I'm planning to switch from my bulky 16 inch Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro to a MacBook Neo this week, since my current laptop keeps stuttering when I browse on Chrome.
So I got a few questions I want to ask:
Windows, Windows 11 (26200)
Full disclosure: I switched from a Dell Windows PC to a 2020 M1 MacBook Air 6 years ago, and have since upgraded to an M4 MacBook Air as my daily driver, and I have to tell you, its the best decision I ever made.
The Dell started to break apart after a little under 3 years. The screen hinges were so tight they started cracking the plastic around them. Until the screen just detached entirely. I switched to Mac before the Dell completely died on me, so had time to move things over and start using other apps to compensate while still having the dell to fall back on so it was an easier transition.
tony-2009 wrote:
• What's it like using a Mac?
Not really all that different to using a PC. some things change names and you won't a Start Menu, but otherwise, it's pretty much the same, except without the viruses and constant nagging from Microsoft.
• What do you miss from your old OS (Windows, Linux, etc.)?
Outside of some games I cannot run on the Mac, not much. I can run most apps or at least sufficiently similar apps here that I could on Windows. I do mis my Corel Paint Shop Pro, but Gimp has proven to be sufficiently similar I can get by with it just fine now.
• Do you have any tips for using Mac for the first time?
Forget what you know of Windows. Use the Mac with as little pre-conceptions as you can as certain things will change in everyday use.
I would highly recommend taking a look at the macOS user guide.
click here âžś Mac User Guide - Apple Support
And Apple's own Are you New to Mac website.
click here âžś Are you new to Mac? - Apple Support
tony-2009 wrote:
I'm planning to switch to a Mac primarily because I want to get into the Apple ecosystem and use Apple apps for my creative work (especially Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro).
with that type of work, the Neo might not be enough machine. you might want to look at a MacBook Pro, and add as much storage an RAM as your budget allows. and I would get more RAM vs storage. neither can be upgraded after purchase and you could always employ external SSDs if you need more storage.
Windows? Trauma. Frustration. Irritation. Wasted time... lots and lots of wasted time. If you need to do actual productive work Windows tends to get in the way and draw attention to itself.
Linux? I still use it. Nothing wrong with Linux, if you don't mind having to delve into certain technical aspects once in a while. Macs are essentially Linux computers designed for those who don't want or can't understand its more challenging requirements. Macs are designed to get out of the way so that you can do whatever it is you want to do. If it's tinkering with computers you can still use Linux. I have 15+ year old Macs that run Linux exceedingly well, illustrating the fact Macs are by far the least expensive computers to own, by far.
Recommendations: Don't use Chrome on Macs. There is nothing wrong with the Chrome browser as such; the problem is you can't install Chrome without installing all of Google, which amounts to an invasive system modification that hijacks your Mac, rendering it a Google information-harvesting and -uploading "bot" that taxes system resources in an unpredictable manner.
If you like the Chrome browser use Brave instead. Brave works well on Macs.
Go to an Apple Store and use one, or many, for as long as you want. Ask questions. They won't mind. Apple Stores also have free daily hands-on workshops you can avail yourself of any time.
tony-2009 wrote:
• I'm planning to switch from my bulky 16 inch Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro to a MacBook Neo this week, since my current laptop keeps stuttering when I browse on Chrome.
So I got a few questions I want to ask:
What's it like using a Mac?
it is great. very user friendly. since getting my first one in 2009, I would buy nothing but a Mac.
• What do you miss from your old OS (Windows, Linux, etc.)?
I miss having to use many steps on windows compared to a 1 click operation on a Mac.
and I also miss windows crashing often. :)
• Do you have any tips for using Mac for the first time?
Mac Tips for Windows switchers - Apple Support
tony-2009 wrote:
What's it like using a Mac?
If it's at all possible, I'd go to an Apple Store and play with one. Other Apple resellers such as Best Buy may also have display models.
What do you miss from your old OS (Windows, Linux, etc.)?
It's all a matter of what you're used to and personal preference. It would be almost impossible for any of us to say what you might miss. I use a Mac at home and Windows at work. Both have things I love and things I don't like.
Do you have any tips for using Mac for the first time?
See here:
And remember that you can't make it explode by pressing the wrong keys so play with it.
Phil0124 wrote:
Forget what you know of Windows.
đź‘Ť
Can't be repeated often enough.
I might add: if you are inured to using Windows, you will probably detest a Mac. For about a month. After that, things begin to make sense. Soon enough you'll never go back.
Most likely, you will resent the time you wasted on PCs. Years and years of lost opportunity. When IBM introduced their PC back in the early 1980s it set the computing world back decades. Literally. I had been using systems far better than it before then, and when the PC came out I was disgusted. Just about everything about its design was wrong. (As it turns out, that was a planned move on their part; not wanting to cut into their existing and highly lucrative minicomputer market). Later, Windows only compounded and prolonged the misery from which we have yet to recover. The economic damage is incalculable, and the time lost irrevocable.
John Galt wrote:
Phil0124 wrote:
Forget what you know of Windows.
đź‘Ť
Can't be repeated often enough.
Indeed.
One of the most stated frustrations I've seen from people coming to the Mac, is trying to do things exactly the same way they did them on Windows. That's causes undo stress and frustration when things don't line up with what they expect.
Once you realize how streamlined macOS, Windows starts looking so backwards and awkward.
Letting go of Windows notions and pre-conceptions will make it an easier transition onto the Mac.
I really should add, I too bought a MacBook Neo. for a "budget" Mac, I would say it would satisfy the majority of computer users. as long as you don't expect it to perform the same as an "up-specced" MacBook Pro.
Full disclosure: I switched from a Dell Windows PC to a 2020 M1 MacBook Air 6 years ago, and have since upgraded to an M4 MacBook Air as my daily driver, and I have to tell you, its the best decision I ever made.
The Dell started to break apart after a little under 3 years. The screen hinges were so tight they started cracking the plastic around them. Until the screen just detached entirely. I switched to Mac before the Dell completely died on me, so had time to move things over and start using other apps to compensate while still having the dell to fall back on so it was an easier transition.
Nice! Happy for your switch!
I'm planning to switch to a Mac primarily because I want to get into the Apple ecosystem and use Apple apps for my creative work (especially Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro).
Tips for first-time Mac user?
