In my daily routine, I find myself using both Windows and macOS due to work requirements. To ensure seamless synchronization of all my important files, I rely on OneDrive, along with utilizing Microsoft Office and Google Docs for productivity tasks. This approach allows me to access my data effortlessly, regardless of the operating system in use. While Windows, macOS, and even Linux share many features, there are certain functionalities that are exclusively available on macOS.
Consequently, I often need to rely on third-party applications to replicate the same functionalities offered by macOS, without having to solely rely on the Mac App Store or third-party developers. Among the multitude of exclusive features provided by macOS, there are only five that I truly miss.
Scanning documents using an iPhone or iPad is a seamless process facilitated by Apple‘s integrated ecosystem. As the creator and developer of both the iOS and macOS operating systems, Apple has made it easy to combine the usage of these devices for various functionalities. Microsoft, on the other hand, requires third-party applications to achieve a similar capability, lacking the native integration that Apple provides. With macOS, you can activate the camera on your iPhone or iPad to capture a photo of a document and format it accordingly, adjusting corners and more.
Selecting objects or individuals from images is another noteworthy macOS feature. Through the Photo Library, Apple allows easy access to iCloud-stored photos captured on our iPhones. Additionally, it offers the convenience of selecting specific objects or people within an image with a simple button press. In Windows, achieving this functionality necessitates the use of third-party applications like Photoshop.
When it comes to using an iPhone or iPad camera as a webcam, Apple natively supports this capability between these devices and Macs. However, in Windows, one must resort to installing third-party applications.
Copying text from an image or video is yet another exclusive macOS feature. macOS automatically recognizes text displayed in an image or video, allowing users to copy it to the clipboard. In Windows, achieving this functionality requires the installation of Microsoft’s PowerToys application suite.
Previewing documents, images, and videos is a highly convenient feature in Apple’s operating system. By selecting a document with a mouse and pressing the space bar, users can access a quick preview without the need to open the file fully. Windows users can replicate this action using the Quick Look application, which is available as a free download from the Microsoft Store.
While it is normal for macOS to offer unique features that differentiate it from Windows and Linux, it is important to consider that macOS remains a closed and somewhat limited system. Opting for a Mac provides a well-optimized computer ideal for work, but it may come at the cost of freedom and limitations in gaming capabilities.