I Moved Away From Windows 11, But I Didn't Go to Linux: Here's Why macOS Won Me Over

For months, I've been vocal about my frustrations with Windows 11 and my growing appreciation for Linux as an alternative. As someone who writes about technology and operating systems, I've spent considerable time exploring Linux on various laptops, and I've been genuinely impressed with its capabilities. However, when it came to my primary work machine—a desktop computer that I use 95% of the time—I made an unexpected choice. I didn't switch to Linux. Instead, I moved to macOS running on an M4 Mac Mini, and it has fundamentally changed my perspective on what makes an operating system great for productivity.

The Unexpected Journey to macOS

My transition to macOS wasn't something I initially planned. After reviewing the M4 Mac Mini last year, I found myself using it more and more, despite some initial complaints about macOS behaviors. What started as a review unit gradually became my primary work machine, and now, I can confidently say that macOS has become my absolute favorite operating system for getting work done.

This wasn't a decision I made lightly. As someone who values customization and control over my computing environment, I always assumed Linux would be my natural departure point from Windows. However, macOS has proven to be so much better than Windows for my specific needs while avoiding some of the drawbacks that still make Linux challenging for daily productivity work.

Significantly Less Nagging: The Peace of Mind Factor

I Don't Need to Deal With Annoying Pop-ups

One of the most immediate and noticeable improvements when switching from Windows 11 to macOS was the dramatic reduction in nagging and unwanted interruptions. It's not that Apple doesn't have products and services to promote—they certainly do. However, after the initial setup nearly a year ago, I can recall exactly one instance where a feature I didn't care about tried to force itself onto my system.

That single occurrence was when Apple began implementing generative AI features across macOS. It appeared once, I disabled it, and it never bothered me again. This stands in stark contrast to Windows 11, where users regularly face pop-ups promoting Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and various other services. The constant barrage of notifications and suggestions in Windows 11 creates a feeling that you're using a platform designed to sell you products rather than one designed to help you work.

This peace of mind is more valuable than I initially realized. Being able to work without constant interruptions or feeling like I'm being marketed to has significantly improved my focus and overall computing experience. macOS respects the user's attention in a way that Windows 11 simply doesn't, and this alone might be reason enough for many users to consider making the switch.

Application Availability: The Middle Ground Advantage

The Big Problem with Linux

While Linux has made tremendous strides in recent years and now offers a vast ecosystem of applications, it still faces challenges when it comes to mainstream software availability. This reality became apparent when I considered switching my daily workflow to Linux full-time.

macOS occupies a sweet spot in this regard. While it doesn't have Windows' overwhelming market dominance, it's significantly more popular than Linux desktop distributions in terms of mainstream adoption. This means that virtually every major application I need is available on macOS, often with excellent optimization and regular updates.

When I first switched away from Windows, I was still using Microsoft 365 applications. macOS supported these apps natively, providing a seamless transition. Linux, on the other hand, doesn't offer official Microsoft 365 support, which would have required workarounds or alternative solutions.

Even now that I've primarily moved to WPS Office for my productivity needs, I find that these applications receive much more active support on Windows and macOS compared to Linux. Updates arrive faster, bugs are fixed more quickly, and the overall user experience is more polished. This level of software support might not matter for everyone, but for someone who relies on these tools for daily work, it makes a significant difference.

The transition to macOS was remarkably smooth in terms of application availability. While there were a few smaller utilities and tools I relied on that required some extra searching to find macOS alternatives, I've been able to replicate all the features I liked on Windows with my Mac. In some cases, I've even found better experiences on macOS than I ever had on Windows.

Customization: It Exists and Sometimes It's Better

It's Kind of Better Than Windows, In Some Ways

One common criticism of macOS is that it lacks the customization options that make Linux so appealing to power users. While this is true to some extent—macOS certainly doesn't offer the same level of deep system customization as Linux—I've found that it actually provides better customization than Windows in several important ways.

One area where macOS unexpectedly excels is in app icon customization. Unlike Windows, which offers very limited options for changing app icons natively, macOS allows users to customize app icons, including different variants for dark and light modes. Starting with macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple even introduced two translucent icon options: clear and tinted. This means I can make icons any color I want, which is surprisingly cool and allows for a level of personalization that Windows simply doesn't offer natively.

While this might seem like a minor feature, the ability to customize the look and feel of my workspace contributes to a more pleasant and personalized computing experience. It's not the deep system-level customization that Linux users enjoy, but it's more than enough for most users and certainly more than what Windows provides out of the box.

Beyond icons, macOS offers various other customization options through System Preferences and third-party applications that allow me to tailor the experience to my needs without requiring the technical expertise that Linux often demands.

Raycast: The Game-Changing Application

It's So Useful

If I had to pick one factor that has made macOS indispensable for my workflow, it would be Raycast. This Mac-exclusive application is, without exaggeration, possibly the best productivity app I've ever used, and it single-handedly justifies my choice of macOS for many of my computing needs.

Raycast is a launcher, not entirely unlike Flow Launcher on Windows, but it takes the concept to an entirely new level. Think of it as Spotlight on steroids—but those steroids took steroids too. It's fast, powerful, and incredibly versatile.

