These 7 macOS Features Made Me Get Rid of My Windows 11 Laptop

After years of using Windows 11, I never imagined I would switch. However, MacOS offers some thoughtful features that have made a big difference in my day-to-day use. Here’s a look at the macOS features that convinced me to ditch my Windows laptop for good.

1 Stable operating system with smooth updates and zero issues

One of the biggest frustrations with Windows 11 is its intrusive update process. No matter what you’re working on, Windows often starts updating at the most inconvenient times, forcing you to pause everything. And it’s not just the timing – the sheer frequency of updates is annoying, with countless security patches and major OS updates requiring multiple reboots and lengthy installations.

macOS, on the other hand, handles system updates much better. Apple usually releases one major update each year, accompanied by smaller updates that add features or fix minor issues. These updates are usually quick and easy to install unless it’s a major upgrade. They are much less intrusive and feel refreshingly uncluttered compared to the Windows environment. If there’s one area where Microsoft could take a page from Apple’s book, it’s certainly software update management.

2 No Bloatware

While we’re on the subject of the software experience, another frustration with most Windows 11 PCs is the bloatware they come pre-installed with. With the exception of the Microsoft Surface, most Windows laptops and desktops are crammed with third-party apps—from GPU management tools to mouse controls and accessories—that add unnecessary complexity right out of the box.

Apple only includes basic first-party apps on its Macs, so you start with a clean slate. This approach means more available storage for users, as well as less distraction and an overall smoother user experience.

3 Seamless integration with Apple devices

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This is an obvious but essential highlight. While Microsoft has tried its best to integrate Android with Windows through Phone Link, it still can’t match the seamless integration of Apple’s ecosystem. If you own other Apple devices, you’ll see how much more cohesive the experience is when you use a Mac.

Do you have an iPhone? You can use it as a high-quality webcam for video calls on your Mac. Do you use AirPods with iPhone? It will automatically connect to your Mac. Do you have an iPad? It can serve as an external display for your Mac. Plus, you can copy on one device and paste on another, or continue browsing the web where you left off. Apple offers many thoughtful continuity features that make multitasking across devices seamless and productive.

4 iPhone mirroring

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An excellent addition to the Apple ecosystem is the iPhone Mirroring feature in macOS Sequoia, which allows you to fully control your iPhone directly from your Mac using your keyboard, mouse or trackpad – without ever having to pick up your phone. Once set up, you can seamlessly stream your iPhone screen and receive notifications right on your Mac.

While Windows offers similar functionality for Android devices through the Phone Link app, it’s far from perfect. For example, when screen sharing works, it often has a noticeable lag.

Apple also plans to improve the iPhone mirroring feature to include drag-and-drop file transfer between Mac and iPhone, making the feature even more powerful and productive. This ability is something that Windows has yet to fully match. The Apple ecosystem offers a seamless solution for those who frequently switch between their devices.

5 Instant file preview in Finder

This is a small but incredibly useful feature that elevates the Mac experience over Windows. For example, when you need to quickly find a specific file in Windows, you usually need to open it to view its contents. However, in macOS, you can simply press the space bar when selecting a file to display a quick preview.

You can even scroll through the preview to view the entire content or make simple edits—like rotating or cropping photos—right in the preview window without opening the Preview app. It’s a feature Windows has yet to match, but I find it invaluable for efficiency on a Mac.

6 Better focus modes

When you need to work uninterrupted, both Mac and Windows offer Do Not Disturb modes to block notifications. However, Do Not Disturb in Windows 11 is pretty basic. In contrast, the Focus modes in macOS are much more robust and can be customized to suit your needs.

It gives you detailed control over notifications and system behavior. For example, you can only allow messages and notifications from specific people or apps, and even schedule a specific target to automatically turn on and off at set times. And the best part is that Focus mode syncs between Apple devices, so you don’t have to enable it separately on your iPhone or iPad.

7 Text replacement

Another small but incredibly useful feature that makes macOS particularly convenient—especially for someone who types a lot—is its built-in text replacement. If you find yourself repeatedly entering the same information, such as an address, phone number, or common phrases like “thank you,” macOS makes it easy to automate with text replacement.

You can set shortcuts so that, for example, typing “you” automatically expands to “thank you” or even use “smiley” to quickly add “😊”. While similar tools are available on Windows through third-party apps, macOS has it natively. It’s available in the Keyboard section of the System Settings app.

While Windows allows users to customize their environment in countless ways, macOS focuses more on simplicity and productivity, making it the perfect choice for users like me. These thoughtful, productivity-focused tools in macOS make it my preferred platform for getting things done easily.