A Love Letter to Mac: Why I Choose Apple's Ecosystem

From Windows Frustration to Mac Fascination

I’ll be honest: I didn’t start as a Mac enthusiast. I grew up on Windows, and for years, it did the job. But around Windows 10, something shifted. The system I’d called home for so long began to feel cluttered—bloatware, ads, and an interface that seemed more invested in Microsoft’s agenda than mine.

The Seeds of Interest

My first real encounter with macOS was years earlier, during a school trip when I used an iMac at a hotel. I can’t remember the year exactly, but I remember being struck by how smooth and elegant it felt compared to the clunky Windows machines I knew. That experience planted a seed of curiosity that grew over the next decade.

Between 2019 and 2023, I found myself increasingly fascinated by macOS. I watched videos, read about new features, and imagined what it would be like to use it daily. Meanwhile, Windows 10 felt heavier, messier, more distracted. The more I explored macOS, the more I wanted to make the leap.

Making the Switch

Finally, in August 2023, I did: an M2 Mac mini with 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM. And honestly? It exceeded every expectation.

Before the Mac, my daily driver was a Dell Inspiron 3501: Intel Core i3-1115G4, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD. Functional, but nothing exciting. The contrast between that Dell running Windows 10 and my Mac mini was stark—not just in speed, but in how effortlessly everything worked.

The Dell hasn’t gone to waste; it’s now my Linux playground. I use it for Personal Data Server experiments and server infrastructure projects—a perfect example of “right tool for the right job”: Mac for daily productivity, Linux on the Dell for experimentation.

The Cleanliness That Changed My Mind

macOS feels clean. Unlike Windows, which constantly pushes ads and unnecessary features, macOS is deliberately minimal. Every element exists for a purpose. When I open my Mac, I’m greeted by my desktop, my files, my workflow—not tiles, promotions, or random suggestions.

It’s not just aesthetics; it’s about getting out of my way. The system performs, stays silent, and lets me focus. That simplicity, combined with thoughtful animations and responsiveness, made me realise what I’d been missing on Windows.

The Perfect Companion: My M2 Mac Mini

My Mac mini is more than a machine—it’s my digital home base. From development to content creation and experimental Personal Data Servers, it handles everything gracefully. The 16GB of RAM has proven more than sufficient, even running multiple virtual machines or heavy development environments.

Efficiency is the kicker. This compact machine, barely bigger than an Apple TV, outperforms laptops costing twice as much, all while remaining virtually silent. For instance, running my AT Protocol server experiments uses only about 400 MiB of RAM—an impressive feat that showcases Apple’s integration of hardware and software.

The Right Tool for the Right Job

I love Linux. Arch, Fedora, Ubuntu—I’ve tried them all. For servers and infrastructure, Linux is unbeatable. But for general computing—writing, development, content creation, managing digital life—macOS hits a sweet spot.

Gaming? I mostly stick to Steam on macOS or my Nintendo Switch. The library is smaller, but it covers my needs. For more niche experiences, I’d consider a Steam Deck or a newer Nintendo system, like the Switch 2. But for everyday productivity, Mac is unbeatable. iCloud integration makes switching between devices seamless—start a document on your phone, finish it on your Mac, and never worry about backups. The convenience is addictive.

That is to say though, I do have a Time Machine 2TB backup drive. Can't be too careful.

The Temptation of Upgrading

Even satisfied as I am with my M2 Mac mini, I can’t deny the allure of the M4. Apple’s product cycles create a gentle, persistent temptation: “Just one generation away from even better performance.” But the M2 handles everything I throw at it with ease. It’s fast, reliable, and perfect for my needs.

Growing Up in the Apple Ecosystem (With a Brief Android Detour)

My relationship with Apple began long before the Mac. An iPod Touch 4 in 2011-2012 and an iPad Air 2 from 2015 to 2021 shaped my expectations for what technology could be: intuitive, responsive, genuinely useful.

I briefly left for Android in 2021 with a Google Pixel 4a. The OS itself was refined, but the ecosystem felt fragmented. Inconsistent UI choices across manufacturers clashed with my expectations, and I quickly returned to iOS, grateful for its coherent, predictable interface. I upgraded to an iPhone 15, passing the 8 Plus along to my brother—a neat chain of hand-me-downs keeping everyone equipped.

Beyond the Individual Machine: The Ecosystem Experience

The magic of Mac isn’t just hardware or macOS—it’s the ecosystem. People complain about being “locked in,” but for me, it’s an embrace. My iPhone, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch communicate seamlessly. Calls, music, messages—they just work, switching between devices effortlessly. After more than a decade in Apple’s ecosystem, the cohesion is undeniable: each device enhances the others, creating a whole greater than the sum of its parts.

The Price of Admission

Apple’s pricing is steep. No sugarcoating it. But trade-ins help, letting your old device subsidise the next. And while you could argue you’re paying for the brand, you’re really paying for integration, build quality, software optimisation, and ecosystem benefits. For me, reluctantly, it’s worth it.

The Mac mini line strikes the sweet spot of value within Apple’s expensive lineup. I don’t need the portability of a MacBook or the power of a Mac Pro; the mini delivers everything I need.

A Different Kind of Relationship with Technology

Using a Mac has reshaped my relationship with computers. It’s no longer something I fight with—it’s something I work with. macOS stays out of my way, the hardware performs reliably, and ecosystem integration creates a seamless workflow.

Yes, similar performance could come from a Windows machine, and Linux offers more control. But neither provides the complete package: clean interface, seamless ecosystem, reliable performance, and peace of mind. It just works.

Why I’ll Keep Choosing Mac

Choosing Mac isn’t about specs or UI alone—it’s about a philosophy: prioritising user experience over checklists, integration over fragmentation, elegance over complexity.

My Mac mini sits quietly on my desk, reliably fast, seamlessly connected. It’s the foundation of my digital life. Whether running development servers, managing my blog, experimenting with AT Protocol, or just browsing the web, it handles it all effortlessly. And honestly? That’s exactly what good technology should do.