You might come to that point where you have to switch computer platforms. Most people use Windows on their computer and with majority of laptop manufacturers installing this on their machines, this reason makes it very popular. Mac on the other end is not used by many because of its cost. If you’re moving from Windows to Mac, you will find somethings different from what you are used to. In this guide, we explore the difference…
1. Mac has a Fixed Menu Bar
One unique thing about macOS is the fixed menu bar that all applications have at the top of the screen. In Windows, each application has its own menu bar within its Window, but in macOS, this is not the case. You can be sure that every application menu bar will be at the same position at the top.
2. Dock Behavior
In Mac, when you click on an active app icon in the doc, this maximizes the app. When you click it again, this doesn’t minimize the app window unlike in Windows where this happens. For you to minimize the app window, you have to click the yellow minimize button at the top left corner of the window.
3. The Cut, Copy and Paste Functions
Maybe you have tried to copy and paste on Mac and you discovered it worked just like Windows. Well, that’s right, Copy and paste can be performed on Mac the same you perform the action on Windows. To copy, you press Command (⌘) + C just like you press Ctrl + C on Windows. For paste, it is Command (⌘) + V. However, it is different for the Cut function. Pressing Command (⌘) + X will not cut a file or folder like it does on Windows. Instead, you have to press Command + Option + V after copying to cut.
4. Deleting Files and Folders is different
In Windows, you can press the Delete Key to delete a file or folder but on Mac it is done differently. To get a file deleted on Mac, you will need to press Command (⌘) + Delete. Doing this will move the file or folder to the Trash. If you wish to them let go of the file permanently, just empty the Trash.
5. Opening & Renaming Folders
Renaming folders on Windows is quite different from the way it is done on Mac. In Windows, you press the Enter key to open a folder, but on Mac, pressing the Enter key will enable the folder for renaming. For you to open folder on Mac, you will have to press the Command (⌘) key + Down Arrow. You can also use the “Open” option from the right-click menu.
6. Copy Transfer Speeds
In Windows, you can know the file transfer speed information in real time by just like looking at the window that is showing the file transfer. This window will show a progress bar, as well as the current transfer speed. However, in macOS, you will see a progress bar, but you won’t see specific details like you would see in Windows. If you want to see more details, you will need to open the Activity Monitor to do this.
7. Command Key(⌘) vs Control Key(^)
You might have noticed that the keyboard of your Mac the Control (^) key. However, this Control key doesn’t perform the same function as the Control key on Windows. Instead the Command (⌘) key on Mac the similar key to the Ctrl Key on Windows. The Control key on Mac is used for system-level functions and is not frequently for shortcuts like the Command key.
8. Option Key vs ALT Key
In Windows, you have the ALT key, but in Mac, you have the Options Key (⌥). Both perform similar functions on their the different OS. The Option key is used to execute shortcuts on Mac just like ALT key on Windows.
9. Installing Apps
Mac doesn’t have an application installation wizard like Windows have. Applications are usually in disk image files. When you open these files, you just drag the app to the Applications folder, and that’s it. To uninstall application, you just need to drag the app out of the Application folder and move it to the Trash.
10. The Default Browser
MacOS has Safari browser as its default browser whereas it is Microsoft Edge on Windows. You might have even been using Google Chrome on your Windows computer. Although Safari is available for Window also, it is a major part of macOS. It boast of interesting features like Safari Extensions, and Intelligent Tracking Prevention.
In Conclusion…
Windows can be a great operating system, but some factors may make it necessary for you to make the switch to Mac. Because they are different platforms, the have their differences as well as many similarities. We hope you found this helpful? If you did, kindly leave a comment, and don’t forget to share…