Top 7 Most Annoying Mac “Features”

The Mac platform is certainly the best in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without some flaws.  What follows are 7 things I think are the most annoying “Features” of Macs.  Why 7?  Well, there just aren’t enough fundamental problems with OS X to name much more. 

In no particular order:

Drag to Trash To Eject or Disconnect - This has certainly improved over the years, but the least intuitive thing to do on the Mac is to drag a CD/DVD/Flash or Network Drive into the trash to eject it.  Sure the icon now changes and there’s a dedicated keyboard key, but it’s still not intuitive.

One-button Trackpad -  Sure there’s the new Mighty Mouse that can be configured for right and left clicks, but the MacBook and MacBook Pros are still still stuck with a single-button trackpad.  It’s time Apple gives up the single button and acknowledges two buttons are just better. You are 90% of the way there, Apple. Just…just DO IT!

(yes, I know you can change prefs to have a two-fingered tap. It’s not the same.)

The inability to rename, delete or move files/folders from open or save dialog boxes -  I have to admit - I really love this feature in Windows.  When you’re saving/opening a file and you decide to rename or delete a folder or file, it’s super convenient to do it while you’re thinking of it right there in the save/open file dialog box.

Delete Key - Apple’s delete key only goes backwards and if you want it to be a forward delete you need to hit the function key, at least on a MacBook/MacBook Pro. And that cool new wireless keyboard.

Browser Windows - This always seems to throw Windows switchers for a loop.  In Windows, you can open up a multitude of Internet Explorer windows and each show up in the tool bar making it very easy to switch from one to another.  However, in Safari, each Window is treated (properly I might add) as an application window, forcing a different window control.

Window Size Control - Here’s another area were I think that other operating system excels.  In Mac OS, you are limited as to where you can grab windows and if you want to resize them, you have to grab the triangle in the lower-right corner.  In that other system, you can grab and/or resize from practically anywhere. There’s really not a good reason for this.

Hardware Obsolescence - There’s always something better around the corner.  The drawback with a company that makes really bitchin' stuff is that they keep doing it. Does it really seem as if Apple senses when you (personally) buy something and then releases a new & improved version within a couple of weeks. (Editor: Chuck, did you just buy an iPod last week?)

This could certainly be up for a heated debate.  I’ve limited the “features” to those that new users and switchers would find most annoying, but there are certainly many others that experienced Mac users find annoying.

What do you find annoying with Mac OS X?  Let us know in the Comments section below!

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