Flip Flopping between macOS and Windows

[Steve Adams]

I wouldn't say I mess with them, as such. But I do like to keep things ticking over. I've been building PCs since the 90s so I'm not a complete noob but I have recently noticed some fragility in Windows 10.

The only variable with my PC recently was a change of graphics card – I swapped out a 1050 TI for a Radeon RX 480 that I got for virtually nothing. I wonder whether a graphics issue caused the blue screen (it was waking from sleep, error code MEMORY MANAGEMENT) or even if my power supply needs upgrading to cope with the draw from the GPU (it's a 450W).

Having said that, I've seen multiple BSODs on other devices including various Surface Book and Pro machines. You've done well not to see one for that long.

yes, I just make minimal changes to everything. As long as Microsoft is not stealing my identity or financial information and causing me personal harm, I don't care about the whole "privacy" thing. big deal, they see me on macrumors and a few other geeky websites. I don't care. I just leave my machines as they are. I just stop the pop ups, ads and things like that. the worst of the OS was ME. It was BRUTAL! I think I used it for a week and went back. I actually think I got my money back from the LCS for that one.

 

[maflynn]

For me, Windows has been very stable, on my custom built desktop, on my work laptop, my razer and I have a Thinkpad (that's mostly being used by my kids). My work laptop and I have two work desktops in the office that I remote into rarely get rebooted and still are stable ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Have I gotten BSOD's yeah once in a blue moon but they're so rare I cannot remember when or why it happened. My experiences has been that its as stable as macOS and given the complaints about Big Sur, I'd venture a guess and say more so.

 

[MBAir2010]

i had to look up BSOD- i never seen on the 2019 Dell XPS so far but never entered into the Microsoft "iCloud" because i have only one PC product, and really do not need that service.
I would like to expand the Dell experience, but mobile connect never works, but that was in 2020.

I think  has a very great connect system were pages, number and safari intertwines well with MBA and iPads.

 

[Steve Adams]

i had to look up BSOD- i never seen on the 2019 Dell XPS so far but never entered into the Microsoft "iCloud" because i have only one PC product, and really do not need that service.
I would like to expand the Dell experience, but mobile connect never works, but that was in 2020.

I think  has a very great connect system were pages, number and safari intertwines well with MBA and iPads.

Yes, they do. But with MS services and Mobile Connect, or if you move to android, Your Phone, you get the same if not better experience now. Your Phone is awesome with samsung phones. You get more functionality than you do with iOS and MacOS integration. If you grab a surface style or two in one type PC and a samsung phone you have have an awesome tablet expereince on the windows platform. That is what I am aiming for. I have everything touch screen for pc now, so once I move to a new samsung phone, connect to Your Phone on windows it's as though I have an android tablet built into my windows machines.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Yes, they do. But with MS services and Mobile Connect, or if you move to android, Your Phone, you get the same if not better experience now. Your Phone is awesome with samsung phones. You get more functionality than you do with iOS and MacOS integration. If you grab a surface style or two in one type PC and a samsung phone you have have an awesome tablet expereince on the windows platform. That is what I am aiming for. I have everything touch screen for pc now, so once I move to a new samsung phone, connect to Your Phone on windows it's as though I have an android tablet built into my windows machines.

The last time I used that - granted, it was years ago (2018? with an XPS 15) it was a nice concept but didn't work really well. Glad to see that there's been improvement on that. I'm surprised I haven't heard more of my android friends mention this? Maybe they don't know.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

yes, I just make minimal changes to everything. As long as Microsoft is not stealing my identity or financial information and causing me personal harm, I don't care about the whole "privacy" thing. big deal, they see me on macrumors and a few other geeky websites. I don't care. I just leave my machines as they are. I just stop the pop ups, ads and things like that. the worst of the OS was ME. It was BRUTAL! I think I used it for a week and went back. I actually think I got my money back from the LCS for that one.

Windows ME was like the Volkswagen of OSes. It'll make you a an expert in troubleshooting.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

The last time I used that - granted, it was years ago (2018? with an XPS 15) it was a nice concept but didn't work really well. Glad to see that there's been improvement on that. I'm surprised I haven't heard more of my android friends mention this? Maybe they don't know.

