and probably they don't need to because they sell Office and other services to Mac users anyway.

Anyway, that's my Captain Obvious post for the day.
[doublepost=1479030014][/doublepost]

That's actually a myth. macOS is a XNU hybrid kernel based on mach and BSD. Mach can run on top of other operating systems too. It didn't get Unix certification until around 2005-2006 (7 years after OS X Server shipped)and until a few years ago the OS installed allowed us to not install the BSD sub system. There was also an option to install X Windows.

The Windows NT kernel is also a hybrid derived from some of the same sources that the macOS kernel derived from.

You're throwing around lots of claims without proof. It outperforms macOS on every front? Prove it.

What a ridiculous claim that there is nothing appealing about macOS over Windows.
[doublepost=1483849537][/doublepost]

My MacBook is my only Apple product (the iDevices just aren't worth it), so I don't care about the ecosystem.
For me, macOS is the Linux experience in a Windows package. Nice and clean but POSIX compliant and development friendly.

If the downward spiral of macOS continues, I'm leaving the ship for Linux.

What downward spiral? People have been complaining since Lion that the OS is turning into a toy yet none of it has come true. Apple has repeatedly stated that they aren't going to force a touch screen or iOS interface on laptops.

 

[Toutou]

iOS interface on laptops

*cough Launchpad *cough

OS is turning into a toy … yet none of it has come true

*cough iWork *cough Aperture *cough Disk Utility *cough OpenGL support *cough

 

[redman042]

My experience is quite similar to the OP on this one. I purchased my first Mac a few months ago (2016 m5 MB) and found it harder than I expected to transition from Windows. I'm very proficient with computers and have been using iPhones and iPads since 2009, but had never spent much time on a Mac. At work, we are a Windows shop and always will be. I know all the tricks and shortcuts in Windows 10 like the back of my hand.

When our home PC got old and needed replacement, we decided on a Mac in order to take advantage of all the ecosystem commonalities (continuity, iCloud photos, etc.). I was very excited to get the MacBook, but after a few days found myself less productive in MacOS than I expected. But I kept at it and made sure to use Google to help me learn MacOS techniques and shortcuts as questions came up. I'm feeling pretty efficient with it now, though I'm still discovering things and having "duh" moments. Getting to this point took time and perseverance, more than expected, simply because all the little Windows shortcuts and window management tricks that I know are different on the Mac. In fact, the whole concept behind window management and multiple displays is different on the Mac. Not worse or better (IMO), just different.

I like the Mac a lot. The trackpad is incredible, as are the different gestures. Continuity works great. I love not having to worry much about viruses or malware. In full-screen mode, it's super easy to switch apps and it makes a 12" screen more usable. Display scaling is far better than Windows. The hardware is built incredibly well. I know I will always get great support from Apple.

On the flipside, I also like my work-issued Surface Pro 4 with Windows 10 quite a lot. Windows 10 is a solid OS. Moving and snapping windows is straightforward and flexible. While it may not be perfectly optimized for touch, having the option to use a finger or the stylus is very nice, and I do use it. If I want similar functionality on the Mac, I pull out the iPad and use iCloud and continuity to bring the work over. This is also nice, and in many cases better, but it does involve two expensive devices.

I do think a few of you are being a little hard on the OP. In any case, we are lucky to live in a world where Apple and Microsoft are working so hard to improve their offerings and win us over.

 

[loby]

Yep, that's probably a fair assessment. To your first point about dragging applications to another monitor I'm not sure what I'm missing. If I drag the window over it will partially disappear from the monitor I'm dragging from but it will never partially or fully appear in the monitor that I'm dragging to. So if I'm dragging from a left monitor to a right monitor no part of the window shows up in the right monitor.
[doublepost=1478803326][/doublepost]But really my post was, what do you LOVE about Mac OS over the Windows experience? I'm not trying to be facetious...I really want to know. Maybe I just need to challenge myself a bit more with this OS to learn tricks and shortcuts and such. As it is I'm not feeling the love...yet.

This thread could turn into a positive refresher to start the year off with remembering why most of us are passonate about the Mac. The OS.

Yes, it has its issues at times, but the user experience is the best. Generally you just use the OS like saying.."I want to do this.." and think naturally and you can do it instead of having to learn "how" to do something in Windows. Less having to spend hours on "figuring" it out or have to read a manual. Generally you can turn it on and get down to business.

