Compared to i3wm on Linux, it takes ages. I can could probably switch workspaces three or more times (using the keyboard) during the time that a single Spaces animation takes to complete.

Also, I am on High Sierra too, and there is at least a half-second lag between when the gesture ends and when the animation is complete. Taken together with the time it takes to initiate the gesture, I'd say we're around 0.75s.

They are keyboard-based ways to switch spaces too.

I do find that if you use the keyboard to switch spaces quickly, the animations become faster too. Unfortunately the app in the other space do not get new keyboard input during the animation.

Incidentally, I am on Xubuntu, and I would love to have the workspace switching transition that macOS has. Switching workspaces on xfce is lightning-fast but I would love to have an indication on whether I moved left or right. (other than the small indicator in a Panel) Ubuntu solves this with a HUD (or at least did with Unity).

Agreed on the gesture, I feel that’s implemented well. But I suppose the author is talking about the animation you get when using the keyboard. I also find myself annoyed switching spaces on macOS vs. dwm, tmux, etc.

Something else: I got myself a tablet a few weeks ago and now find myself disliking the constant scrolling and wishing for (instant) pagination instead.