Copilot - Mc PC vs a Windows laptop

Question

What are the differences in the user experience on a Mac laptop when working in Copilot vs a Windows laptop?

Answer 1

The user experience when using Copilot on a Mac vs. Windows laptop is largely similar in functionality, but there are some key differences in integration, UI behavior, and system-level features based on the OS. Ultimately, this depends on the type of Copilot you're referring to:

GitHub Copilot If you're using Copilot in VS Code, JetBrains, or other editors, the experience is very similar across Mac and Windows.

Similarities:

• Copilot suggestions (inline, block, autocomplete) are identical.
• Shortcut keys for accepting/rejecting suggestions can be customized.
• Works identically in VS Code, regardless of OS.

Differences:

• Keyboard shortcuts:
  • Mac: Cmd + Enter, Cmd + /, etc.
  • Windows: Ctrl + Enter, Ctrl + /, etc.
• System performance might vary depending on hardware, not OS.
• Mac users may encounter minor issues with some plugins/extensions that are optimized first for Windows (especially in corporate environments).

Microsoft 365 Copilot (Word, Excel, etc.) This is where user experience differences become more noticeable.

Differences on Mac vs Windows:

• Integration depth:
  • Windows has deeper integration into Microsoft 365 apps (e.g., Copilot panel embedded in the ribbon more natively).
  • On Mac, the experience is more web-like, sometimes missing minor features or having a more limited panel view.
• Feature availability:
  • Newer Copilot features usually arrive first on Windows builds of Microsoft 365.
  • Mac versions may lag slightly in getting updates or might have reduced support for advanced AI features (especially in Excel or PowerPoint).
• UI behavior:
  • Ribbon customization and pane docking work differently.
  • Navigation and window management is more fluid on macOS, but some features (like task pane resizing or floating panels) behave better on Windows.

Windows Copilot app (included in Windows)

• Not available on Mac.
• Mac users won't have a system-level Copilot unless using web or M365 versions.

There are a few other considerations:

• Voice input and accessibility: Windows may integrate more easily with dictation and system-wide AI commands via the Windows Copilot app. macOS has Dictation and Voice Control, but not Copilot-level AI assistance.
• Security policies: If you're in a corporate environment, Mac and Windows may have different levels of control for M365 Copilot or GitHub Copilot depending on how IT has configured permissions and device management.

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hth

Marcin