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Switching from Windows to macOS: A Personal Journey

·1128 words·6 mins
Feature image: AI generated MacOS vs Windows

Switching from Windows to macOS can be a big change, especially for long-time Windows users (like me) who have grown accustomed to certain workflows, tools, and overall operating system behavior. After making the switch myself, I’ve noticed both the highs and lows, and here’s my experience.

Why switch from Windows to macOS? #

  • Annoying Startup Times: Windows, especially on older hardware, often takes a while to boot up. Even with Windows 11, it can feel sluggish compared to the nearly instantaneous wake times on macOS.
  • Windows 11 Feels Like a Step Back: Despite all the visual enhancements in Windows 11, I personally miss the reliability and ease of use that came with Windows 10. It feels like the user experience has taken a hit, with some elements feeling less polished.
  • Constant Updates and Rebooting: Windows updates always seem to come at the most inconvenient times, forcing restarts and breaking your flow. With macOS, updates are more discreet, and reboots aren’t as frequent.
  • Battery Power: One of the main draws for switching to a MacBook is the battery life. Apple’s M3 chipsets deliver phenomenal battery performance. My new MacBook lasts significantly longer than my Windows-based ThinkPad.
  • Better Terminal Integration: While Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a nice feature for developers, macOS’s native integration of Unix-based tools like bash and zsh feels more seamless and intuitive. For me, working in macOS feels closer to a real Linux environment than Windows ever did.

Which hardware? #

I chose the MacBook Pro M3 with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage to ensure it stays powerful for several years. The 14-inch size was also important for me. Since I wasn’t in a hurry, I was able to compare offers and eventually bought a returned item at a good price, saving about 30% off Apple’s original retail price.

CriterionMacBook Pro M3 (16 GB, 1 TB)Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4
ProcessorApple M3 (8-core CPU)AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U (8 cores, 16 threads, 3.3 GHz to 5.1 GHz)
RAM16 GB (not expandable)32 GB (up to 64 GB DDR5)
Storage1 TB SSD1 TB SSD
GraphicsIntegrated Apple GPU (10 cores)Radeon 780M GPU (integrated, RDNA 3 architecture)
Screen14.2" Liquid Retina XDR display, 3024 x 1964 pixels, 120 Hz14" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), IPS, matt, non-touch
Operating systemmacOS SequoiaWindows 11 Pro
Battery lifeUp to 22 hoursUp to 14 hours (never reached more then 5-6 hours)
Ports3x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, headphone jackUSB-C, USB-A, HDMI, RJ45, headphone jack, microSD (variable)
WeightApprox. 1.6 kgFrom approx. 1.4 kg
Security featuresTouch ID, Secure Enclave, hardware-encrypted SSDFingerprint sensor, TPM 2.0, AMD PRO Security Features
Design and materialAluminium unibodyMagnesium alloy, robust to military standard
Special featuresHigh performance for macOS-optimized apps, excellent displayExpandability, business features, robust construction

My Apps #

Before switching to MacOS I made sure, my most used Windows applications and tools are available on MacOS too - or at least there are alternatives.

Browsers #

Actually every main browser I use, is available on MacOS too (Firefox, Edge and Chrome).

Security Tools #

Categoryon Windows 10/11on macOS
Password SafeEnpass Enpass
File EncryptionCryptomatorCryptomator
OTP AppEnteAuthEnteAuth

Productivity #

Categoryon Windows 10/11on macOS
OfficeLibreOfficeLibreOffice
ScanningNAPS2NAPS2
PDF EditingPDF24PDFgear
E-MailBetterbirdBetterbird
Nextcloud ClientNextcloudNextcloud

Multimedia #

Categoryon Windows 10/11on macOS
Video PlayerVLCVLC
Video EncodingHandBrakeHandBrake
Music StreamingSpotifySpotify
Media NFO EditorMediaElchMediaElch
Photo BookPixumPixum

Other Tools #

Categoryon Windows 10/11on macOS
SSH Connection ManagerWinSSHTermTabby, iTerm2
SFTP ClientFileZillaFileZilla
SCP ClientWinSCPCyberduck
Imaging ToolRufusEtcher
Archiving ToolPeazipKeka
Software Defined NetNetbirdNetbird
Package ManagerChocolateyBrew
VirtualizationVirtualBoxVirtualBox, UTM

Editors #

Categoryon Windows 10/11on macOS
Text EditorNotepad++CotEditor
Code EditorVisual Studio CodeVisual Studio Code

MacOS Tools #

On MacOS I additionally use helpful tools like Maccy (clipboard manager) and Alttab (Windows’s “alt-tab” window switcher). For viewing images FlowVision looks promising.

The Good #

  • Startup and Reboot Times: Compared to my ThinkPad running Windows 11, the MacBook Pro with the M3 chip boots and restarts much faster. The near-instant startup time from sleep is also a game changer.
  • Display Quality: The Retina display on MacBooks is stunning. Whether you’re working with text, images, or videos, everything looks incredibly crisp and vibrant. Compared to my Windows machine, the difference is clear.
  • Smooth Performance: One of the most notable advantages of macOS is how smoothly everything runs. From multitasking to app switching, the entire experience feels more fluid than on my Windows device.
  • AirDrop: It’s super easy to share and copy photos, files and other stuff using AirDrop. For cross-platform sharing I recommend LocalSend. It works on Windows, MacOS and Linux (and on Android/iOS).

The Bad #

  • Finder Isn’t as User-Friendly as Windows Explorer: Windows Explorer feels more intuitive for me. Finder in macOS is fine, but I miss some features and ease of navigation that I’m used to in Windows. It feels strange that you need an additional tool like Command-X to cut and paste files.
  • Fewer Ports on MacBook Pro: My ThinkPad has a plethora of connection options—USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, etc. On the MacBook Pro, the ports are limited, and you’ll often need adapters for basic tasks.
  • The MacBook case is much more sensitive than the robust case of my Lenovo Thinkpad. Of course, the MacBook looks nicer ;-)

Which Tools Do I miss most? #

Switching to macOS has been a mostly positive experience, but there are a few (free) tools I miss from Windows:

  • ShareX: While macOS does have built-in screenshot functionality, it’s not as powerful or customizable as ShareX.
  • Notepad++: I really miss Notepad++. It’s a fantastic lightweight editor with features like auto-backup that I haven’t found an exact replacement for on macOS.
  • WinSSHTerm: I haven’t found a perfect replacement for this SSH client on macOS. For now, I’m sticking with Tabby and iTerm2, but the search continues.
  • MailStore Home: On Windows, I used MailStore Home to backup and archive several mailboxes. I haven’t found a comparable tool for macOS that works as smoothly.
  • IrfanView: This was my go-to lightweight image viewer for years. While there are many alternatives available on macOS, none have yet matched the simplicity and functionality of IrfanView for me.

Conclusion #

Switching from Windows to macOS has its share of ups and downs. The hardware and software experience on macOS feels polished and efficient, but the transition is not without compromises, particularly when it comes to missing tools and working with the Finder. Still, for me, the benefits—especially in terms of performance, battery life, and display quality—have made the switch worth it.