At its core, Raycast serves as an application launcher, but that's just the beginning of its capabilities. The clipboard history feature alone is worth the price of admission (though Raycast is free for personal use). It's the best clipboard history implementation I've used across any platform—fast, searchable, and capable of handling images as well as text. It keeps a history of my copied items for a sufficiently long time that I never notice anything missing, which is crucial for someone who frequently copies and pastes code snippets, URLs, and other information throughout the workday.

The emoji panel in Raycast is another standout feature. While Windows has an emoji picker, Raycast's implementation is significantly faster and more intuitive. The search functionality works flawlessly, making it easy to find exactly the emoji you need without endless scrolling.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is Raycast's integration with the Calendar app. Since my work schedule is filled with online meetings, this integration has been transformative. When I launch Raycast a couple of minutes before a meeting starts, that meeting automatically appears as the top suggested result. With a single press of the Enter key, it opens the Google Meet link in my browser instantly. This seamless integration between my calendar and launcher has eliminated the friction of manually finding and joining meeting links, saving me valuable time throughout the day.

I realize this section has turned unexpectedly long, but Raycast is such a crucial part of my macOS experience that I needed to explain why it's so transformative. It's the kind of application that makes you wonder how you ever worked without it, and the fact that it's currently exclusive to macOS is a significant advantage for the platform.

The Downsides: No Platform Is Perfect

It's Not Perfect, But...

Despite my enthusiasm, macOS is certainly not a perfect platform, and it's important to acknowledge its shortcomings. When I first started using macOS, I encountered several issues that bothered me. However, what's been remarkable is how quickly I was able to overcome these problems, and how they haven't really resurfaced as ongoing issues.

One minor annoyance was the system's behavior regarding open applications when shutting down the computer. macOS always asks whether you want to keep your open apps available when you restart, which felt unnecessary. However, I discovered that Raycast includes commands that handle this gracefully, effectively working around the issue.

Another initial complaint was the default storage location for screenshots. On macOS, screenshots save to the desktop by default, which can quickly clutter your workspace. However, this was easily changed in the system settings, and once configured, it hasn't been a problem again.

These are relatively minor issues in the grand scheme of things, but they're worth mentioning because they represent the kinds of small frustrations that can add up over time. The key difference with macOS, compared to my experiences with other platforms, has been how easily these issues were resolved and how they haven't persisted as ongoing problems.

The Linux Perspective: Still Amazing, But Different

It's important to clarify that my move to macOS doesn't mean I've abandoned Linux or that I no longer believe in its potential. I'm still a big fan of Linux and I'm actively rooting for it to become a more mainstream operating system. Linux has made incredible progress over the years, and it continues to improve with each new release.

The reality is that not everyone can afford (or wants to buy) a Mac, and Linux is certainly a step up from Windows at its core. Linux offers unparalleled customization, privacy, and control over your computing environment. For users who value these aspects above all else, Linux remains an excellent choice.

However, for my specific needs—particularly around productivity, application availability, and the balance between customization and convenience—macOS has proven to be the better fit. Linux still requires more technical knowledge for certain tasks, and while the situation has improved dramatically, there are still occasional compatibility issues or the need to use the terminal for tasks that should be simple.

No matter which way you swing, though, you can probably do better than Windows 11, and that's perhaps the main takeaway from my experience. Whether you choose macOS, Linux, or another alternative, there are compelling options available that can provide a better computing experience than what Microsoft currently offers with its flagship operating system.

The Future: Considering a Full Ecosystem Switch

My positive experience with macOS on the M4 Mac Mini has been so profound that I'm now seriously considering getting a MacBook as my primary laptop as well. This would represent a complete shift to the Apple ecosystem, something I never would have considered a year ago.

While I love Linux and will continue using it on my current laptops for experimentation and specific use cases, macOS provides the experience I want at almost every level for my daily work. The combination of excellent hardware, refined software, outstanding application support, and productivity-enhancing tools like Raycast has created a computing environment that's hard to beat.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Tool for the Job

My journey away from Windows 11 didn't lead me where I initially expected. While I still appreciate Linux and believe it has an important place in the computing landscape, macOS has won me over for my primary work needs. The reduced nagging, excellent application availability, thoughtful customization options, and transformative tools like Raycast have created an experience that simply works better for me.

This isn't to say that macOS is the best choice for everyone. Different users have different needs, priorities, and budgets. Linux remains an excellent option for those who value customization and open-source principles, while Windows might still be necessary for certain specific applications or work environments.

However, for users like me who were frustrated with Windows 11 but found Linux to be too much of a compromise for daily productivity work, macOS offers a compelling middle ground. It provides the polish and application support of Windows with the stability and respect for user attention that Linux users appreciate.

For now, macOS has my heart, but I'll continue to watch Linux's development with interest. The computing landscape is constantly evolving, and who knows—perhaps a future version of Linux will address the remaining gaps and become my primary platform. Until then, I'm enjoying the productivity and peace of mind that comes with using macOS on my M4 Mac Mini.

The most important lesson from this experience is that it's worth exploring alternatives to Windows 11. Whether you choose macOS, Linux, or another option, there's a good chance you'll find an experience that better serves your needs and preferences than Microsoft's current offering.

Have you made a switch away from Windows 11 recently? What platform did you choose, and what has your experience been like? Share your story in the comments below!

Tags: macOS, Windows 11, Linux, Operating Systems, Productivity, Apple, M4 Mac Mini, Raycast, Tech Review, Computing Experience, Software Comparison