After a lifetime of using the Windows platform since it was first released (current laptop: HP Envy 15, Intel Core i7-5500U CPU @ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz, Installed RAM 16.0 GB, Storage 1.82 TB HDD), I am considering switching to either an M3 or M4 MacBook Air, as my laptop is a few years old now is due for a upgrade and my wife and I both have iPhones (on which I use the eM app) and I’m a bit over Windows. I mainly use my laptop on my home office desk, but occasionally take it traveling.
I have Chat GPT’d and Grok’d the pros & cons of switching and also of any likely issues with transferring various existing Windows software applications including eM Client (which I use successfully on my current laptop).
I would like to read advice from those that have experienced this change to MacOS before, or have some expert advice or comments (good or bad) that may help my decision and switching if I go ahead with the Mac option.
I run both Mac Tahoe and Windows 11 and both run fine with the latest eM Client 10.3.x versions
To transfer eM Client from Windows to Mac, just use the builtin backup and restore feature. It transfers everything the same.
The backup .zip file on Windows will restore on the Mac identical “as is made to work together” and visa versa as long as you have the same or very close version installed on both computers.
See either of the below links from @skybat and eM Client Support
As far as the OS goes on Mac, i my opinion its far easier and you can get similiar apps on both
Hello,
I have a MacBook Air M4 and emClient, it works fine, the MacBook Air M4 has a Magsafe power connector for charging like the Pro models. I have the 15" version it is very impressive, you will never look for Windows notebooks again.
Greetings from BigR
I was in a very similar situation October last year, “being a bit over Windows” after decades!
I started with a Mac mini, liked it and went on. The Mini is now on my wife’s desk, I have a Mac Studio and also a MacBook Air for work at customer sites.
I would never go back!
Regarding eM Client: That simply works. But should you need or prefer it: Outlook - as well as the other MS Office products - works as well. Still using Excel, Word and Powerpoint. And as Cyberzork put it: “You can get similar apps on both”. Yes, you can.
I had the special requirement of searching a good 3270 Terminal application for connection with mainframes.
Found “ZOC”, working happily on Macs now.
Thank you for the insight.
I am a pre-computers model and started using them when they were operated by DOS commands from a floppy disc and DOS WordPerfect was one of the first word processing applications
I think Windows has taken user/customers for granted for way too long and I don’t have faith in their privacy or security, hence the inclination to switch to Apple MacOS. Given we have used iPhones for quite some years I figure the change to Mac laptop (as a desktop and for occasional travel). I do use Excel and Word still so will likely have to continue for awhile at least. Firefox is my current preferred browser and use Bitdefender Total Security and SecurePass for security and password managing.
Thanks again for your feedback
I used Bitdefender in Windows 11 Pro but removed ist. It broke the edge browser. I use additional security software in Windows 11, but rely on onboard Windows 11 solutions. Thats what insiders recommend.
I currently have Windows 10 on my laptop and didn’t want to upgrade to 11. The 10 Ver was stable and suitable for my basic needs. A new Windows-based laptop would mean Windows 11 as well. Based on my other research and from the comments made to my query here it is looking like I will switch to a MacOS (possibly Air M3 or M4).
Thanks again.
Well I’m not really a pre-computers model - I wrote my first FORTRAN program in 1972
BTT: eM Client works really well on all Macs. The only thing that annoys me a little bit: It takes some 30 seconds to synch mail for my major account (ca. 40.000 mails). I guess that’s due to using a database.
Outlook is much faster and shows new mails almost immediately.
Thanks again for the extra feedback.
Even though I used PCs from the very get-go (I’m 66 yrs old now), I have just been self-taught because of a keen interest and been proficient with many ensuing applications in many fields. However, I never dabbled in writing programs of my own (probably would have made a ton of $$$ if I had gone into that in the early day ).
Yes Outlook is a lot faster loading and operating with great features, though I had other issues from time to time and some times their Support team even wiped their hands from trying to sort them out for me. Hence my search for another client eventually lead me to eM. I’ve had a few hiccups with it and yes it is slow to check email and has exit shutdown database issues (causing a very long d/base checking process before restarting). However, I’m over Microsoft after their poor customer service and will keep with eM as it hopefully continues to mature and advance in features and performance.
Not sure if I should have posted this separately in the Licensing category, though it does apply to my overall query on this thread.
I have a ‘Personal with lifetime Updates’ license (3 devices) and have Ver 10.3.2619 on my Windows 10 laptop. Some of the links/instructions on transferring my current eM settings and data to a new device (future Mac Air?), advise to deactivate the old device license before activating the new device license.
Can I correctly assume (that given my current license level) that I don’t have to do that ‘deactivation’ step, if I will only have eM running on the new Mac Air device, my current iPhone (app) and the old Windows device?
I would like to have all three in play for a short time after transferring in case I experience unexpected issues with the new Mac Air.
I have a ‘Personal with lifetime Updates’ license (3 devices) and have Ver 10.3.2619 on my Windows 10 laptop.
Can I correctly assume (that given my current license level) that I don’t have to do that ‘deactivation’ step, if I will only have eM running on the new Mac Air device, my current iPhone (app) and the old Windows device?
Yes “if you haven’t already used your Personal license on 3 devices” you don’t have to deactivate your Mac Air or Windows device.
It’s only “if you try to activate more than 3 devices” with your personal license that you would need to deactivate one of the other ones first.
The iPhone app doesn’t count as it’s free to use currently.
