Apple is the most successful high-tech company in the world. Sales of iOS devices hit records. iPad — most popular tablet, iPhone is the most popular smartphone and Apple Watch – the most popular smart watch. It would seem that a complete monopoly. But it all mobile gadgets. Post-computer era, as they called the head of the company Tim cook. In Apple computers is not so smooth. Microsoft still owns the lion’s share of the OS market for computers.
The fact that Apple computers, unlike most computers, other brands, do not use the traditional Microsoft Windows, and macOS own. It turns out a wrong situation: one Apple against all. It would seem that competition is impossible, but in the mobile market iOS quite confident General opposes same-brand Android or Windows Phone. So it is not the most important indicator of success or failure.
Another thing is that around macOS historically a lot of myths and stereotypes. Columnist of Hi-tech.mail decided to test all on personal experience and almost three months voluntarily withdrawn from the Windows, taking his temporary personal use MacBook Air. He had never before OS Apple is not fond of, and of the devices of this brand are used only iPad.
The myths and stereotypes
The myths and stereotypes around macOS appeared out of the blue. After all, Apple’s success began recently, before that it was a long hard road of trial and error. To recall the very difficult confrontation with IBM and Microsoft in the 80s and then in 90s. Let’s be honest, not all of the “Apple” company has come out right. Hard to believe, but even in 1999, the interface would seem a beautiful and modern macOS is inferior to Windows. So that was then the most current version 9. Then there was Windows 98, and prepared ME — the only difference is just huge.
In the result, the operating system Microsoft won and Apple is left playing catch-up. But then I came back Steve jobs, and things quickly began to change. Less than 16 years ago released a brand new Mac OS x, And less than 15 years ago with the release of the iPod manufacturer has declared itself with new force. While the iconic iPhone and iPad today, and even fewer – just over 8 and under 6 years, respectively. Now on the wave of the popularity of mobile Apple products began to grow and interest in macOS, which gradually improve and make more like a familiar to many iOS. Now, while PC sales have almost ceased to grow, and tablets are gaining popularity, the Mac continues to grow. I wonder what will happen in another 5 years without Steve jobs.
Untrue facts around macOS over the years of growth had accumulated a lot. The most popular:
But the myths that still found the confirmation:
This is just highlights, like a lot of nuances. Most important of all, macOS is not a variation on the theme of the Windows is a different OS with their pros and cons. Try it at least interesting, and at best it is more modern. For example, the application store from Windows appeared much later than macOS on a Mac it has existed for many years. Whatever skeptics say, the Apple logo is now not only an irritant for fans of Android, but also a sign of a certain quality – not just hardware, but software. If you buy Apple, most often you get a well working device is fast and stable. There are exceptions, but Windows and Android, they are much, much more.
This year Apple has decided to abandon the name OS X, the former in the course of fifteen years, in favor of macOS. The new name of the desktop OS designed in the same style, with the names of other Apple OS — iOS, watchOS and tvOS. In addition, it unleashes using version numbers 11 and on. In parallel, improved product line for this OS in the first place laptops. I’m almost three months used MacBook Air 11” and I can confidently say that this is one of the best ultrabooks. Though officially the device not called an ultrabook, but that was what it actually is. Yes, there is no built-in Ethernet and slot for SD card. Yes, battery life not the longest. Yes, I would like more USB ports. But it is particular that you can accept, but overall, it was a great car.
Another myth in China is cheap and of poor quality, but the American brands of Apple stuff is made by most of the other “test”. This is not so. Apple is also Chinese, like most American, European, and other products. Low taxes, cheap labor and common production capacity has made China a real Assembly plant, serving the whole world. The merit of Apple is that it initiates and controls the process of production, and other companies have a year catching up with their ultrabooks, MacBook Air as the reference. The most important thing in model design. I’m not a fan of the brand, so the presence or absence of the coveted Apple logo on the lid, I neither cold nor hot. But metal unibody case makes the laptop very stylish and practical. Don’t know what the Americans did to the Chinese, as stimulated, but all well done, thought out, assembled and even packaged.
The pros and cons
As you know, nothing is perfect, no. This applies to people, it doubly applies to devices. Well, think about it – create the same perfect Apple computer, you buy it, and that in a year? What will you buy, if you already have the perfect computer? Nothing. That is why coming up with Quad-core smartphones, and other wonders of marketing. That is why there are no perfect products. macOS, despite all the advertising slogans Apple is also imperfect. The main trouble for most it is a new OS. It will be years until buyers will know it better than Windows, and perhaps it will never happen.
Human habit is a terrible force, so all fighting not only for sale here and now, but for the loyalty for the future. We use Windows from an early age. Openness Microsoft has made its OS available to the public and very popular. It is preinstalled in schools and universities. Everything else is perceived differently and causes understandable discomfort. It takes time to get used to it, no matter how simple the new system may be. But gradually the situation is changing. The more resources you receive from Apple, the more it invests in promotion of its product. The best example here is the strong emphasis on education in iBooks. As planned, children will learn and just get used to the iPad. Over time, these examples will become greater. Even in Russian schools gradually begin to appear on macOS computers. I personally like this trend because I’m for competition.
