11 Things My Macbook Does Better Than My Windows Desktop

0:00 Intro
0:30 Hardware
0:43 Battery life
1:34 Fan noise
2:43 Air Drop
4:17 Universal Clip Board
5:34 Handoff
8:16 Sidecar
9:00 iMessage
10:17 OS Navigation
12:47 Performance

As a lifelong Windows user, I never thought I would switch to Mac but after buying the M1 Macbook Pro I have found that it does many things my Windows PC can't. In this video, I talk about the top 11 things my MacBook does better than my Windows computers.

[vamos]

I switched to Mac for the first time too with the M1 MBP. There is a learning curve but now I love it! Glad you came around

These tips made my transition easier:

-Enable 3 finger drag - allows you to drag windows and mark text using 3 fingers instead of double tapping and dragging
(System Control>Trackpad Options…)

-Hot Corners - I use bottom left for Launchpad, bottom right to show Desktop, top right for Quick Note
(System Preferences>Mission Control>Hot Corners…)

-Change mouse cursor to white - if you prefer it that way
(System

Apps:

-Rectangle (free) - allows you to snap windows to the sides, top and bottom to resize like in Windows, either by dragging or with keyboard shortcuts

-Dropzone 4 (free with paid option) - helps with dragging and dropping files between windows. When you start dragging a file, a little window shows up where you can drop it in a grid until you want to use it

-TopNotch (free) - changes the colour of the menu bar to black to completely hide the notch. You also have the option of making rounded corners which I think looks nicer. Since the menu bar is black (therefore pixels turned off on MiniLED) it should also save a tiny amount of battery life

-TextSniper ($8) - capture non-selectable text from photos, videos etc and save it to clipboard. Also has a QR code scanner

-DockMate ($15) - adds mouseover window previews to the Dock

-Bartender 4 ($15 or free with an occasional pop up) - adds a “…” button to the menu bar where you can hide other menu bar icons

*I am not advertising, just sharing the apps that have made my experience with MacOS even better!

[RicanStudio]

The “it just works” thing is more true than not with some very annoying exceptions. But the fact that the UI and UX are more refined than windows and there is consistency and integration of hardware is something that is undervalued if you haven’t experienced it.

You seem like a shortcut kinda guy, quick access to spotlight search “command + spacebar”. I’m a long time Mac user but your experience so far has been very enjoyable to watch. I agree with your gripes and your praises as well. Looking forward to your next video. Bless bro

[brianradwanski]

I want to commend you for taking the time to actually learn these little details why most of us HATE using anything else. A lot of people try mac but then proceed using it like they were accustomed on windows. As you found that frustrates. But you dug deeper. You asked the question, what if I work the way the system wants me to work. Now some of these things are starting to happen between windows and android. But most of us had these features for over a decade. Quite honestly we forget we use them. I worked for Dell and lamented the day I had to use their gear…and windows. I left for a startup late last year. IT didn’t even finish the sentence when I gladly selected a Mac. It took me about 10 mins to have the system fully functional with everything like I had it before. That may even be the best part. Wait until you get your next mac. Count the hours and days saved.

[ThyderThyderThyder]

Half these benefits only exist if you have an iPhone. I'm also surprised you changed your opinion! I'm in the same position you were in. Lifelong Windows users. I work in IT and have always used Windows. However in my new role they asked me to use a MacBook Pro. It's been two weeks and simple things are really frustrating but I think I'll get used to them over time. Funnily enough, as much as I dislike so many things about the macbook (which you highlighted in another video), I keep wanting to use the mac.. funny how things work.

[andyvoigt]

One thing you haven’t mentioned which is super small but make so much sense is when you lose your mouse on the screen, just shake your mouse side to side and it enlargers the mouse cursor. So cool. Keep up the good work mate. Love your videos.

