Five Things to Know Before Switching to MacOS

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and switch over from Windows to Mac. There’s just one problem: making the switch is daunting, and you’re not sure if you are ready!

In this guide, we give you the five essential tips you need to know before you switch from Windows  to MacOS. We cover all the important things you need to know, from how to export all of your data on your old Windows device onto your shiny new (and refurbished) Apple computer, to getting used to the new right-click on Apple trackpads. Follow our advice, and the move to your Apple computer will be as easy and as worry-free as it can be.

1. You’re Connected to the Apple Ecosystem

If you own more than one Apple product, then the ability to connect your device to the rest of the Apple ecosystem will be a huge boon. If you’ve got an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or a HomePod already, you should consider the benefits from being able to link all these devices together through an Apple computer. The ecosystem is primarily fuelled by iCloud syncing, which allows you to access your photos, documents, music, films, and more through your account. In other words, if you have an iCloud account and an Apple ID, switching from Windows to MacOS will make all of your devices even better, once they’re all connected.

2. The Right Click Has Changed

If you pick up one of our refurbished MacBook Airs or a different Apple laptop, one of the first things you will notice when using the trackpad is the lack of a right click. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you know what to expect, the change will be a welcome one.

Right-clicking in Windows gives you an extensive list of options depending on what you choose to click. On Mac devices, however, you still have right-click, but it reveals a more consolidated list of options. While on Windows you right-click using the right-hand side mouse button, on MacBook devices, you use a two-finger click on the trackpad. If you have a Mac with an Apple mouse, you need to turn on right-click by going into ‘System Settings’ on your Mac device, clicking ‘Mouse’, and under the point-and-click section, you toggle on ‘Secondary Click’.

3. Macs Don’t Need Security Software

For the average user, Macs simply do not need antivirus software to keep your computer secure. This is a shock and surprise to many people who are new to Mac, but the devices just do not need any third party software to keep them safe. Mac’s share of the computer market is still much smaller than Windows, and criminals tend to go after bigger fish. But most of all, Apple provides free built-in antivirus protection for all of its devices and keeps them safe.

If you are running a business with your Mac, especially if you are running a fleet of Mac computers on the same network with some Windows devices included, it might be worth considering some antivirus software for extra protection. However, for the average Apple computer user, you can rely on Mac’s built-in security to keep your device safe.

4. Macs Have Migration Assistant

Even though you have swapped over to Mac from Windows, that doesn’t mean you lose all of your old files. Mac’s Migration Assistant allows you to quickly move data from your old PC to your new device.

You will see Migration Assistant in the utilities folder of any Mac device. You will also find it the moment you start up your new Mac computer when your Mac asks you whether you would like to transfer data over from another computer. The app itself is freely available for download from Apple and can move your files from Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 to MacOS.

5. You Can Always Boot Up Windows on Your Mac

If you try out MacOS on your Apple computer and really don’t like using it, or you get some Windows-exclusive software that you want to run on your Mac device, you can boot up or dual-boot Windows (or Linux, for that matter) on your Mac. You simply need to use the BootCamp installation wizard in the Utilities folder of the Applications list.

First of all, you need to download Windows 10 onto your Apple device to get an ISO file – you can find this on the Windows website. Once the file has downloaded, launch Boot Camp Assistant from your Applications folder. Then, you partition your Mac device, giving some space to your Mac operating system and some to your Windows one. Once done, click ‘install’, and your Apple will start to run Windows.

If you consider all of these points, we’re sure the switch to MacOS will be smooth sailing. If you found our tips useful, or want to add any of your own, please leave us a message on social media! And if you would like any support choosing a refurbished Apple computer, get in touch and we will be happy to assist you in choosing the right computer to suit your needs.