iCloud offers a terrible user experience on Windows. Often, you are faced with numerous issues such as photos failing to sync or iCloud not installing on your PC. That’s why both Microsoft and Apple’s recent collaboration and subsequent release of iCloud on the Windows Store is so exciting.
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So, is the iCloud Windows Store version substantially better than its older desktop counterpart? Should you ditch the latter in favor of the former? Let’s take a look at how different the Windows Store version is and then come up with a verdict.
Installation
The desktop version of iCloud is well known for its cumbersome installation procedure, not to mention the various problems that can crop up while installing it. Thankfully, the Windows Store release resolves such issues, and also makes installing it quite convenient.
Simply head over to the Windows Store, search for iCloud, click Install, and you should be ready to go in a matter of minutes. You don’t have to deal with downloaded installation packages or stupid ‘missing media features’ error messages.
Download iCloud Windows Store AppAnd if you already have iCloud’s desktop app installed, you don’t even need to remove it to make way for the Windows Store version. The Windows Store installer will automatically do that for you, and will even transfer over your current iCloud settings.
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Another major issue with the desktop versions of all Apple releases on Windows is the software updates. They are a mess to deal with. They often fail, and require a system restart to finalize.
But not with the iCloud Windows Store version. Just like with any other app on the Windows Store, updates are automatically performed in the background as and when they become available, won’t result in failures, and will never prompt you for a restart.
User Interface
If you were expecting a revamped user interface in the Windows Store version of iCloud, then you are in for a major disappointment. The iCloud icon resides in the system tray and the blue-colored menu shows up when clicking it. Along with the actual iCloud app itself, things look just the same as the regular desktop iCloud experience.
The various settings to configure iCloud Drive, Photos, Bookmarks, Mail, Calendars, etc., are also similar with no changes. If you are familiar with the desktop version of iCloud, you don’t have to go through any learning curve to get used to the Windows Store release.
File Explorer Integration
With the Windows Store version, both Apple and Microsoft’s collaborative efforts have resulted in full iCloud integration into File Explorer. Similar to Microsoft’s native OneDrive, you can now find iCloud Drive listed on the left navigation pane of the File Explorer window.
And that also means you have ready access to the entire iCloud Drive folder structure right inside the navigation pane, which helps boost productivity.
While iCloud’s desktop version also provides access to iCloud Drive via File Explorer, it’s in the form of a simple Quick Access shortcut.
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iCloud Drive’s integration into File Explorer doesn’t just stop at that. In contrast to its desktop counterpart, the Windows Store version now keeps placeholders of your files locally by default. That provides a distinct advantage since you don’t have to waste disk space or bandwidth to download all files to your hard drive after its installation.
Choosing to keep files or folders locally is as easy as right-clicking and selecting Always Keep on This Device, while switching back to the placeholders require a simple click to the Free Up Space option located below.
And just so that you know, this is the same Files On-Demand technology that powers OneDrive, so you aren’t receiving any half-baked feature. In short, it works like a charm.
iCloud Sharing
The new Files On-Demand functionality aside, iCloud’s Windows Store version also lets you share your files within iCloud Drive directly via File Explorer. Enter the email addresses of the contacts with whom you want to share a file, set the required permissions, and you are good to go.
Shared statuses will be synced immediately to both macOS and iOS devices as well, which is just fantastic.
iCloud Photos
Unlike the desktop version, the iCloud Windows Store app will no longer display iCloud Photos under the Devices and Drives section of File Explorer. However, your photos can still be accessed via the Pictures folders instead.
Your downloads, uploads, shared albums, and My Photo Stream function as usual. No changes in that department.
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Read MoreGrab the Store Version
The Windows Store version of iCloud gets rid of most of the gripes associated with the iCloud desktop. A more effortless installation procedure, seamless background updates, superb Files On-Demand functionality, and integrated iCloud Sharing are substantial improvements. And considering that you don’t have to waste any time getting acclimatized with the Store app means that migrating is just painless.