It works too well for me, had to put PC notifications on Sleep (Focus assist) when I use it.

 

[steelhauler34]

I cannot fathom choosing windows over IOS. The pricing has to be the only reason windows has weathered as long as it has. It absolutely sucks. It inevitably stops working efficiently after just a few years as it gets clogged with malware and cache errors and has to be totally cleaned up. I would rather spend twice the money on a Mac and not deal with that. They are worth every single penny extra that they cost. My wife has a dell that is only 4 years old. It’s a POS already. Our old handheld computers at work ran a windows based operating system and they sucked horribly. Our new ones are Android and 100X better. The computers on our forklifts are windows and don’t work half the time and take a lifetime to boot up. Junk junk junk.

 

[Steve Adams]

Windows ME was like the Volkswagen of OSes. It'll make you a an expert in troubleshooting.

More like the chevette of OS'es

 

[Steve Adams]

I cannot fathom choosing windows over IOS. The pricing has to be the only reason windows has weathered as long as it has. It absolutely sucks. It inevitably stops working efficiently after just a few years as it gets clogged with malware and cache errors and has to be totally cleaned up. I would rather spend twice the money on a Mac and not deal with that. They are worth every single penny extra that they cost. My wife has a dell that is only 4 years old. It’s a POS already. Our old handheld computers at work ran a windows based operating system and they sucked horribly. Our new ones are Android and 100X better. The computers on our forklifts are windows and don’t work half the time and take a lifetime to boot up. Junk junk junk.

Ahhhh NO. MacOS is no better. Keep telling yourself that, it will be ok.

 

[Steve Adams]

The last time I used that - granted, it was years ago (2018? with an XPS 15) it was a nice concept but didn't work really well. Glad to see that there's been improvement on that. I'm surprised I haven't heard more of my android friends mention this? Maybe they don't know.

Probably not. But yes in the past 6 months, Your Phone has gotten some awesome updates. It works with samsung phones only however. I am unsure if more manufactuers are going to jump onboard. You need a special patch to go into the android software for it to work.

 

[maflynn]

I won't address every point but here's a few of my thoughts.

I cannot fathom choosing windows over IOS.

You're right, but windows is a desktop/laptop operating system and iOS is for phones. You're comparing apples and oranges. I've said this soo many times, many people must be sick of me saying it. Pick the right tool for the job and choosing a desktop OS for as a mobile phone OS is a mistake - even MS learned that when they rolled out windows mobile. As it stands windows 10 is not something you'll be running on a phone ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The pricing has to be the only reason windows has weathered as long as it has. It absolutely sucks.

Nope, its apps, you see an operating system's job is to run apps and the volume of applications that can run on macOS pales in comparison to what can run on Windows. Beside how can you argue that the price is the sole reason for its success when Apple long stopped charging for operating systems but MS has not. You can get linux, and macOS and other operating systems for free. Your logic is flawed if you think price is the reason that 75% of the worlds desktops run windows (compared to 16% for macOS)

It inevitably stops working efficiently after just a few years as it gets clogged with malware and cache errors and has to be totally cleaned up.

That's completely false. I've yet to have any malware on my machine, it simply does not get "clogged with malware" My desktop computer at work has run flawlessly for many years, without any need to be cleaned up or "refreshed"

In all of my years of using windows, at work, on servers and at home, I've never once got a "cache error" Never mind in sufficient quantities that cause the machine to be cleaned up

I get that windows isn't for everyone, either due to personal preference or due to specific apps being on macOS, but to propagate such an ill-formed narrative that all windows machines get clogged up with malware is simply so wrong and mistaken that it is so baffling.

 

[Steve Adams]

I won't address every point but here's a few of my thoughts.

