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.
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. In September 2008, Microsoft responded to the Apple campaign with a campaign of their own to break the PC stereotype. Pros:. Mac OS is more intuitive than Windows for users. Settings make more sense and things are just where you expect them to be. Spotlight search is a killer feature and far superior to Windows search. Having said this, the Apple website is much smaller in scale than Microsoft’s site. Unlike Apple, Microsoft hosts many different sites and sections under the Microsoft.com brand, creating a whole ecosystem of sub-sites. Each site is packed with information and the Live powered search that Microsoft offers tends to yield good results. Anderson rejects the polarization that characterizes the traditional Apple vs. Microsoft world view: “Historically, there’s more cooperation than there is competition,” he said, noting that.
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.
Microsoft Vs Apple Laptops
Installation
Microsoft Computers Vs Apple Computers
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 App
And 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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Updates
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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Files On-Demand
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. Shift macbook pro. 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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Grab 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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Apple Vs Microsoft Which Is Better
There is a never-ending debate as to whether Macs are “better” than PC’s. “Better” is of course a subjective term; for instance, while Macs are generally acknowledged to be easier to use, if you’re a long-time Windows user the first time you sit in front of a Mac, it certainly won’t seem that way.
In any case, here follows a list of differentiators… if nothing else, these are reasonable arguments as to why you should consider buying a Mac.
1. Macs are actually cheaper in the long run
Sure, you can buy a Windows PC for fewer up-front dollars. But the true cost of ownership should be calculated based on not only the acquisition cost, but the residual value after you sell it or trade it in. It’s the difference between those two numbers that really tells you what your computer costs to own. When you calculate the cost of ownership in that way, Macs win easily. All you have to do is compare the value of a Windows PC from, say, three years ago (which is often close to zero), and compare that to what you can get for your 3-year-old Mac. It’s virtually always no contest.
2. Macs are much easier to buy
We tried shopping for a PC just to compare, and after about 15 minutes our eyes glazed over. When you have so many choices, not only of manufacturers, but bells and whistles and speeds and sizes, it’s almost impossible to know whether you’re getting the right, or best, deal. With the Mac, it’s much easier to narrow down your search quickly, PLUS, be assured you’re getting a well-made and well-respected product, included being loaded with a whole bunch of great software you’d have to buy extra on a PC. On top of all that, there’s no equivalent to PowerMax in the PC world. Our friendly and expert staff is happy to help you through the entire process.
Note: We received a message from someone who took umbrage at the above, saying he thought it was “incredibly ignorant.” We responded with the following, which may or may not appease those of you who share that opinion, but it is our opinion and we’re sticking by it:
Simplicity isn’t for everyone, of course, and many IT professionals and computer geeks will look at the plethora of options available in the Windows world and not only not be fazed by them, but delight in the choices. Those same people often get frustrated that if you want to run the Mac OS, your choices are essentially limited to Apple, and then the limited choices they give you within that. But it sure makes it easier “for the rest of us” to make a decision, which is why we entitled that paragraph: “Macs are much easier to buy.” Obviously, with either, you can just see one and click “buy,” but with a PC, you’ll never be sure whether Samsung or Dell or HP or Acer or Toshiba or who knows how many other brands to choose from was the “best” one, all with their different video cards and storage options and screen sizes, not to mention the presumed or expected quality. That’s a lot of choices, and that makes it harder. That’s all we’re saying.
Apple Or Microsoft Computer
3. In general, when Apple makes assumptions with its software, it gets it right, Microsoft often gets it wrong
Surely this is subjective, but when you run Microsoft’s software, even on a Mac, it loves to run interference, making assumptions as to what you’re doing and trying to stay a step ahead. Most often, however, it just gets annoying. For instance, by default, if you type a “1)” in Entourage or Word, suddenly the next paragraph automatically starts with a “2)” even if you don’t want it. Most people spend more time undoing the presumptions than benefitting by them… Microsoft is just horrible at getting in the way.
4. Viruses
While this has changed just a little as Apple has gained ground on Microsoft, Mac users are still living in relative bliss with the lack of viruses, spyware and malware. We’re not saying they can’t get them, but it’s just far less of a problem for Mac users than it is for Windows users.
5. Time Machine and the Cloud
Not nearly enough people back up their hard drives (because it should be everyone), but Apple’s Time Machine makes it so elegant and simple that all you really need to do is hook up a drive and turn Time Machine on. And it’s not just a back-up, but you can go back in time to find a document you deleted. Apple is further assisting with backing up with the utilization of iCloud, something especially appreciated in this age of people using multiple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad.
6. When something goes wrong…
Compare Apple Vs Microsoft Computers
Microsoft makes the software. Dell, or Sony, or HP, or seemingly a million other manufacturers, make the Windows PC. Then you have third-party drivers and whatever else for all the peripherals. When you have a problem, everyone points a finger at everyone else. With the Mac, the issue rests more often just with Apple. Of course, any customer of PowerMax who has ever had a question or problem can attest to the friendly expertise we also provide to help sort it all out for them as well.
7. Apple makes upgrading its OS simple, Microsoft still keeps it complicated
Apple smoothly transitions its customers to its latest OS for free. Windows can’t even use a consistent naming scheme: the versions include: 7, 8, XP, Vista, CE, NT, 98, 2000. The best we can say about that is that their scattered approach to naming matches their scattered approach to their OS.
8. Microsoft is for people who love tinkering with computers, Apple is for people who just want to get their work done
What’s pretty much true is that the back-end, server-infrastructure kinds of things is well-handled by Microsoft, because it’s in the “land of the geeks,” who love to dig into the machinery and tinker with all the settings and understand all the acronyms. Those kind of people like Windows on the front end as well because they understand all the crazy intricacies and complications of the computer system. Apple isn’t nearly as big in the IT world, and that’s okay, because its front end user interface for “the rest of us” doesn’t require us to be computer whizzes to get things done.
9. Let’s face it, Apple understands style
While there are a zillion different styles of PC out there, pretty much everyone agrees that the style, elegance, and just plain “hipness” of the Mac has yet to be beat. They just look cool. Most importantly, because they can stay out of the “I can make it cheaper” fray in the PC world, Apple’s quality is second-to-none.
10. You can run Windows on a Mac anyway, so why not get the best of both worlds?
Apple allows Windows to be installed via its own Boot Camp, or you can use a third-party virtualization program, such as Parallels, VMWare Fusion or VirtualBox. So why not both save money in the long run and have access to virtually any desktop software you want?