Is anyone thinking of leaving Windows for a MAC?

Lance1 · 30 Dec 2021

When it comes to MAC I'm a complete newbie! But I've got an itch to try something new. I have never sat in front of a MAC and worked with one. I've seen the interface but thats it. But for $1.000 too $3.000? It is in my pocket But! Is it worth it? I really want to work with one to see if it is for me. So I scoured the net and found MacOS BigSur. I scoured the net once again and found a way to make it compatible and bootable with VMWare. As a mater a fact I'm posting in MacOS BigSur right now and I got to say, I'm in a foreign land and everything is brand new. It's a refreshing feeling. Does it break forum rules to post my findings? Let me know. Heres some pics. It will take some to time to decide if I want to go in this direction or not and leave Windows. Time will tell BUT! I'm liking it so fare. It's the $$$$$ thats the kicker.

pparks1 · 30 Dec 2021

So, couple of thoughts on the MAC. I was in the same boat as you in 2014. I wanted to get a laptop for myself (I had a Windows laptop from work), my wife had a Windows laptop, my kids had a windows laptop. I just didn't want to do another, same 'ol, same 'ol.

So, I bought a MacBook Pro 13", with 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD in 2014 and it was $1499. First, the hardware has been excellent. The touchpad is fantastic, it wakes up and goes to sleep so fast. The retina display is absolutely fantastic. And after 7 years it's still holding a charge...so that's pretty impressive. I've had no real issues with it, I've only ever upgraded the OS, never formatted and started over. No viruses, no malware. Little to no maintenance whatsoever.

With all that said, I never found the interface to be all that intuitive. I still have trouble finding things. I bought a new PC (desktop) a year ago and went with Windows on it. At my job, I support Linux machines and have the option to run on a MAC, but have chosen to stick with Windows. To me, Windows just feels like home. I feel I am able to more easily find things, and I find that I can troubleshoot it better.

So, no regrets on having a MAC all of these years. The hardware is excellent, and hence part of that price. But end of the day, I'm not one that says once I tried a MAC, i would never go back.

siepo · 30 Dec 2021

Congrats for trying something else. At the least, it will widen your horizon. As to cost, you may shop around for a refurbished machine, but pay attention to the last supported OS version. And on Intel-based machines, you can probably install Windows in a VM or as a dual-boot option.

Personally, I am a linux diehard, but sometimes help other people with their Windows- and even Mac problems, so I have acquired some knowledge of these operating systems too, although neither tempts me as 'daily driver'.

joeandmarg0 · 30 Dec 2021

If money is the controlling factor,then Linux wins.

Crizal · 30 Dec 2021

I've been with Windows since the Win 2000 days and yes, I've wanted to try something new. Back in August, I got one of the new iMac desktops with the silicon M1 chip. While waiting for delivery, I wrote down every question I could think of and researched. When the computer came, I plugged it in and set it up. I'm 70 years young and I love the experience of learning new things and honestly, I haven't had a single issue with the machine. Everything just works! MacOS Big Sur has had updates and now I'm on Monterey. Echoing what was previously said, the hardware is superb and the retina display is fantastic. Even the audio system is top-notch and the machine is less than a half-inch thick.

Now, that being said, I have no desire to leave Windows and go exclusively with Mac. My Hp is my daily driver and it's a fabulous piece of equipment. Windows, to me, is like wearing a comfy pair of shoes. Yes, if you want a new Mac laptop or iMac desktop, money is an issue and keep in mind, Apple is transitioning away from Intel processors going exclusively to their silicon chip.

Windows and MacOS have pros and cons. But, I don't consider one better than the other. Different -- yes. However, Windows and MacOS both do what I want them to do and I'm happy using both. No regrets. Good luck with your eventual decision.

Lance1 · 30 Dec 2021

The reason I even thought about MAC is that My daughter has one and she likes it. I'm glad that I can test drive MAC in this VM for free and get a feel for it. Sorry siepo and joeandmarg0 but I'm not really a Linux fan. I have tried different distro's and non really stuck me. I've been a Windows guy since The Dawn Of Time and it all I really know SO! At 63 years young it's time to take the left fork in the road and try a new path.

idgat · 30 Dec 2021

As faulted as it is on occasions, I think I'll stick with the big W.

Better the devil you know than the ... etc.
Why change horses in mid-stream?
Rock and a hard place ...
etc etc

EDIT : I do use Linux in a limited capacity (boot from USB for recovery, VirtualBox in Win 10/11 devices, etc). If I was ever tempted to shift it would be to Linux cf. Apple.

Lance1 · 30 Dec 2021

Crizal said:

I've been with Windows since the Win 2000 days.

Windows 2000... Now that brings back memories. Back in early 2000 I was recovering from a work related back injury and Workmen's Compensation more commonly known as WCB put me through a curse upon my request to get my MCSE cert, which I did successfully. The kicker of this is? I have a grade 7 education and bullsh!^ed my way through the interviews and into the curse! How dose someone with a grade 7 education get through a 2 year curse that was crammed into 9 months. The answer! When you have a passion for something you just make it work. Thanks Crizal for bringing back that memory. That was a fun time.

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idgat said:

As faulted as it is on occasions, I think I'll stick with the big W.

Better the devil you know than the ... etc.
Why change horses in mid-stream?
Rock and a hard place ...
etc etc

EDIT : I do use Linux in a limited capacity (boot from USB for recovery, VirtualBox in Win 10/11 devices, etc). If I was ever tempted to shift it would be to Linux cf. Apple.

Have you sat in the Apple saddle? I find it... Comfortable.

siepo · 30 Dec 2021

Horses for courses. Although Linux is much better put together than Windows, that is not the only thing that counts. There are also familiarity with the system, what your colleagues use, what you do on your system, how well your habits are aligned with what the OS caters for. As to me, I have to fight Windows and MacOS every step of the way, while I have made Linux fit me like a glove.

Lance1 · 30 Dec 2021

[QUOTE]smbios.reflectHost = "TRUE" hw.model = "MacBookPro15,3" board-id = "Mac-1E7E29ADo135F9BC"/QUOTE]

This is the code that made it work for me in that ".vmx" file. I can't name the file till I get the say so but I think you get it... Just a teaser for you VM Guy and Girl. But there is much much more to it then that. It took 2 days to get it right. Lots of errors to get over. But it's worth it in the end. I have an Apple OS in my VM fully operational. Posting from it now. You are digging in the net right now. All I can say is you'll need VMWare 15.1 to make it work or Virtualbox "But that is a different animal".

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siepo said:

Horses for courses. Although Linux is much better put together than Windows, that is not the only thing that counts. There are also familiarity with the system, what your colleagues use, what you do on your system, how well your habits are aligned with what the OS caters for. As to me, I have to fight Windows and MacOS every step of the way, while I have made Linux fit me like a glove.

I can appreciate that. But at this Time in my life I think I need to be well... Agitated, uncomfortable. I need it get my mind moving and thinking, figuring things out. I don't want comfortable. That's why I'm looking at MAC. Not saying that Linux is out the door. I just haven't found one that fits!