Was a 20 year vet on Windows, would never think of going to mac and was a hater, UNTILL I bought the little box (mac mini 2009) to play with and saw it as the guide to the promise land. I was shocked when i plugged in my musical keyboard and it was ready to be used and get to working. I expected a few hours of dealing with setup.

At first i too said "how do you do" something, but you have to stop thinking like complicated Windows and first say, "what makes sense and the easiest way to do something" and chances are that was what you thought is the way it is.

Took me just a few hours to switch my mind and figure out how to use then OS X. That was it. Easy, basically no hassle..

And a JOY to use. Never never went back and entered a land of hassle free user experience.

Miss the installation intro of Snow Leopard and the "du du" music.. that was my first experience with mac as if it said.. "Welcome home". And i laughed.

Good memory.

 

[Tech198]

Mac's have their different quirks as well, Windows is just more direct as doing stuff allot more stuff u would otherwise need an app for in the first place.

Windows 10 may have other privacy issues as well, but at least u can control it better. Some people like downloading apps for simple tasks, but i don't...... When i need to do something i know Windows can do with no tools needed, i fire up windows instead to do what i need, not because i can't do it on a Mac, but because u need to go through that extra step (no matter how small it is) to get there.

All the little things add up... That's the reason. But as a long time Mac user, u do get used to the differences. and if it's not something u must do,, u quickly get used to not doing it.

 

[Lil Chillbil]

I run both a very powerfull windows computer (Skylake i7, 32 GB DDR4, 1080, SSD) and Mac (check sig) and I could live with either.

 

[trifid]

One of the big factors where the Mac platform has always been better is general app consistency, more intuitive and easy to use UI and polish. Mac apps are generally more consistent in menu structure, shortcuts and UI whereas Windows 10 still has a vast world of 3rd party apps being a complete circus UI-wise in general.

To me this is a huge factor, the look and feel, the polish generally in mac apps gives you a far better experience.

 

[Tech198]

One of the big factors where the Mac platform has always been better is general app consistency, more intuitive and easy to use UI and polish. Mac apps are generally more consistent in menu structure, shortcuts and UI whereas Windows 10 still has a vast world of 3rd party apps being a complete circus UI-wise in general.

To me this is a huge factor, the look and feel, the polish generally in mac apps make it a far better experience.

You expect a button to be where its now not... ... I have issues with that to. but like always the appearance of apps, or other aspects u like kind of outweigh these small things... You notice it more in iOS.. Perhaps Apple looks at it from that point as a way to say "We can do what we like, we fill the gap with better stuff to draw attention away"

Kind of some weird way of acting but ...oh well

 

[RichardF]

Thank you all for the contribution: I have learned a few things in here.

 

[az431]

You can buy hardware that meets the bold issues. The italics isn't an issue these days. You don't have to worry about the version, just use the one on your computer. Also, sleep works perfectly on my computer. If your reasons for using macOS include incorrect information, maybe you should take another look.

You noted 4 issues out of his 26 that allegedly are not longer an issue, and 3 of them require buying hardware to resolve. That's your argument that he needs to take another look at windows?

Windows has always been a horrible mess, and Windows 10 is one of the worst. As a developer I sometimes need to develop on windows, in which case is I use 7.

In addition to what others have posted, Windows is laggy and lacks the smooth scrolling and crisp font and image rendering of MacOS. It looks like something from the 90s, which it is. It requires frequent updates to patch issues. It is expensive, and with each version moving more towards the invasion of privacy model that Google uses. The first time I installed Windows 10 I was greeted with non stop ads for books, music, etc.

If I have a problem with my mac running macOS, I can run down to the Apple Store and they fix it, even when it's out of warranty. If that happens on an HP running Windows 10, good luck. Your best alternative is a phone who is thousand miles away and has questionable english skills.

 

[Michael Goff]

You noted 4 issues out of his 26 that allegedly are not longer an issue, and 3 of them require buying hardware to resolve. That's your argument that he needs to take another look at windows?

Windows has always been a horrible mess, and Windows 10 is one of the worst. As a developer I sometimes need to develop on windows, in which case is I use 7.

