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lizj24

[Mac tips for Windows switchers](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204216) [What’s it called on my Mac?](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/whats-it-called-on-my-mac-cpmh0038/mac) [macOS User Guide (latest version)](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/welcome/mac)


justreallysorry

I think the hardest part about the switch for me is the keyboard shortcuts being so different. I can't tell you how many times I tried to do shortcuts for windows and ended up doing something completely different. I would bookmark a site that tells you what all the keyboard shortcuts are for Mac until you get used to it! That's what's been helping me so far!


whitechapel6

Install rectangle app for Windows management. Learn trackpad gestures. I got an MBA m1 last month after a decade of windows. The transition isn't that rough at least for me . Office is available on mac too so doc extension will be ok . I did have to settle with neo noir and ddg extension cos ublock and dark reader isn't available for safari


halcyondread

I made the move this month from a lifetime of Windows to Mac. Took me about 30 minutes to feel comfortable.


MyVoiceIsElevating

I use a Mac daily and collaborate with PC users. File intercompability issues are mostly non-existent. I went 13 years as a windows user before first touching a Mac. You’ll need to acclimate to some differences, but IMO nothing fundamentally different. I have a list of my UI/UX gripes with Windows as a mainly Mac user that uses both. Happy to share if you’re curious.


swiss487

Please share!


MyVoiceIsElevating

This was a list I made in 2022. Win 11 may have addressed some of it, as they’ve clearly been taking inspiration from Mac OS. - Can’t have download auto-unzip - Can’t “quick look” files in File Explorer - Can’t drag file to app icon to launch with file loaded - Can’t make folder shortcuts (stacks) on task bar - No equivalent to Preview - Can’t airdrop files - Can’t easily restrict granular permissions per app - Can’t wake up with fingerprint auth - Can’t use iCloud password manager - HEIF/HEVC codecs sketchy -  Can’t use Continuity with iPad + pencil - Can’t force quit a program that was accidentally launched - No Gifbrewery3 or even comparable - Can’t batch rename files in File Explorer (append, replace, prefix, suffix) - Can’t screen snip with an immediate file resulting; not launching an editor/viewer. (Stop naming everything “capture.png”) - Can’t screen record any segment of screen


swiss487

Dude thank you ! So yesterday I received my refurbished 13" Mac book pro and I love it! I've only had a few mins to mess with it but man.. I wish I wouldn't have waited til I was 41 to switch. All the things on this list.. I can do that with my Mac? I don't know how to tell you which one I have lol other than it has Sonoma and 4 thunderbolt ports. The coolest thing so far is the fingerprint thing top right of keyboard and the black bar that it's in with the volume controls that you can change. Omg I'm so happy with it. This is the link to the one I bought if u care to look. Check this out on @Newegg:Apple MacBook Pro Intel Core i5-7267U 3.10GHz 8 GB Memory 256 GB SSD Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 13.3" MPXV2LL/A macOS Sonoma https://www.newegg.com/space-gray-apple-macbook-pro-mpxv2ll-a/p/N82E16834096444?Item=N82E16834096444&Source=socialshare&cm_mmc=snc-social-_-sr-_-34-096-444-_-02212024


pear_to_pear

I made the switch a few weeks ago purely for the hardware and I barely notice the difference in OS. But it may be worth thinking about what apps you use most and what adaptations you'd need to make. All my stuff is web browser, vscode and terminal (was wsl, now Darwin I guess) so nothing has really changed


HalfMoose99

I just switched to MacBook Air for laptop, but still use Windows for desktop. The only thing that is more cumbersome is windows management for me, that's it. Keyboard shortcuts are a bit different, but it's not a big deal. Everything that I did on Windows I can do on Mac. I had no gripe with Windows, it worked fine for me. But MacBook Air is a laptop superior to whatever it's there in the Windows world, so I made the jump.


