In the desktop OS world, both Windows and Macintosh are quite popular. If you are switching from Windows to Mac, it may seem to be a difficult decision to make; however, if you consider a few aspects, the transition may be smooth. In this article are eight things to remember when you make a switch from Windows to Macintosh.
Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X are both popular desktop operating systems. Since the ’90s, Windows has dominated the desktop OS market. Macintosh on the other hand controls 7.58 percent of the market. Many people switch from Windows to Macintosh due to a variety of advantages: upper hand in security, low maintenance, more aesthetically pleasing interface, etc. However, if you are considering switching to Macintosh, you need to remember a few things mentioned here.
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1 The Price Factor
While Apple’s products are popular and innovative, they are also more expensive. For instance, a popular Macintosh laptop Apple MacBook Pro’s price starts at $1299, while HP Spectre 13, a comparable Windows laptop, costs $300 less. Price is a major factor many people consider while looking for a laptop. If it’s not an object to you, then Macintosh computers can be a great choice.
2The Number of Software Applications
Since Windows is the most popular desktop OS, many software development companies and independent programmers create software for it. This is the reason why there are thousands of free and cheap applications for Windows. In the case of Macintosh, there are far fewer applications. However, you can get almost everything done on a Mac with the available software applications. The only difference is that Windows gives you more choices than Mac OS X. Due to Mac’s rising popularity, however, many software companies now develop Mac versions of their products.
3Hardware Compatibility
Many people think that Apple Mac does not provide as many hardware drivers as Windows does. It is not quite true. Mac OS X does provide support for all kinds of external and internal hardware, including digital cams, webcams, printers, scanners, etc. Since Mac OS X has gathered some popularity, many hardware vendors also provide Mac drivers. However, the reverse is not always true. For instance, Thunderbolt, an Apple-Intel technology for fast data transfer, is not available on any of the Windows computers in the market.
4The Keyboard
There are several differences in the keyboard layouts of a Windows computer and a Mac. Mac keyboards lack several Windows keys, such as Enter, Backspace, Alt, Print Screen, Pause, Insert, Page Up, Page Down, etc. Mac keyboards have some special keys, such as Command, Return, Option, etc. If you are fond of Windows keyboard shortcuts, it may take some time for you to get around an Apple keyboard.
5Games for Mac
Traditionally, Windows computers enjoyed many more games than Macintosh did. The reason behind this was also the popularity of Windows. But now, many game developers, such as Electronic Arts, Rockstar North, Blizzard, Valve, Microsoft Ensemble Studios, etc., develop games for the Mac platform. High-end Macintosh computers, such as MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, come with expensive graphics cards that provide very admirable gaming experience.
6The Mac Interface and System Services
When it comes to the interface of the operating system, Mac differs greatly from Windows. In Mac, there is no Start menu, Control Panel, Run option, etc. While a Windows power user will find only minor difficulty to adjust to Windows 8’s interface, he will find it harder to get around a Macintosh’s. Here are a few Mac counterparts of Windows products.
| Windows | Macintosh |
| Explorer | Finder |
| Outlook | Mac Mail |
| Internet Explorer | Apple Safari |
| Windows Live/Skype | Apple FaceTime |
| Task bar | Mission Control |
| Recycle Bin | Trash |
| System Restore | Time Machine |
| Personalize | System Preferences |
In a Mac system, keyboard shortcuts are different; the position of certain windows’ buttons is different, and menu placement is different. The way you install software, share files, connect to the Internet, create backups, etc., are all somewhat different on a Mac. It may take some time to get used to and customize the operating system if you are coming from Windows.
7 Technical Support
Within the world of Windows, technical support is only a phone call away. Most OEMs for Windows provide in-house operating system support for most of the issues. In-warranty technical assistance over phone or on-site is available for a period of one or two years. With Macintosh, however, Apple provides you free technical support only for the first ninety days (in addition to limited one-year warranty). Beyond that, you have to purchase AppleCare in order to receive continued technical support.
8 Apple Family of Devices
As you probably know, Apple iPhone continues to be the most popular smartphone, and the iPad is the most popular tablet. These devices are more compatible with a Macintosh computer than with any other. There are certain Apple technologies that seamlessly connect these devices, such as Thunderbolt (a fast data transfer technology), FaceTime (VoIP tools and technologies), iCloud, AirDrop, etc. Hence, if you own the iPhone or iPad, Macintosh can give you better interoperability with them than Windows.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to identify the best computer operating system. However great one OS is, you will find similar features and advantages in another. Mac OS X is rising in popularity these days, and Windows is still reigning supreme in the PC market. Continuous development and support are available for both these operating systems, and it’s up to a user to choose whichever he wants.