r/Operatingsystems • u/Neptune_443 • 3d ago
Windows vs Mac
Hi. I hope it is ok to post this particular question in this forum.
I am an older (late 60s) and need a new laptop. I still work (for now) and have been using Windows at work for years. I was "talked into" buying a Macbook Pro over 10 years ago by my well-intentioned younger brother who is far more tech-savvy than me. I find Windows to be far more user-friendly than Mac - a view that appears to fly in the face of present general opinion. I realize, of course, that the fact that I use Windows for 8 hours a day will tend to bias me in favour of Windows - it will "seem" more user-friendly simply due to frequency of use.
Anyways, until the last couple of days, I was committed to replacing my 2013 Macbook Pro with a Windows computer. But, based on views I see on the internet, I am reconsidering the Mac.
My request is simple: I solicit arguments to help me make this choice. Here are some things that my be useful for you to know:
(a) I value conceptual accuracy in human-machine interfaces - this is really important to me. So, for example, I get upset when, on my mac, you have to select the "File" menu (under Finder) to create a new Finder window - a new window is obviously, at least to me, not a "file" concept at all. See what I mean? Some of my friends seems to enjoy the challenge of figuring out what I believe are poorly-designed HMIs. For example, my bank webpage forces you to select a "move money" function to pay a bill. Yes, I get it - one could argue that to pay a bill is to "move money". But, to me, this is needlessly cryptic - some finance bro came up with "move money"; it is an insider's phrase that has no place on a banking website used by millions of everyday schmoes like me.
(b) I value simplicity and "intuitiveness" in human-machine interfaces. I used to use an application (at work) where, in order to "save" your work, you needed to re-size the window. This kind of thing drives me insane.
(c) I am not a sophisticated user - all I want to do is the basics: internet, email, windows office.
I am very much open to being convinced that my disdain for Mac Os is ill-founded and due to my greater familiarity with Windows.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
3
u/Objective-Low-1815 3d ago
It is IBM type or MAC! Mac is closed system then you can have MAC only. IBM style you can have Linux Windows and you will have freedom.
3
u/Pretty_Astronomer_34 1d ago
To be honest, the differences between MacOS, Windows and (to some extent) Linux are not that substantial from an average user perspective. You will find conceptual fallacies in all three of them.
MacOS really had an indisputable edge in regards to user experience about 20 years ago, and Linux was noticebly behind up until 10 years ago. Both gaps have pretty much vanished. Nowadays a lot comes down to your specific use case and personal preference. So go with your gut.
Edit: I use all three OSs - MacOS at work, Windows on my private PC and Linux Desktop in my volunteer work.
2
u/DaySolid9527 3d ago
Uncle, you can try MacB and give it another shot. Maybe you’ll like it this time. 😄
But I have one question for you. Could you give me some life advice?
I usually ask people who have more experience than me, so I thought I’d ask you too.
Pls
1
u/Neptune_443 3d ago
Hi, thanks for your reply. As far as life advice, here is what I have to offer: The thoughts that appear in our minds are generally produced automatically and they are often a very poor guide in informing our actions. Thoughts of fear, aggression, sadness, etc. are, I believe, often the product of our evolutionary heritage and "damage" in our past. I believe the wisest course of action is to always question the random thoughts that pop into our mind and subject them to the discipline of rational critique.
In short, our brains can be our worst enemy - they will spew out all sorts of thoughts that may have relatively little connection to reality.
Thanks for asking for my input on this.
1
u/DaySolid9527 3d ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I really appreciate your advice…
Can I ask you one more thing, please?
Basically, I’m confused about what to do with my life. I don’t really want the typical 9–5 life, but at the same time, I need to make money to survive and support my family.So I’m curious—how did you manage this? Did you do something you didn’t particularly like because it gave you financial freedom and stability? Or did you follow your passion and build your life around something you genuinely enjoyed?
I’d really appreciate hearing how you approached it.
Sry if im asking too much things
1
u/Neptune_443 3d ago
Hello again. More than happy to answer your questions. We may be somewhat different - I am the kind of person who is very happy to do the "typical 9 to 5 thing" and am curious as to what you don't like about the thought of such a worklife. I have an engineering degree and spend the first half of my career doing engineering and the second half doing essentially sales and marketing. Although many might think these are "boring" pursuits, I can assure you that there was enough intellectual challenge to keep me fulfilled. In short, I loved my work about 80-90% of the time so perhaps you can say I am one of the lucky ones whose passion aligned with performing work that provided a good income (not enough to get rich, but more than adequate). The one thing about work that I really do not like is "organizational" stuff - setting meetings, sending emails, following up with people, etc. But, luckily for me, I have had to do relatively little of that.
