Scared To Take The Plunge! (macOS)

[usagora]

Yea, I definitely don't want to buy a used, cheap machine to "test it out first", that's not my style.

Your style? LOL, ok. Up to you. I'm simply being pragmatic. You literally said you were "terrified" about this because you were concerned about the $$$$ spent and possibly not getting along with it. So I thought my suggestion was pretty reasonable given the extreme level of concern you indicated in your post. I'm not sure what other options you have except to have a friend let you borrow a spare Mac or just buy a new one, so just do it instead of consternating about it.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Do you think I would need to buy the Apple Care on it?

In the past I would have said no. But current MBP/ MBA repairs can cost you a lot specially with Screen or need to replace the whole mother board for even a RAM issue.

 

[tubuliferous]

Get MacGPT (pay what you want) and set a unique, convenient keyboard shortcut within the App (I use [command + option + control + \]) and just use ChatGPT to answer your Mac questions. ChatGPT is amazing for queries like:

"What's that thing at the top of the screen with words called in MacOS?"​

"How do I select a bunch of files in a window in MacOS?"​

"Is there a way to cut and paste files in MacOS?"​

One minor caveat to using ChatGPT for learning MacOS is that Ventura, the most recently-released MacOS, has a few notable changes that are newer than ChatGPT's current knowledge cutoff. So for example, if you ask "How do you turn on the bluetooth menu icon" the ChatGPT response will make reference to "System Preferences," which is now called "System Settings," and System Settings is mostly reorganized vs. Preferences (to more closely resemble the system-wide settings of other Apple devices). Fortunately System Settings has its own built-in search that usually gets you quickly to the setting you're looking for.

In general, chances are that if there's some function in Windows that you can't find in MacOS, there's a keyboard shortcut and/or menu item that does the same thing, and ChatGPT can help you find it quickly. One notable omission in MacOS is that there is no window tiling/snapping feature, so you can't really tile/snap windows in MacOS. BetterSnapTool is highly recommended for moving windows around quickly in MacOS, and you can get pseudo-window-tiling/snapping with that utility. If you're interested in my specific BetterSnapTool setup, send me a message.

One last specific piece of advice: almost every Mac app has a help menu with a search feature that allows you to find menu items by name and shows you where they are in the menu hierarchy. You can use the shortcut [command + shift + /] to bring up the menu search feature.

If you have specific questions MacOS questions, I'm happy to respond to direct messages. Honestly though, ChatGPT is usually going to be a much better helper than I am.

Take the plunge and enjoy the new Mac!

 

[Feek]

Remember that macOS does things differently to Windows. You have to get out of the Windows mindset and learn the different way. If you try and replicate Windows with macOS, you’ll struggle.

 

[circatee]

I've not read all the responses. However, as someone that has recently made the switch, I suggest this:
- verify the must have applications are available on macOS
- failing the above, start to look for alternatives
- remember that Windows and macOS is totally different. Thus, do not go into it, trying to do the things you did on Windows. Changes to your day to day use is required. Example minimizing a window on Windows, is different to macOS
- Lastly, use the new Mac and simply enjoy it!

Go...

 

[MisterSavage]

Also, if you end up missing a Windows application too much there are option to either boot into Windows on your Mac or run Windows programs via virtualization.

 

[Lab34]

So I'll take that as a yes? 🧐

I don't think you can take the phone and call him, but you can search on his videos, for example about shortcuts or finder... There is a search box at the top left of his website macmost.com

The idea of using chatgpt is good too. It's like you are asking a friend.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

"Does anyone have any advice for me?"

Yes.
Get 16gb of RAM (not 8).
8gb just isn't "enough" any more.
Say this to yourself 3 times:
16gb is "the new 8"...

Yes, I was planning on the 16GB's as well as 512 SSD.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Also, if you end up missing a Windows application too much there are option to either boot into Windows on your Mac or run Windows programs via virtualization.

I will keep my current Windows laptop anyways, I will use it to run my Plex server off of.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Your style? LOL, ok. Up to you. I'm simply being pragmatic. You literally said you were "terrified" about this because you were concerned about the $$$$ spent and possibly not getting along with it. So I thought my suggestion was pretty reasonable given the extreme level of concern you indicated in your post. I'm not sure what other options you have except to have a friend let you borrow a spare Mac or just buy a new one, so just do it instead of consternating about it.