You're right, but windows is a desktop/laptop operating system and iOS is for phones. You're comparing apples and oranges. I've said this soo many times, many people must be sick of me saying it. Pick the right tool for the job and choosing a desktop OS for as a mobile phone OS is a mistake - even MS learned that when they rolled out windows mobile. As it stands windows 10 is not something you'll be running on a phone ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Nope, its apps, you see an operating system's job is to run apps and the volume of applications that can run on macOS pales in comparison to what can run on Windows. Beside how can you argue that the price is the sole reason for its success when Apple long stopped charging for operating systems but MS has not. You can get linux, and macOS and other operating systems for free. Your logic is flawed if you think price is the reason that 75% of the worlds desktops run windows (compared to 16% for macOS)


That's completely false. I've yet to have any malware on my machine, it simply does not get "clogged with malware" My desktop computer at work has run flawlessly for many years, without any need to be cleaned up or "refreshed"

In all of my years of using windows, at work, on servers and at home, I've never once got a "cache error" Never mind in sufficient quantities that cause the machine to be cleaned up

I get that windows isn't for everyone, either due to personal preference or due to specific apps being on macOS, but to propagate such an ill-formed narrative that all windows machines get clogged up with malware is simply so wrong and mistaken that it is so baffling. If you prefer macOS, that's fine but to make up such nonsensical excuses just blows my mind ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I love the Mac's don't get spyware, malware and virus bull. That's always a funny one. The apple fans love to run with that one. The last time I got a virus was......NEVER.

As for windows 10 mobile. If you never used it you would'nt know what it was like. It was miles ahead of both android and iOS in functionality, speed and cohesiveness. Unfortunately All the young twits needed snapchat and never bought them. It was fast on low spec hardware and really fast on good hardware. The cameras were so good that the 1020 still takes better images than the iphone 12 pro max. The pro max does whiz bang trickery but for outright image quality, the 1020 is better. Even if MS continued to support edge on W10M I would be using a 950xl and a 1020 for my phones. But they sunset'ed MS edge last week and created issue with w10m now. I almost bought two phones.

They were so smooth, fluid and every app looked and felt like an app MS built because they all used the same design language. So cohesive.

 

[BigMcGuire]

That's completely false. I've yet to have any malware on my machine, it simply does not get "clogged with malware" My desktop computer at work has run flawlessly for many years, without any need to be cleaned up or "refreshed"

In all of my years of using windows, at work, on servers and at home, I've never once got a "cache error" Never mind in sufficient quantities that cause the machine to be cleaned up

I get that windows isn't for everyone, either due to personal preference or due to specific apps being on macOS, but to propagate such an ill-formed narrative that all windows machines get clogged up with malware is simply so wrong and mistaken that it is so baffling. If you prefer macOS, that's fine but to make up such nonsensical excuses just blows my mind ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This highly depends on the operator right? I can't say how many clogged Windows machines I've cleaned/wiped over my years of IT but always due to user error. Can that happen on Mac? Definitely. That said, me myself? Like you, I've never had a problem - and I've never had a cache error (or know anyone who has). Never got a virus or malware. Most of my technically inclined friends/family - the same.

I love Windows. Windows 10 has REALLY become amazing over the last few years. I love Mac OS. I can use both and do daily. I don't usually get the preachers of one side. Variety is the spice of life. I like to try new tech, new things. I understand the need to clan up and fight as a default human activity but ... good grief lol. People act like using an OS is a religion.

If I had to use only one or the other I could - easily. Being fluent in both - has really made me enjoy both more.

I built an AMD screamer last year - 2-1 NVME SSDs, 64GB DDR4-3200Mhz of screaming ram - the fastest system I've ever used - for less than half the price of my 13' MBP. lol.

 

[The_Interloper]

You're right, but windows is a desktop/laptop operating system and iOS is for phones. You're comparing apples and oranges.

I think @steelhauler34 meant macOS (typed iOS by mistake) as he later mentioned "I would rather spend twice the money on a Mac" in the same post.

The pricing has to be the only reason windows has weathered as long as it has. It absolutely sucks.

The computers on our forklifts are windows and don’t work half the time and take a lifetime to boot up. Junk junk junk.

Beside how can you argue that the price is the sole reason for its success when Apple long stopped charging for operating systems but MS has not. You can get linux, and macOS and other operating systems for free.

