Switching from a Windows PC to a Mac is a process that is not quite as simple as saving your files and uploading them to a Mac. Each is a completely different operating system that uses different file types and has different commands to accomplish similar tasks.
In accordance, you must fully prepare yourself when deciding to take the plunge from Mac to PC. This includes learning a few tips and tricks along the way that will also make your transition from the Windows world to the Mac world easier.
Switching From Windows PC to Mac
Why Switch
If you are reading this guide, you are obviously already considering switching from Windows to Mac. For those of you who are not yet sold, let’s review a few reasons why a Mac may be a better choice for you.
● User-Friendly – Most people find the Mac OS to be more streamlined and user-friendly than Windows OS. Windows, similar to Android, must continually allow older devices, called legacy devices, to be still able to use the OS. While in theory this sounds like a good idea, the truth is that unless you are trying to run a 15-year-old PC, all it does is slow down the overall system by including too many clunky backward compatibility protocols. Mac OS does away with this idea by dropping support for its oldest devices in a quicker fashion in order to allow the newer devices to be extremely fast and streamlined.
● Connected Ecosystem – The Apple ecosystem is designed in a way that allows a cohesive experience across your devices. The Apple TV, Mac OS, and iOS, along with a slew of peripheral devices, work together to produce a very pleasant user experience. Although Windows is now attempting to do the same with their Xbox One, Windows 10, and Windows Phone platforms (through what they call continuum), the end user experience is truly subpar and years behind what Apple has created.
● Beauty – There’s a reason why we buy certain clothes, shoes, and accessories above others: The design And no one does it better than Apple. Apple devices not only look spectacular but also feel spectacular. Sure, like any other company, there is a misstep here or there. Overall, however, the beauty of Apple devices just cannot be beaten.
● And don’t forget… You can still run Windows on your Mac! Yes, you really can. It is possible to both keep Mac OS while installing Windows OS on your Mac for those Windows-only programs that you cannot live without.
Take The Plunge
The best way to jump right into a Mac is to use Mac OS’s Migration Assistant Tool. It is a native program that helps you transfer your documents, media content, and settings to your new Mac. It saves a lot of time and hassle. To do this, visit Apple’s support website and follow the directions within. They do a great job of explaining the entire process.
Common Commands and Functions
Now that you have made the plunge and switched from Windows to Mac, it is time to go over common things that you know how to do on Windows OS that you will need to know how to do on Mac OS.
Using Programs On A Mac
First, we need to know how to find the programs that we are searching for. When you use Windows OS, you use the “Search” bar to find those programs that are not on the taskbar or desktop. Mac OS has a similar feature titled “Spotlight”. It works in a similar manner. To use Spotlight, click the little magnifying lens and type away.
Although the operating systems often use different formats for saving files, this is often not a worry. For all of your media consumption outside of iTunes, we recommend downloading VLC.
Unfortunately, Windows programs will have to be opened on your dual boot of Windows (if you choose to go that route) due to incompatibility. You may be able to find a Mac version of the program that you are trying to use from the program’s original source, but this is not always the case.
If the program does not have a Mac version available, you can either search the internet for a program with similar functions that does work on a Mac or dual boot Windows OS as mentioned above.
Control Panel
The System Preferences (as used below for turning on “Right Click”) is the Mac version of Window’s Control Panel. For all settings that you seek to adjust, if it is possible, you will find it here. Click the gear to access it.
Where Is My Right Click?
We’ve all been there: you sit down to your brand new Apple computer, turn it on, and the first time you go to right click, you realize, there is no right click button! Don’t fret, there is an easy way around this.
If you are using a Magic Mouse, go into System Preferences, then mouse, and check the Secondary Click option. Now, simply pretend that there are two mouse buttons and continue as you normally would on a Windows machine.
If you are using the trackpad, go into System Preferences again, then trackpad, and check the Secondary Click here as well. To now use the trackpad for “right clicking”, simply press with two fingers instead of one.
How To Take A Screenshot
One of the most common functions that we use daily is taking a screenshot. On Windows, it is easily accomplished via the Print Screen button.
On a Mac, it is not difficult to do either. To capture the entire screen, use command+shift+3. If you are looking to capture a specific window or an area of the screen, however, there are other specific Print Screen Mac keyboard shortcuts.
Welcome To Mac OS
If this is your first time ever using a Mac, welcome! And if this is not your first time but you have decided to use one again, welcome back! Either way, we are sure that you will appreciate how far Mac OS has come and all that you are able to do with it. With your persistence and a little bit of help from us, we are sure that you will never look back to the draconian OS that is Windows. 🙂
