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Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

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Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#21
post #10

What is there left to do on the desktop? Where recent Apple machines shine is fitting into a really good ecosystem. I can receive a text on my Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Watch. I can pull out my Mac and it instantly connects to the LTE on my iPad. It’s seamless and it works with no configuration. Windows is still not there yet.

Been using mac for 8 years, didn't know this was possible. Would love to sync text and LTE, how do you set this up?

If you’re signed into the same Apple ID it should happen automatically. Should also get Instant Hotspot if Bluetooth is enabled.

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#22
The only reason I'm staying with macOS is because it is the only UNIX distribution that doesn't look downright ugly. (Sorry Linux, none of your distros match up to Apple's offering)

I've had lots of teething issues with High Sierra (especially with APFS) and I certainly don't like the new butterfly keyboard in the new MacBook Pros. But on the other hand, they've got the best gesture controls. With Windows 10 you can go far with precision touchpads, but I have yet to use it enough to say whether I like it or not. Screenshot shortcuts (Cmd+Shift+4) is another thing I use on a daily basis that's still not in Windows 10.

When my 2014 MacBook Pro is due for replacement, Windows might be a contender. But that's probably a few more years down the road (hopefully).

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#23

Microsoft has also given up, it seems. They recently removed MS Paint, and suggested that Paint3D would be its replacement. Paint3D can not be removed (it will reinstall itself), and inserts a firewall rule(!) presumably to help call home. Even the "Enterprise" editions of Windows 10 don't respect settings correctly, and happily engage in high-risk always-on data collection at the expense of whoever owns the internet…

> All that being said, I'd agree that Microsoft is (if you can stomach all of this) at least trying to maintain a desktop operating system.

I disagree there, MS is trying to maintain a tablet/phone OS that just happens to include some of their older desktop stuff, but they're deprecating that as quickly as possible. Windows 7 was their last desktop OS.

Seems like KDE and Gnome are the only ones that care about the desktop these days.

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#26

Yuck... Why not try arch linux? Much better... imho. Antergos is a good user friendly distro that I highly recommend. Why is it always windows vs apple..when linux -- esp for tech savvy folks/developers is so much better?

Because none of the Linux distros look as good as what Apple (or even Microsoft) has to offer.

ElementaryOS is heading in the right direction, but I cannot shake off the feeling that it's still using design languages relevant to 2010, not 2017.

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#27
post #23

Microsoft has also given up, it seems. They recently removed MS Paint, and suggested that Paint3D would be its replacement. Paint3D can not be removed (it will reinstall itself), and inserts a firewall rule(!) presumably to help call home. Even the "Enterprise" editions of Windows 10 don't respect settings correctly, and happily engage in high-risk always-on data collection at the expense of whoever owns the internet…

> All that being said, I'd agree that Microsoft is (if you can stomach all of this) at least trying to maintain a desktop operating system. I disagree there, MS is trying to maintain a tablet/phone OS that just happens to include some of their older desktop stuff, but they're deprecating that as quickly as possible. Windows 7 was their last desktop OS. Seems like KDE and Gnome are the only ones that care about the de…

They nixed their phone software development a few weeks ago...

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#28
post #17

I've recently switched from an old Mac Pro to a Lenovo x1 carbon (QHD, 16gb RAM, 512 SSD, i7). It was half the price of the equivalent current Mac Pro, with more ports and better battery life, no gimmicky touch bar BS and a much better keyboard imho (although the trackpad is worse). Software wise, I use Windows 10 with the linux subsystem + a Linux VM (Elementary OS). I must confess both Windows and Linux are still a…

although the trackpad is worse

I haven't found a single Windows laptop whose trackpad can be pushed in (thus registering a mouse click) at the top of the trackpad. All I can think is that Apple is aggressively asserting some patent(s).

Is there an alternate explanation? Have I just not come across Windows laptops with good trackpads?

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#29

Linux! I began as a Windows only user, then switched to Linux and never looked back. Now I have been using a Mac for the last couple of months. At first it felt pretty slick (the touchpad is awesome), but after a while, I just want my precious Linux back.

after a while, I just want my precious Linux back.

How long had you used Linux? How long did you use a Mac?

I'm curious how much of that longing for Linux was a desire for familiarity, and how much was a reflection of a superiority of Linux / flaw in Macs.

Re: Why I left Mac for Windows: Apple has given up

#30

Yuck... Why not try arch linux? Much better... imho. Antergos is a good user friendly distro that I highly recommend. Why is it always windows vs apple..when linux -- esp for tech savvy folks/developers is so much better?

Because none of the Linux distros look as good as what Apple (or even Microsoft) has to offer. ElementaryOS is heading in the right direction, but I cannot shake off the feeling that it's still using design languages relevant to 2010, not 2017.

An os is just a bootloader to run emacs full screen.
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