Switching from Windows laptop to Macbook

[Deactivated] on 13/04/2014 - 21:02

I've heard Macbook owners say great things about the Apple flagship laptops and would love to hear what everyone thinks about the pros and cons of Macbook and their OSX?

Would be great to hear from current AND past Macbook owners. Convince me to make the switch or avoid it and get a high end windows laptop.

I've been using Windows PC + laptops all my life (personal + work use). So, how long would it take for me to familiarise with the switch? Will the Apple OSX softwares be marginally more expensive vs. Windows versions?

Computing

Comments

  • Ventak on 13/04/2014 - 21:30
    +2

    I've never been a Macbook user/owner, but from what I hear, it lasts a lot longer than Windows laptops and battery life is considerably better. There's of course also the fact it keeps it doesn't depreciate as much.

    I've actually been considering getting one if I ever decide to get another laptop.

    • amjadiqbalmd on 29/04/2014 - 11:55

      Agreed. But very important to consider your budget. On windows you get millions of softwares free. I struggle to get some good softwares on MAC. I dont spend money on softwares, as i feel all softwares should be made open source. FYI: I'm an apple owner and loves its Hardware but not huge fan of MAC OS

  • Luminary on 13/04/2014 - 21:33
    +1

    Personal Windows to Mac switcher. I assume you're familiar with the general use of laptops so it should not take you very long at all. I would say the thing that would take the most time learning would be to use the trackpad, but honestly it's the greatest thing ever and makes work so much faster. You can look up on YouTube. It's not difficult, just new so it won't be hard to learn but you'll just get faster over time. The only thing I found it was missing was snapping the window to fit half the screen but I found a free app for that so now I have no more complaints. That was probably really unconvincing but I just find it simple and seamless. In regards to software, my friend just gave me a copy… but you can usually purchase a pack of 3 licenses and people sell a single license from a multipack on eBay for cheap.

  • ozhunter on 13/04/2014 - 22:09
    +1

    I switched about 6 months ago, and my main reason I still use it is that the UI is very nice. Hardware wise it's pretty great, still reluctant to get a thunderbolt hard drive since they're much more expensive which for me makes the 2 ports on my rmbp 13 kinda useless.

    Took a while to get used to OSX, but apart from a few annoyances(which can be fixed with some apps) it's pretty good.

    Cons of OSX compared to Windows 8 are

    No built in windows snapping (hyperdock solves this, costs $13 on app store)
    No built in window preview (hyperdock also solves this)
    Not as snappy
    No download manager as good as IDM
    File transfer not as good(Windows is more detail, able to pause)
    No lock screen (there is a screensaver)
    No individual app volume
    No "cut" option when right clicking, (can use keyboard shortcuts)
    Haven't bought Microsoft Office for OSX yet but apparently it's better on windows.

    Battery life is great and the so are the trackpad gestures once you get use to them.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2014 - 12:32

      Could you provide an estimate as to how much more you spent on apps/software for the standard uses? E.g. Microsoft Office suites, hyperdock etc.? I understand that Macbooks do not come with Office pre-installed?

      • ozhunter on 14/04/2014 - 14:37

        I have only bought 3 apps that were around $17 in total. I have windows 8 installed so if I do need to use any window programs I can just boot into windows.

        Whatever paid apps you have on windows, you pretty much have to buy the osx version of it if you plan on using osx so take that into account. Though like me you can use bootcamp(you need to buy windows) if you think it's worth it to purchase.

        I understand that Macbooks do not come with Office pre-installed?

        Correct but I don't think windows laptops do either

        Edit:Also spent $30 on paragon so i can write to ntfs or hfs formatted drives as I use a desktop pc at home.

    • Luminary on 14/04/2014 - 22:22

      Download BetterTouchTool (free) for windows snapping.
      Window preview - You mean to preview your documents without opening it? If so, you can just change the way you view files, eg, grid, list.. the one on the right lets you preview the document and you can even arrow through your pages.
      No lock screen - You can set a password for when your laptop wakes up from screensaver or sleep mode.
      I have "cut" when I right click…

      • ozhunter on 15/04/2014 - 08:10

        Download BetterTouchTool (free) for windows snapping.

        I used that at first but bought hyperdock and the snapping is much better, Then bought bettersnaptool which I like to use more as it is customisable.

        Window preview - You mean to preview your documents without opening it?

        I mean when you hover over a docked icon like Chrome and it you have multiple windows of it open it gives a mini preview of each current window.

