Switching from Windows to macOS: Was It Worth It?

Has it really been that long?
Back in November last year, I made the decision to replace my ageing gaming PC with a Mac. This was a big step, especially since I built that PC myself. Transitioning from a custom-built desktop to a full-time laptop setup was both exciting and daunting.
My primary reason for the change was the age of my gaming PC. It was starting to struggle with certain tasks and had various issues. The second reason was that my usage had shifted away from gaming to personal development and blogging.
I also realised that a laptop might better suit my current needs, and it allows me to work away from my desk.
Which device did I go for?
Initially, I had my eyes on the latest Mac mini because I primarily work from my desk.
However, the flexibility of a laptop won me over, especially when I stumbled upon an excellent deal online for an M1 MacBook Air for only £19 per month.
But after thinking about it for a long time, I decided to take the plunge.
It’s been almost eight months now. Was it worth it?
Getting familiar with macOS again
I wasn’t entirely new to macOS, having used a mid-2012 MacBook Pro and a 2012 Mac mini during my university years. Adapting to macOS again was a relatively smooth process.
However, I had to re-familiarise myself with the keyboard layout and shortcuts.
Finding suitable apps took some time, especially as many of my old favourites didn’t quite fit my current needs, so I explored alternatives.
I discovered that the default Apple apps were rather good, and I used Apple Reminders and Apple Notes as my default notebook apps for a while.
I also discovered Setapp, an app subscription service that has been a game-changer for me. For a fixed monthly fee, I get access to over 200 apps, including some of my all-time favourites, like Spark Mail, Ulysses and BusyCal.
For those of you who haven’t heard about Setapp before, it’s basically Netflix, but for apps. For a fixed monthly subscription, I get access to over 200 apps! I pay $12.49 per month and that provides me with access to apps for 1 Mac device and 4 iOS devices.
If you’re interested, check out my affiliate link and enjoy a 7-day free trial.
My experience with Windows
For you to understand why I decided to move to a Mac device, allow me to share my experience with Windows. This is purely my opinion, based on years of use and professional experience.
I don’t tend to use Windows at home very often, but I do still use both the desktop and server versions of in my day job.
Growing up, Windows was my primary operating system. At home, we always had a shared family computer running Windows.
Windows 95 was the first desktop operating system I used in primary school, Windows XP and Windows 7 were the operating systems I used in secondary school and through most of my time at sixth form and university.
Windows is also the operating system that I’ve learned and developed my IT skills. Therefore, it’s fair to say that the operating system will always have a special place in my heart.
I’ve always appreciated Windows, even versions like Vista and 8, which weren’t well-received by many. However, there was always something missing for me. This feeling has been there since I first used a MacBook around 2007.
In my IT career, I supported both Windows and macOS devices and from my experience, Macs were generally less problematic.
Windows PCs frequently had driver issues and hardware issues, whereas Macs usually just worked. Of course, Macs weren’t perfect and could be troublesome, especially in corporate environments—but that’s a story for another day.
The problem I have with Windows
Before switching to macOS, I was using Windows 11. While I appreciate the new interface, several aspects of it irritated me.
For example, I find the new File Explorer awkward to use. The replacement of words like “Copy, Paste, Rename” with symbols felt counterintuitive, and hiding the full menu unless I right-click with shift or click “Show more options” is frustrating. But I do like the idea of tabs.
These seemingly minor issues tend to add up over time, making the system less enjoyable to use. In contrast, macOS doesn’t have these issues, or anything similar, providing a smoother experience for everyday tasks. But, I do think that they should improve Finder.
While the File Explorer issues alone weren’t enough to make me switch, they contributed to my growing desire to try something new.
After years of using Windows, I wanted a different experience, and so far, not only has macOS been refreshing, but I would even go as far as saying that it made me more productive.
I think that the fact that I’ve used Windows for so long was the primary reason I wanted to switch and so far, I’ve been enjoying my experience.
How does the M1 MacBook Air cope in 2024?
I love my M1 MacBook Air, I believe that it’s a fantastic device that handles everything I need.
Considering it’s only the base model with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD, its performance is impressive.
Despite these specs, the system feels highly optimised, and I haven’t encountered any major performance issues. I primarily use the MacBook for writing blog posts and basic video editing, both of which it handles smoothly.
For example, when editing videos in iMovie, the MacBook feels smooth without any noticeable lag. Writing and multitasking with multiple apps open is also seamless, which shows the efficiency of macOS.
However, for my next purchase, I might opt for the latest model with more storage space. While I still have over 122 GB free, having extra space and the latest device will future-proof my setup, especially if my storage needs increase.
So, was it worth it?
To summarise my overall experience with the M1 MacBook Air, I think it’s fair to say that I’m impressed. Not only is the MacBook a joy to use, but it’s also helping me be more productive.
For example, using like Ulysses for writing has helped me enjoy writing, which has helped me write more content.
I find macOS to be clean and efficient in everyday life and, more importantly, it just works, and I am able to achieve everything I want to without annoying disruptions about Windows Updates or that my computer needs a restart.
But, to answer the question: yes, it was worth switching. However, if I were to do it again, I might choose a newer model to future-proof my purchase. But that doesn’t mean my current MacBook Air was a bad choice as it has served me exceptionally well so far.
Final Thoughts
This article is purely based on my thoughts and experience. While I now prefer using macOS, it doesn’t make Windows a bad operating system. I mean, Windows is everywhere!
It’s used to run servers, workstations as well as many of the devices around us. The recent CrowdStrike outage highlighted how integral Windows is to our digital infrastructure.
For that reason, I cannot fully give up on Windows, and that is also the reason I keep a virtual copy of Windows in the event that I need it.
Moving back to the Apple ecosystem has undoubtedly helped me become more productive, mainly because I can focus better without distractions.
I’d love to hear about your experiences. Have you switched operating systems recently? What was your experience like? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.