I am sorry to say so, but as a constant switcher: all problems you describe are problems that are as easily solved on a Mac as on Windows. Yes, it is CTRL vs. APPLE and there is a Button for accessing the desktop (its on a different key for some machines. For mine, its F3). It won't sell you on a mac, but: it takes me roughly 5 Minutes to get it right again after switching and it took me about half a day to get it right. Its a problem of constant use and memory.

I also wouldn't recommend one solution over the other. I prefer APPLE (or COMMAND) as a command key more, but I'm sure thats because its positioned more favorably on the mac keyboard.