In the world of technology, the comparison between Windows and macOS operating systems has always been an interesting topic. This operating system has its loyal fans, with its advantages and disadvantages.
Windows 11 and Mac OS X are two of the most popular operating systems in the world. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the preferences and needs of the user.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the things Windows 11 can do that Mac OS X can’t, or at least easier and better to do in Windows 11. Here are 12 of them:
1. Set Up Desktop Display with More Options
Windows 11 gives users more options to set the appearance of their desktop, such as changing theme colors, transparency, icon size, fonts, and others. Users can also use the live tiles feature to display the latest information from applications installed in the Start menu. In addition, Windows 11 also supports the virtual desktop feature, which allows users to create multiple desktops with different applications and windows.
Mac OS X also has a virtual desktop feature called Mission Control, but it’s not as flexible as Windows 11. Mac OS X users also can’t change the theme color or transparency, and can only choose between light or dark mode. In addition, Mac OS X does not feature live tiles, and icons in the dock cannot be resized.
2. Game with More Options and Performance
Windows 11 is a more gamer-friendly operating system, as it supports more games and gaming platforms than Mac OS X. Windows 11 also features DirectX 12, which is the latest graphics API that improves game performance and graphics quality. In addition, Windows 11 also has a Game Mode feature, which can optimize the use of computer resources for games.
Mac OS X does not feature DirectX 12 or Game Mode and only supports a small percentage of games on the market. Many popular games are only available for Windows 11, or have suboptimal versions of Mac OS X. Mac OS X users must also use an emulator or bootcamp to run Windows 11 games, which can decrease performance and graphics quality.
3. Using Windows Apps Natively
Windows 11 is the operating system most compatible with Windows applications, as it is a product of Microsoft’s own. Windows 11 users can run almost any Windows app natively, without the need to use emulators or additional software. This is especially useful for users who need Windows applications for work or other purposes.
Mac OS X cannot run Windows applications natively, because it has a different architecture and operating system. Mac OS X users must use an emulator such as Wine or Parallels Desktop, or software such as Boot Camp or VMware Fusion, to run Windows applications. This can cause compatibility, performance, stability, and security issues.
4. Access File System Easier
Windows 11 gives users full access to their file system, so they can view and manage all the files and folders on their computer easily. Users can also set permissions, attributes, and properties of files and folders to their liking. In addition, Windows 11 also supports various file system formats, such as NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and others.
Mac OS X has a more limited and closed file system than Windows 11. Mac OS X users cannot view or change system files directly but must use built-in applications such as Finder or Terminal. Users also can’t easily set permissions, attributes, or properties of files and folders. In addition, Mac OS X only supports APFS or HFS+ file system formats, and can only read (not write) NTFS formats.
5. Connect Devices with More Ports
Windows 11 supports more ports for connecting external devices than Mac OS X. Windows 11 users can use USB, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, audio, and other ports to connect devices such as printers, scanners, monitors, speakers, keyboards, mice, and others. Users can also use the USB port to charge other devices, such as smartphones or tablets.
Mac OS X has fewer and more limited ports than Windows 11. Mac OS X users typically only have USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, which require adapters or dongles to connect to other devices. Users also can’t use USB-C or Thunderbolt ports to charge other devices, unless those devices also support those ports.
6. Using the Touchscreen and Stylus Features
Windows 11 is an operating system that supports touchscreen and stylus features, allowing users to operate their computer with the touch of a finger or digital pen. This feature is especially useful for users who want to interact with their computer more intuitively and creatively. Users can also use the Windows Ink Workspace feature, which is a built-in Windows 11 application for drawing, writing, and taking notes with a stylus.
Mac OS X does not support touchscreen and stylus features, as Apple argues that these features are not suitable for desktop or laptop computers. Mac OS X users can only use a trackpad or mouse to operate their computers. Users also cannot use the Windows Ink Workspace feature, because there are no similar applications available for Mac OS X.
7. Using Cortana and Windows Hello Features
Windows 11 features Cortana and Windows Hello, which are powerful features that utilize voice and biometric technologies. Cortana is a digital assistant that can help users do various things with voice commands, such as finding information, managing schedules, sending emails, and others. Windows Hello is a security feature that can unlock a user’s computer with a face, fingerprint, or iris.
Mac OS X lacks Cortana and Windows Hello features, as Apple has not yet developed similar features for its operating system. Mac OS X users can only use the Siri feature, which is a more limited digital assistant than Cortana. Users also can’t use biometric security features unless they have another Apple device connected to Mac OS X.
