Switching to a Mac

What you need to know, and why

Ryan J. Bonnell Skip to comments 12 Comments (Comments Closed Closed)

You've seen the commercials, you've overhead other's conversations, you've talked to friends, and you've even visited an Apple Store. So you're considering switching to a Mac, but where do you start?

FinderYou've no doubt seen the commercials, you've overhead other's conversations, you've talked to friends, and you've even visited an Apple Retail Store. So you're considering switching to a Mac, but where do you start, and what do you do?

The aim of this article is to aide the average Windows (or Linux) user wanting to switch to a Mac, helping him/her understand what they should consider and evaluate before they take the plunge and switch to a Mac; helping to make their decision a sound one.

Before you decide

First off, congratulations! Just entertaining the thought of switching to a Mac is progress enough. Soon you'll be free of embarrassing Microsoft Security Flaws, malicious SpyWare, and virus laden e-mails. For once, you'll actually be able to enjoy using your computer instead of wondering if this is the day that a Trojan decides to make your life a living hell.

Even before you pick out the type of Macintosh you're going to buy, there are several things you will need to consider making sure owning a Mac and switching to OS X is right for you. As much as we'd like to argue, owning a Macintosh is not for everyone, as I'll later explain. Some things you will want to consider before switching are:

Will it do what you need it to do: If your job or career requires that you use custom written "Windows only" software, chances are buying a Macintosh might not be the best decision for you. Because the Mac won't run the same exact programs as it's Windows counterpart (and vice versa) not all of your applications could work on a Mac. Most industry standard apps offer cross-platform versions of their software (such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, etc..) so it's best to check with the vendor of your software to see if they offer an alternative version, and for how much.

However, on the other hand, if you're a person who uses Industry standard software in your job, such as many of the common applications from Adobe, Macromedia, FileMaker, and even Microsoft, switching to a Mac will be a lot easier. You'll still have to purchase new versions of the software you have on your PC, but you'll have the safety in knowing that all of your precious documents that you've spent hours and hours creating will work on your new Mac.

Will you be able to afford it? People have always associated that buying an Apple is like owning a Mercedes Benz. You may pay more initially up front, but the quality, engineering and craftsmanship is unmatched.

When we say "can you afford it" we mean do you have the resources and time to learn, understand, and grow with your new system. We're not just talking about money, but if you've got to learn a whole new operating system a day before you leave to go out of the country for a year, you may not be able to afford the time to adjust or to see if all of your documents and data will work on your new computer.

Macs have gotten significantly competitive in terms of price and performance within the past few years, and arguably the PowerMac G5 might have stolen the crown from the Intel/AMD world, as the best value for your money.

You shouldn't necessarily listen to the critics that say "Macs are expensive", because they aren't any more expensive than owning any other computer. Where the Mac actually has an advantage over other platforms (Windows included) is the low cost of maintenance. Because hardly any of the malicious viruses are written for the Mac, you don't run the risk of constantly having to worry about having anti-virus software and keeping it up to date. That alone will save you time, money, and frustrations. When was the last time your average PC user could say the same?

Will you have the time to invest and learn a new system? As we hinted on before, learning a new Operating System can be a big undertaking for some.

OS X is by far easier and more intuitive to use than Windows, so those coming from a long history of using only Microsoft Windows will appreciate the simplicity and ease of OS X.

As with any new system, you'll want to make sure you have the time, resources, and commitment to make sure you get the most out of your new system, with the least amount of down time.

How much of my data and documents will work on a Mac? Ah, yes, The Million Dollar Question. It didn't always used to be the near file-sharing utopia we have today, but both Windows and the Mac have come a long way together.

Microsoft Office Compatability ReportYou can be fairly sure that any application that runs on Windows, and also runs on the Mac, should have compatible documents and file formats. Everyone's favorite Microsoft Office is the one that most people rely on, and the file formats between the two platforms are quite compatible. Sure, you'll run into your occasional snag once in a while, but the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft is hoping to make that reality a thing of the past.

In the yet-to-be-released Office 2004 for OS X (due out in the second quarter of this year) Microsoft has included a new Compatibility Report that aims to take the guesswork out of what files will work flawlessly on either platforms and even on older versions of its software. Quoting form Microsoft:

With Compatibility Reports in Office 2004, you can more seamlessly share information and ideas with nearly anyone on any platform. The report details items that may be problematic on another platform or older version of Office, and gives you the option to fix them.