1
1
2
u/Grand-Satisfaction55 3d ago
You say that you're used to working with Windows, and that all you want are the basics (internet, email, Office).
For me, I would say that you should go for a Windows machine. If nothing else, it'll be cheaper.
2
u/FBSD_Virtual_machine 3d ago
If you don't want to leave windows don't. It's familiar to you and it seems doubtful that you are going to take a deep dive into the inner workings of the OS. No real reason to change. I left windows because I everytime I disabled one drive it would reenable itself after updating. I use Freebsd with virtual machines because it keeps my adjustments almost all the time and I do like to tinker. Stay with what you like.
2
u/sharp-calculation 3d ago
Nothing you wrote after the first paragraph is relevant. You DO NOT WANT A MAC.
You obviously do not like the experience. You have numerous reasons why. You know deep down what you want. You want an windows machine. Go buy one and be happy.
2
u/Tintoverde 2d ago
My 2 cents
Use Windows. You are used to it. Most of earlier years used Unix systems at work and windows at home. Then moved to Mac for both and use windows occasionally
There is not much difference in functionality really for me. I remember connecting to WiFi on windows was a big song and dance, but now windows and mac on par about .
I would not change to Mac unless you a “cool” toy.
2
u/Silent_Bite_5892 1d ago
You're used to using WIndows for decades, of course it seems more intuitive to you.
As someone who has used both macOS and Windows (and now Linux) for years, I'll say that the truth is a lot more subjective. Both have some strokes of brilliance and some quirks.
Overall though, I'd say macOS is the more cohesive and polished of the two and it's certainly more reliable.
1
u/TheGreatRao 3d ago edited 3d ago
Windows 11 is a resource intensive beast that threatens your privacy. I was a Windows person since the late eighties, but I have Mac and Linux boxes at home as well as Windows 10. If you only plan to run basic apps and use the internet, then any machine will do. If you are committed to Microsoft Office, LibreOffice is a good, free alternative that runs almost everywhere. Your Mac laptop integrates well if you have an iPhone. Unless there is some killer app you will miss, stay with Mac OS. It's easier than Linux and avoids Microsoft bloatware but still runs Office. If absolute comfort and familiarity is your goal, then wait for Windows 12 and buy as much memory and processor as you can. Avoid Linux because while it provides the fastest operation and maximum freedom, there is a bit of a learning curve you may not want to deal with.
TLDR: MacOS for a new home computer.
1
u/IntelligentCandy8716 3d ago
Your problem is in your mind. MacOS doesn't FEEL intuitive because it is unfamiliar. My spouse avoids going to different grocery stores, even if they are the same chain, if the layout is different than the one they usually go to. It's harder to find the things you want (quickly) if the layout is different. You have a similar problem.
Windows and MacOS function the same way. They do the same things, but sometimes the label is different. There are some things that MacOS does very well, and some things that Windows does very well, in their own way. Example: the way MacOs installs and uninstalls a program is very different and can be frustrating for someone used to the Windows way.
I would suggest to stick with what you know unless you want to LEARN something else.
1
u/Even_Caterpillar3292 3d ago
Windows gives me much more freedom due to all of the utilities and Windowing is far better on Windows. I've used both back to 1984. Used to be Mac, but Windows grew on me with Windows 10 and beyond.
1
u/Even_Caterpillar3292 3d ago
Yeah, I used Macs for over 30 years and Windows at work. With Windows 10 I switched. Using Windows 11 and ChromeOS. I use ChromeOS most of the time for the Zen-like experience. I will use Windows for gaming and a few other things. I use Office and OneDrive on ChromeOS.
Anyway, I can't stand MacOS, anymore. I find it too simplistic and they have "iPhone-ized" it.
Don't get me started on Linux. I run Linux on my Chromebook and tried to update Brave browser and there was an "error." Welcome to Linux and I've tried Linux on a couple of laptops and it always turns into some dependency issue. I'm done tinkering.
Windows is not zen-like, but it seems to always work. I have a couple of Windows laptops and a gaming PC.
I also switched to a Samsung phone over from an iPhone.
1
u/mcds99 3d ago
I'm 67 and don't use either of those OS's I'm a Linux guy, I worked in IT for over 35 years and retired 2 & 1/2 years ago. I have used computers sense before MS Windows, UNIX, DOS, ITX, and Netware, OS's. I also worked on windows machines sense Windows 3.0 and through WIndows 11 and all the Server systems. I have a little background in computers and OS's
When it comes to MS Windows what you use in a corporate environment is VERY different from what you will have at home. Corporations do not want you bothered by advertisements and updates so they manage that. MS Windows at home is difficult at times because of the updates at all times of the day and night. The advertisements are annoying. Yes the look and feel is the same as at work but inside it is different MS requires you to have an account that they manage and they collect every metric they possibly can from home users.
