5 Reasons to Switch From Windows to macOS in 2024
I’ve been a Windows guy my entire life and while I’ve owned Mac devices in the past, they were never my primary computers.
That changed in November last year when I decided to replace my ageing gaming PC with a MacBook Air.
This was a significant shift for me, especially as a computer enthusiast who had handpicked and built my previous system. But I guess the main reason for this change was that I no longer played games, and my overall computer usage changed.
It’s now been around 8 months since I made the change, and I’d like to share some reasons why you might want to consider switching from Windows to macOS in 2024.
So without any further ado, here are 5 reasons to switch from Windows to macOS in 2024…
1. Seamless Connectivity
If you’ve never owned Apple devices, you don’t know what you’re missing out on when it comes to connectivity.
Apple has done a fantastic job in optimising how their devices connect with each other. You really have to try it yourself to understand the true value this brings in your daily life.
For instance, when travelling with my MacBook, I can easily connect to a personal hotspot on my iPhone. While connecting a Windows laptop to a mobile hotspot isn’t new, Apple makes the process easier. I just visit the Control Centre in the menu bar and select my iPhone under WiFi settings.
But, it doesn’t stop there. I’m currently listening to Endel on my iPhone using my AirPods Pro, but if I decide to watch a YouTube video, I can simply press play and Endel will pause and the AirPods will switch to my MacBook automatically. When I’m ready to return to Endel on my iPhone, I simply press play, and the soundscapes resume automatically.
While Multi-Point earbuds exist, I’ve found that Bluetooth on Windows can offer a frustrating user experience. I guess it’s all down to the fact that Apple has control over both hardware and software, resulting in a smoother, more reliable user experience.
2. The Apple Ecosystem
Setting up a new MacBook is straightforward and hassle-free. Unlike Windows, you don’t have to agree to pages and pages of terms and conditions only to find out that you need to sign up for a Microsoft account to use the laptop.
Furthermore, You’re not left searching for workarounds, such as setting up a local account—it’s all simple and user-friendly from the start.
With Migration Assistant, you can easily transfer all your documents, apps, settings and user accounts from your old Mac to your new Mac. That way, you’ll be able to easily resume working on a new device.
At the heart of the Apple ecosystem is continuity, you can use your Mac together with other Apple devices and move seamlessly between them.
One of these features is Handoff, which allows you to pick up where you left off on another device. For example, if I’m searching for something quickly on Google on my phone, I can quickly open it up in my browser window on my MacBook and it will take me exactly where I was on my iPhone.
Universal Clipboard is a feature I wish Windows had. It lets you copy and paste from one Apple Device to another. For example, I can easily copy links between my phone and MacBook.
I can also use AirDrop to easily share files between two Apple devices. I tend to use this a lot when transferring photos and videos to my MacBook.
3. The Software
When it comes to software, macOS offers a level of polish that I’ve found lacking in Windows. MacOS software follows a consistent design language, making everything look visually pleasing.
To be fair, Windows has improved its interface with Windows 11, and I’m a fan of the new design. However, many Windows apps don’t adhere to this style which can make the system seem messy.
On top of that, I’ve encountered far fewer bugs and crashes on macOS than I have using Windows. As someone who works in IT, Blue Screens of Death are all too familiar. However, I can’t recall the last time I had a crash or a software issue on macOS.
With macOS, you also have less bloatware and ads for apps. There’s nothing more annoying than turning on that new laptop you’ve just spent your hard-earned cash on to find that the system is filled with useless apps that you’ll never use. It just doesn’t happen with macOS.
4. Shortcuts
I’m a huge fan of Shortcuts. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Shortcuts, they are automation utilities you can use to automate things on your macOS and iOS devices.
I primarily use Shortcuts to automate my workflow and they’ve made a noticeable difference in my productivity.
One of my most used shortcuts is a simple one I discovered thanks to Christopher Lawley. It allows me to quickly add tasks to the inbox of my task management app, Things 3, directly from Spotlight search. It’s a small automation, but it saves me time and keeps me organised.
There are countless other ways to use Shortcuts. For instance, I have a Shortcut that directs me to the nearest coffee shop when I’m in an unfamiliar city, and another that controls my smart home devices.
A particularly useful Shortcut is one I use during meetings. It turns the light outside my office red and sends a message to my family, letting them know I’m in a meeting so that I can avoid any distractions.
There are many more creative ways to use Shortcuts, and I plan to dedicate an entire article to them in the future.
5. Time Machine
As an IT professional, I can’t stress the importance of regular backups.
For those unfamiliar with Time Machine, it’s a built-in backup solution which is not only effective but also incredibly user-friendly.
I currently use two portable Solid State Drives (SSDs) for my backups, alternating between them weekly. That way, if one SSD fails, I still have a recent backup.
If your MacBook encounters an issue or you decide to upgrade, a Time Machine backup allows you to restore your system, files and apps effortlessly.
While Windows offers similar features, they tend to be more cumbersome and often require additional software. In my opinion, backups should be straightforward and not require much time or effort to configure.
Having used various backup solutions for Windows over the years, I haven’t found anything as simple and reliable as Time Machine.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think that both Windows and macOS have their strengths. However, it’s often the small things that make a big difference in daily use.
Whether it’s the ease of transferring files, copying and pasting between devices, or restoring your system with Time Machine, macOS offers a seamless and user-friendly experience.
Based on my experience so far, switching to macOS has significantly improved my productivity and had a meaningful impact on my everyday life.
Have you made the switch from Windows to macOS? I’d love to hear about your journey! What challenges did you face, and what benefits have you discovered? Share your experience in the comments below!