Jun 17
2011
The PC to Mac Switch
I bought a Mac (used) a few weeks ago to use for work because developing anything but asp.net on Windows is a train wreck and my Linux desktop computer is really slow and shitty. I needed a Macbook Pro so I bought a used one off a friend. Last week was my first week using a Mac full-time since the late 90s, so I thought I’d share my thoughts.
First, and most importantly, I find the Mac experience to be equal to the Windows experience. Some things are better, some are worse. They are different, but equal. I have found the same to be true after switching to an Android phone after using an iPhone for 2+ years.
Things that I like:
- The keyboard glows.
- The multi-touch touchpad is pretty slick, although I much prefer a mouse (with 2 buttons).
- The magnetic power plug is brilliant.
- Obviously, for development, it’s great. This alone is why I own a Mactop.
- Exposé is great for switching between windows.
- Navigating through things with just the keyboard is much better.
- Great battery life and it’s smaller and lighter than my comparable Windows laptop.
Things that annoy the crap out of me:
- A standard installation of the Mac OS does not include the ability to maximize windows in any program. Overall, window management/arrangement/sizing sucks.
- CTRL + ENTER in Chrome doesn’t do what it does in Windows.
- Every program’s menu bar being the same thing. This is more annoying when using multiple monitors, but maybe it’s something I need to get used to.
- I HATE how Photoshop has no minimize button and there is no Photoshop “desktop.” This infuriates me and is a terrible user experience.
- Chrome won’t reopen my previously open tabs on startup for some reason.
- I can’t cut and paste files in Finder.
- I can’t open Finder with a keyboard shortcut like I can Windows Explorer (Windows + E).
- It only has 2 USB ports (but at least they work).
Hopefully some of these annoying things go away over time!