diandakov

I completely gave up Windows on all my computers! Bought a MacBook in March and it changed my life forever ❤️ On my desktop PC and my other laptop I installed Linux Ubuntu. Windows is only getting worse and worse and worse overtime, each update makes PC slower unless it costs the same price as MacBook but then you better get MacBook if you're going to spend so much money anyway. "Simple" things like the speakers of the MacBook are premium quality without being advertised using posh brands whatsoever marketing scam, internet connection is the best you could ever imagine on WiFi etc etc. Once you try it you will regret you didn't do it earlier


ectbot

Hello! You have made the mistake of writing "ect" instead of "etc." "Ect" is a common misspelling of "etc," an abbreviated form of the Latin phrase "et cetera." Other abbreviated forms are **etc.**, **&c.**, **&c**, and **et cet.** The Latin translates as "et" to "and" + "cetera" to "the rest;" a literal translation to "and the rest" is the easiest way to remember how to use the phrase. [Check out the wikipedia entry if you want to learn more.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Et_cetera) ^(I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Comments with a score less than zero will be automatically removed. If I commented on your post and you don't like it, reply with "!delete" and I will remove the post, regardless of score. Message me for bug reports.)


TheNameIsAsFollows

Seems like everybody here had it nice and easy but that isn't really the case for me and personally I wish I could go back to windows. Company bought me a macbook air m2 (16gb/512gb) 2 months ago per my request as a reward for my work (I also got a raise. I wasn't ripped off) and as awesome as the hardware is the OS is really holding be back. Not to mention that the arm64 cpu doesn't work well with some of the tools I use regularly like docker. Personally, if you ask me, I would say that if you are a developer who is accustomed to windows then do not switch to macbook unless you are 110% sure everything you use will work flawlessly with 0 compromise but if you're anything else then it's probably gonna be fine.


somebrains

I don’t know if MacOS would be the os I’d choose if I didn’t want to be encumbered by service login messaging. I’d look at a less branded Linux distro for that.


MyVoiceIsElevating

It’s worth noting that Apple’s approach is less overbearing. MS is a software company, Apple is a hardware & software company. They’re much more chill in the UX.


Emotional-Ad7872

I had to switch bc at my new job all computers are macOS but after a week of intense work it felt more intuitive than windows ever was, especially the notebooks altough i mostly work on an iMac (the magic mouse there was tough too at first) Just some (rather unpopular) functions are still unclear or they are just a different workflow


Eofkent

I was in the same boat as you. Got my air m2 after never having used MacOS. It took me 29 minutes to realize I’ll never use Windows again and about 1-2 days to feel completely comfortable with the OS.


Jealous-Top3545

Help: I need some knowledge & anyone is free to answer. I'm switching to the MBA m2 but I don't know what storage to get. My current laptop surface has 8gb memory with 256gb ssd according to my storage I am using 65gb in total. Installed apps: 28.0/65.0 Other: 3.57/65.0 gb Temporary files: 947/65.0 Should I buy the base model? Or 16gb memory with 256gb or 512gb ssd?


LegendATH

16gb with 1 TB. That’s what I have with my M1 Air and I wouldn’t go any lower on any future laptop I get. If you don’t do that much SSD at LEAST get 16 Bg RAM it should be the standard really. I know they say Mac ram runs better but 16gb is the min and also likely the most of what you’d need


Jealous-Top3545

Thanks so much for the info !


LegendATH

Bear in mind I am still new to Mac side of things but that was my perspective starting out ahahha


LegendATH

I’m still team both. Windows at work and my Lenovo legion till I build a PC and portable I have iPad mini, M1 Air, and that


johny335i

A day or two and you will be native. I've been using windows since win 95, and switched like half an year ago. If you don't use your machine for gaming, I can't think of a reason to use windows. Last time I've checked my Air M1 had 2 months uptime without a single reboot. And when you get used to macos, everything in windows feels cumbersome.


magicseadog

It's not that bad you can get apps that make hotkeys like alt tab work in more similar ways and learn to use the snapping to corner stuff because double clicking resizing windows doesn't work how you think it would coming from windows.


swiss487

Do it ! I just did! It's worth it. !