Switching from Windows to Mac OS

Reading time 9 minutes

Updated – January 12, 2024

There are many reasons for switching from Windows to Mac OS, but very few that, and usually only apparently, speak against it.

Almost all software that runs on Windows is also available on Mac OS. This is also cheaper and partly – still – available as a purchase version and not as a subscription.
I only have one piece of software (Victron), which apparently isn't available for Mac OS and therefore runs on a virtual Windows environment.

Windows programs on Mac

The virtual Windows environment can be implemented with various apps, including free ones Bootcamp for INTEL based Macs or UTM, Parallels, as well VMware Fusion.
All virtualizations have the disadvantage, albeit a minor one, that the programs are somewhat slower than on an original Windows platform.

Viruses?

In addition to the still valid virus security of Mac OS, the intuitive operation of Mac programs is one of the most frequently cited reasons for switching.
The vulnerability of Windows to viruses is due to the open operating system structure. The registry opens the door to viruses, which is why anti-virus software is absolutely necessary.

Mac OS, on the other hand, encapsulates its operating system from all program installations and blocks any external access per se. Anti-virus programs are therefore unnecessary.

Mac OS programs

Mac OS already comes with most everyday programs. There are counterparts for Excel (Numbers), Word (Pages), PowerPoint (Keynote), Outlook (Mail). Anyone who uses Excel excessively and is deeply at home in formula acrobatics will want to use Excel for MacOS, as Numbers does not offer such specialized options.

In my opinion, Libre Office for Mac OS is not a real alternative, as when exchanging files created in Libre Office, compatibility problems often make a clean exchange with the non-Libre Office world impossible if the other side does not also work with Libre Office becomes.

Siri, analogous to Windows Cortina or Amazon's Alexa, should not be activated if privacy is more important to you than the alleged convenience that comes from using it. The primary benefit is always for the manufacturer, but only a negligible amount for the user,

Last but not least: no, you don’t close Mac OS by clicking “Start”, but rather “Switch off” :) …

The new Mac...

... comes already ready with the current operating system, regardless of whether it was purchased as a new or refurbished device.
Refurbished means that these are returns from online purchases from the Apple Store, which have been technically and visually prepared by Apple and are sold in new condition, but with a certain price discount and a one-year guarantee.

Some companies, such as Backmarket buy used devices, bring them into technically perfect condition and sell them - and that makes it interesting - with a 30 month (!) guarantee.

… at the beginning

If you open a Macbook, after a few seconds you will be greeted by the welcome screen in many languages. After you have set the country, language, date, etc., selected your own WLAN and, after entering the WLAN password, connected, a few options are suggested, such as enabling data transmission for improvement purposes, which I recommend refusing. Ultimately, an operating system update may be recommended and, after approval, loaded, installed and the device restarted. Complete.

You will then find one at the bottom of the screen dock named, configurable bar with all sorts of symbols that represents the most frequently used programs. Clicking on one of the symbols starts the respective program.

The finder, an icon with a stylized face (the first icon above), is the equivalent of Windows File manager. You can have several finder-Open windows and move content back and forth between them, just like in Windows.

On the Desktop, again like Windows, you can store anything you want to keep in constant access. But less is more if you want to maintain an overview.

Under programs You will find all the pre-installed programs, but also all the others that you install over time.

Installation of programs

If you download a program from the App Store (click on the top left corner). Apple, then up AppStore) or a website, this is saved as a so-called DMG file (DiskiMaGe) under Downloads.
Double-clicking on the DMG file opens a small window containing the new program icon and the Programs folder. A right arrow between the two symbols indicates that you should drag the new program symbol to this programs folder.
No sooner said than done, the installation starts. Either the pure copy initiated in this way is sufficient, or an installation dialog opens, which you confirm in all points and complete the installation.

Uninstalling programs

Normally it is enough to move the program from the Applications folder to the waste paper bin to postpone. Even if there is no Mac OS Registry In the Windows sense, programs also create files, such as folders with files outside of the Programs folder.

The optional program AppCleaner ensures that all files created by a program during installation and over time also end up in the trash, not of course those created and saved by the user.

When the trash can is emptied, all data and folders resulting from the program installation are deleted and the storage space they occupy is released again.

Useful system helpers

Mac OS already offers some useful utility programs out of the box. You can find them in the folder programs -> Utilities.

The Migration Assistant comes into play if you want to transfer an old Mac OS system to a new Mac. A WLAN or network connection between the two Mac computers is sufficient. The assistant is started on both.
After it has been determined from which of the two the transfer of programs and data should be carried out, the amounts of data are inventoried. If you only want to migrate selectively, deselect the content you don't want.
Similar to pairing Bluetooth devices, the connection is verified via a displayed code before the migration begins before the copying process begins.
After the migration is complete, the new Mac can be started again and you can immediately continue working in the usual way with all content.

The Activity indicator lists all active programs and processes, along with their associated processor, RAM, hard drive, network and energy load. Programs or processes can also be ended here if a program no longer responds or Java instances need to be ended manually.

