Switching From Windows to Mac - Comments

Thanks for the great overview. I've used both platforms for years and ideally would have both. Next system upgrade, I will be looking at getting a dual OS Mac.
The only downside of both I find is the mentioned keyboard shortcuts. When I move back and forth between them, I sometimes get them confused. They are actually quite similar but the Apple - Ctrl variation is where the gotchas are. You can use PC style mice on the Mac too, if you prefer.

Great article Bob. Pretty much spot on. I use both systems daily. There is no doubt, that my experience with Windows on the Internet, and Mac, my preference is Mac. Absolutley will not put my personal Windows maching on the net. Mac is cool but there are things I like about Windows. I actually like the taskbar. The Dock is not quiet the same thing.

Also, my Mac is 3 years old but all Macs DO have a power button on the box in addition to the keyboard. Always have. However, the past couple of years, if I'm not mistaken, the power on keyboard button has been absent. If you have an Apple Display, press the power button on the display and the whole system boots up. If you have a PC monitor, just press the power button on the box.

Apple's mail program is simply called "Mail", not "email." They sitll cost more than Windows on the low end but high end machines are very comparable in price. Mac's lower end computers are a few 100 dollars more than a cheap PC but the basic mac computer does have better components comparatively. However, when someone just wantes to email, surf the net, a little word processing, I recommend the cheap PC everytime.

Thanks for the article Bob. I switched years ago and only use Windows when necessary (ususally from my Mac). Had to use Windows at work (arrg.) The Mac doesn't seem to get in the way as do Windows machines. I believe all new Macs come with a Mighty Mouse, which is essentially a multi-button mouse with a scroll ball (like a mini-track ball). You can also plug in most any multi-button and use it, as David said.

Nice to see you looking at the Mac platform. However, I have a few comments and corrections. First, Windows switchers will find an excellent summary of the differences between XP and Mac OS X built in. When in the Finder, go to the Help menu and choose Mac Help. In the resulting menu, click on Switching from Windows. Voila!

Similarly, it's been a few years since a power button was on the Mac keyboard (other than laptops). This button is on the front (Mac Pro) or rear (iMac, Mac mini).

The folder which contains Mac applications is (surprise!) the Applications folder. Many, but not all, Mac programs are installed by dragging them into the Applications folder. Others are supplied with installers which put things where they're supposed to be. Often, but not always, the installer is also used to uninstall -- there's no "Add/Remove Programs" equivalent.

The very cool lighted keyboard you describe is only on the MacBook Pro laptops. There's no "gear" on the Trash icon's menu. Click and hold on the Trash icon and select "Empty Trash". Alternately, hold down the Command (open-Apple) and Shift keys, then hit Delete.

Microsoft stopped updating Internet Explorer at V 5.2.3 a couple of years ago. Quite a few web sites are unreadable using IE now.

I work as a tech coordinator at a school, half macs, half pcs. I spend WAY less time maintaining the Macs and they don't get outdated nearly as quickly. We use Microsoft Office everywhere and kids use it on either platform without any trouble switching back and forth. The software that comes with the Macs is fantastic and is also used a lot and probably saves us money in the long run. Just my 2 cents.

Don't you have to pay for Mac OS updates, where comparable Windows updates would be no-charge? If so, about how much do you budget per year for that purpose?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You pay only for major new releases of OS X (similar to moving from XP to Vista), but not the regular patches and updates.

Thanks for all the info, especially Garry's tip to check the Mac's help for info on switching from PC to Mac. I just bought my first Mac a week ago and have been slow to setup my wireless network to allow the Mac to connect to the internet and really dig in to it. I'm planning on setting everything up this weekend and these tips will really help.

I've been working as a systems analyst for the past 18 years and have worked on PCs since switching from CP/M years before that. I'd had little exposure to Apple or Macintosh until one day about a year ago when I got a chance to play around with one at a video production lab. I was impressed by the overall design which I can only describe as "smooth."

Recently, I had been eagerly awaiting Windows Vista and planned to upgrade/overhaul my PC to take advantage of it, but after using Vista on a friend's PC, I felt a little disappointed. Faced with the decision between upgrading to Vista and not being fully satisfied and trying something new, I took a chance and bought a Mac. So far, I'm convinced that I made the right decision, but I'll only know for certain after it truly becomes our family's central system.

Very interesting article! Yes it's true that the Mac OS X (with its versions named after German WWII tanks) is far more stable and secure than XP or Vista - that's largely due to the fact that it's based on the Unix filesystem/security model.

It's also has a dumbed-down interface and is horrendously expensive! For true computer users who don't have a money tree in their back garden there's only one alternative today - Linux!

My daughter will be going away to college in the fall and is pestering me for a Mac laptop instead of a PC laptop to use at school. I do not have any experience with Macs.

I see a comment above from a tech coordinator above, but can anyone provide some of their experience in using a Mac on a school network? I want to make sure that my daughter doesn't run into some obvious "gotchas" that I will be unequipped to help her deal with.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Most colleges will tell you whether a Mac or PC is preferred (or required). Ask the admissions department or the department head what to buy.

To clarify about the Macintosh Finder, you can choose to view files in "Column" format. This is very similar to a PC, where you are shown a split-panel view where the tree of folders appears on the left and the contents of the selected folder appears on the right.

But even better, you can instantly choose how many columns you'd like displayed, and you're shown a preview of the file you have highlighted.