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What Windows or Linux features would improve MacOS?

roxics

roxics

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 4, 2013
315
154
I'm a mac user because I love MacOS. Even though I think mac hardware is well made and I like the low power quiet operation of the mac mini, I would trade it for PC hardware that could legitimately run MacOS in a heartbeat. However talking with PC people, their perspective is the opposite. To them, the only reason to buy a mac would be the hardware, they hate MacOS and say it's inefficient. Taking longer to do things. I don't understand this. I think it's more the case that they just aren't used to it. I also noticed a lot of Linux distros try to emulate Windows and even the ones that sort of try Mac, often do a poor job of it, missing lots of key features I love about MacOS like column view in the finder or quicklook as just a couple examples.

It got me thinking, if there were no legal or financial limitations, what windows or linux features would you like to see in MacOS that you think would improve it? In other words, what am I missing about Windows that PC people think is so much better. I have been a windows user since 1992 and I don't know what they're talking about.

Bonus question, how would you feel about MacOS being open source like Linux?
 
Window management has been a mess since Mac OS 9, and has just gotten worse in macOS every time Apple tries to fix it.

I would love the configurability and virtual desktops of the FVWM window manager I used in the late nineties.

The Finder interface is very much due for a complete overhaul, although I do not know if this is any better in PC world.

Also, a native clipboard manager would be a welcome addition, even though PasteBot works well enough.
 
buggz said:
A simple move function in finder would be nice.
Click to expand...
on the internal drive the default is »move«, isn’t it? you are referring to moving a file(s) to external drive locations? For a single file you can use additionally the title bar to move; for multiple files you use »cut« and paste.
 
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Not so much a feature, but I wish Apple wouldn't ship ancient versions of various command-line utilities because they are allergic to the newer versions' GPL3 licenses.
 
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I would gladly pay $129 (like we did back in the day) for an OS update if they would allow me to un-install or at least turn off the multitude of pre-installed fonts like we used to be able to.
 
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The only thing I can think of at the moment is File Explorer’s ‘go up one folder level’ button. I find that very useful.
 
Arctic Moose said:
The Finder interface is very much due for a complete overhaul, although I do not know if this is any better in PC world.
Click to expand...
Do you mean “due” as in neglected functional issues or as in simply too much time has passed and there should be change for change’s sake?
I would say when it comes to function, change for change’s sake is almost always problematic and should be avoided. Aesthetic change is ok if it doesn’t interfere with function.
Is there any specific functions you’d like changed for the better?
Personally, I find Finder much better than Windows’ File Explorer, except for the one function I mentioned in my post above. There’s nothing else I can think of that I want changed in Finder except maybe additional functions that I would use on rare occasions.
 
if I could steal a few things from Windows/Linux, I'd go for:

  • More innovative window management: Similar to the quick snapping in Windows or advanced tiling in Linux.
  • A truly integrated package manager: Think apt but for macOS.
  • More open hardware choices: (Less a software feature, but a huge PC draw).
  • Deeper system/UI customization: Like the freedom you get with Linux.
 
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MacGizmo said:
Maybe you already knew this, but you can just hit Command + Up arrow key to do that.
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Thanks, I did yes, but the problem for me is I mostly use a stylus when working so I need a lot of functions to be in the GUI.
 
subjonas said:
Is there any specific functions you’d like changed for the better?
Click to expand...

Yes, file sharing between Macs is horrendously buggy, the column view which could be great is practically unusable, built-in batch rename (and similar management functions) would be useful and the sidebar could be much more flexible. I could make a long list.
 
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To not turn off Caps Lock everytime I switch between input languages. It is 2025, this bug exists for many-many years, it shouldn't be that hard to fix it. It is not some fancy feature or app or something, just the basic functionality: leave the Caps Lock as it is, if it is on, there is a reason why!
 
Arctic Moose said:
Yes, file sharing between Macs is horrendously buggy, the column view which could be great is practically unusable, built-in batch rename (and similar management functions) would be useful and the sidebar could be much more flexible. I could make long list.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear it’s not change just for the sake of change.

I haven’t done much file sharing so I probably haven’t had a chance to run into the issues you’re referring to.
I use column view all the time though and find it very useful—why do you say it’s practically unusable?
As Slartibart said, batch renaming is built in.
 
roxics said:
It got me thinking, if there were no legal or financial limitations, what windows or linux features would you like to see in MacOS that you think would improve it?
Click to expand...

I couldn't care less about Linux, but I'd like to see native support for Plan 9's 9P protocol without having to resort to third-party ports. Even Windows does it (in WSL2).

roxics said:
Bonus question, how would you feel about MacOS being open source like Linux?
Click to expand...

Some of it always has been. Personally, I don't care.
 
Any Linux features I might want are already available on the command line in terminal on the Mac. Don't know anything about Linux GUI's, have never used one, so there's nothing there for me.

One thing that makes more sense to me on Windows is having menubars in each window instead of always being at the top of the screen. Keeping it on the top seems like a holdover from the old days when Macs could only run one program at a time.
 
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Yeah, I understand the logic. It can just get confusing when you have multiple apps running. For example, right now I can hide this Safari window by clicking the yellow dot. But the menus still show at the top. That kind of thing has bitten me more than a few times when using command-key shortcuts, thinking I was in the context of a different window on the screen.
 
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buggz said:
A simple move function in finder would be nice.
Click to expand...
Boyd01 said:
Yeah, I understand the logic. It can just get confusing when you have multiple apps running. For example, right now I can hide this Safari window by clicking the yellow dot. But the menus still show at the top. That kind of thing has bitten me more than a few times when using command-key shortcuts, thinking I was in the context of a different window on the screen.
Click to expand...

1. Copy/Paste in Finder context menu, instead of having to use Duplicate and drag the file across folders or use combination of mouse and keyboard.
2. Application-level menu on the app windows, not on the system menu bar
 
StellarVixen said:
Address bar in Finder, off the top of my mind.
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you mean showing the full path? or just accessing the full path? the latter you can do by control-clicking the name in the finder window title.
ApAx said:
1. Copy/Paste in Finder context menu, instead of having to use Duplicate and drag the file across folders or use combination of mouse and keyboard.
Click to expand...
You can create a finder quick action or service for that using Shortcuts, Applescript or Automator. Aaaaaannnd you do not have to use explicitly »duplicate« before drag&drop - just hold down the option key while doing so.
 
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