The Disk Utility allows, among other things, formatting, deleting and partitioning the built-in (SSD) hard drive, as well as all connected storage media, including USB sticks.

The Print center opens automatically with every print job, shows the availability status of the installed printers and the job status. Orders can also be canceled here.

The Keychain management is used for the encrypted storage of passwords, self-created secure notes, certificates, etc., and also handles the cloud synchronization of the same.

The terminal enables the execution of commands at system level, such as Java programs (jar files), packing and unpacking files, and setting rights.

Optional utilities

Even though Mac OS already has the most important helpers on board, there are still one or two programs whose usefulness deserves to be highlighted.

The app mentioned above AppCleaner is available free of charge and ensures that any program installation is deleted without leaving any residue.

If you are looking for a simple but comprehensive banking app, this is it Banking4 well served. In addition to pure account queries, creating transfers, recurring transfers and statistical evaluation, as well as any configurable summation of accounts, the app works across systems on all platforms, such as Mac OS, Windows, Android and iOS.

The overview of supported banks is here listed.

Mac OS brings that safari-Browser with, like Windows Edge. The free one Brave-Browser also contributes some useful functions, such as ad blocking, it prevents trackers from spying on your privacy, saves bandwidth and thus time (which is displayed something like this: e.g. 345,467 blocked trackers and ads, 6.7 GB of bandwidth and 4.8 Hours of time saved).

There is also a private mode - no user data, passwords, etc. are stored here, pages accessed are not listed in the history after the window is closed - as is the anonymous Tor browser, via a separate connection via Tor -Network, implemented.

A commendable feature, if not a unique selling point, of Brave, in contrast to most other browsers, is that it can keep hundreds of windows and tabs open at the same time without increasing the system load and slowing down the system. Even after an update, all those windows are restored in no time and are available for immediate access.

The fans built into the Mac rarely come into action; you want to be “quiet”. Sometimes it can make sense to switch on the fans before temperatures arise that cause the electronics to age prematurely. Heat is the enemy of electronic components.

This free app Fan control allows the user to determine, based on the adjustable temperature of which component (CPU, GPU, SSD, WLAN, etc.) the fans should come into action within the framework of specified minimum and maximum speeds.

In this way, the lifespan of the electronics can be extended, even without annoying fan noise: at speeds around 3,000 rpm, the fans are still almost inaudible.

LanScan is also available free of charge and lists all devices found in the current network. In the free version, hostname and IPv6 local are only displayed randomly or abbreviated. All other data such as IPv4, MAC address, ping, and manufacturer are completely available.
Port scans are also possible.

Using the interface selection, you can switch between WLAN and LAN and also limit the IP range to be scanned.

The program is always used when you want to check the online status of a network device or find out the IP of a newly connected device without logging into the router and using its functionality in this regard.

Little Snitch is a network utility that displays and filters incoming and outgoing network connections in real time in order to deny access to uninvited guests, but also to stop programs in their unwanted communication - thus a firewall.

In addition to this elementary functionality, in addition to the purely numerical data, it also shows the path of a connection graphically on a map. A research assistant also offers the possibility of determining whether a request for a program from internal or external is in the user's interest or not and thus supports decision-making.

It also checks the signature of programs. Malware pretends to be the program X detects Little Snitch the deceptive maneuver deviates from the signature and consequently blocks all intended activities of this malicious program.

The Mac OS's own mail program Mail meets all the basic requirements of a solid email program. If you are looking for a more sophisticated solution, including POP3 and IMAP configuration, you may be able to Postbox find its more comprehensive solution. A list of features is here available.

With Reflector 4 Wireless screen mirroring and media streaming on the Mac from sources such as iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Chrombooks and Windows are easily possible, even in parallel.

It is not an everyday application here to read.

Alternative program to MS Office / Adobe CS

As mentioned at the beginning, an alternative to the Windows MS Office package, consisting of the most commonly used programs Excel, PowerPoint and Word, is already on board with Mac OS. Anyone who still relies on it, especially with Excel, can – still – MS Excel for Mac 2016 download. MS Office, for Windows and Mac OS, is only offered by Microsoft in the comparatively expensive subscription version.

The creative minds, such as copywriters, layout artists, designers and photographers, mostly worked with products from the Adobe Creative Suite, which were ultimately discontinued by Adobe and also replaced by subscription products. However, not everyone uses these programs professionally or uses them to earn their full-time income, which would justify the cost of a subscription.

If you still want to use professional programs, you can use the product range Affinity To fall back on:

• Affinity Publishers
• Affinity designers
• Affinity Photo

In addition to the general professionalism and very wide range of services offered by the products, despite the very low price level, the response time and quality of the support are advantageous.
Who all three programs acquire would like to benefit from a significant price reduction, while special conditions can be requested for companies and educational institutions.

Anyone who is familiar with Adobe products will quickly be on first name terms with these programs and get the high-quality products they are used to.

If, despite the very well done TutorialsIf questions still remain unanswered, the file in question can be sent to support, who will then take care of the question and send back a solution via an example file.