In December 2023, I decided to embark on a new tech journey that saw me switch back to the Apple ecosystem after a break.
It all started with me ditching Windows for the M1 MacBook Air, the device I still use as my main computer for most of my computing needs.
There were many reasons for my decision, such as the fact that my gaming PC was really starting to show its age. On top of that, the primary way that I used my computer has changed, I mean I don’t tend to play games any more.
In fact, over the last few years, I primarily used my computer for writing blog posts and working on projects.
That is why when I saw the M1 MacBook Air on an affordable offer, I just had to get it, but what I didn’t expect was how productive I became when using it. I enjoyed the productive experience to such an extent, that I decided to move back into the Apple ecosystem. I ordered an iPhone, Apple Watch and even AirPods Pro!
Fast-forward a year, and I’m still mostly using the same devices, but was it worth it? Has it made me more productive? We’ll discuss that in this article…
Why I Made the Switch
Before we get any further in this blog post, I wanted to explain the switch in more detail.
It’s easy to say that I switched because the way I used my gaming computer changed and that the gaming computer was starting to show its age. But my reason for deciding to move on is a lot deeper than that.
I know it’s a highly controversial subject, but after using Windows for a long time, I somehow still like Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system itself.
But sometimes, things just don’t work out, in this case, I discovered that I was spending more time using Windows in an unproductive way. The fact that I used to use Windows for gaming may have something to do with it. However, there’s also the fact that I’ve constantly been looking at ways to make the system match my style and needs more than I was actually working.
I guess I wanted a fresh start and moving to the MacBook helped me gain that fresh start.
But the main reason for my switch was that my computing needs have changed, and I needed to adapt to these changes.
The M1 MacBook Air was the first device I switched to. I noticed that I was enjoying the Apple experience and apps quite a bit. Therefore, I decided to get an iPhone 14 Pro Max. It wasn’t the newest model at the time, but it was more than enough for me. This change enabled me to fully merge into the Apple ecosystem, as I was no longer relying on multi-platform apps.
Speaking about apps, it’s astonishing how good the default apps from Apple are. I mean I use Apple Notes as my main digital notebook app, I use Reminders as my To-Do list app and I use Mail for managing some of my other email accounts.
I later invested in an Apple Watch SE and AirPods Pro, which completed my ecosystem experience.
Key Features That Are Making Me More Productive
As much as I like the products and brand, for me, it’s not all about the brand and products, but the features that are available within Apple products.
I mean, there are many other fantastic brands out there who manufacture excellent laptops, smartphones and tech products. But before making that purchase, you need to understand what works best for you. You could be the opposite of me, and you’re more productive on Windows.
That’s why I want to discuss the features that are working for me and are making me more productive within the ecosystem.
Focus Profiles
I’m a big fan of the idea of Focus profiles. Essentially, they are customisable settings that can help you reduce distractions and focus on a task. They can also do a handful of other things.
One of the Focus profiles I use is Office Mode, which I’ve set to trigger some cool automations based on my location. When I arrive at the office, it will turn off all non-essential notifications and calls, which I’ve set within the profile. It also changes my Home Screen to have all the apps I may need when at work, and it changes the watch face to have my calendar on it.
I also have a Working From Home Focus Profile, which is less aggressive than the office profile, but the main reason I have it is so that my watch face also features a shortcut to Apple Home.
I use a Sleep Focus Profile to get rid of any distractions during the night, apart from any alarms I set.
When I really need to sit down and focus, I use a Focus Profile that turns my phone in to a “Dumb Phone”. This is something I discovered recently thanks to digitalminimalist.com, and I think it works really well.
But it gets better as Focus Profiles work across all your devices, so when office profile turns on my phone, it also turns on my Apple Watch, iPad Pro and MacBook Air.
Shortcuts and automation
One of my favourite features of the Apple ecosystem is the Shortcuts app. It lets you automate tasks and create custom shortcuts for things you do frequently.
Shortcuts can do a lot of clever things. For instance, when I’m working from home, and I’m in a meeting, I have a Shortcut that notifies my family that I’m in a meeting and turns the light outside the office to Red. I know that this automation doesn’t really improve productivity, but it’s still pretty cool!
Another useful Shortcut I have is called “Log Idea” and when I search for it on Spotlight Search I am able to quickly log an idea and save it to the Drafts app. This allows me to quickly log them before forgetting them. Let’s face it, sometimes ideas come during some of the most unexpected times, and having the ability to log them quickly is a real game changer.
The Shortcuts app also allows me to do some cool automations. For example, when I disable my Wake-Up alarm, I get a text message with a weather report as well as my calendar events.
There are many other great Shortcuts and automations you can set with the Shortcuts app, and I will be writing a blog post about all the ones I use in a dedicated blog post.
The Apps
I wanted to mention the apps, and I don’t just mean the Apple apps, as there are some fantastic apps available for iOS and macOS that aren’t available on Android or Windows.
Starting with the app I’m writing this blog post on, Ulysses. I think that Ulysses is an incredible app for writers, especially those who publish on platforms like Medium and WordPress, as you can publish content directly from the app. The app also features a built-in proofreader and uses Markup, which makes writing so much quicker compared to traditional word processors.
But there are many other great productivity apps out there that are only available on macOS and iOS such as Fantastical, Things 3, the list goes on!
