The Evolution of macOS: Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation
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Chapter 1: Acknowledging Imperfection
Recently, I stumbled upon an article by Sergio where he described macOS as "hot garbage." While I concur with many of his critiques, it’s essential to recognize that no operating system is without flaws. Even the most acclaimed OS can have its shortcomings, and perfection remains elusive.
Personally, I’m not a diehard admirer of Steve Jobs, nor do I view Apple as my religion. In fact, I don’t even own an iPhone. I find some of Jobs’ business practices, particularly his interactions with Wozniak and others, rather questionable. His management style could be quite harsh on employees. While ambition is admirable, respect for individuals is equally important. Nevertheless, I wanted to pen this piece to remind readers of the groundbreaking advancements Jobs and his team introduced during their time, which far outshone what competitors like Microsoft, IBM, and Sun were offering.
In the mid-1980s, the differences between Microsoft Windows and macOS were stark:
On the left, you see the Mac OS System 1 Finder from 1984, while on the right is the Windows 1.01 Desktop from 1985. The color palette of Microsoft’s design appears amateurish, almost childlike, and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to look at such a display on a CRT monitor. The concept of a window was missing; instead, it resembled a haphazard collection of tables. In contrast, macOS was monochrome, offering improved readability and a clear design ethos that is still evident today.
Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985, shortly after the debut of macOS System 1, and the company faced significant challenges until his return in 1997. By then, Microsoft had made considerable strides, and by 2001, both operating systems were vying for dominance. However, Mac OS X already exhibited superior visual clarity.
Today, Apple’s operating system stands out globally for two main reasons:
- Apple has effectively mastered numerous UX design principles while occasionally diverging from them, as Sergio noted.
- The ecosystem Apple has cultivated offers a far more cohesive and intuitive experience for users, as it controls both the OS and the hardware.
This article is not intended to incite rivalry between Microsoft and Apple; I've worked with both systems for roughly a decade. Moreover, while these two OSs dominate the market, many alternatives exist. I also don’t wish to undermine Sergio’s perspective on macOS. I agree with many points he raised.
My aim is to highlight that even the top contenders have their faults and that perfection is a myth. Although I'm not an Apple enthusiast, I acknowledge the company's significant contributions to innovation and design.
Let’s dive in.
Disclaimer
Throughout this article, I may juxtapose macOS features with those of Windows. This isn’t meant to incite conflict but to explore alternative solutions to similar problems and assess which is superior. I recognize that my experience as a Mac user may introduce bias, so I welcome your thoughts in the comments section.
Section 1.1: The Power of Finder
The Finder's search functionality allows users to locate files by name—a common need. Beyond that, it enables searches by extension and date, and can even apply criteria across your entire hard drive. This feature is invaluable for those, like me, who often misplace files.
Once you obtain search results, you can switch to list view for better organization, often sorting by modification date to find the latest files.
Section 1.2: Enhancing Usability
Many users struggle to maximize the Finder's capabilities, losing time and becoming frustrated. Similar to the Linux terminal, Finder is a potent and well-designed tool. While effective UX should be intuitive, any new interface will require a learning curve. Notably, the best alternatives to Mac's Finder can be found in open-source Linux distributions like Ubuntu, which capture a mere 5% of the market.
Chapter 2: User Experience Innovations
The video "25 Mac Settings You Have to Change" offers a comprehensive overview of essential macOS tweaks that enhance user experience and productivity.
Section 2.1: Preview Functionality
The Preview feature on macOS is incredibly convenient, allowing users to quickly scroll through files or browse search results. By using Option + Spacebar, you can launch a slideshow of selected documents, navigating through them effortlessly with arrow keys.
One of Preview’s significant advantages is its ability to display various file types without opening them, which is beneficial for heavy files that typically require dedicated applications.
Section 2.2: Simplifying Screenshots
Taking screenshots on a Mac is remarkably straightforward. Using Cmd+Shift+3 saves the entire screen to your desktop instantly, while Cmd+Shift+4 allows for selecting a specific area. In contrast, Windows requires the "Print Screen" key, which saves images only to the clipboard, necessitating an additional step to paste and save.
Section 2.3: Reliability Matters
Having used macOS for over a decade, I've experienced minimal crashes, unlike my time with Windows, where I faced major issues. If an app becomes unresponsive, the Cmd+Option+Esc shortcut allows for easy termination. In contrast, Windows often necessitates complex troubleshooting.
Section 2.4: Embracing Dark Mode
Apple has set the standard for dark mode, which is superior to its Windows counterpart.
Windows dark mode often employs overly dark greys and a chaotic color scheme, while macOS strikes a balance with its subtler palette.
Section 2.5: The Convenience of AirDrop and AirPrint
Recently, I needed to print a document while visiting family. Instead of dealing with driver installations, I simply used AirDrop to send the file to my iPad and printed it via AirPrint in under two minutes. This seamless integration exemplifies the impressive capabilities of the Apple ecosystem.
Section 2.6: Connectivity and Hardware Synergy
Apple's ecosystem is unparalleled, allowing for effortless communication across devices. Notifications sync with iPhones, photos are shared seamlessly, and AirDrop enables quick file transfers. The integration extends to video calls via FaceTime and Apple Watch compatibility.
In contrast, Microsoft faces challenges with device compatibility across multiple manufacturers, which can lead to inconsistencies in user experience.
Conclusion
Since their inception, Microsoft and Apple have been in a constant rivalry. Both companies have driven innovation for over four decades, with significant contributions to the tech landscape. Although Apple has consistently excelled in design, the competition remains fierce.
As Steve Jobs once said, “When you’re a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you’re not going to use a piece of plywood on the back.” This philosophy reflects Apple’s dedication to quality and detail.
Whether Microsoft will eventually catch up to Apple remains to be seen, but for now, Apple’s design, usability, and ecosystem set the standard—imperfections included.
Thank you for reading! I interviewed 50 productivity experts and compiled their insights into a comprehensive guide. You can access this valuable resource for free.