In windows you just hit f2 to rename files. One key stroke per OS. Not that much different or easier.
Hmm, I beg to differ. I also found the Enter key for renaming to be insanely irritating for awhile, but after using OS X more, I find it to be much more thoughtful. F2 is totally random in comparison, and requires more hand movement.
I like to use keyboard shortcuts a lot, so my hands are often in the home typing position. In OSX, if I want to rename a file, bam, I hit enter, and my hands are already in position to type. Hitting F2 requires either a full left hand lift plus a look, or a less reliable blind finger reach. Then I have to move my hand back to commence typing the new file name.
Under both OSes, I need to lift my right hand off to the arrow keys to move around the file system. With OSX, once I'm at a file I want to open, my right hand's already at the arrows. Cmd+down. Done. With Windows, I'd have to reach back to the enter key.