Switching From Windows to Mac
Devoted fans of Macs and PCs have been in heated debate for years, even before those "I'm a Mac", "I'm a PC" commercials ever appeared. Let's set aside the question of which camp is "right" and focus on the reasons why some people choose a Mac over a PC, and the major differences between the two operating systems, for the benefit of those who are considering a switch from Windows to a Mac...
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Satisfying A Mac Attack
It's been said that operating systems are like religions, except people feel more strongly about operating systems. But there are several good reasons why a computer user might choose a Mac over a PC. The first and foremost cited by Apple fans is security. Macs are less subject to the endless security threats of viruses, worms, zombies and other forms of malicious code. Some consider this proof of a more secure OS, while others says virus writers are less apt to target Macs because they comprise only five percent of the market. But it really doesn't matter if you are in fact less likely to get zapped by malware, right?
Ease-of-use is another often-cited benefit. The Mac's user-friendliness is apparent in it's bright, inviting, bubble-icon interface. What could be more soothing to a nervous, first-time user than the Mac "Happy Face" icon that appears on start-up? Apple is arguably king of the GUI (graphical user interface), a point which is underscored by Microsoft as each major release of Windows borrows ideas from the Mac interface. Apple also focuses on consistency in the interface, and keeps tighter control over third-party applications so they look, feel and act the same as the ones built into OS X. This makes the learning curve for new programs smaller, since everything works in a predictable way. And you are likely to have a few "wow" moments as you get used to the Mac. It's pretty cool to see your keyboard light up automatically when the room gets dark.
Software installation is also simpler than on a Windows machine. On a PC, programs are installed in various system folders scattered all over the hard drive. On a Mac programs are simply installed into one "Program" folder. This makes uninstalling a no-brainer -- just drag the program's folder to the Trash Can. If you dragged a Windows program's folder into the Recycle Bin to uninstall, your PC would likely throw one major, possibly system crashing, hissy fit. You may find though, that you really don't have to do much software installation. Macs come bundled with many more programs than your typical PC. And as far as peripherals go, (printers, cameras, mp3 players...etc) Macs are known as "True Plug and Play." You can boot up a brand new MacBook, record a video, add a music track and burn it to a CD without adding or configuring anything.
And let's face it... though we hate being shallow, Macs look a lot sexier on top of a desk than your average PC. Mac desktops and MacBook laptops are sleek, colorful and are designed in such a way that there aren't multitudes of cables sticking out from everywhere.
Apples and Oranges: Hardware Differences
If you've used a PC for a while, and are about to jump on the Apple bandwagon, there are some differences in the hardware that you should be aware of. First of all, some Macs have their power key on the keyboard, not the system unit. Look for the button with a vertical line inside a circle to power the Macintosh on or off.
Another of the more obvious differences is with the mouse. I used to tease a Mac-loving friend that his computer had a hoof instead of a mouse, because they only have one button. So how do you right-click to get to a short-cut menu? With a Mac you hold the "Control" button and click. Doing the "Control-click" on the Mac's desktop will bring up a contextual menu where you can change the desktop background, arrange icons, create a new folder and do all the things you could do by right-clicking the mouse on a PC's desktop.
On the Mac keyboard, you'll use the Command/Apple key instead of Ctrl, and the Option key instead of Alt. Also, forget any shortcut key commands that you learned in Windows. Apple's website offers a handy reference guide to the shortcut keys that you can use.
The Mac User Interface
In making the transition from Windows to Mac, you will also have to get used to the software interface. Although there are some similarities to Windows, things work a bit differently or have different names on the Mac. For starters, there's no Start button. The Apple menu icon at the top left of the screen is where to look instead.
Macs have the Dock, which acts a lot like the Taskbar in Windows XP. It shows the user which programs are active, and allows the user to switch between applications. You can auto-hide it as well, just like you can with the Taskbar. On a Mac, you won't see a separate menu bar for every active program. Instead you'll see just one menu bar at the top of the screen, and the commands there change as you switch programs.