I do see the validity of the points being made here. You are both right in different ways. The barrier to entry for Windows has always been much lower as the hardware was (and still is) much cheaper at the entry level than for macOS. Linux has never been able to compete despite being free as it simply cannot launch most widely used programs (MS Office, Adobe etc).

But that low-cost hardware is also Windows' Achilles heel as it usually meant the OS was running on cheap junk with puny processors, not enough RAM and slow as molasses hard drives. Along with the failure to effectively maintain the OS over time, this results in Windows performing like the forklift systems mentioned.

Having said that, in referencing some of my points from a few posts back, Windows 10 does seem inherently more fragile than macOS. I remember back when it was completely janky (95/98/Me) and the Mac was seen as significantly superior. That changed around Windows XP and 7 but there is still a brittleness there, exacerbated by the Registry and dependence on so many drivers for everything to run smoothly.

These days, though, both Windows and macOS are really very good. Sadly, the former only ever had to improve whilst the latter could only go downhill – and that, it seems, is what has happened over time.

 

[BigMcGuire]

As someone who has spent the last 20+ years doing side work (IT) for offices with (mostly) Windows setups and (a few) Mac setups... Uh... even today, the Mac setups require a lot less time spent configuring, fixing, dealing with issues such as malware, viruses, user breaking things, updates, connecting to printers, etc.

Don't get me wrong. I work all day on Windows, I know Windows better and for business, Windows is a win hands down for most. Now that everything is going cloud, more businesses (my personal experience only) - seem to be going Mac for their workstations. I've seen several offices switch to Mac recently. I know of one talking about switching right now because the latest Windows update broke all the office printers.

 

[The_Interloper]

I know of one talking about switching right now because the latest Windows update broke all the office printers.

Yes - what a disaster that was. Kyocera, Ricoh etc printers I think? It would BSOD the whole computer just trying to print a document! Microsft have now fixed it...but, sheesh.

 

[mi7chy]

The only variable with my PC recently was a change of graphics card – I swapped out a 1050 TI for a Radeon RX 480 that I got for virtually nothing. I wonder whether a graphics issue caused the blue screen (it was waking from sleep, error code MEMORY MANAGEMENT) or even if my power supply needs upgrading to cope with the draw from the GPU (it's a 450W).

Having said that, I've seen multiple BSODs on other devices including various Surface Book and Pro machines. You've done well not to see one for that long.

BSOD isn't normal for a mature GPU assuming it's not a power supply issue or bum GPU. You probably already know about DDU to remove remnants of Nvidia drivers that might conflict. Some even go as far as doing clean install of Windows if the issue persists. Is it reference or AIB rx480?

https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

I leave my desktop PC on 24/7 and never get BSOD on 5600xt or 6800/6900xt. Intel mobile iGPU driver quality is questionable so not surprised you'll see occasional BSOD. Knock on wood but my first experience with AMD mobile 4650U has been solid so far like on desktop.

 

[maflynn]

Uh... even today, the Mac setups require a lot less time spent configuring, fixing, dealing with issues such as malware, viruses, user breaking things, updates, connecting to printers, etc.

The problem I've seen in supporting Macs in an enterprise setting is the fact that the user can do so much more to their computers then a PC with various group policies. This has hampered support in the past. Also how default apps are handled, we have various PDF forms that a user can submit to an application. Think W4s being uploaded to a payroll system and automatically changing the withholding. Those tend not to work on Macs simply because the Macs generally don't have Acrobat and trying to get someone to install, and change the defaults (especially in a remote situation) has been irksome at best

 

[mi7chy]

Windows ME was like the Volkswagen of OSes. It'll make you a an expert in troubleshooting.

I hear that often but Windows ME was fine like 98SE but maybe I had the right combination of hardware and stable drivers. Windows NT was my worst Windows experience. Breathe on it wrong and it would BSOD.

 

[LeeW]

My roots have always been in Windows and building PCs and it feels right to continue this way as it's as much a hobby as it is a tool I need for work. It will be interesting to see how I feel when the new iMacs drop as that has always been the machine I thought I would end up with.

I am the opposite, Mac has always been my primary do everything but gaming. But I am struggling, really struggling to want to use anything macOS. @panjandrum make some really good comments above in that Windows/PC is so much better in the right areas than it used to be and macOS is better in some areas but getting worse in many others.