See the Macworld sneak-preview below:
http://www.macworld.com/2004/03/features/office2004firstlook/

Besides Microsoft Office, you'll find many other popular programs have compatible document formats that will allow you to seamless share your data not only between computers of the same platform, but across platforms. Just a few examples of this are Adobe's Creative Suite, Macromedia's Studio MX, FileMaker Pro, Dantz's Retrospect, and hundreds of other third-party applications.

The one advantage that owning a Mac over owning a Windows based computer is that you can run VirtualPC on your Mac, which essentially allows you to run any operating system in the world on your Mac. Yes, that's right, you can run any flavor of Microsoft Windows on your Mac, including MS-DOS right up to Windows XP Pro, or even you favorite Linux distro.

Having VirtualPC on your Mac will open up doors that might not have been possible before. So even if all of your main applications form the PC are all available on OS X, you can still run that ancient old game or custom-written Windows app by using VirtualPC. Because VirtualPC uses software emulation to run non-native host Operating System, you won't want to run any graphic intensive games or floating-point calculations with VirtualPC but for almost everything else VirtualPC is the answer to every Switcher's Dream.

Making your decision

Now that we've discussed what considerations should be given thought before you purchase that Macintosh you're dying to get your hands on, let's talk about what thoughts should go into which Mac you should by.

Bring out the Models: The philosophy that makes Apple products so wonderful and easy to use is simple: Let's make things easy and intuitive to use. The same goes for their hardware [product] lineup.

New users to the Macintosh platform will love having such a strong, yet simple selection of hardware models to choose from. No longer do you have to scratch your head and wonder if you should get the Dimension XPS 8300, the OptiPlex GX 270, or the Precision 650. (What's up with the horrible branding and nomenclature anyway?)

Apple again has made it easy. Their hardware is mainly divided up into two main segments, each catering to different segment of the market: Professional and Consumer.

The Professional line of products is geared toward the Power Users, and the ones whose careers are spent using computers for almost everything they do. Some examples of these types of people are Scientists, Photographers, Motion Picture Studios, Graphic Artists, Web Developers, and many more. Typically, these users demand the most from their computers, and don't mind paying a premium price for the best money can by.

Apple offers the following products under their Professional line:

The Consumer line of products is geared toward the everyday user that not only wants the best value for their money, but also the same ease of use as their professional siblings. Typically these consumers don't mind not have the most bleeding-edge features, but instead seek the best combination of value and functionality. The ideal product that comes to mind is the beautiful Apple flat-screen iMac

Apple offers the following products under their Consumer line:

A third part of Apple's hardware portfolio isn't really targeted at a particular market, but rather the entire market itself. Accessories or better known as the Digital Lifestyle make up the rest of Apple's hardware.

Products that fall under the umbrella are:

While it's not necessarily true that Professionals don't buy iBooks, and students or consumers can't buy a PowerBook, a lot of it comes down to personal preferences and what you can afford.

Apple has tried to make it's product line as simple and lean as possible so that it's simple for the novice or even the experienced buyer to know what computer fits their needs.

Buying your Dream Machine

We've already talked about what things you should consider before switching, and we just spoke about the different hardware offerings Apple provides, so now it's time to buy the perfect computer for your needs.

When to buy: Many long-time Apple enthusiasts (such as those of us here at MacZealots) will argue about when the best time to buy a Macintosh is. Some will say you should buy only after has made a large product introduction, while others will argue that there never is a good time to buy — just go with what your schedule allows.

A good resource for tracking Apple's product releases is the Buyer's Guide from Macrumors.com

Their intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model.
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

There they keep track of each product release date, and break each model down into the days since the last release, and since they are a rumors site they include relevant information and rumors about each product.

There are other resources out there to aide consumer's in making informed buying decision, and this one alone has proven itself to be fairly reliable and definitely resourceful.

To buy or not to buy (from Apple): It used to be that the best way to buy a Mac was to get it from a third-party vendors like MacWarehouse (now CDW.com) or MacMall, but Apple has slowly steered away from marketing other people to sell their products, as evident in the big push to open Apple Retail Stores or places in shopping malls across the world where you can explore the world of Apple not different than a Nordstrom or Macys.

The Apple Online Store offers one of the best places for buying a Mac, and since it's run by Apple themselves, you'll have the best inventory and selection to choose from. Where the third party vendor entice you is by offering package deals, so that they'll throw in a free RAM upgrade or a free inkjet printer if you buy a new Mac thru them.

No matter who you decide to get your new Mac from, you'll still get the same standard warranty, coupled with the legendary service and support Apple provides.

Making the Move

Everything is in place, you've planned ahead, you know what to expect out of your new machine, you instinctively researched and found the perfect machine for yourself, so now the only thing left is to move your data onto your new computer.

