Does MacOS have these shenanigans?

[Super Spartan]

I'm a Windows user since 20 years. Never used MacOS.

With the release of Windows 10 came a lot of headaches like telemetry, spying, some apps were apps (like regular EXE installers) and others moved to the Microsoft Store with worse quality obviously.

In the past with Windows 7 for example, when you perform Windows updates, they were just some security updates and maybe a new feature here and there.

With Windows 10, let's say you purchase a laptop in 2016 with Windows 10 Build XXXX, after 6 months when Microsoft releases an entirely new build, some drivers won't work and you'd have to hunt for new ones that are compatible with the new Windows build and often manufacturers never update drivers past a certain amount of time leaving users helpless and letting them hunt for 3rd party drivers.

Your Antivirus for example will not be compatible with the new build until an update to the Antivirus is released, some apps also have this issue so basically, every 6 months, with every new build, comes more telemetry, more spying, more incompatibility and so on.

I got sick and tired of formatting on a constant basis wasting so much time of my life rather than doing something productive, I am constantly formatting, tweaking, reinstalling software.

So my question is, does MacOS have these headaches too? I see an OS update every now and then but is it a seamless process where you just hit update and everything is taken care of like drives and whatnot? What about software, is it also an easy update process with no headaches?

 

[Gregg2]

I haven't had one Mac-induced headache for the things you describe in over 20 years of use.

 

[Super Spartan]

I haven't had one Mac-induced headache for the things you describe in over 20 years of use.

Perfect! That's what I was hoping to hear! Can't wait till I get my MacBook Pro!

 

[TheIntruder]

It would be too simplistic that to say that Macs don't experience such headaches, but with the way Apple structures its updates, it's more predictable.

With macOS, the largest risk for compatibility issues occurs with each annual major point update, like with the impending 10.15, whose biggest change is that it will eliminate 32-bit compatibility and result in some major friction for those caught unaware (even though Apple has warned of it for a couple years). With these updates, things like drivers may break, or apps may need to be updated to be fully compatible, though they may still mostly function, but with some glitches.

The minor point updates in between, 10.14.1, 10.14.2, etc. are mostly bug and security fixes; they generally don't introduce new features. They retain a stable base that developers can confidently target (at least until the next annual major update). A much simpler hardware base also makes the job of writing drivers easier, for both Apple and third parties. Driver hunting, either out of necessity, or for sport, isn't as common.

I don't keep up with MS's practices, but I guess the closest analogue on the Windows side are what used to be called the Service Packs, or for W10, Builds, in that they introduce new features or may "mess with the plumbing" somewhat, forcing developers to react. I also get the impression that MS doesn't adhere to a strict or as predictable cadence for these releases either (which can be good, and bad).

In general, you'll also find that Apple isn't afraid to leave things behind, and not be saddled with the burden of maintaining legacy compatibility, such as MS does with its base of 7, and certainly XP users. Apple's train keeps on moving, and most users are on board with that, and willing to bear whatever cost that entails, even if it means new hardware. iOS is a more extreme example of that, though its support periods can extend a bit longer than macOS' three-version practice (current, and past two get security updates).

 

[bogdanw]

With the release of Windows 10 came a lot of headaches like telemetry, spying

To play the devil's advocate, it's easier to disable telemetry on Windows than on MacOS.
On Windows it's well documented and you have user friendly software, like O&O ShutUp10.
On MacOS it's poorly documented, as far as I know there is no app to help you and Apple is making it difficult with SIP and now the dedicated system volume in Catalina.
Take a look at "Disable bunch of #$!@ in Catalina" https://gist.github.com/pwnsdx/1217727ca57de2dd2a372afdd7a0fc21

 

[Ritsuka]

That script disable a bunch of mostly iCloud related services. If you want to disable sending system reports to Apple, just go to System Preferences -> Privacy.

 

[hobowankenobi]

I would add that, generally, any user can opt out of everything easily when they set up their Mac. While the defaults are to "send feedback", simply decide not to. Done.

And nobody forces you to use iCloud. It's handy, and I expect most do because they trust Apple when they say they randomize user info enough to not actually track people. But if anybody is skeptical, don't sign up. Done.

They don't have the encryption keys.

They randomize user IDs where tracking is needed (like maps).

As for updates....as stated above, Apple tends to move forward, so compatibility errors are most common when using legacy software/drivers that have not been updated in years.

 

[Storm312]

I used Windows all throughout my childhood. Gaming, productivity, coding, tinkering. My first Mac was in college. I'm a web dev so I've used macOS almost everyday since the last 6 years.

If I could compare macOS Mojave with Windows 10, I would pick macOS. I've had issues with macOS, but they don't compare to a lot of the ugliness I've seen with Windows over the years.

I really only use Windows for PC gaming these days. It doesn't fully integrate with my iPhone, Watch, iPad, Apple TV. Yes, I've been swallowed by the Apple ecosystem but I'm not looking to be saved. I wasn't forced, I was persuaded. It's been a long time since I've been on Android (I was big into it in the 3/4 Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwich days) so I don't really even know how well Android pairs up with Windows these days and I could be missing out on a lot on that front.

 

[revmacian]

I ran Windows most of my life. I got fed up with the crap in 2014 and moved to a Mac mini. My only real complaint with OS X, now macOS, over the years was the lack of system-wide dark mode. But, that is no longer an issue since Apple implemented system-wide dark mode. I’m still impressed at how fun and easy it is to maintain a Mac compared to what I had to go through over the years with Windows.

 

[robbyrob01]

I'm actually in your same boat. I have been a PC user for all of my life and got tired of the inconsistency in Windows 10. Why does everything need to be a dumbed down phone app? Why are settings in 3 different control panels? Why do I have to reboot to change a simple setting? Why does every program have a different looking window? Can Windows be more customized? Sure, but is it worth it? Just like Android I have fun with it for the first few weeks and then the annoyances start. Notifications don't come in, phone calls go straight to voicemail, some stuck app is hogging the battery. Is that worth pink and purple unicorn icons? I feel the same about the Apple ecosystem as a whole. If you are a simple user like myself... as in you just want to use the computer to be a computer, then macOS is the right choice in my opinion. Everything to my remedial security python scripting, firewall VMs in Fusion, to watching videos just work so much less complicated than trying to pair the already fragmented Android ecosystem to an OS that's pretending to be a tablet. Sorry for my run-on sentences, but I am extremely more pleased with my new 2019 i9 MacBook Pro than I ever was with a Windows machine.