MacOS Sierra and Windows 10 Comparison: Which is better and why?
With a bunch of new updates, Apple is ready to launch a successor to its El captain(v10.11). Yes its the new Sierra(v10.12) – the first version after rebranding of OS X as MacOS. Whereas the Microsoft continues to dominate the field with its latest Windows 10. But which among the two is better and for what kind of user? Lets get on to it.
Apple has continued the same user interface on its Sierra as its predecessor El capitan or like most of its previous releases. While the Windows 10 breaths a fresh, dynamic design more like giving a new life to it. Microsoft also allows more customization of its desktop view. With help of some softwares you can change the entire look and feel of it. Whereas customization in MacOS is kinda limited but it offers more simplicity.
Finder vs File Manager
File managers are the basic applications that we use to browse stored files. If we compare the MacOS Finder with the Windows File Manager, the ability of Windows to navigate through different files and folders is much better compared to Finder. Finder is not that bad but it simply cannot compete with Windows File Manager.
Siri vs Cortana
Siri and Cortana are the lovely personal assistants from Apple and Microsoft. Both are still in their beta stages but they can be quite useful. Siri is programmed with a sense of humour which makes to giggle for your funny questions. Cortana is quickly catching up to it and makes its effort to give your more relevant answers.
Multitasking
Sierra and Windows 10 both offer you virtual desktops and split views. Apple allows two-apps split view whereas Microsoft allows upto four grid split window. This can be handy when you have a enough large display. Also both desktop operating systems provide you keyboard shortcuts for switching between the apps but i personally like mac when it comes to switching the apps.
Apps and Games availability
Both desktop operating systems contain a plenty of application which can be readily downloaded from app store or websites. But the number of games available for MacOS is limited. So if you are a gamer then mac can be disappointing for you. But if you are a coder then then the experience on mac would be much better compared to windows. Why? because it provides you power of linux with friendly user interface. Also switching between the applications is easy.
Web Browsing
I personally don’t like both Microsoft Edge and safari for web browsing. I prefer Google chrome over both. But for information sake noisy tabs can easily be muted on safari. But in edge you have to find which tab is responsible for playing the sound and manually mute it. Whereas Edge allows you to annotate pages with notes and doodles which is not available on safari.
Phone Integration
If you own an iPhone then you can easily integrate it with your mac. It allows you to take calls, send texts, copy text from one another. Also you can sign into mac using iPhone or iWatch. Windows 10 provides you limited features like you can read or send text from your android or windows device and use it to unlock the device.
Special features
Both desktop operating system have introduced a variety of features this year in their latest upgrades. Which includes unlocking your desktop using your phone. One of the major new feature from windows is the ink, which translates the notes written in stylus or finger into text notes. Microsoft has also introduced option for windows 10 PC and Xbox one users to play against each other.
Meanwhile Apple has introduced optimised storage which moves the files that you don’t access often into Apple iCloud server. In the WWDC demonstration Apple freed 130GB from their 250GB drive using this feature.
Wrapping up….
Both the vendors have provided a praiseworthy upgrade this year as per their customer needs. As per security concerns, Apple still dominates the field. Windows can a hectic when it gets infected by virus or malware. So one has to be careful while installing softwares downloaded from internet or while inserting drives.
Whereas feature wise windows certainly overtakes mac. The support for touch screen and stylus are few example which proves the point.
To conclude i would prefer mac for work but for personal usage i would still go with windows.
