Switching From Windows to Mac - Comments Page 2

Re: catweasel's comments: If you're too macho to use the "dumbed down interface" on the Mac, navigate to the /Applications/Utilities folder and open up Terminal -- you have your choice of shells. You can also simultaneously run your favorite Linux distros (note the plural) as virtual machines via Parallels.

As for relative cost, you can beat the price of a Mac if you assemble your own 'puter, don't put any value on the time you spend researching, shopping, and assembling it, and use only freeware. For the rest of us, Macs are competitively priced with similarly loaded Wintel boxes of equivalent quality.

Re: Chuck Kay's comment: Actually, I think you'd find that, feature for feature, Macs aren't more expensive anymore. You simply get more features with a lower-end Mac. Also, for someone who "...just wants to email, surf the net...", they would be much better off with a Mac due to the much lower security risks. Tip: if you're looking for the cheapest way to get a new(ish) Mac, look at the refurbished models. They're accessed by clicking on the SALE tag about half-way down the main Apple store page, on the right. Those machines are at least a couple hundred less than brand new, but include the same full-year warranty as new. I've almost always bought refurbs, and saved some hefty dough over the years!

Bob: Do you know if blind and visually impaired persons are able to find in the Mac what they have now found in the Windows XP environment? Thank you for your answer.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm not sure how it compares to Windows, but Mac OS X Tiger has VoiceOver, which offers magnification and spoken English descriptions of what’s happening on screen.

I just bought a MacBook, it hasn't arrived yet. I been using Windows for many years and I have never have had a virus, worm, or Trojan because I keep my systems up to date, have a firewall and anti-virus running, but I've fixed many other computers that were infested with them (they don't read TOURBUS). I've had an Emac G4 that died with a bad logic board, that Apple finally fixed after quietly admitting there was a problem with a bunch of them. My friend's Imac (the one that looked like a lampshade) died with a bad logic board too, and Apple replaced it with a newer model. Another friend who is a Mac Fan boy and swears by them, but when I talk to him his system is almost always giving him problems. My experience with PC hardware has been very good. I have very old machines running and performing well: a Compaq Contura running Win 3.1 at 25MHz and newer laptops running XP as well. I thought I'd give Apple another try cause I like the lightness and size of the MacBook, BUT I also bought Apple Care with it!

I am wanting to move to a Mac from PC laptop but keep putting it off as concerned that it will take me a while to learn how to use it. Also, is it true that PowerPoint files made in Macs have conversion issues when viewed in Windows?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, there is a learning curve. I know some hard-core computer users who tried to switch to Mac and couldn't make the switch. As far as I know, PPT files are portable from Mac to Win.

Great article Bob and I see from the comments above a few people have correct you on a few issues. I have been a die-hard PC user since I was 16 yrs old (back in the 80's). I tried using a MAC back in the early 90's but hated it! Now I own a mac mini AND a mac book laptop and I LOVE them!! They are so much easier to use!! Last night I set up a printer on a home network and my mac found it immediately and with a click on two it was installed! Not so for the PC!! I had to tweak it and use the IP address to install the printer. Not something most people would know how to do. If your debating Vista VS MAC OR if you are just thinking about a MAC let me tell you the are pretty easy to use now AND you can easily install windows XP on the intel MAC's and have the best of both worlds on one machine! Take it from this Network Admin who has had lots of experience on PC's and now owns a Mac Mini running Mac server and a mac book.. Mac's are the way to go!!

Two points re the article:

1: Macintosh's Text Editor is actually called TextEdit and is vastly more capable than NotePad.

2: The email client in OSX is called Mail, not Email.

So how do you right-click to get to a short-cut menu? The easiest method is to plug in a 2-button mouse. It will be recognised immediately and left & right-click work just as they do in Windoze.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, but that's not part of the Apple-blessed Macintosh Experience... Macs still ship with the "hoof mouse"...

OK, my first pc was a DeskPro 8088 and I'm comfortable with my PC's; but I just purchased a Macbook for my college attending daughter. Right now I still want to keep myself insulated from this new animal. Is there something similar to the files and settings tranfer wizard to get her data easily transfered from her current laptop (XP Pro) to the new one?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You may want to remain unsullied by the Mac, but your daughter will have to learn it and use it daily. I'd let HER figure out how to transfer the data, and in the process, become familiar with the machine.

I came to computers late in life. Have been toying with buying a Max OS.5. (leopard). At present use Windows XP.
I have two external hard drives - one Maxtor about 3 years old and a new Western Digital Elements. I also have a Canon scanner 4 years old and an Epson Stylus C65 printer. I also have an Olympus 400 Digital Camera. Does any one know if they would be compatible.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The hard drives would have to be converted into external USB drives to be used on your Mac. Not sure about the scanner, since you didn't give the model number, but the Epson Stylus C65 has no Mac support, from what I've read. The camera should work fine with your Mac.