7 Reasons Not to Switch to Windows From macOS
Reading Time: 5 minutesAre you thinking of ditching your Mac and switching to Windows? You may want to reconsider your decision for these reasons.
It has been over two decades since Apple released the first version of its now-iconic operating system, macOS. In that time, it has undergone many changes and improvements, becoming one of the most popular and user-friendly operating systems out there.
Whether you’re a new macOS user or a veteran who is simply fed up with it, you should consider a few reasons to keep using it before switching to alternatives. In this article, we’ll list and discuss eight such reasons for you.
1. Windows Is Less Secure
Although it’s not totally and perfectly secure, macOS is less likely to get malware than Windows. There are quite a few reasons behind this. One of them is that Windows is the bigger market, making it a more obvious target. Because of the sheer number of users, Windows has been the victim of more cyberattacks compared to macOS.
Generally, Macs are also more secure because Apple has full control of both the hardware and software. Then, there’s also the fact that macOS is based on Unix, which is widely known to be more secure than Windows. In most cases, each program that runs in a Unix-based OS runs its own server as needed by using its own username on the system.
So, moving to Windows would mean moving to a less secure (though not totally vulnerable) platform, which could expose you to more risks.
2. Not as Smooth as macOS
Design is a major but often overlooked feature that makes macOS so appealing. However, it’s not that macOS simply ‘looks better.’ Apple’s OS features a better design consistency compared to Windows. Working with any app feels intuitive because every app takes advantage of the menu bar, and you instinctively know where everything is supposed to be.
For example, you can access the settings for every app from the menu bar, allowing it to remain consistent with the rest of the operating system. In Windows, you’ll have to dig through different menus for the app to find such a simple setting.
While Windows 11 arguably looks much better than its predecessor, there are still a lot of design inconsistencies with Windows—the outdated control panel being one example. On the other hand, macOS’s latest iteration, macOS Ventura, features a totally revamped System Settings menu, more tailored for simple users.
3. No Continuity Features and Ecosystem Benefits
Apple wants you to stay within its ecosystem, and they make a strong case for it with Continuity features. For example, with Continuity Camera, you can use your iPhone as a webcam in FaceTime, Zoom, and other apps. You can also use this feature to take a picture or scan a document and have it instantly show up on your Mac.
Likewise, you have the Universal Control feature, which allows you to control both your Mac and iPad with the same keyboard and mouse/trackpad. It allows you to fluidly move the cursor between devices. On top of that, there’s Sidecar, a feature that allows you to use your iPad as a second screen.
Moving to Windows would mean you would lose access to such features. In fact, there are little to no exclusive ecosystem benefits with Windows. This is because Windows is a standalone operating system. You can pair your Android phone to your PC, but there’s not much you can do with it apart from moving files or contacts.
4. Windows Laptops Are Often Slower Than Macs With Apple Silicon
Recent macOS devices such as the MacBook Air (2020), the iMac (2021), and the MacBook Pro (2021) all use Apple silicon. The 2020 M1 MacBook Air became highly successful solely because it featured the new M1 chip. It’s a silent and fanless yet utterly powerful machine for the money with great battery life, and it wrecked the competition in its price range.
While Intel and AMD might catch up in terms of raw power, it is unlikely that an Intel/AMD machine with a powerful processor could be that silent and power efficient. Developers are also adapting their applications for Apple silicon, and performance will only get better from here on out.
As such, it’s easy to say that most Windows laptops are slower than something like the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Of course, there are some exceptions, but you also need to take battery life and power efficiency into account.
5. Software Updates Aren’t as Exciting
Do you ever get excited when a new version of macOS is announced? Well, unfortunately, you likely won’t ever get that feeling with Windows. Each new version of macOS brings about tweaks and changes that make the overall user experience better than it already is.
For example, Big Sur brought ARM support, graphical changes, new icons, and a lot of bug fixes. Monterey introduced Portrait Mode in FaceTime, Universal Control, better Airplay features, and more. And now, Ventura has introduced us to Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, and other new features.
The interesting thing is that Windows gets updates more frequently than macOS, but most of these are security updates. Microsoft rarely releases an update that builds upon or tweaks the user experience.
6. Updating Windows Is Frustrating
Updates are, without a doubt, one of the biggest issues with Windows. Ask any Windows user, and they will agree. Since Microsoft releases more updates than macOS, you’ll often be surprised by how often you have to update. Sure, you can pause these automatic updates and install them manually, but even that doesn’t work all the time.
Apart from that, Windows updates are generally slower than macOS updates. The worst thing is that you never know what new bugs that update will bring. This is something Windows users complain about all the time, as a new update can often break something rather than fix an issue.
On top of all that, when an update eventually does break something, you’ll have to restore to a previous backup or completely reinstall Windows in some cases. Would you want to deal with that?
7. Better Exclusive Apps
There is a reason why so many professionals prefer to stick with macOS. If you’re a video editor who uses Final Cut Pro, you will have a hard time switching to Windows and Adobe Premiere. Similarly, Logic Pro X is by far the best digital audio workstation out there. It’s easy for newcomers to get started with Logic Pro X, and veterans swear by it because of its incredibly intuitive workflow.
Tweetbot is another great example. It’s a Twitter client available exclusively for macOS and iOS and features a better interface than the native app. There’s also an app called Parallels that works as a virtual machine client for macOS. There are alternatives to this app, but none of them are as stable or provide better integration.
Finally, you can’t forget about FaceTime and iMessage. Those are two apps that millions of people use every day. Make no mistake because you will miss these apps if you move to Windows.
Switching to Windows Isn’t for Everyone
If you’re thinking about switching to Windows from macOS, think again. There are plenty of good reasons to stay with Apple’s operating system: it’s faster, has a brilliant ecosystem, and is much safer.
With so many great things going for macOS, switching to Windows sounds dull, especially if you have other Apple devices, like an iPhone or iPad.
But don’t just stop here. Try to make the most out of your Mac by taking advantage of some of its best features, like Focus modes, hot corners, and easy-access emojis.