The most unusual at first seemed keyboard. The layout is the same, but many elements are not. In particular, the PgUp and PgDn do not exist. Any F5 to refresh and all that either. A familiar logo Windows replaced with obscure function key cmd. Even the language choice is made differently – the same function keys, plus spacebar. Of course, you can set the layout of Windows, but a complete sense of the familiar Microsoft environment it will not. I have gone to addictive for about a week, now I’m on Windows computers reaching to switch the language in Macovski. Habit is a terrible thing, and fight it hard.
By the way, the extended keyboard for the iMac and Mac Pro keys PgUp and PgDn and laptops for ergonomics uses a standard keyboard with the Cmd+ “Arrow up” or “Arrow down” key that performs this function. The PC-notebook, according to Apple, these extra keys that are rarely used, often accommodated in expense of a full size keyboard. In principle, this is also partly true.
The biggest advantage of computers to macOS in terms of control gestures. Once you try and wean not want. Two fingers to page scroll, the four switch applications, etc. Running and multi-touch to zoom in and zoom pages. It all works well and smoothly. Enough to learn at least half of these useful manipulations, and life will seem much easier. It took me less than a week to get used and now really miss the gestures on Windows.
The OS itself is quite similar to Windows remotely, you need to get used to. The control panel is located on top and bottom application icons. Instead Guide your Finder with integrated search. Screens there may be a few, to switch have a separate key. Another key to access the main menu (it is, incidentally, very similar to iOS). But that’s not all, additionally there is a standby screen with widgets. In General, the structure for the Windows user completely unfamiliar. And if the keyboard I fully understood and any discomfort do not feel that the structure of the macOS still raises questions. Main functionality and convenience of the Finder leaves much to be desired compared to the Explorer of Windows. Recommend to install third party software, of which quite a lot. But what we liked is the fact that most apps work in full screen mode, and you can not divert the extra panel.
Weird implemented file system. For example, you send a file by e-mail through the web interface, or just choose a picture to upload somewhere. If in Windows you can right click and see what you choose, then it’s impossible. If you want to send the file via Bluetooth, first you will need to find it with Finder and then go to a separate Manager Bluetooth to send. Similar features are many, and I can’t say that I like them. As with PgUp and PgDn on the keyboard does not features of human habits and defect. I hope in future versions it will improve.
But everything works really fast. It is no less important than the gesture, nuance. If in Windows you can painfully long wait to download some kind of panel or notification when the system performs a “heavy” action, then in macOS, everything is better optimized. Slowdown almost never, everything runs like clockwork. Even if the browser is open lots of tabs, including Flash players (Yes, unlike iOS, there is support for this technology of Adobe), and the entire panel running applications, nothing hangs. Recovery from sleep mode occurs with minimum delay. Closed the lid, all out opened, you can immediately to work. It is good stability: the system is not restarted for days. Switching between running apps immediately, including using the aforementioned gestures. In the end, it gives the impression of a clean, stable system. The down side is that the fans dig in the settings and the registry will be disappointed. Apple is positioning its OS for the masses, and therefore fine tuning is not available. It should be noted that in most cases this is not required.
macOS is not only fast but also secure. Nearly no viruses and no epidemics (like Windows or Android) is not expected. Therefore, the manufacturers of antivirus software don’t like Apple, it clearly interferes with their work and takes the bread. But the opposite users in the black. Software for computers on macOS too less. Not all games are, you will not find some specific. If you need some highly specialized tasks, it is yet to Windows. Another point – even the software that is, not always has the same Windows version functionality. For example, if you compare XnView to different operating systems, obtain very interesting results not in favor of Apple.
But originally with the Mac is a good set of preinstalled software. There are many useful. I especially liked the photo Manager the Photo that previously appeared in iOS and immediately became a #1 app. Only one correction littered the horizon is worth. Is for Mac and the full Microsoft Office package, as well as many other familiar applications. What is important — if with Mac you get a good set of software initially, and can work in Windows you have to install some programs additionally.
If something from the set of installed software is not enough, there’s the Mac App store. By the way, to the question of stereotypes – install the application in macOS, you can not only from this directory, but downloading distributions separately – as Windows. As you can see, the system is more open than iOS, which is similar to the regular means impossible. But Windows applications for Mac computers, of course, are not suitable. But on any Mac, you can install a Microsoft OS with a strong desire.
Insights
In the end you can say like macOS, MacBook Air is more like it. If you do not spare time to learn, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. But will have to get used to the keyboard, to the interface, new features, and the absence of the old. Many of the myths and stereotypes around the Apple of the past is now irrelevant. This is a fast and secure system with great gestures. However, there is one “but” – soft. With basic tasks no problem, but if you have specific requirements or you like fine-tuning (Hello, the Windows registry), you may be disappointed. In all other respects after getting used macOS only happy, immediately and permanently. Well, I’m back on the PC and again get used to Windows 10. Before our eyes unfolds an interesting battle systems. Moreover, not only and not so much on conventional computers but also on tablets. What do you think? Express opinion in the comments under the article.