For finding files and folders, the Mac does not use the Explorer type interface familiar to Windows users. Instead, it has an organizational view called the Finder which allows a user to navigate, name and arrange files and folders in either graphical, text, or browser view. Windows users will find this hard to get used to, because it lacks the split-panel view where the tree of folders appears on the left and the contents of the selected folder appears on the right.
On a Mac, you use the Trash instead of Recycle Bin, but take note that OS X doesn't remove items from the Trash automatically, like Windows does when deleted files reach a certain age or total size. Click and hold on the Trash icon and select "Empty Trash".
Finding Apple Software
Because Windows is used on over 90 percent of all personal computers, there is a lot of software available for the Windows platform, and Mac users sometimes feel left out when an equivalent version is not available for them. There is still an element of truth to the old saying that Macs are for artists and PCs are for business users. A lot of business applications that you will find in your office simply do not make software for Macs. Your home use however, is another story. Microsoft Office is available for Mac, so you can write letters, balance your budget or crunch numbers to your heart's content.
Macs, though, are pre-eminent when it comes to "artsy-crafty" tasks. OS X offers iLife, which has photo, movie-making and all kinds of multi-media capabilities. And serious designers and artists will tell you that Mac is the only game in town when it comes to high-end graphics software. If you are a serious gamer, take note, there are not as many games written for Macs as there are for PCs, but that's what Playstation is for, right?
Macs come installed with a suite of programs that any PC user will be comfortable with. OS X offers the Safari web browser, but you can also down Internet Explorer or Firefox if you prefer. Basic word processing tasks can be done with Mac's TextEdit, which is similar to Notepad. The built-in email program is called "Mail", and will make you forget all about Outlook Express.
There are a ton of web sites that have downloadable software for Macs. Among the best are Apple's own website and Version Tracker. These days, pretty much any task you want to do on a PC you can do on a Mac. And now that you can run Windows programs on your Mac OS X desktop, or even boot Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac, why worry? Can't we all, Mac and PC fans everywhere, just get along?
Got comments about switching from PC to Mac? Post your thoughts below.
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Posted by Bob Rankin on March 12, 2007 06:51 PM
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Most recent comments on "Switching From Windows to Mac"
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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! |
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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. |
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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!! |
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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. |
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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"... |
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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. |
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I came to computers late in life. Have been toying with buying a Max OS.5. (leopard). At present use Windows XP. 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. |
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For you two button mouse fans, most Macs now come with the "Mighty Mouse" which has left and right buttons, side buttons, and a scrolling ball which scrolls up and down plus left and right. You can customize what the buttons do (or not do) using the "System Preferences" "Keyboard & Mouse" settings. If you get a MacBook, you can use the old two button mouse from your PC; just plug it into a USB port. From a pc / windows user of over 30 years - now a happy Mac owner. |
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There are business users of computers (PC) and artistic users (Mac), but there is a third category - scientists and technicians who want to use a computer for data logging and process control. As a former PC and current Mac user I would like to know if anyone is using a Mac for such purposes, or whether I have to keep a separate system |
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Bought a MacBook Pro 45 days ago.. after my frustration with Windows based PCs over the last 3 years. I had to install Parallels/XP Pro/Office 2007 for MS Exchange and Office. I am a business user. Have been using Windows for 22 years. Mac Positives the Big Mac negative (for windows users and for high-volume business users). Frankly, I love the Mac..the stability, the UI, the apps.. and want to work on it.. but not with such a keyboard .. it is simply painful and unproductive. Give me a Thinkpad Keyboard on a Macbook and I have my NIRVANA machine. Unfortunately, my loss of productivity on Mac is dramatic due to this one reason and it does not overcome my loss of productivity due to "constant re-booting and crashing windows machine". I have regrettably decided to give my 9 year old the Mac machine and have ordered my new Thinkpad. Hope Mac can do something about this 1 big negative...which I tried to work around for 30 days but just couldnt. EDITOR'S NOTE: Why not plug your favorite keyboard into the USB slot of the MacBook? |
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