Since I moved back to Windows and now I am settled into it, not come across any issues at all really.

I Agree though, will be interesting to see what comes next from Apple. If they released a 32"+ iMac with a better than the already impressive M1, would I bite? On the fence really.

The next iMac is going to be a completely closed unit, there won't even be an opportunity to upgrade Ram. That bugs me.

Windows has proven to be too useful for me at this point. Pisses me off for sure on some things but so does anything in life

 

[Steve Adams]

I am the opposite, Mac has always been my primary do everything but gaming. But I am struggling, really struggling to want to use anything macOS. @panjandrum make some really good comments above in that Windows/PC is so much better in the right areas than it used to be and macOS is better in some areas but getting worse in many others.

Since I moved back to Windows and now I am settled into it, not come across any issues at all really.

I Agree though, will be interesting to see what comes next from Apple. If they released a 32"+ iMac with a better than the already impressive M1, would I bite? On the fence really.

The next iMac is going to be a completely closed unit, there won't even be an opportunity to upgrade Ram. That bugs me.

Windows has proven to be too useful for me at this point. Pisses me off for sure on some things but so does anything in life

Windows and samsung have a great combination. Or if you go with a dell machine, you have mobile connect. There are great programs for windows for whatever you want to do. I am removing myself completely from the applesphere. As soon as I get the new A52 5g, I will be converting to spotify for my music. I have software and sites for everything that I was using apple software for.

News + on apple? Use Readly on windows/android. You have hundreds of more choices to read, for less money.
iMovie? use photos/video on windows. It's a great free app included with windows and it's very competent to create videos and edit photos quickly.
iMessage? Your phone and android have the exact same compatibility now. If you go with a samsung phone, you have a built in tablet with 2 in 1 and touchscreens.
Microsoft 365 is miles ahead of the same software package from apple. Pages / etc / plus Icloud storage is lacking greatly. With MS365 family each family member gets 1tb of storage instead of sharing 2tb from apple. We have 4 tbs of storage since my wife, my 2 sons and I have a tb each.

Right now, the perceived speed domination of the M1 is not near enough to sway me from microsoft. My xps with core i7 is PLENTY fast. I just picked it up last week. I have 2 24" monitors with one being a touch screen. I am upgrading it with 128gb of ram, 2 sata ssd for scratch drives, a 14tb storage drive and a 4tb NVME drive for software usage. It's going to be a great system for my photo/video/creation business.

 

[MBAir2010]

wow
I'm happy i painted outdoors in 94º heat than be part of this computing exchange.
A great computer guru named Maflynn would type many many moons (2019) about both systems have a good platforms that satisfies everybody's needs on these forum about jumping ship.
 is great, easy to use but they suck you into a "buy a new thing this year, or else!"
while windows is flat and cant sync with iPads, etc.
last month i was going to give the Dell XSP away
today im ordering a ssd drive, external usb c drive and small photo card just for the Dell
while the macbook air will survive with a 2010 battery and 5th power chord until later

my experiences this year is
windows does not have malware that was posted here, and i feel is more secure than using a mac at times, in 2021
while Mojave has this incredible response to actions, the Dell XPS ruling W10 is as fast and responsive as a M! MacBook.
i think we should enjoy out systems and not tarnish the others, as McFlynn who advice many many moons ago!

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I just picked up a MBA M1 16gb 1tb. Got $1080 for my 2018 MBP 15'. Battery life, performance, and portability is what sold me. I was going to wait for next gen, but didn't want my trade in value on the MBP to depreciate much more.

When it comes to Desktops though, I'm strictly a custom PC guy. Windows 10 has been rock solid for me for several years now. Currently have a Ryzen 3950X(upgraded from a 2700x) on a X470 board with a 1080ti. I'm not upgrading the GPU until I do a complete new build.

The only issue I have with Windows is occasionally printing stalls or it won't print properly.

 

[MBAir2010]

Your Phone is awesome with samsung phones.

i am going to avoid cell or any phones for now, until i have to have one which i hope is never.