It’s been more than two decades since Apple released the first version of its now-iconic operating system, macOS. In that time, it has undergone many changes and improvements, becoming one of the most popular and user-friendly operating systems out there.
Whether you’re a new macOS user or a veteran who’s fed up with it, you should consider a few reasons to keep using it before switching to alternatives. In this article, we will list and discuss eight such reasons for you.
1. Windows is less secure
Although it’s not entirely and completely secure, macOS is less likely to contain malware than Windows. There are many reasons behind this. One of them is that Windows is the bigger market, which makes it a more obvious target. Due to the huge number of users, Windows has been the victim of more cyber attacks than macOS.
In general, Macs are also more secure because Apple has complete control of both the hardware and software. Then, there’s also the fact that macOS is based on Unix, which is widely considered more secure than Windows. In most cases, each program running in a Unix-based OS runs its own server as needed, using its own username on the system.
Therefore, moving to Windows would mean moving to a less secure (though not completely vulnerable) platform, which could put you at greater risk.
2. Not as smooth as macOS
Design is a major but often overlooked feature of what makes macOS so attractive. However, it’s not that macOS simply “looks better.” Apple’s OS has better design consistency than Windows. Working with any app feels effortless because every app takes advantage of the menu bar, and you intuitively know where everything should be.
For example, you can access settings for each app from the menu bar, keeping it consistent with the rest of the operating system. In Windows, you have to dig through different menus for an app to find a setting as simple as this.
While Windows 11 arguably looks a lot better than its predecessor, there are still a lot of design inconsistencies with Windows—the outdated Control Panel being one example. On the other hand, the latest iteration of macOS, macOS Ventura, introduces an entirely new system settings menu that is more optimized for general users.
3. No Continuity Features and Ecosystem Benefits
Apple wants you to stay within its ecosystem, and they make a strong case for this with the Continuity features. For example, with Continuity Camera, you can use your iPhone as a webcam in FaceTime, Zoom, and other apps. You can also use this feature to take a picture or scan a document and instantly display it on your Mac.
Similarly, you have the Universal Control feature, which allows you to control both your Mac and your iPad with a single keyboard and mouse/trackpad. This allows you to fluidly move the cursor between tools. On top of that, there’s Sidecar, a feature that allows you to use your iPad as a second screen.
Moving to Windows would mean you lose access to such features. In fact, there is little or no particular ecosystem advantage with Windows. This is because Windows is a standalone operating system. You can connect your Android phone to your PC, but there’s not much you can do with it except transfer files or contacts.
4. Windows laptops are often slower than Macs with Apple silicon
Recent macOS devices such as the MacBook Air (2020), iMac (2021) and MacBook Pro (2021) all use Apple silicon. The 2020 M1 MacBook Air became a huge success solely because it had the new M1 chip. It’s a quiet and fanless yet utterly powerful machine for the money, with great battery life, and that outshines the competition in its price range.
While Intel and AMD may play catch up in terms of raw power, it is unlikely that an Intel/AMD machine with a powerful processor can be silent and power efficient. Developers are also adapting their applications to the Apple silicon, and performance will only get better from here.
Therefore, it is easy to say that most Windows laptops are slower than the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Of course, there are exceptions, but you also have to take battery life and power efficiency into account.
5. Software Updates Aren’t That Exciting
Do you ever get excited when a new version of macOS is announced? Well, unfortunately, you’ll probably never feel that way with Windows. Each new version of macOS brings tweaks and changes that make the overall user experience better than ever.
For example, Big Sur brought ARM support, graphical changes, new icons, and lots of bug fixes. Monterey introduced portrait mode in FaceTime, universal controls, improved AirPlay features, and more. And now, Ventura introduces us to the Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, and other new features.
Interestingly, Windows gets updates more frequently than macOS, but most of these are security updates.