Thanks Raza, you make good points. I want a powerful machine built with quality materials, therefore Mac and Dell satisfy these requirements. For the same price the MacBook Pro M2 has a fast CPU, an excellent 16” quality monitor, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD. The Dell comes with i-9 CPU, a good 15.6” 1920X1200 monitor (an oled monitor is $400 more), 32GB RAM, 1 TB SSD. As it is a substantial amount of money to pay, I want to make sure I won’t have any regrets. So far I’m inclined to stay with Windows, a very familiar environment, and as you say an external monitor could make the Dell as good as the Mac.
I don't like the UI of macOS. For example, I don't like the amount of space that the dock takes up. I would like it if it was more like the Task Bar in Windows. But unfortunately, if can only be resized proportionally. So if you reduce the height, it also reduces the width. Another thing that I don't like, is the menu bar at the top of the screen. It's needlessly using screen space. I also wish there was a Start Menu. While I realise that is a controversial opinion, it seems to me that a lot more thought has been put into the design of Windows than macOS. Of course, the things I mentioned won't be an issue for everyone. It's important to note that until I used macOS, back when it was called OS X, I had presumed that it was much better than Windows. When I started using it, my opinion changed.
@Osaban If there is nothing it forces you to switch to Mac stick with Win. You're used to it and you can focus on the things you do. If you want to go on an adventure then switch to Mac but be aware that it will be a pain for certain time, the period depends on your innate ability to learn new things etc. During this learning period you won't be as productive as you may want.
Don't know if this is true. I have always heard this. Take a new person who has never used a pc before, Win or Mac, say like an elderly person learning for the first time. Mac will be easier for a newbie to pick up, more intuitive or something. If this is true, I don't know how that translates into someone who is not a newbie, someone who knows Windows. Whatever you decide, good luck. Acadia
Roger thank you for explaining why you don’t like Mac OS. My son is studying design, has an M1 MacBook 13” and reckons it has no rivals (he also comes from a Windows environment) but the new generation is indeed very flexible with different technologies. He says that in his school everyone, teachers and students use apple computers.
I’m not concerned about loss of productivity as I’m more of a fine art oriented photographer than a commercial one. I have no doubts that learning to use another OS is not a big deal (I wouldn’t be on this forum otherwise) but what I fear most is that subtle sensation of not feeling at home anymore. I tried many times in the past to switch to Linux with disastrous results in terms of getting used to it. With an expensive Mac there is no turning back without financial loss. But perhaps it’s all in my mind as we are dealing with machines after all.
You have a point Acadia, when I first went about to buy my first computer back in the day, people used to say Windows is cheaper but more difficult to learn how to use it whereas Mac computers were more user friendly and intuitive, I guess that philosophy still sticks nowadays…
OK, then you would have to get accustomed that Apple is always doing things differently. If you use an Apple device you know what that means and then you shouldn't be in troubles with a Mac.
Hello Osaban, Decisions, décisions is always a difficult task. Remember one thing, don’t let anyone influence you on your decision, it’s OK to ask advice but the final decision must be YOURS and I’m sure you will be happy with whatever you decide.
So there are numerous YouTube videos about switching from Windows to a Mac. I came across this series which should be of interest to you since they are produced by a professional photographer who documents his journey in switching from Windows to a Macbook Pro in a series of videos: PC User Reacts To New Macbook Pros https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwkvwQGQl6c Windows User Tries New M1 Max Macbook Pro: First 24 Hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfsNO14hikA I'm switching to Mac, after a lifetime of Windows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjQyIUMKmZ8 PC Fanboy Uses MacOS For 3 Weeks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZueJx-ndnI 11 Things My Macbook Does Better Than My Windows Desktop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Xjz5v0jDw
You seems like person that doesn't fear other OS or learing a little bit. I think there is more about changing habits (shortcuts etc) than true learing, as Apple does things differently whether it does makes sense or not. Anyway in you position I would be mostly concerned about software rather than OS (Is it available? Does it provide same functionality?) and peripherial device price and support by OS.
Thank you hawki for this material, I will certainly check it out this week. I have however almost made up my mind to remain with Windows, not because a Mac is a new world, but the more I think of it the more I believe a slightly faster machine won't make any difference in my world of photography, therefore why bother to go through the inevitable hassle to learn a new operating system. This isn't final, I will go ahead with my purchase on the 15th, therefore I have plenty of time to reconsider. Reshuffling the Dell hardware configuration, I can get their best display at almost the same price as a MacBook Pro 16 M2...
You are perfectly right Windows is more versatile than Apple as far as third party software is concerned. Apple is a proprietary world therefore there might be some limitations to what is available as third party software.
I use Windows at home and macOS at work. My next purchase will definitely be a Mac, because of the quality of third party software for macOS (and also because of Apple's excellent Retina screens).
I’ve visited a Dell dealer today (both Apple and Dell have shops nowadays in Seoul even though their main business is online), and to my surprise prices matched exactly the online promotions. But then they made an offer that I couldn’t refuse, an almost $ 200 discount on a machine that was exceeding my configuration with online prices... I went for it and my dilemma is over. I’m happy about my decision so far as even though it is a Windows environment, everything is new and rather difficult to manage (my old machine is 10 years old, Windows 8 vintage). I can just imagine if I had to deal with a totally different environment like a new MacBook Pro. I’m very thankful to everyone who participated in this discussion and provided very useful insights about different systems...
I have always been a Dell guy in that I think overall and holistically, they sell a better product. However, I would say that if you are looking for speed, MAC is the way to go. Hope this helps.
Having figured out what software I like in Windows over the years (which was time-consuming trying alternative programs) I don't want to switch to an operating system where I would have to do that all over again. Using two Thinkpad T470 at home as workstations with docks and Dell U2415 monitors.
Yes, the MacBook is probably better than any other Windows laptop when it comes to hardware. But apparently this wasn't the most important to you, so you probably made the right decision. But I wondered if you also looked into the Samsung Galaxy laptops? I have never been a fan of Samsung, but I have to say that the Galaxy Book2 Pro 15.6 inch looks amazing. https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/galaxy-book-pro/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w5LELQ5HKU
Yes I know, but I just wondered if he also considered other Windows based laptops, why did he go for the Dell, know what I mean?
