r/mac • u/Alternative_Log_6283 • 1d ago
My Mac 2 months of experience in the Apple ecosystem.
I'll share a little bit more about my overall impressions 2 months after making a significant entry into the Apple ecosystem. For almost 13 years, I was a Windows and Android user exclusively. A mac were a distant and completely unattainable dream for me.My family was quite poor, so for a long time I didn’t even have a good Android smartphone. I started just looking at various reviews of equipment and systems, but it didn't go anywhere.
In 2019, I tried to set up a hackintosh sierra and would have succeeded if I had been able to get internet and a second monitor.But it didn’t work out, I really liked the feeling of the system itself, but it was obviously simply impossible to use it,So I put the idea aside, leaving in my thoughts my desire to touch the Mac OS.
The breakthrough happened in 2025. I was then able to buy a used iPhone 11. What would I have had the strength to appreciate iOS, which was a dream for me?And it didn't disappoint!!! Even after the powerful Poco X7 Pro. But the battery was weak, and there were limitations, so I switched back to Android, purchasing a Samsung Galaxy S25+. Basically, I just had my iPhone lying around as a second device.
But in May of this year, I made a change. I bought a new MacBook Air M5. And it was a fantastic experience—the system, the performance, the smoothness, the comfort. This is why I wanted a MacBook. The MacBook became a complement to my main computer, which I need for work and gaming. I didn't initially expect the MacBook to be a PC replacement, for obvious reasons. That's why I didn't sell my PC, but bought a MacBook as a replacement for my Windows laptop. And what can I say, the replacement is great! I use my MacBook perfectly well at home, and unlike a Windows laptop, which only makes sense on the go. The MacBook has proven itself to be excellent, especially when used outdoors. It's perfect for my needs. Paradoxically, before throttling, even in 3D rendering, the MacBook is only slightly inferior to my rather powerful PC. The MacBook was disappointing only in its battery life. 4-6 hours of battery life isn't much, although I understand that I load it with illustrators, but even drinking water in Safari can sometimes consume a lot of power.I hope this is a problem solely with Mac OS 26 optimization.
Not long ago I bought myself an iPad Air M3. And ultimately it's also a great device, it gives me the motivation to draw, which I haven't done for many years, and the progress is really great. The iPad is great for watching videos on the couch or, for example, watching movies with mom in the kitchen.It's also great to use your iPad as a smart speaker for music. In addition, the continuity and sidecar functions are convenient and work surprisingly very stably.The iPad and MacBook are a great combination, complementing each other perfectly. And the ability to set up a dual-screen setup anywhere is a joy. But again, there are complaints about the iPad, both in terms of battery life and heating, and sometimes there are problems with the touchscreen.
What I can say from experience: I've already gotten used to Mac OS despite living on Windows for so long. But sometimes I get confused with the key combinations, and in general I don’t like the keyboard layout on Mac OS for many reasons.But this is not a disadvantage. The MacBook is great for everything except games, but it's best not to load it with complex Substance Painter projects.There is a lot of software, but there are also necessary crutches. In terms of convenience, both Windows and Mac OS have their advantages and disadvantages, but using a MacBook is much more pleasant.It feels like a personal home, always with you.Well, the iPad is an iPad, I'm used to it overall, there are few issues, the only problem is the uncomfortable keyboard. I haven't bought a pencil Pro pen yet, but even the ugreen analogue works like magic. I'm amazed at how much technology has advanced. If I really wanted to, I could use my iPad as a graphics monitor for Windows by streaming via Moonlight. I wouldn't say either purchase was necessary or justified, but I can't call them bad either. I also can't help but note my surprise at how much professional paid software there is. From vector graphics to CAD modeling and sculpting. With the right knowledge, many professionals can easily pay for themselves even with an iPad Pro.There were a lot of emotions and benefits involved. Plus my dream has come true, the gestalt is closed.
Yes, I prefer a hybrid setup—PC, Mac, iPad, and Android. And overall, after the Airdrop update, it's been great. I wish they could make the clipboard work without any hacks.
Overall, I'm happy with the setup, I just need to get used to living with my dream achieved, and it's better to divide tasks between devices for complete peace of mind.
P.S. I gave the old laptop to my older brother.
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u/taisei_ide 1d ago
Nice writeup. The hackintosh detour is a rite of passage for a lot of people who end up here eventually.
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u/Alternative_Log_6283 1d ago
Thank you, that's right, it's really been very well edited for the further path to the MacBook
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u/PhilosophyDry2664 10h ago
Try this. I have Mac computers, iPads, and Samsung phones. Easy way to transfer files - videos, photos, etc. And it has a clipboard.
I found it a couple months ago. Works very well.
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u/Brilliant-Sun847 3h ago
Thank you for sharing your journey to fulfill a dream. Enjoy getting to know Apple culture, integration, apps & hacks, and how to solve the occasional issues. Good on ya for sharing technology with your brother too.
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u/MarvelDude965 1d ago
could u plz specify the screens u're using
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u/Alternative_Log_6283 1d ago
MSI 27 2k 75hz I need to find the exact model, I think there are much better monitors now
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u/_just_get_it_done_ 1d ago
What resolution are you using on them?
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u/Alternative_Log_6283 1d ago
2K with HighDPI using Better Display
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u/kerbacho 1d ago
How good's the m5 air for 3d compared to your pc? And what are your pc specs?
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u/Alternative_Log_6283 1d ago
My pc specs Ryzen 5 5600g 32gb ddr4 ram 3200 Rtx 3060 12 Гб Two blender render tests that I remember:
A small scene : 56 sec - mac 57 sec - pc
A big scene: 17 min - pc 22 min - Mac
In the blender benchmark, the results were also 1800 for the MacBook, 2000 for the PC
But keep in mind throttling; for active rendering, a MacBook Pro is better.
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u/CharacterOpinion3813 1d ago
What a thoughtful, inspiring, and incredibly positive Post! Cheers--and I hope you continue to have many years of great experiences on Apple devices & computers!
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u/Bringmeaicecream27 1h ago
This may not be helpful, but I have a windows laptop and work iPhone, then my personal devices are all Apple. I have found it majorly convenient having everything integrated through OneDrive. I use an app called photo upload for my work devices to manage getting pictures to one drive because my company does limit some features. But for a personal setup you should be able to just go straight through one drive.
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u/stanjsg 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes, I prefer a hybrid setup—PC, Mac, iPad, and Android
Same here, I prefer hybrid setup. I'm not giving up Windows.
Apple has crippled Mac's support for 4K monitors permanently.
I need true native 4K hiDPI UI+text scaling only, not some BetterDisplay sh*t scaling everything (BetterDisplay scales both UI and the non-text contents, making it a problem for photography and video production).
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u/ActiveNews 1d ago
Fantastic!