While many people are devout MacOS users or Windows fanatics, this guide is designed for those undecideds out there, to provide some information about each of these popular operating systems.
What are the Difference between MacOS and Windows?
Let’s see in detail the differences between MacOS and Windows operating system.
1. Setup Experience
Both operating systems offer clean setup experiences without the need to sign in with an Apple or Microsoft account. Both automatically install drivers to ensure your mouse, keyboards and storage devices are ready for use instantly.
2. Log in Tech
Apple allows you to log in with an iPhone or Apple Watch if it is brought close to the device, while the latest MacBook Pros have finger print scanning technology.
Windows 10 offers Hello, which allows all Surface devices to login via facial recognition.
3. Choice of Hardware
Apple hardware looks beautiful and performs incredibly well, especially if you are working on creative projects. However, Microsoft offers a much larger choice for customisation and compatibility. Prices are also considerably lower for Windows devices.
4. App Package
Both systems come with a variety of useful apps and utilities such as email clients, calendars, calculators, web browsers and photo editors.
MacOS includes a superior video editor in iMovie and an accomplished music production app in GarageBand, while Windows benefits from Skype straight out of the box.
5. Search Functionality
Both operating systems allow you to search files, apps and web results, while also allowing you to complete basic maths problems, check the weather, look up stock markets or use geolocation to find a nearby restaurant or shop.
6. Talk to Your Computer
Both Apple’s Siri and Windows’ Cortana can help with a lot of voice-activated tasks, such as completing web search queries, opening apps, controlling smart devices, sending emails, changing system settings and telling you what the weather is like. While Cortana can log you out and shut down the computer, Siri cannot.
8.Working with Mobile Devices
The Apple integrated ecosystem is sophisticated and seamless. Your entire photo library is shared across devices, you can copy and paste from your computer to your phone, you can send text messages from your computer and you can transfer almost any kind of file wirelessly with AirDrop. The options are more limited with Windows.
9. Virtual Reality and 3D Support
MacOS allows you to edit 360-degree video files in Final Cut Pro X and there are now enclosures that allow VR-capable graphics cards to be installed. However, Windows offers two dedicated 3D and VR apps that allow you to enter the virtual world with dedicated VR headsets.
10. Play Games
While there are a number of high-quality games available for Macs, there are thousands for Windows, including Xbox and PlayStation titles. The Windows 10 Game Bar allows players to record and stream their gaming activity, while the level of component customisation possible with Microsoft hardware massively trumps that with Apple.
11. Security and Stability
Apple maintains full control of the hardware ecosystem, which keeps systems running without the threat of faulty third-party drivers, which Windows PCs can suffer from. Macs are also much more immune–although not completely–to viruses, ransomware and spyware attacks.
Conclusion
The two operating systems are similar in many ways. Gaming and virtual reality support is stronger on Windows, while MacOS offers slightly slicker software packages and superior security and stability. If you can’t make up your mind, why not rent a computer for a week and then rent a mac for a week?
It might be the best way to decide which operating system and hardware ecosystem is right for you.
