Apple Macbook sales are growing faster than PC sales with many Mac buyers making the switch from PC to Mac after years of using Windows.
OS X the operating system on a Mac is similar to Windows but they do have some different ways of doing things that may require some learning for new Mac users.
Here are some more differences between Mac OS X and Windows:
- Menu Bar: When using Windows each program uses its own menu bar. When using a Mac program (called an Application) the menu bar on the top of your desktop changes according to the application that is being used
Apple Menu Bar
- Control Panel: Windows users are all to familiar with the control panel. The Mac equivalent is the System Preferences and can be launched from the Dock or the Apple Menu
System Preferences
- Ending Programs:This one sometimes confuses a new Mac user. In Windows to end a program you simply close the Window. On a Mac closing the Window does not end the application. To end an application on a Mac you must either select quit from the menu bar or by pressing thecommand + "Q" keys on the keyboard
Quit an Application in Mac OS X
- Switching Applications: Switching programs in Windows is accomplished by pressing the Alt + Tab keys. This brings up all running programs and allows you to switch between them. Switching applications on a Mac can be done by using pressing the command + Tab keys.
Switching Applications
Mac also comes with Expose that can show all open windows at once in a smaller version so you can browse through them.
Expose
If your considering making the switch from PC to Mac you may want to consider picking up a cheap Macbook to learn on. You will find that Making the switch is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
Be sure to read PC to Mac-Making the Switch part 1 for more differences.
