MacBook Air verdict from a sceptical spouse

[piattj]

I switched from Windows to Mac a few months back and badgered my wife on how she should do the same. She remained sceptical, having a 'perfectly good' premium laptop (hp, >$1,500 price tag) and an unwillingness to shell out $1,000+ for a MacBook. I convinced her to order a MacBook and, if she wasn't convinced about it, simply return within the 28 days.
Within 48 hours of getting the MacBook Air, she is wedded to it. And it's clear why. The MacBook is superior in so many ways - build quality, trackpad smoothness, performance, screen, OS, ... the list goes on. And this is in comparison with a high cost Windows machine, which feels cheap and flimsy in comparison with the Apple product.

 

[Ghostrider72]

I totally second that. I received for work a 2000 euros Lenovo laptop but there is no comparison with my macbook air gpu8 16/512 GB machine. I did the switch too after so many years with windows...the only thing I don't like is Safari, its characters in and around the address bar are so tiny...that's why I am sticking to chrome, to its extensions and so on.

 

[piattj]

My only grouse with the macOS system is Finder. In Windows, the ability to expand folders and easily move files around in one window. Finder doesn't enable this. Looking at Forklift3 but not mad keen on a 3rd party app if I can stay 'clean'...

 

[Ghostrider72]

My only grouse with the macOS system is Finder. In Windows, the ability to expand folders and easily move files around in one window. Finder doesn't enable this. Looking at Forklift3 but not mad keen on a 3rd party app if I can stay 'clean'...

I am still learning so I try to keep things clean and simple as much as I can. Basically I am installing only sw I strictly need, nothing else unless it's impossible to do it via the browser.

 

[Tenkaykev]

I am still learning so I try to keep things clean and simple as much as I can. Basically I am installing only sw I strictly need, nothing else unless it's impossible to do it via the browser.

I have similar frustrations with Safari, especially as I’m of an age where my eyesight isn’t as sharp. I switched to “ Brave “ browser several months ago and I’m very pleased with it. I still open Safari from time to time, but I’ve found that some websites that don’t play well with Safari work flawlessly with Brave.
Edit to add: if you are getting to terms with the Mac ecosystem then I would highly recommend the “ Macmost” YouTube channel. Each video is just a few minutes long and explains the basics plus how to do stuff on a Mac. I’ve been using a mac for nigh on twenty years now, but there’s been several “ I never realised I could do that “ moments.

 

[GreatOverlordGollum]

I totally second that. I received for work a 2000 euros Lenovo laptop but there is no comparison with my macbook air gpu8 16/512 GB machine. I did the switch too after so many years with windows...the only thing I don't like is Safari, its characters in and around the address bar are so tiny...that's why I am sticking to chrome, to its extensions and so on.

Re. Chrome, try Microsoft Edge. They both run on the same engine, but Edge is lighter on resources, and is compatible with all chrome extensions, plus it has most chrome features and a heap of useful ones added

 

[Apple_Robert]

My only grouse with the macOS system is Finder. In Windows, the ability to expand folders and easily move files around in one window. Finder doesn't enable this. Looking at Forklift3 but not mad keen on a 3rd party app if I can stay 'clean'...

Also take a look at Transmit 5 from Panic. It does the same kinds of things as Forklift but even better.

 

[brookter1]

My only grouse with the macOS system is Finder. In Windows, the ability to expand folders and easily move files around in one window. Finder doesn't enable this. Looking at Forklift3 but not mad keen on a 3rd party app if I can stay 'clean'...

If I've understood what you want correctly, you can do this easily enough in Finder, too, using List View (View > List or cmd-2). This gives you a expandable list and you can drag files and folders from one (sub)folder to another.

Does that do what you want?

One other tip that is often forgotten, but which I miss in Windows: every Mac program comes with the ability to search menus for commands.

If you look on the Help menu of any program, you will see a search bar: type a partial name of a command and you'll be shown all the menu items which match it: hover over a match and the precise place in the menu structure will be shown (and you can click it to operate the feature of course). This is very useful when you're getting to know new programs. The shortcut is cmd-shift-/ (i.e. cmd-?): it's a great way to explore the features of programs.

HTH.

 

[jdb8167]

Edit to add: if you are getting to terms with the Mac ecosystem then I would highly recommend the “ Macmost” YouTube channel. Each video is just a few minutes long and explains the basics plus how to do stuff on a Mac. I’ve been using a mac for nigh on twenty years now, but there’s been several “ I never realised I could do that “ moments.

This is a great tip. The 20 tips video is great. I’ve been using a Mac since 1985 and I learned a new thing watching that video. Remarkable.