8. Using Snap Assist and Task View Features
Windows 11 features Snap Assist and Task View, which are productivity features that make it easier for users to organize app windows on their screens. Snap Assist is a feature that lets you automatically sync app windows to the sides or corners of the screen by dragging them. Task View is a feature that can display all running application windows on one screen by pressing the Windows key + Tab.
Mac OS X does not have Snap Assist and Task View features, as Apple has not implemented similar features for its operating system. Mac OS X users can only use the Split View feature, which is a feature that can divide the screen into two parts by pressing the green button in the upper left corner of the application window. Users can also use the Mission Control feature, which is a feature that can display all application windows on one screen by dragging four fingers up on the trackpad.
9. Using Continuum and Your Phone Features
Windows 11 features Continuum and Your Phone, which are connectivity features that allow users to move from computer to smartphone or vice versa easily. Continuum is a feature that can turn a Windows 11 smartphone into a mini computer by connecting it to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Your Phone is a feature that can synchronize an Android or iOS smartphone with a Windows 11 computer by installing the Your Phone Companion application on the smartphone.
Mac OS X lacks Continuum and Your Phone features, as Apple does not yet offer similar features for its operating system. Mac OS X users can only use the Handoff feature, which is a feature that can continue activities from one Apple device to another by logging in with an Apple ID with the same Apple ID. Users can also use the AirDrop feature, which is a feature that can send files from one Apple device to another by pressing the share button.
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10. Using the Timeline and Clipboard Features
Windows 11 features Timeline and Clipboard, which are history and copy-paste features that make it easy for users to track and continue their activities across devices. Timeline is a feature that can display user activity history on Windows 11 computers and other devices connected to Microsoft accounts. Users can view and continue their activities by pressing the Task View key or dragging four fingers to the left on the trackpad. The clipboard is a feature that can store a user’s copy-and-paste history on Windows 11 computers and other devices connected to a Microsoft account. Users can view and select their copy-paste items by pressing Windows key + V.
Mac OS X does not have Timeline and Clipboard features, because Apple has not brought similar features to its operating system. Mac OS X users can only use the Recent Items feature, which is a feature that can display the history of applications, documents, and servers that users open on Mac OS X computers. Users can view and open these items by pressing the Apple + F keys or clicking the Apple > Recent Items menu. Users can also use the Universal Clipboard feature, which is a feature that can synchronize users’ copy and paste on Apple devices connected to iCloud. Users can view and select their copy-paste items by pressing the Command + V keys.
11. Using PowerToys Features and Windows Subsystem for Linux
Windows 11 features PowerToys and Windows Subsystem for Linux, which are additional features that enrich the Windows 11 user experience. PowerToys is a collection of small tools that can improve the productivity and customization of Windows 11 users, such as Color Picker, FancyZones, Image Resizer, Keyboard Manager, PowerRename, PowerToys Run, Shortcut Guide, and others. Windows Subsystem for Linux is a feature that can run a Linux environment inside Windows 11, so users can use Linux commands without having to install the Linux operating system separately.
Mac OS X does not feature PowerToys and Windows Subsystem for Linux, because Apple does not provide similar additional features for its operating system. Mac OS X users should look for small third-party tools to improve their productivity and customization, such as Alfred, BetterTouchTool, Magnet, Moom, PopClip, SnappyApp, and others. Mac OS X users must also install the Linux operating system separately or use an emulator such as VirtualBox or VMware Fusion to run a Linux environment inside Mac OS X.
12. Use the Latest and Free Update Feature
Windows 11 is an operating system that always gets the latest and free updates from Microsoft, so users can enjoy new features and bug fixes regularly. Microsoft also plans to make Windows 11 their last operating system, which means there will be no new versions of Windows again in the future. Users only need to install Windows 11 updates to get the latest Windows version.
Mac OS X is an operating system that also gets the latest updates from Apple, but it’s not always free. Apple typically releases a new version of Mac OS X every year, which means users have to pay to get the latest Mac OS X version. Users should also check if their Mac OS X computer is compatible with the new Mac OS X version, as not all Mac OS X computers can run the latest Mac OS X version.
Conclusion
Windows 11 and Mac OS X are two operating systems that have their advantages and disadvantages. However, there are some things Windows 11 can do that Mac OS X can’t, or at least easier and better to do in Windows 11. These things are:
- Set up a desktop look with more options
- Game with more options and performance
- Use Windows apps natively
- Access file systems more easily
- Connect devices with more ports
- Use touchscreen and stylus features
- Use Cortana and Windows Hello features
- Use Snap Assist and Task View features
- Use Continuum and Your Phone Features
- Use the Timeline and Clipboard features
- Using PowerToys and Windows Subsystem for Linux features
- Use the latest and free update features
Hope this article is useful for those of you who want to know the difference between Windows 11 and Mac OS X. Thank you for reading.