        I have "cut" when I right click…

        Is that an app? Because it's not built into OSX 10.9.2

        • Luminary on 15/04/2014 - 14:45

          Strange. I'm on 10.9.1 and it's definitely always been there. Surely they wouldn't have taken it away. :S

        • ozhunter on 15/04/2014 - 22:35

          You might be using something like TotalFinder. A quick google search shows there's never been a "cut" option.

        • Luminary on 16/04/2014 - 22:01

          Oh, that's interesting. I guess I use keyboard shortcuts most of the time.

    • Woodyg22 on 17/04/2014 - 23:41

      I use BetterTouchTool from what you said it has similar functionality to hyperdock with window snapping. It is also FREE!

    • aeoz on 06/05/2014 - 08:57

      No lock screen

      Go to system preferences -> accounts and login window. There will be an option to add a password to your login.

  • mrmarkau67 on 14/04/2014 - 12:04

    I've been switching back and forth for years.

    The Macbook hardware is just better than anything else for the price unless you buy secondhand, in which case the equation is reversed. Resale value for Macs is better.

    Most of my work is in a browser, Linux VM and MS Office. I like Office for Windows better. For VM work, RAM is king, and Apple can be a little greedy when it comes to buying extra RAM. In some models you have to buy it up front and they skin you alive.

    Before you buy any high end laptop, pick it up, test the keyboard and trackpad. When you use your notebook every day, any small flaw will drive you crazy. Let me know if you find a non Apple PC that "feels" better in these areas.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2014 - 12:29

      With regards to RAM, do you think there is much of a difference between 4GB and 8GB? I'm not a gamer and the most RAM-demanding software I'll probably use is Photoshop. For MBP 13", its a $250 extra for that 4GB extra RAM. Well, with that you also get 256GB SSD (vs. 128GB SSD).

      One important factor is that the new MBPs have a 'glued in' internal component (batteries + SSD) so it basically mean users cannot manually upgrade in the future.

      Choices, choices.

      Refurbished Macbooks bring a $200-300 discount. Are these safe?

      • mrmarkau67 on 14/04/2014 - 17:10

        4GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD are plenty for normal use on a Mac. Not enough for me because I use VMs and I am sure that there are some specific applications where you would need more.

        We own a 2GB 64GB 2008 refurbished MacBook Air.mWe have replaced the battery once and bought a new power supply. It is still a pleasure to use, every day, 8 hours a day. I would go refurb any time. We have invested in some 32GB Cruzer Fits which live permanently in the USB drive to supplement the cramped 64GB SSD.

        I am uncomfortable with the closed, unfixable design of today's MacBooks, but that is the price of building an awesome Ultrabook; other thin and light options have similar limitations. If you want something you can upgrade yourself, you are out of luck with a Mac.

      • ShamelessBargains on 14/04/2014 - 21:41

        I recommend the 256gb, 8gb ram 13 rmbp model. It is the sweet spot with excellence performance, enough storage and future proof with the 8gb of ram. I started using MacBooks several years ago and always recommend them to others. Easy to use, the keyboard is close to perfection and the trackpad is great. The battery life is always good and the build quality is excellent. They have a two year warranty under consumer law and fantastic resale value when you decide to update or upgrade :)

        • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2014 - 21:57

          Question is do you really need 8GB RAM? I won't be using alot of demanding software. Besides I hear alot of people say go as high as possible in RAM and SSD because software in the near future will start to demand RAM and space. But I need something to use now not 5-10 years time.

          And the thing everyone mentions about resale value. How much value can one get back for reselling a 2-5 year old MBP that is way past it's warranty? And how successful would you be in selling these off (consumer demand for 2nd hand MBPs)?

        • mrmarkau67 on 14/04/2014 - 22:26

          Solid business class laptop 13-14" Core Duo 2.53Ghz from 2009

          Apple: $550 to $600
          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Apple-MacBook-Pro-A1278-Mid-2009-…

          Dell: $200 to $250
          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dell-Latitude-E6400-Core-2-Duo-2-…

        • mrmarkau67 on 14/04/2014 - 22:28

          Here is how to get a bargain Apple.

          1. Start with "sweet spot" model suggested as above: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD RMBP $1849
          2. Subtract $60 worth of SSD (go from 256 to 128)
          3. Subtract about $70 worth of RAM (8 to 4)
          4. In return for subtracting only $130 worth of components, Apple will give you a $250 discount!