LOL, I wasn't trying to insult you. I just don't want to buy one thing and then have to turn around and buy another thing later (more money wasted).

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

I personally found switching to macOS pretty easy but we’re all different. What applications do you use the most that cause a concern for you?

Well, I'm not worried about applications per say (I'll always have a Windows laptop as a backup), it's more about how the Mac works VS. the Windows world that makes me nervous.

 

[ericwn]

Well, I'm not worried about applications per say (I'll always have a Windows laptop as a backup), it's more about how the Mac works VS. the Windows world that makes me nervous.

There’s probably tons of content for switchers like yourself. Yes, the os is a bit different and a little effort is required to wrap one’s head around it, but at the end of the day, it should not hold you back from trying. I’m certain you’ll find a lot of support in the community as well.

Plus, if you buy from Apple, you have the return period. Send it back if it doesn’t work for you!

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Yes, buy from Apple customized with my Apple card for 3% cash back!

 

[raythompsontn]

I definitely don't want to buy a used, cheap machine to "test it out first", that's not my style.

Buy from the Apple refurbished store. You will save money, get a one year warranty and 14 day return window. That minimizes your commitment.

I have been on Windows since version 3.0. I am currently running W11 on two machines, my desktop and a Surface Laptop, both really good machines.

I purchased a MacBook Air M2 to learn the Mac ecosystem. I am heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem with iPhone, watch, iPad, Apple TV, and now a MacBook Air M2 (16 gig, 1 TB). I like the integration between the devices.

My biggest challenge was the navigation, copy, paste use different key combinations. Navigating between running apps is different. Clicking on the red dot in the upper left of a window does not really close the app. Finding files is different. Copying from one folder to another is different using drag and drop. Scrolling is different and the setting needs to be changed to make it match Windows. The trackpad is different in clicking and scrolling. There is a learning curve. None of the differences are insurmountable.

The M2 Air is an amazing machine. I now travel with the machine rather than my Surface laptop as the battery life is much better. I do have Parallels to run Windows and a couple of Windows apps.

Quicken is one even though there is Quicken for the Mac. Quicken is so much different I don't want to make the change. Quicken for Windows files can be imported into Quicken for Mac, but not the other direction.

Using Lightroom and importing 1,500 files. I select the files to delete and remove them. On my W11 machine (fast, fast, fast) it takes a couple of minutes to delete 1,300 files. On the M2 Air the same delete takes a couple of seconds.

I have MSOffice on the MAC. Works the same as Windows. I use MS Outlook for email which in my opinion works better than Apple email. There is nothing I did on Windows I cannot do on the Mac. Only difference is navigation and witching between the two systems is not difficult.

In my opinion, worth $0.00, go for it. Get a M2 Air from the refurbish store. 16 Gig, 512 or better SSD. It is really a remarkable machine.

 

[Feek]

@Dayvidpriddy
An important tip that hasn't been mentioned yet.
Do not, repeat DO NOT install CleanMyMac.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Buy from the Apple refurbished store. You will save money, get a one year warranty and 14 day return window. That minimizes your commitment.

I have been on Windows since version 3.0. I am currently running W11 on two machines, my desktop and a Surface Laptop, both really good machines.

I purchased a MacBook Air M2 to learn the Mac ecosystem. I am heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem with iPhone, watch, iPad, Apple TV, and now a MacBook Air M2 (16 gig, 1 TB). I like the integration between the devices.

My biggest challenge was the navigation, copy, paste use different key combinations. Navigating between running apps is different. Clicking on the red dot in the upper left of a window does not really close the app. Finding files is different. Copying from one folder to another is different using drag and drop. Scrolling is different and the setting needs to be changed to make it match Windows. The trackpad is different in clicking and scrolling. There is a learning curve. None of the differences are insurmountable.

The M2 Air is an amazing machine. I now travel with the machine rather than my Surface laptop as the battery life is much better. I do have Parallels to run Windows and a couple of Windows apps.

Quicken is one even though there is Quicken for the Mac. Quicken is so much different I don't want to make the change. Quicken for Windows files can be imported into Quicken for Mac, but not the other direction.

