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Why Apple Hardware Doesn’t Cut It For a Long-Time Android and Windows User
Having embarked on my Android journey over a decade ago and my Windows experience way back in the nineties, I’ve always viewed Apple hardware with a keen interest, often appreciating certain aspects of its design and functionality. However, after many years immersed in the Google and Microsoft ecosystems, the thought of switching to devices from Cupertino is simply out of the question. Several fundamental concerns, which I find insurmountable at this point, keep me firmly rooted in my current tech landscape.
Key Reasons I’m Sticking with Android and Windows
- Lack of Advanced AI: Apple lags significantly in AI, impacting productivity.
- Limited Gaming Experience: macOS offers a poor gaming environment compared to Windows.
- No Windows Hello Alternative: The absence of seamless biometric login on Macs is a drawback.
- Closed Apple Ecosystem: Apple’s restrictive nature hinders customization and flexibility.
The AI Gap: Lower Productivity Without Cutting-Edge Intelligence
In an era defined by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, it’s frankly disappointing that Apple still lacks its own comprehensive AI solution comparable to Microsoft’s Copilot or Google’s Gemini. These tools have become indispensable in my daily workflow.
Windows 11, with its integrated Copilot, genuinely boosts my productivity by streamlining mundane tasks, freeing up valuable time for more critical work. Similarly, on my smartphone and smartwatch, I frequently leverage Gemini. With a single button press, I can query AI about almost anything and receive a thorough answer in moments.
In contrast, Apple currently doesn’t offer comparable, robust AI tools within its operating systems, particularly in key regions like the United States. While the company has frequently announced “Apple Intelligence,” these features are presently limited to basic text summarization, with true generative artificial intelligence still largely absent. For many users, and certainly for me, this isn’t just an inconvenience; it feels like a step backward in a world where AI is becoming an integral part of professional and personal workflows. Apple’s ecosystem appears conservative and closed off in this regard, and I require tools that deliver results now, not promises for a future WWDC conference.
Limited Gaming Experience: Why macOS Falls Short for Gamers
For me, gaming is a natural extension of computer usage, not a separate ritual. Therefore, my hardware needs to be powerful enough to handle the latest titles available in online stores. Windows PC manufacturers excel in this area, offering specialized gaming device series such as ASUS ROG and Dell Alienware, which are equipped with powerful NVIDIA graphics cards. My current laptop, from the well-known gaming brand Razer, has served me well for years.
In the Apple world, gaming often seems like an afterthought. macOS treats gaming as an exotic add-on that “might work someday,” whereas Windows provides a complete game library, full compatibility, and maximum control over settings, drivers, and peripherals. A MacBook may be beautifully designed, quiet, and offer excellent battery life, but when it’s time to play a demanding game after work, I often find that most titles aren’t available for macOS. The remaining ones often only run due to developers’ goodwill rather than robust platform support. This is where the myth of the “universal Apple ecosystem” breaks down for me; a computer that doesn’t allow me to game freely cannot become my primary home device.
The Absence of a Windows Hello Alternative on Apple Computers
Windows Hello is one of those features that, while seemingly an “add-on,” fundamentally changes how I interact with my computer. After years of seamlessly logging in with 3D facial recognition, it’s incredibly difficult to go back to a world where I have to type a password, use Touch ID, or juggle a PIN. Windows Hello operates effortlessly in the background – I sit down, lift my laptop lid, the computer recognizes me instantly, and I’m logged into the system.
I’m genuinely surprised that MacBooks, despite their characteristic notch at the top of the screen (similar to the iPhone’s Face ID housing), haven’t implemented similar biometric sensors for facial recognition. It’s ironic, given that Apple was the company that popularized such a solution, starting with the iPhone X. The lack of a direct, equivalent alternative on their premium laptops feels like a missed opportunity for a truly seamless user experience.
The Apple Ecosystem: Too Restrictive for My Workflow
In operating systems, I deeply value openness and choice. I greatly appreciate Android, especially with a custom overlay like One UI, which, combined with tools like Good Lock, offers extensive possibilities for tailoring my smartphone to my exact needs. For instance, I can fit up to eight icons in the dock at the bottom of the screen, instead of the standard four.
Despite some evolution towards greater openness, Apple’s ecosystem remains largely closed. It tends to isolate users within its own world, dictating its preferred applications, formats, and solutions. While many users find this curated experience appealing, for me, it represents a significant limitation. I prefer to have full control over my work environment, and Android provides a level of flexibility that iOS simply cannot match.
The same applies to macOS, which I find even more restrictive than iOS. Even straightforward tasks, such as file management, creating shortcuts, or organizing windows, become irritating because the system demands that I “reconfigure” my logic to its own. For example, managing multiple windows on a single screen often feels less intuitive than on Windows. Apple often dictates which applications are “proper,” which formats are “safe,” and which functions are “necessary.” However, I don’t need a curator; I need a tool that allows me to work exactly how I want, not how someone in Cupertino designed it.
Both Windows and Android offer me the freedom to experiment, combine various services, test different hardware, and seamlessly transition between gaming, work, and entertainment without artificial barriers. While the Apple ecosystem is undoubtedly elegant and refined, its appeal would only matter if I were willing to fully submit to its logic. And I am not prepared to sacrifice the flexibility and control that define my technological interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the author prefer Android/Windows over Apple?
The author, with extensive experience in Android and Windows, cites Apple’s lack of advanced AI, limited gaming capabilities on macOS, the absence of a Windows Hello-like seamless biometric login, and the overall closed nature of the Apple ecosystem as key reasons for not switching.
How does AI impact the author’s productivity on Windows and Android?
On Windows 11, tools like Copilot help streamline mundane tasks, while Gemini on smartphones and smartwatches provides quick, comprehensive answers to queries, significantly enhancing productivity by saving time.
What are the main gaming concerns with Apple’s macOS?
The author notes that macOS treats gaming as a secondary concern, leading to a limited game library, poor optimization for many major titles, and less control over game settings and hardware compared to the robust gaming environment offered by Windows.
Source: Own elaboration, Opening photo: Generated by Gemini
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