Looking at Unikey is constantly updated, but Mac users like me feel satisfied

Vietnamese percussion is probably the most important software in every Vietnamese computer. It is software that people always install first when buying a new machine, or when reinstalling the operating system. The success or failure of a product also depends a lot on it - for example, Windows RT or Windows Phone 8.1 are quickly forgotten by users in part because they do not support Vietnamese percussion.

On Windows, during the past years users have been familiar with some percussions such as Vietkey, Unikey, GoTiengViet or more recently EVkey. These are tools that third-party developers have to download. In fact, Windows has built-in Vietnamese percussion, but it uses a 'weird' typing mechanism that no one can type.

Looking at Unikey is constantly updated, but Mac users like me feel satisfied Picture 1

UniKey - the most popular Vietnamese percussion has just been updated to RC3 version

On Mac, fortunately, for a long time macOS has built-in Vietnamese percussion, so users do not need to download any additional tools. The problem is: this percussion is still really problematic and is still far behind the third-party solutions of the Windows world. As a Mac user for nearly 10 years now, I've never been satisfied with macOS's built-in keyboard.

Vietnamese percussion on Mac has never satisfied me

2008 was a time when I was just getting used to Mac with the version of OS that was OS X 10.5 Leopard. Fortunately, it is also the first version of Apple to integrate Vietnamese percussion. However, this percussion constantly encountered a series of flaws and made me - a person switching from a PC feel relieved. It has compatibility issues with even critical applications such as the Microsoft Office suite of applications, or when typing in password fields is always wrong.

Looking at Unikey is constantly updated, but Mac users like me feel satisfied Picture 2

Vietnamese percussion is built into macOS

Over time, many of the above errors have been fixed by Apple. However, up to now, percussion on macOS is still far inferior to third-party solutions on Windows.

The problem most users encounter is underlining. Specifically, a black underline will appear below the word the user is typing. Although it is not an error, it does make users uncomfortable, especially when typing words with heavy accents and hiding the heavy accents under the words. It should be noted that this issue has been fixed in Sierra 10.12, but sometimes it happens and users are forced to reboot so that it disappears.

Looking at Unikey is constantly updated, but Mac users like me feel satisfied Picture 3

Although not regular, but this percussion sometimes has problems. Leaving the wrong mark, unable to type, or if you type too fast can also make this keyboard "chaotic" and can not be removed in time. macOS also encounters a strange error: if you set a computer password when using the keyboard, it is possible that the next time you log in, you will not be able to log into your account anymore if you do not use the correct keyboard. to enter the password.

Even the latest version of macOS, High Sierra 10.13, has been reported by many users as being unable to use keystrokes (such as Cmd + V) or percussion that suddenly disappear and cannot be reactivated. .

Looking at Unikey is constantly updated, but Mac users like me feel satisfied Picture 4

Quickly find lots of user complaints about Vietnamese percussion on macOS

All in all, the Vietnamese keyboard on macOS is still not as stable as what the third-party software on Windows does.

At this point, many people will ask: So on Mac there is no third party percussion? Yes, but not many and not a perfect choice. GoTiengViet by author Tran Ky Nam is probably the most likely option, but it still faces compatibility issues with some applications. Its number of features is also inferior to solutions on Windows.

Looking at Unikey is constantly updated, but Mac users like me feel satisfied Picture 5

GoTiengViet software on macOS

Vietnamese percussion is a point where Mac is inferior to Windows

One of the things that surprised me the most when I switched from Windows to Mac was how badly its Vietnamese percussion was. The reason I have such feelings is because Mac is always considered as a platform for work, not entertainment. What surprises me even more is that for nearly a decade, Apple has not been able to completely overcome this problem.

On the other hand, due to the fact that the number of Mac users in Vietnam is still a fraction of that of Windows, not many developers are interested in developing a complete Vietnamese percussion and maintaining it in long time. What a pity: while Windows has a lot of good options, Mac doesn't have that.

So, if you are a person who is planning to switch from Windows to Mac, be prepared that the percussion will be something you will be forced to "live with the flood".