Next up: Fed up of iTunes and its various quirks on Windows? Why don’t you try the Windows Store app of iTunes instead? Here’s how it stacks against the desktop version.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextShould You Use the iTunes Windows 10 Store App?Also See#windows 10 #windows store
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Operating System
The Mac operating system — earlier called OS X and now renamed macOS — has traditionally been viewed as more stable than Windows. The main reason for this was that Apple produces both the hardware (Mac computer) and the software (Mac operating system); so they have better control over the integration of the entire system. Apple is also known to use only the best parts for its computers.[1]
Since the Windows operating system can run on hundreds of different types of computers, variations in hardware configurations within those computers can cause stability problems. Katana riddim download. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of PC manufacturers and so there is a wide variety in hardware quality of PCs.
Another reason for Macs being traditionally more stable is that since PCs are the more popular choice in the desktop market, most hackers and computer virus makers target PCs. As the popularity for Mac computers increase, it can be expected that the incidence of hacker and virus attacks will increase.
It should be noted that you can run Windows on a Mac but cannot run macOS on a PC. Apple has also released a software kit called Bootcamp for running Windows on the Mac. Other software virtualization applications used to run Windows on Macs include Virtualbox and Parallels.
Another factor contributing to a better user experience on the Mac is that there is no software cruft i.e., there are no third-party applications that are pre-installed on your Mac. PCs usually come with several 3rd-party apps pre-installed. For example, antivirus software from McAfee or Symantec, or DVD reading/writing software. Some of this software can be downright dangerous for the security and privacy of the user; case in point: Lenovo's Superfish scandal. Interestingly, this feature of Apple devices also applies to the iOS vs Android debate; Android devices ship with 'crapware' (3rd party applications that many people don't ever use) while iPhones and iPads ship only with Apple software.
User Interface
The most noticeable difference between Macs and PCs is in the user interfaces. While many computer users will proclaim one or the other “superior” or “best,” this is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Highlights of the UI in Mac OS X include Launchpad (a screen full of app icons for easily launching your favorite apps), hot corners that can be customized for various types of views, a 'dock' that has icons for your favorite apps, full screen mode for apps, and 'spaces' that create as many desktops as you like so you can minimize clutter. With Windows 8 UI highlights include a touch-friendly 'metro' interface that contains 'live tiles', rectangular boxes of varying sizes on the screen that represent an app and get refreshed with the latest content from the app. Several apps utilizing the 'metro' interface are full screen apps like in tablet computers.
Security
Macs have a reputation of being more secure than Windows PCs. In the 90s and early to mid-2000s, Windows was plagued with adware, malware and viruses that were mostly a result of users downloading compromised software, opening malicious email attachments or other malicious files downloaded from the Internet. Macs had a lower market share so malware-makers and distributors focused on the Windows platform.
Today the situation is not so lopsided. Windows security and Microsoft's Defender anti-virus program have made great strides and made Windows a safe platform. Macs have had security problems of their own, like the admin login vulnerability discovered in November 2017. And because of the growing popularity of the Mac platform — especially among high-value targets like computer programmers — malware-makers are increasingly homing in on Macs as targets.
Irrespective of whether you're on a Mac or PC, it is not advisable to open files from unknown sources or any files downloaded via email or on the Internet that seem suspicious. If you're on Windows, it is further recommended to not use anti-virus programs other than Microsoft's Defender because they introduce security vulnerabilities of their own.[2]
Uses
Mac computers are most widely used in the creative professional market, including in journalism and desktop publishing, video editing and audio editing, but have also made inroads into the educative and scientific research sectors. Macs are also popular with computer programmers — a majority of web and app developers tend to use Macs.
PCs are also used with some of the video and audio editing and research purposes but are found largely as the Home or Office Computer. PCs are also widely used in gaming due to a wider variety of games available for the Windows platform.
