One feature on OS X that I instantly found invaluable is ‘Spaces’. This allows you to set up different workspaces (in fact I think that’s what the feature is called on Linux systems).
Each space gives you a clean desktop to open application as desired. This seems better than the cluttered desktop that I always seem to end up with on my Windows box…
Instead of having to minimise windows or switch between the many open windows until you find the one you are looking for you can just slide to another space, leaving the current one as it is, and group your windows together as required.
It’s like having a collection of monitors on your desk without the extra expense or the desk space…