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Should I switch from Windows to Mac?

Should I switch from Windows to Mac?
Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney

  • Updated:

I want to buy a Mac but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to use a Mac as easily as I use my Windows PC. Macs are very different to Windows PCs and I’m used to my Windows PC, will it take me a long time to learn all the new Mac controls? Can I do everything I can do on a Windows PC on a Mac? What are the benefits for picking a Mac over a Windows PC? Macs are a lot more expensive than Windows PCs, are Macs worth it?

There are plenty of questions you should be asking if you’re thinking of switching from Windows to Mac. Let’s have a look at the answers to some of the most common.

Why do people prefer Macs to Windows PCs?

Mac users swear by the increased productivity that their Macs offer.

They also love:

  • That they’re made of high-end materials.
  • They last for years.
  • They hold their value.

As a nice little bonus, Mac owners also love the free photo and video editing tools they get with their Macs and that they don’t need to bother with annoying drivers.

Will I need Antivirus protection?

The combination of a Unix-based operating system and Apple’s own security protocols means Macs are widely regarded as being more secure than Windows PCs.

In addition, a program called Gatekeeper blocks all programs that haven’t been digitally approved by Apple from running on a Mac, without prior approval from the machine’s admin.

Many Mac users don’t use antivirus but the prudent ones do.

Will I be able to upgrade my Mac?

Apple’s decision to solder the RAM and Solid State Hard Drives into their newest machines makes it virtually impossible to upgrade a Macbook at home.

It is possible on older machines but it is much more difficult to upgrade a Mac than it is to upgrade a Windows PC.

How do I transfer my files from my Windows PC to a Mac?

It is simple if you have Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or later:

  1. Download the iCloud Control Panel.
  2. Log in using the Apple ID you’ll be associating with your new Mac.
  3. Sync all your Windows PC files with the iCloud service.
  4. These will then sync automatically with your new Mac.

Users with older versions of Windows will have to use third party cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Can I right-click on a Mac?

There are a number of different ways to right click on a Mac:

  • Hold down CTRL when you click.
  • Go to System Preferences, then to Trackpad and enable Secondary Click. This allows you to right-click by tapping with two fingers.

How can I recover the system if it crashes?

It isn’t possible to press CTRL-ALT-DEL on a Mac because the Mac keyboard doesn’t have a DEL button.

Instead, Mac users have to press CMD-ALT-ESC if their system freezes.

Can I use Windows on a Mac?

Some believe that when Windows is run on a Mac it is much more stable that it is on a standard PC.

To run Windows on a Mac you’ll need a virtual machine like Virtual Box or Parallels.

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney is a news reporter for Softonic, keeping readers up to date on everything affecting their favorite apps and programs. His beat includes social media apps and sites like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat. Patrick also covers antivirus and security issues, web browsers, the full Google suite of apps and programs, and operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android.

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