Market share
Apple's share of the U.S. personal-computer market nearly tripled from 2004 to 2008 but hasn't gone up significantly since then, and stands at around 8.5 percent in August 2009, according to IDC. (Source: Associated Press)
In box v4.8.0 download. In Q1 2008, worldwide PC shipments were around 70 million (up from 61 million in Q1 2007) whereas worldwide Mac shipments were around 2.3 million (up from 1.5 million in Q1 2007). Historical charts for PC vs. Mac shipments are available at http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/137350.asp
The market share of Mac for the July-Sept 2007 quarter was estimated at 3.2% for worldwide sales. While of PCs ( including major companies like HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Toshiba) was a total of around 56%.(Refer: http://www.systemshootouts.org/mac_sales.html)
Interoperability
PCs and Macs can usually share peripherals if they connect via USB, FireWire, or Bluetooth, three industry standards available on every Mac. Most popular applications for Mac and PC use the same file formats, making it simple to exchange documents with friends and coworkers or move existing files from a PC to a Mac.
Applications
3d modeling software windows 10. Macs major applications include Ilife and Time Machine while the PCs most widely used application includes MS Office. Some popular games provided on a Mac are Mac Crack Attack, 3D Klondike while on PC are Solitaire and Virtual Pool.
There is a variety of software available for PCs, which are better than a Mac machine for use as gaming machines since most high-end games are created for the general PC. PCs and Macs can usually share peripherals if they connect via USB, FireWire, or Bluetooth, three industry standards available on every Mac. Most popular applications for Mac and PC use the same file formats, making it simple to exchange documents with friends and coworkers or move existing files from a PC to a Mac.
Gaming
Traditionally PCs have had the upper hand when it comes to gaming because more publishers developed games for the PC platform. Dollar for dollar, PCs have also provided more powerful processors and speed is an important criterion when it comes to gaming. Some popular games that are available only on PCs are Age of Empires III and Crysis. Games that have both Mac and PC versions include Call of Duty 4: Modern warfare, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, LegoStar Wars II, Starcraft and World of Warcraft.
Productivity Software
Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite & Cloud are available for both Windows and Mac platforms. Other productivity software like OpenOffice and StarOffice is also available for all platforms. Apple's iWork office suite, which includes Pages (word processor), Numbers (spreadsheets) and Keynote (presentation maker) are only available on the Mac and iOS platforms.
Mac vs. PC War
Macs were hugely popular when the Macintosh was introduced in the mid-80s. They pioneered the GUI and the mouse. With Windows 3.1 and the wildly popular Windows 95, Microsoft gained a large market share. In the 1990s, Windows grew by leaps and bounds and Apple went downhill. After Steve Jobs was brought back to Apple, he introduced the iMac and revived Mac sales. Microsoft bought a 5% stake in Apple with a $150mn investment in non-voting shares in 1997.
Apple's Macs have always had a small but passionate fan base. In 2007, Apple released Mac vs PC ads showcasing the “cool” factor of Macs. These have been parodied online, often with a 3rd character (a woman) for Linux.
Apple V Windows 10 Pro
The Mac vs. PC ads
In September 2008, Microsoft responded to the Apple campaign with a campaign of their own to break the PC stereotype.
A MAC into a PC (and vice versa)
By installing software like Boot Camp, or a virtualization solution, such as Parallels Desktop, a Mac can function like a PC machine. In other words, a MAC can run Windows on it.
Apple does not allow the use of its operating system on non-Apple hardware. So a Windows PC cannot run Mac OS X. However, the Hackintosh project allows users to run Mac OS on any supported Intel-based PC.
Price
The MacBook Air starts at $999, whereas the MacBook Pro costs $1,199 and up, depending on the model. See MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro and MacBook vs MacBook Pro.
Current prices of various models and accessories are available on Apple.com and on Amazon.com.
Macbook Vs Windows
PCs usually cost significantly less than Macs with comparable hardware. This is mostly because PCs are manufactured by a large number of hardware manufacturers, resulting in increased competition and lower prices. A wide selection of PCs with varying costs is available on Amazon.com.