In addition to what others have posted, Windows is laggy and lacks the smooth scrolling and crisp font and image rendering of MacOS. It looks like something from the 90s, which it is. It requires frequent updates to patch issues. It is expensive, and with each version moving more towards the invasion of privacy model that Google uses. The first time I installed Windows 10 I was greeted with non stop ads for books, music, etc.

If I have a problem with my mac running macOS, I can run down to the Apple Store and they fix it, even when it's out of warranty. If that happens on an HP running Windows 10, good luck. Your best alternative is a phone who is thousand miles away and has questionable english skills.

Uh huh.

Windows is from the 90's how? Nonstop ads? Seriously? If you want to be taken seriously, make actual points instead of letting clear biases paint the picture. Are there some ads? Yes. Can you shut them off? Yes. "Frequent updates" is a problem if you think being able to schedule updates to be once a month is too frequent for you. Heck, it can even restart in the middle of the night or whenever you're not actively using it.

Then we get to the worst point, the "I can just take it to an Apple store". That's a great point for you, personally, but not for most of the world. And if you buy a Surface, you can have them send you a new one, transfer your information over, and THEN send the other one back prepaid by them.

Windows is laggy, yet runs better on lower end hardware then macOS. Uh huh.

Use whatever you want, it's not my computer. But do try to have facts, yeah?

 

[jwolf6589]

As someone who came from the Windows world, can somebody explain to the me appeal of Mac OS? I started on Macbooks back with my 2013 rMBP and I absolutely love my Macbooks, including the new 2016 rMBP…but mainly for 2 things, the hardware (with that silky smooth trackpad that I so far haven’t found on a PC laptop) and the ability to iMessage. So what I typically do is boot into Windows via Bootcamp during the day (so that I can join my company’s domain) then switch back to MacOS during evenings and weekends. I wish I could just run Windows all the time on my Macbook but the experience just isn’t as smooth as it is on MacOS and then I’d be missing my iMessage functionality.


So I don’t hate MacOS and for much of what I do after work it’s just fine…and that’s really not much...mostly web browsing, replying to emails, etc. It’s when I try to do more complex stuff with the Mac that I run into frustrations. For example, a few times now I’ve tried running MacOS at work with multiple monitors as well as an external keyboard and mouse. Things that I find incredibly easy in Windows I find extremely difficult in MacOS. For example, clicking and dragging programs from 1 monitor to another. In Windows I just click and drag them. On MacOS I have to take my hand off of the keyboard and 3 finger swipe up on the trackpad to get to mission control (or hit the F3 button) then click and drag the app to the window where I want to park it. In Windows I simply click and drag the window, I don’t have to go into a “Mission Control”…and I don’t want 3rd party apps to do this. Another example…viewing photos in a folder. In Windows I just double click on an image and it opens it full screen in photo viewer then I use my mouse or arrow keys to toggle through the photos. In Mac OS I have to hit the spacebar to bring up the first photo then use the up and down arrow keys and that doesn’t work when the photo is maximized. File management is another issue. I just find it easier to manage files in Windows. For example, I can right-click on a file to drag and move it (instead of copy it). With Mac OS I have to press Cmd while I’m dragging. It’s just not as intuitive. Maybe it’s a matter of just getting used to it…maybe I just need to learn some keyboard shortcuts. I guess what I’m saying though is overall the Windows environment seems more intuitive. Somebody please help me understand the beauty of Mac OS vs Windows.

Not much. Macs are slower with conventional hard drives and Windows seems to be much faster and can do more.

 

[brewmonkey]

Lately, the absence of way over-the-top telemetry in macOS vs Win 10 is reason enough to avoid the latter in my opinion. MS has recently issued a plan to reduce that telemetry in upcoming patches/versions, but it remains to be seen how much of that is PR fluff.

 

[joelovesapple]

Not much. Macs are slower with conventional hard drives and Windows seems to be much faster and can do more.

Plenty of Macs now have SSDs or Fusion Drives, not sure what you're talking about.

 

[jwolf6589]

Plenty of Macs now have SSDs or Fusion Drives, not sure what you're talking about.

All their iMacs have conventional hard drives

 

[Badrottie]

I remembered when I was using Windows PC I was faced with BSOD too many times in the middle of everything I was working on or playing games. OS X/macOS did not.

 

[xraydoc]

All their iMacs have conventional hard drives

And all PCs have SSDs standard?

If you say so.