I didn’t go looking for a Mac. One found me. Basically, a senior dev at work told my boss, “Macs are great and efficient for development.” Next thing I know, I’ve got one on my desk.
Now, I’m coming from a Dell Latitude E5550, 15-inch screen, touchscreen, a little heavy but solid. I’ve been a Windows guy since forever. I still remember watching my dad install Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7… back when CDs ruled the world. Those were the golden days. So this isn’t just a “first time using a Mac” story. It’s a full switch for someone deeply rooted in the Windows-Android life.
This post isn’t a technical review. It’s just me, a regular Windows user, giving the MacBook a shot and sharing how it’s been so far.
Not Fresh Out the Box, But Still Fresh
The MacBook they gave me wasn’t fresh from the box, but whoever had it before clearly treated it like royalty. It’s the space gray one, clean, minimal, and yeah, it looks good. That said, I wasn’t blown away. I’ve seen nice-looking Windows machines too. This wasn’t my first slim laptop rodeo.
But I’ve got to admit—the backlit keyboard? That hit me right in the feels. Only one of my Windows laptops had it, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it till now. Though… the layout? Meh. Some keys are just off. Apple tried to reinvent what wasn’t broken. I get it, do your own thing, but come on. A little consistency with Windows wouldn’t hurt, especially when you’re trying to win over long-time Windows users.
The Transition Struggle Is Real
macOS doesn’t play by Windows rules. At all.
Finder? Feels like a knockoff File Explorer that got lost in translation. I still catch myself dragging stuff to the desktop like it’s Windows—then wonder why nothing happened.
Installing apps? Whew. What’s with the dragging to “Applications” thing? Where’s my trusty .exe file? I just want to double-click and go, not do a mini puzzle every time.
Also, why is the “close window” button up there acting like it’s ending the app but it’s not really? Took me days to figure out some apps were still open in the background, just chilling.
And don’t get me started on keyboard shortcuts. I’m out here pressing “Ctrl” and getting nothing, then remembering, “Oh right, it’s ‘Command’ now.” It’s like switching from driving a manual car to a bicycle with weird gears.
The Good Stuff
Let’s be fair, Apple didn’t come to play with that display. The color accuracy is fire. If you do anything visual – design, video, whatever, you’ll appreciate it immediately. The screen makes colors pop in a way that almost makes you question everything you’ve ever edited on a Windows laptop.
Trackpad gestures? Chef’s kiss. I’m only using the basics so far – two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe, and mission control swipe up, but they feel smooth and natural. I’m definitely gonna add more to my arsenal once my fingers stop fighting old habits.
Battery life? Solid… I think. Truth is, I haven’t had a real chance to test it properly. You know how ECG does us in this country. Anytime there’s light, I just plug in – no long talk.
And let’s not lie… the MacBook is light. My back actually thanked me the first day I carried it to work. My Dell now feels like something you lift at the gym.
But Let’s Be Honest…
Only two USB-C ports? Really? As of 2019? And no regular USB-A port? I’m being forced into dongle life against my will. It’s almost like Apple dares you to buy more stuff.
Also, I feel like macOS is built for people who want to do one thing really well. But me? I do a bit of everything – dev, design, editing, even some gaming on the side. And sometimes the Mac just feels… limiting.
A lot of the good apps? Paid. And not “affordable one-time purchase” paid – nah, it’s subscription this, yearly license that. It’s like the whole OS expects you to have a stable USD income.
Even CapCut, my go-to video editor, choked on it. Like full-on freeze. Chrome too, once or twice. My Dell didn’t flinch at that stuff. Just saying.
So… Am I Switching Fully?
Sort of.
Since the MacBook was handed to me for work, I’m gonna use it for work and for anything that requires me to leave the house. But my Dell’s not going anywhere. That one stays at home, still holding down the fort.
Also, real talk – the MacBook has style. Pulling it out in public? There’s just something about that moment. It’s like the laptop version of showing up in a nice kaftan. It turns heads.
Final Thoughts
MacBooks feel like they’re made for folks who already live in Apple’s world. If you’ve used iPhones, iPads, all of that, the transition feels smoother. But if you’re coming from Windows and Android like me? It’s a culture shock.
If I’d started with a Mac, I probably would’ve just focused on one thing, maybe full-time design or full-time dev. But starting with Windows forced me to try different things, and I like that. It’s messy, but it works for me.
If you gave me a choice right now between this MacBook and a beastly ASUS gaming laptop? I’d still pick the ASUS. But… here I am, typing this on a Mac.
And that alone says a lot.
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