Show HN: Tips for a lifetime Windows user switching to Mac

#1

Post by rofrol » Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 7:30 PM UTC

Inspired by posts like this, I have distilled some of my knowledge how to use Mac OS for Windows users.

Show HN: Tips for a lifetime Windows user switching to Mac
gist.github.com

Re: Show HN: Tips for a lifetime Windows user switching to Mac

#2

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 7:35 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: Tips for a lifetime Windows user switching to Mac

#3

Post by pavel_lishin » Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 8:35 PM UTC

> don't fullscreen

The best piece of advice. The full-screen mechanic in OSX is maddening to me, taking something like a full second to maximize or minimize a window. I cannot believe this is still the behavior.

Re: Show HN: Tips for a lifetime Windows user switching to Mac

#4

Post by teaearlgraycold » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:52 AM UTC

pavel_lishin wrote: post #3

> don't fullscreen The best piece of advice. The full-screen mechanic in OSX is maddening to me, taking something like a full second to maximize or minimize a window. I cannot believe this is still the behavior.

Alternatively I found a fullscreen system I like on MacOS. I have one leftmost desktop that gets freeform window placement. Then any subsequent desktop is one or two (side by side) fullscreen apps. That way I have all of my apps organized in a linear order. I use proximity to group them up. I think a 2D desktop grid might actually be a nice upgrade.

It’s still a weird opinionated way for them to set up the DE.

Re: Show HN: Tips for a lifetime Windows user switching to Mac

#5

Post by 90s_dev » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 2:57 AM UTC

pavel_lishin wrote: post #3

> don't fullscreen The best piece of advice. The full-screen mechanic in OSX is maddening to me, taking something like a full second to maximize or minimize a window. I cannot believe this is still the behavior.

Since macOS isn't really designed for power users, that's probably fine.

What was really annoying was Apple Mail randomly opening. Literally just randomly in the middle of my work day, when there's no new mail and no reason at all. Not sure if they fixed that since I moved to Windows 11 about 4 years ago and haven't looked back.