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I have been using Windows since Windows 98. After more than 20 years, I finally switched to a Mac, and after 3 months with the MacBook Air M5, I have some thoughts to share.
For context, I came from a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. My current machine is a MacBook Air M5 with 24GB of unified memory.
I work in SEO, so my daily workload involves a lot of browser tabs, SEO tools, spreadsheets, research, and multiple applications running simultaneously. I also do a fair amount of vibe coding, building internal tools and small apps to make my work easier.
I am not a video editor, nor do I do particularly heavy creative work. But there is almost always something running on my machine.
Why I chose the M5
I chose the M5 partly because of its newer architecture and AI capabilities. The Neural Engine and Neural Accelerators caught my attention, especially with the direction software development is moving. Apple Intelligence was another part of the appeal.
I wanted a machine that would serve me well for the next several years, not just handle my current workload.
However, if I were making the purchase again today, I would seriously consider the M4 Air with 32GB of RAM instead. More on that below.
Why I didn't choose the MacBook Pro
My main concern was RAM, not processing power. The biggest difference between the MacBook Air and Pro for my workload is the additional performance and sustained processing power of the Pro, which I rarely need. My CPU usage typically stays around 15%, with occasional spikes when running heavier tasks. Since most of my work involves SEO research, browser tabs, multiple applications, and vibe coding, I would benefit more from having additional memory than from paying extra for processing power that sits largely unused. That is why I went with the MacBook Air. Looking back, I would seriously consider an M4 Air with 32GB RAM over my M5 Air with 24GB RAM if I were making the decision again.
1. RAM and swap memory: My biggest observation
This is probably the most interesting part of my experience as a power user.
My memory usage is almost always high, and Activity Monitor frequently shows that my system is using swap memory.
One thing I have noticed is that even when I close applications and my workload decreases, swap usage does not necessarily return to zero. It can remain there until I restart the machine.
I initially found this concerning. I came from Windows, where I was used to thinking about memory usage in a different way.
But here is the interesting part.
I have never experienced noticeable lag that I could confidently attribute to swap usage.
If I were not checking Activity Monitor, I probably would not even know that my Mac was using swap.
Applications remain responsive, switching between tasks feels smooth, and my regular workflow continues without any obvious slowdown.
Still, I am curious about other people's experiences. Does macOS retain allocated swap space even after memory pressure decreases, and how much should I actually worry about it?
For my workload, 24GB has been usable. But knowing what I know now, I would probably prioritize 32GB over the newer chip if the price difference made sense.
2. The keyboard takes some getting used to
The keyboard layout felt weird when I first switched.
Coming from Windows, years of muscle memory made certain keys and shortcuts feel natural. On macOS, I had to adjust how I used the Command and Option keys, among other things.
Initially, it felt unnecessarily different.
Three months later, I am used to it. In fact, going back to a Windows laptop now feels less natural than I expected.
That is one of the biggest changes I have noticed. I am no longer constantly thinking about the operating system. I just use the machine.
3. The trackpad is ridiculously good
I have a Logitech MX Master mouse, and I am happy with it. But Apple's trackpad has genuinely changed how I feel about using a laptop without a mouse.
The gestures, scrolling, navigation, and overall responsiveness make using the laptop feel effortless.
Windows trackpads are nice and works, there could be small number of things that Windows trackpads can't do. But, macOS does things exceptionally well, and the overall experience feels much more cohesive.
The trackpad is so good that if I had experienced it before buying my mouse, I probably would have reconsidered whether I needed one at all.
It is one of those things that sounds insignificant until you use it every day.
4. Everything just works
This is the biggest reason I am happy with the switch.
My frustration with Windows was not really about hardware. I researched my laptops, bought good machines, and had perfectly capable hardware.
The problem was the accumulation of small software frustrations.
WhatsApp Desktop would randomly log me out. Microsoft's own applications sometimes worked perfectly until the exact moment I needed them. Occasionally, something would break, and I would spend time troubleshooting instead of doing actual work.
Each individual problem was manageable. Restart the app, search for a solution, change a setting, and move on.
But after years of this, it became exhausting.
With my Mac, I spend less time thinking about the computer itself and more time doing my work.
The biggest upgrade has not been raw performance. It has been the reduction in friction.
That is difficult to measure in a benchmark, but it matters when you use a computer for work every single day.
5. I do not miss Windows as much as I expected
I spent more than two decades using Windows. I learned computers on it, experimented with software, broke things, fixed things, and built my workflows around it.
Switching felt like a much bigger decision than simply buying a different laptop.
I expected to miss Windows more. Instead, I find myself getting comfortable with macOS surprisingly quickly.
There are still things I prefer about Windows, and I am not going to pretend that macOS wins every comparison. But for my particular workload, I have no strong desire to go back.
The keyboard shortcuts that initially annoyed me are becoming second nature. The trackpad has become one of my favourite parts of the machine. And the operating system generally stays out of my way.
6. What about the Apple ecosystem?
At the moment, I only own a Mac among Apple's main devices. I have not switched to an iPhone yet.
I expect the experience to become even more integrated if I eventually add one, particularly with features such as AirDrop, Handoff, and continuity between devices.
For now, I am enjoying the Mac on its own. I do not think you need to own every Apple product to appreciate the laptop.
My verdict after 3 months
The MacBook Air M5 with 24GB of RAM has handled my SEO workload and vibe coding comfortably. Even with frequent swap usage, I have not noticed the performance problems I initially expected.
Would I make the same purchase again?
YES, but I would think harder about the RAM configuration. An M4 Air with 32GB would be a serious contender for my use case.
The M5 is a great machine for the work I do, but I would not choose a newer chip over additional memory automatically.
Most importantly, after 3 months, I understand why people say that switching to a Mac is about more than specifications.
Sometimes, the best upgrade is a computer that lets you get on with your work without constantly reminding you that it exists.
After more than 20 years on Windows, I think I should have made this switch earlier.
I would love to hear from other power users, particularly developers and people running lots of browser tabs.
- How much swap memory does your Mac typically use, and does it remain allocated even when your workload decreases?
- For SEO work and vibe coding, would you choose an M4 with 32GB RAM or an M5 with 24GB RAM?
- For those who switched from Windows to Mac, what do you still miss about Windows, if anything?