Speaking about apps, the default Apple apps such as Notes, Reminders, and Calendar offer some great features along with a nice interface, and best off all they’re free!
I’m not saying that platforms such as Android and Windows don’t have great productivity apps. It’s just that the ones available to me on these platforms don’t work as well for me as the ones on iOS and macOS.
Ecosystem Integration
I’ve already talked about how Focus Profiles work seamlessly across Apple products, but there are other incredibly useful features that not only help me save time, but are also incredibly useful.
Starting with the Universal Clipboard. If I have text or a link that I need to copy and paste from my iPhone to my iPad or my MacBook, I can simply copy it from my iPhone and paste it to my iPad, it’s as simple as that!
I also like the idea of AirDrop as it makes transferring files from my iPhone to my MacBook extremely quick and easy.
I also like how everything just plays nice together. I mean if I’m listening to music on my AirPods Pro, but then decide to watch a tutorial on my iPad, the device just switches and allows me to listen to the tutorial on my iPad.
Real-World Impact
I know that there are many great To-Do list apps out there, but I like to keep things simple, and Apple Reminders allows me to do just that. Not only does it help me manage my day, it also helps me remember things throughout the day. I’m also a big fan of the fact that I can add reminders using Siri. This makes things so much easier when I don’t have my phone on me, as I can just add reminders using Siri on my Apple Watch. I also like the fact that my reminders appear on the Apple Calendar app, which helps me be even more organised.
I know you can do this with Google Calendar and Google Tasks, but for some reason I never got on with the Tasks app from Google.
Speaking about calendars, I’ve used many calendars over the years, and I’m currently using Apple Calendar as it’s basic and has a great interface. On top of that, I like to see my reminders appear in my calendar app as I feel it helps me stay on top of things.
Moving on from specific apps, I wanted to talk about the clean and minimal interface that both macOS and iOS offer. I think it just works incredibly well, and I like how all the apps follow the same display language. It just looks great and feels great to use.
When it comes to productivity, a clean and minimal interface can make a big difference as it kind of puts your mind at ease. If we combine that with the fact that most if not all apps follow the same display language, you’ll automatically understand how to use the apps and there’s no need to be constantly searching for options.
I used to get that a lot with Windows, as sometimes options are hidden, sometimes they have duplicate settings. On top of that, apps don’t always follow the same display language, which can make them look messy.
One Year Later: The Verdict
It’s been over a year since I switched to the Apple ecosystem and based on my experience so far, I can definitely say that I’m more productive.
Mark Twain once said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” The same can be said in this instance, as once you find an app or a system that you enjoy using, it won’t feel like work.
Put it this way, I’m currently sat on the train, writing this section of this post using Ulysses on my iPhone, and I really don’t mind. I feel comfortable using the app on my iPhone, and I would even go as far as saying that I’m enjoying the iOS experience when using other Apple apps within the ecosystem that I use for content creation.
For you, it may be the other way around, you may feel more comfortable using Android and Android apps for this sort of thing. Using systems and apps that you enjoy using can make a huge difference in how productive you are.
While over the last year, I have had my productive ups and downs, I’ve seen a massive difference in how productive I am compared to other years.
If you are considering switching to a different ecosystem, there are a few things you need to be aware of and the first one is cost. It can cost a huge amount of money if you decide to switch.
When I switched from Android to iPhone, I also needed to replace my smartwatch as my Pixel Watch wasn’t compatible with the iPhone. I started with a second hand Apple Watch SE, which I later upgraded to the Apple Watch Series 9.
I also decided to switch from the Pixel Buds Pro to the AirPods Pro 2nd generation.
On top of that, I also spent money on apps, which make my experience better. One app that made a huge difference to me was Setapp, which is like the Netflix for app stores. I pay a set monthly fee of $12.49 per month and that provides me with access to over 250 apps including Ulysses, Craft, Headway and more. There are cheaper options available, but I pay $12.49 as I also want apps on iOS.
Due to the difference the app has made to my productivity and my overall experience, I decided to join their affiliate program. I started using Setapp with a 7-day free trial, but was instantly sold on the service. If you are interested in checking it out for yourself, I am leaving my affiliate link, which will help me earn commission.
Conclusion
To conclude this article, moving into the Apple ecosystem has proven to be a game-changer for my productivity. The combination of powerful apps, seamless device integration and intuitive interfaces have not only simplified my workflow but also my overall experience.
From Focus profiles that help minimise distractions to automation through the Shortcuts app, every feature I discussed in this article has contributed to making my daily tasks more enjoyable and manageable.
While investing in new devices and accessories may seem daunting, the long-term benefits in terms of efficiency and ease of use have more than justified the switch for me.
Productivity can be considered as deeply personal, and finding the right tools that work for you can make a monumental difference to your productivity. For me, Apple has provided me with an ecosystem that is the perfect balance of functionality and usability, making work feel less like a chore and more like a creative journey.
Whether you’re considering switching to or from Apple, understanding what works for you is essential to being more productive and enjoying the experience. In writing this article, I’m not saying that if you use tools that don’t work for you, you are automatically less productive because sometimes you don’t get the choice in tools you use. But what I am saying is that you can make your work more enjoyable, which will motivate you to do more and try new things.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links.
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