[davidfrank]

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis, Lee.
Here’s a few notes on the Spotlight search feature:
1. Spotlight is the fastest way to launch any app. Type Cmd-Spacebar, start typing the app name; when the autocomplete has displayed the correct app name, hit enter. Usually 3 seconds max.
2. Spotlight is also the fastest way to locate files by keyword. If you type Cmd-Spacebar, and enter cephalpod, you will see a list of files with that word in the file name, the file contents (it can work with pretty much any file format), or any other file metadata, including embedded EXIF data in photos.
3. When viewing a list of search results in Spotlight, if you want to see the file in its enclosing folder, Cmd-click on it. To preview the file system path, highlight the file in the search results list and press Cmd. The path is displayed below the preview on the right.
4. Spotlight also searches email and iMessage messages. If you want to limit the search to just files, type your search into the Finder window Search field at the top right instead.
5. An important limitation of Spotlight is that it only finds files that you own, or that are accessible to you (like applications). It will never return results that are stored in the Unix side of the world, either.

[leonciomartinez]

Great content! Now, try this: Create a document, let's say a Word document, and while it's open, rename its icon and/or drag the icon to another folder. You can do it even when the document is open! Even more, close the document. Change its name on the icon, send it to another place on the computer, open the application again, look for it among the recent documents, its name is now the new one you gave it! and it will open it even if it is in a different place than it was when you closed the application. You can't do that on Windows.

[RicardoDawson]

Another feature you'll love is Universal Control: I use it to control my iMac and iPad Pro from my MacBook Air M1 using it's keyboard and an external Magic Trackpad. Having a dual Mac setup allows me to continue working while the other machine is rendering/exporting because I share all drives and files via fast Ethernet.

[tommih]

Btw, the keyboard shortcut for Spotlight search is command + space. And if you hold you get siri

[yuppymike]

It’s funny seeing your reaction to these new features and can only imaging how cool it is discovering so much. You have got them all in one go but I remember these being released over the last decade one by one.

[catchingthelight]

You forgot about Universal Control where you can use your trackpad to control both your laptop and your iPad at the same time. You can even drag photos directly from you iPad to your MacBook Pro without using airdrop : )

[TaleOfTwoIdiots]

As a long-time Windows user who “converted” way, way back in 2008, I still love seeing the enthusiasm of folks who decided to give the Mac a chance. It’s just a very polished ecosystem that gets better every year.

[Adamchevy]

I just picked up my first apple product, a Mac Mini M1. My kids needed a computer for homework so it seemed like a great way to go. After watching your videos, I'm thinking that Dad needs a new Laptop or Mac Studio. Thanks so much for the information. I also have been a power PC user my whole life, and your explanations are coming in crystal clear. I think you may need to go work for Apple in their marketing department, your that good!

[rgtoffolo]

One recommendation: learn the keyboard shortcuts. For instance: spotlight = command + space. If you are enjoing the MacOS, shortcuts will bring you to another world !

[strossarts]

I have 4 4k monitors attached to mine and the fans do not run. I get high workloads going and it is still barely audible. It's amazing. The did such a great job. Universal Control is amazing. I can use my 2 Macs and my iPad with one keyboard and it just works.

[tozrimondher]

I’m surprised about the shift in your opinion that happened after 5 or 6 months since you first tried to use Apple's Macbook

[cortzetroc]

Absolutely love using the spacebar to quickly preview images/files in the finder, absolute massive time save vs opening up files individually

[MrQuiksilva]

Two small features that I love are:
1. text replacements. If you have a phrase that you type often, you can create a shortcut for it and it will for example replace “brb” with “be right back”. Works on both iPhone and Mac and synchronises across devices.
2. Quick look on Mac. If you have a file selected in Finder, press the spacebar. A small window will pop up to give you a glance. Video and audio will start playing. Pdf and images are displayed. Press the spacebar again and it will disappear. That saves you having to open up the application you usually need to view the file.

[Davidkiania]

I have been following this series been watching it since day one and it's so nice seeing your eyes light up. Welcome to the other dark side.