Using Lightroom and importing 1,500 files. I select the files to delete and remove them. On my W11 machine (fast, fast, fast) it takes a couple of minutes to delete 1,300 files. On the M2 Air the same delete takes a couple of seconds.

I have MSOffice on the MAC. Works the same as Windows. I use MS Outlook for email which in my opinion works better than Apple email. There is nothing I did on Windows I cannot do on the Mac. Only difference is navigation and witching between the two systems is not difficult.

In my opinion, worth $0.00, go for it. Get a M2 Air from the refurbish store. 16 Gig, 512 or better SSD. It is really a remarkable machine.

I'm waiting for the 15" model to come out, watch reviews, etc., before diving in.

 

[usagora]

LOL, I wasn't trying to insult you. I just don't want to buy one thing and then have to turn around and buy another thing later (more money wasted).

You didn't insult me. I just thought it was an odd, sort of dismissive reaction to pretty sound advice (given your stated concerns in your OP). Plus, it's not "wasted" money imo, especially since you could easily sell the "cheaper" Mac that you used to get your feet wet or keep it around as a second/backup system (or use it for another purpose than your main machine), etc. But obviously it's up to you how you want to handle it. Just trying to help.

 

[raythompsontn]

I'm waiting for the 15" model to come out, watch reviews, etc., before diving in.

You originally stated you needed nothing more powerful than the Air and not spend a chunk of change. The M1 Air, from the refurbish store would fit those requirements. I suspect the base “rumored” 15” will be around $1,400. Increase the memory and storage and I suspect the cost will be over $2K. The M1 air base configuration can be had for $850.00.

I doubt the reviews will change much over the current crop of Airs nor change the reviews of the current M1. The 15” may be announced in a month but availability may be 4 months away.

Regardless, it is your decision and I don’t feel you would go wrong regardless of what you decide. It is possible to live with a Mac in a Windows world. Both platforms are capable, just different.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

You originally stated you needed nothing more powerful than the Air and not spend a chunk of change. The M1 Air, from the refurbish store would fit those requirements. I suspect the base “rumored” 15” will be around $1,400. Increase the memory and storage and I suspect the cost will be over $2K. The M1 air base configuration can be had for $850.00.

I doubt the reviews will change much over the current crop of Airs nor change the reviews of the current M1. The 15” may be announced in a month but availability may be 4 months away.

Regardless, it is your decision and I don’t feel you would go wrong regardless of what you decide. It is possible to live with a Mac in a Windows world. Both platforms are capable, just different.

Right, and the new MacBook Air that is coming out is a 15" model. I don't think the 15" MBA will be any 2K though, but will see. If it is that high, I'll probably go with the current model then. I'm not dropping that much money 😂🤣 Yea I'm not in a rush to buy (probably the earliest would be 6 months from now, latest this time next year).

 

[tarsins]

I have been using Windows and Macs for decades and what I have learned is simple: Using Windows is a battle, using Macs is a pleasure.

 

[decafjava]

Is this the YT guy that I want? https://www.youtube.com/@macmost

This guy is great, helped me a lot for my Mac as well as my iPhone.

 

[okkibs]

Yes, I was planning on the 16GB's as well as 512 SSD.

Then you might just as well get a brand new 14" for $1599 from Best Buy right now. Once you upgrade the M2 Air to 16GiB/500GB the prices are similar since the 14" for $1599 already comes with that configuration (and the SSD is faster, around 3GB/s read and write on the 500GB M2 Air, and 5GB read/4GB write on the 500GB 14").

The 15" Air with that configuration will likely cost at least $1599 as well if not more.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Mac tips for Windows switchers - Apple Support

Learn how to perform common tasks on your new Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[MisterSavage]

I have been using Windows and Macs for decades and what I have learned is simple: Using Windows is a battle, using Macs is a pleasure.

I still can't believe that in Windows 11 they took out the option to NOT group taskbar items together by application. Drives me batty every day.

 

[usagora]

I have been using Windows and Macs for decades and what I have learned is simple: Using Windows is a battle, using Macs is a pleasure.

I've also used both for decades, yet I haven't experienced your "battle" with using Windows 🤷🏼‍♂️ I guess it depends on what you're trying to do. I do prefer macOS, but not because Windows is horrible or anything.