          That's like $120 of free money. Sometimes I just don't understand how Apple turns a profit when doing deals like that.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2014 - 12:29

          Could you explain this again? As in you're saying to reason with Apple regarding the discount I should get? Or you're referring to the savings I can get if I get a "sweet spot" model?

        • ozhunter on 15/04/2014 - 12:44

          I think he's being sarcastic since Apple charges $250 to what you could get as low as $130.

          He forgot to take into account that the ssd used is a pcie ssd.

        • ShamelessBargains on 15/04/2014 - 13:48

          The problem with the rmbp is that the ram and the ssd are soldiered onto the hard drive so you can't upgrade them in the future. Resale value is around $500 to $800 depending on specification and condition. I recommend buying one when they are 10% off too like at those jb, good guy or dse sales. The macs are easy to sell on ebay and you can also get good money on gumtree sometimes too.

        • mrmarkau67 on 15/04/2014 - 19:37

          I was being sarcastic - and also illustrating that the sweet spot model for Apple is actually at the lower end. They don't offer anything that is actually underpowered for general use, and the extra RAM and SSD capacity is a ripoff.

          I kind of agree with Branners down below - that you should buy as much RAM and SSD as you can afford - but I also HATE being skinned alive by Apple or anyone else on "extras".

  • branners on 15/04/2014 - 12:31
    +3

    My $0.02 worth…
    I am writing this on my MacBook Pro, which I bought in late 2009. I bought it in an Apple Store in the USA, and had the RAM expanded to 4MB on the spot.
    In almost 5 years, it has been dragged around the country and around the world many times. It got kicked when it was in a bag by some drunken f-head in a Hooters in San Fran (I was doing research, honest) so there is a small ding on the aluminium chassis, but otherwise, like new.
    Three months ago I took out the old 128mb HDD and installed a 256mb SSD. I do regular purges of files I do not need, and watch software updates carefully and only update when I think that the new stuff is bug-free.
    I have 2 iMacs in the house, but this is my main computer. I use this thing every damn day, for hours at a time. It has never let me down. Every time I see a MacBook Air on discount, I am tempted to update, but I just cannot justify throwing out something that really works. My wife only uses her iPad these days and my sons both need Windows computers for their studies, so there is no one to pass it down to, even if I wanted to.
    My previous laptop was a 'white' Macbook Pro, which I had for 3 years. That too was perfect, and I passed it on to a mate when I bought this one. He is still using it now.
    Yes, this one was expensive, more so than a PC laptop. But it is, without doubt, the smartest decision I ever made about a computer.
    My only recommendation can be this; buy a Mac, get it with a as large an SSD and as much RAM as you can afford. Yep, you can save a few bucks to start with, but you are buying something you will be using for a long time. Sometimes, a real bargain costs a few dollars more.

    • bich.light on 22/04/2014 - 20:17

      I've dabbled in and out of Apple's computers and completely agree with you.
      The RAM is actually the most crucial in my opinion as it cannot be upgraded. I think the new Macbook's are also coming out with hard-drives soldered or something as not all can be upgraded in the future?

      Anyways, if you can afford it:
      1. Largest RAM affordable
      2. Largest SSD affordable.

  • Woodyg22 on 17/04/2014 - 23:47

    As long as you aren't going to be installing massive programs and lots of them, 128GB is easily manageable.

    I have been using a 128GB MB Air for over 2 years now and it is great!

  • ankor on 22/04/2014 - 20:26
    +2

    What do you do for work and personal use currently?

    I do not recommend Macs for office heavy applications, no matter how sexy the ui and trackpad are.

  • nahi11 on 29/04/2014 - 18:17
    +1

    Had to use an imac at uni for a physics lab. Simply the fact that it doesn't have a right click button by default is enough to make me hate it :p Copy pasting, editing cells, etc which required one hand (mouse) now requires two (keyboard + mouse).
    It just doesn't work.

    • scrimshaw on 29/04/2014 - 20:55

      I'm not a Mac user, but I'm pretty certain there's a 2 finger mouse click gesture you can perform on the trackpad to simulate a right click?

      • ozhunter on 30/04/2014 - 20:53

        Correct, tapping the trackpad with 2 fingers = right click.

        • nahi11 on 30/04/2014 - 21:41

          Hmm right fair enough. However, I was using an iMac which the apple mouse which I'm guessing has the same of function/gesture.

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