Switching from Windows to MacOS: Need Alternatives for My Favorite Apps
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RandomAdventurer42
Hey everyone! I've just transitioned from being a long-time Windows user to using MacOS, and I'm setting up my new (but previously owned) M1 Pro MacBook Pro. I've hit a snag because some of the programs I relied on in Windows don't have MacOS versions, and I'm on the lookout for replacements. Specifically, I need help with: 1. Xshell, where I have many saved SSH connections and used Xftp for SFTP transfers. 2. An RDP client that also allows filesystem sharing. 3. Notepad++. Also, I'm having some mixed feelings about whether switching was the right choice. Any advice from those who have made the jump from Windows to MacOS? Do you miss any features?
Answers
I mean, didn’t you look into alternatives before switching? You should really research apps beforehand to make your life easier!
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For your needs on MacOS, I recommend using the built-in Terminal for SSH connections. For RDP, the Microsoft Remote Desktop app works well; it’s basically the official Windows app. And for text editing, Visual Studio Code is a fantastic multi-purpose tool! It meets most needs, and if you're missing Notepad++, there's an extension that mimics its shortcuts. Overall, I find these options cover everything I need.
CodeGuru77: Totally agree! I personally use iTerm for terminal activities, it’s pretty feature-rich.
NotepadEnthusiast: Good to know about the VSCode extension! Definitely going to check it out.
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Ghosty is my go-to terminal app, and there are plenty of other terminal options for Mac. Check out some forums for recommendations if you're still exploring! For your RDP needs, don’t forget that there’s a Windows RDP app available too. And for text editing, VSCode works perfectly for any general coding tasks.
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OS X runs on BSD Unix, so it might actually suit your needs better than Windows overall. Plus, there are tons of app options available to replace what you're missing. You might find Xterm pre-installed, but you’d need to look for it. As for text editing, consider alternatives like BBEdit or CotEditor alongside Visual Studio Code!
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For RDP and SSH, I really like Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager. It handles various connection types and lets you save credentials easily. For coding and text editing, Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text are solid choices too!
VirtualTechie: Yep, that's the way! I've been using Royal TS for remote sessions.
AppExplorer92: Sublime Text is great for quick notes and text files!
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CuriousNewbie: Not really, I found a good deal and just went for it!