Keyboard differences between Windows and Macs
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Mac and Windows keyboards differ in modifier keys, symbols, text input, and reserved shortcuts.
The article catalogs keyboard differences between Windows and Mac, focusing on web apps. Key differences: Mac's Command key (⌘) equals Windows Ctrl, while Mac has extra Option (⌥) keys. Mac uses symbols (⇧, ⌃, ⌥, ⌘) where Windows uses words (Ctrl, Alt). Text fields on Mac use Unix-style Ctrl shortcuts (⌃A for line start, ⌃E for end). Windows has AltGr for extra characters, Mac uses Option. Redo is ⌘⇧Z on Mac vs Ctrl+Y on Windows; refresh is ⌘R vs F5. PgUp/PgDn and Home/End behave differently: Mac scrolls without moving cursor, Windows moves cursor.
Function keys extend to F19 on some Mac keyboards. Windows reserves the ⊞ Win key; Mac reserves the 🌐 Globe/Fn key (but with one possible exception). The article also covers naming inconsistencies (Backspace vs Delete, Enter vs Return) and tab behavior differences.
What commenters are saying
Commenters split on modifier key ergonomics. One camp finds Windows Ctrl terrible for editing chording, praising Mac's thumb-based Command key. The other camp prefers Windows layout, finding Mac keyboards poorly designed for touch typing.
Several commenters note that plugging a PC keyboard into a Mac requires swapping Command and Option in System Settings. Ctrl-C handling is widely criticized: it means both copy and abort depending on context, with no good solution. Caps Lock remapped to Control is a common fix.