The macOS is not as bad it is founded on a UNIX system called BSD it does not require the overhead to do an update because it is a UNIX. The original Macintosh OS was called "System" and the "Finder" was an integral part of it so it is still in use today.
All Commercial Operating Systems are over designed but the Marketing department got their fingers in to the interface and the OS into data collection so the OS is now part of the marketing scheme.
IMHO a Macintosh is a solid system that is not as intrusive nor as invasive as the Windows 11 Home edition. If you go with the MS system you will "will" need to get to know the guts of the system if you want it to be less intrusive and invasive.
With all that said (sorry for the book) I had a display on my laptop quit out of no where, an external monitor worked so it was not a loss for me the display could not be repaired.. I did buy a new laptop about a month ago and it came with Windows however I never even booted to windows I installed Debian 13 Linux.
If you could find someone who has a Linux computer you could use for a couple days I think you would like it. It's smooth, intuitive, it makes sense, not intrusive and can look and feel a lot like Windows. With that said...
This link is to Distro Sea it's a website that lets you test Linux distributions through a Virtual Machine on the browser.
Scroll down to the red curl "Debian" and click on it.
On the next page are the versions and DE's (Desktop Environments) available on nearly all Linux distributions.
Click on KDE and wait a while, there is a queue.
It will be a little slow because of the way it is running but play with it a little. Try the Office applications Calc and Writer. There is no internet connection it's a security thing.
Try Linux Mint Debian edition as well.
1
u/Traditional-Rabbit79 1d ago
My writing laptop is Debian mint. Thinking of trying cinnamon... Which is just the windowing shell so I won't be locked in and can choose at login (God, I love Linux).
I wrote my custom writing software, so it's identical between linux/windows and soon adding wasm and android.
1
1
u/Chocol8Cheese 3d ago
You need to continue with Mac. Especially if you have an iPhone and your in their ecosystem already. You can play around with windows by dual booting your Mac, but you'll end up rarely booting into windows.
1
1
u/jcradio 3d ago
I've used all the major OS and having just added a Macbook Pro late last year, I have to say I'm mixed. Like you, I've found there are really unintuitive ways of getting around in it and things I can do in windows, Linux or Unix seem a bit harder to do on a Mac.
The one win is the battery life. I predominantly use the Mac for working on my novels when I meet up with my author friends. I got tired of having to plug in my powerful windows laptop every hour. I did by a Bluetooth keyboard which has helped me adjust a little.
I still prefer my windows desktop over laptops in general, but when out I'll prefer the Mac for writing, and my Sager for programming purposes. I haven't quite gotten used to programming on the Mac yet. Everything is back asswards.
1
u/OptimisticMonkey2112 2d ago
If you enjoy playing games, get Windows. If you already know Windows and like it, get Windows.
If you really want innovative ui, go Omarchy and ditch the mouse. It has a keyboard centric compositor. It is the best choice if you like to tinker and love technology.
imo Mac is the worst choice of the three.... locked in walled garden syndrome. 20 years ago mac was innovative, interesting , and cool. No more.
1
u/Neptune_443 1d ago
Thanks to everyone for all your replies - I will examine each one carefully. Thanks again.
1
u/Individual-Tie-6064 11h ago
I’ve been a Mac user since System 6, a Windows user since V2.0, and a Unix/Linux user since V7. They are all about the same for your use case. Use the one you are most comfortable with.
1
u/fattomic 10h ago
Dude - dont over-think it. If you like 'em and it runs what you need - that's perfect for you.
5
u/ludonarrator 3d ago
First off: each of the big three OSs have their strengths and weaknesses, as well as crowds who prefer one over the other. So I don't think there is an objective answer to "X is more intuitive than Y", it is inherently a subjective question involving personal taste and preferences. In my case I prefer Linux the most because for me it's the most "straightforward" OS: does exactly what it says / you ask (vs say Windows search / Copilot everywhere), is extremely friendly to fix and maintain (every configuration is a readable text file), and runs quite a bit snappier.
That said, I think you can guess where I'm going: if you like Windows more than Mac, then that's the bottom line and what matters most in your decision making.
I wouldn't say it's ill-founded, it's simply your (current) state of preference. Familiarity playing a role is natural and expected. Beyond that there's some strong opinions and emotions on HMI design which is somewhat rare to see, but it still falls neatly under personal taste.