Few options missing on Illustrator UI

When using illustrator on a mac desktop, I find it very easy to learn how to do various things on illustrator. When I try using it on a laptop I bought used, it is very frustrating. I know my laptop has a different operating system than the Mac desktop, but basic options do not seem available to me on the laptop. For example, when I am using text, the height, length etc. do not come up on the tool bar. When I am using paint brush, options to make it bigger/ smaller do not pop up. The options I have available on the desktop are non existent when using it on my laptop. Also, when using text on the desktop. I have no problem importing to my vinyl cutter program. When I use it on my laptop and try to open it, in the same program. It will not let me import the text portions. The Mac desktop is a much newer and better computer than the laptop I have, does that have something to do with it? I would think that the program would still be the same. Any help is much appreciated.

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