There are probably as many ways you can move your data from your old compute to your new computer, but the main decision ultimately comes down to two options: do you do it yourself, or do you seek the help from someone else.

Doing it yourself: If you're talented, experienced, or brave enough, moving all of your data yourself may be the best way - besides, nobody knows your data better that yourself, right? The trickiest part isn't moving the data, it's knowing what files to move and where.

Just about anyone can burn an archival CD of their data and transport it to their new computer, but can you export your bookmarks (or favorites) from your favorite web browser, move all of your stored mail and address books, and transfer any and all of your important documents around? What if you don't know where all of those files live?

If you're stuck in the above jam, then the obvious choice is to seek the advice or help of a Professional.

Getting Help: While initially you might feel somewhat alone in your migration from Windows to the Mac, don't worry there are plenty of resources to help you out.

  1. 1) The first stop should be to Apple's Switch website. There you'll not only find true stories of people and entire business that have switched to the Mac, but resources on:
    • Why you should switch to a Mac?
    • Questions about switching
    • Hear from people who've switched
    • Find out what the press is saying
    • Details on how to make the switch
  2. The next alternative would be to ask around, seeing if any of your friends (or friends of friends) wouldn't mind helping you out. Good places to look are schools, colleges, and other places where computers are heavily used and have dozes of people familiar with Macs. Many university's have MUGs (Mac User Groups) that offer free to the public seminars, most having members willing to help others out.
  3. The third option would be to hire a Professional to help you in the transition. Whether he or she is a consultant or just an experienced, long-term Mac user, they will undoubtedly be able to save you time, frustrations, and possibly money. Local computer stores may offer these types of services, or could refer you to someone that does.

    4. Another option is to consult with the Apple In-Store Geniuses. These talented individuals go thru rigorous training programs to earn the prestigious title of an Apple Genius. While it's not specifically their job to help you out, they will offer you expert advice and resourceful information. If you've got just the right charm or deep enough pockets, you could probably even hire one of the Apple Store employees to help you "on the side".

  4. While not necessarily our purposeful intent for the last option, but many people have had good experiences with employing software such as Detto Technologies Move2Mac. This software move your data quickly and easily form your PC to your Mac. It lets you choose what data to move and eliminates the hassle of having to know where all of your data is and where it should go.
    5. Apple has a page describing some of the features and functionality of Detto's Move2Mac software at:
    http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/move2mac/
  5. Probably not your best bet for getting quick results, but searching online may yield a wealth of information in helping in your transition. Google's Mac specific searches are a good place to start as any.

Conclusion

Nothing beats the adrenaline rush and excitement of doing something new, and switching to a Mac is just as an exciting and rewarding experience as one can expect.

Whether you are a first-time user to the Mac, or a closet-convert coming from Windows, you'll find the Mac incredible powerful, yet tremendously easy to use.

The hardest part about switching to the Mac isn't at all about moving your data or getting used to a beautiful new interface, or finding out that OS X offers a better way of doing things, but living with the fact that you wasted all of your previous time on an a inferior platform.

Ryan J. BonnellRyan J. Bonnell is a Web Developer, Student, and leading contributor to MacZealots.com. When he is not playing around with his endless amount of toys, he can be reached at .

Reader Comments (12)

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1 A Born Mac-Head remarks:
#1) On March 19, 2004 10:42 AM

And, an important resource not mentioned in this article… is

Tech Support…

In our case…. our local MUG (Mac User Group) offers free tech support amd no monthly dues..

What could be better than that ??

Check… http://www.apple.com/usergroups… or maybe … http://www.macinstein.com/Users_Search.cfm …

To find a MUG in your area… If you cant find one in your area… START one yourself !!

2 Ryan remarks:
#2) On April 11, 2004 3:58 AM

This page with all its glorious links and information has definately helped me to make up my mind and get an Apple. I don’t know why I didn’t get one years ago. Thanks Zealots!

3 Darren remarks:
#3) On April 19, 2004 1:42 AM

If you want to de-risk the switch to Mac OS X, do what I did. Buy a cheap used iMac on eBay (preferably one with at least 500MHz CPU and 512Mb RAM and OS X 10.3 pre-installed). You can play around with it for a while, explore OS X, and then make up your mind about switching.

Then you can buy a new Mac (you should have a good idea about the specs you want by now), and sell the iMac on eBay for pretty close to what you paid for it.

It’s the ultimate try-before-you-buy!

4 Jesse remarks:
#4) On June 19, 2004 8:17 PM

I bought an eMac w/superdrive for about $1000.

Try getting all that hardware and software from dell or whoever - I don’t think you can.

iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, iPhoto, iETC… No Way- Can’t touch this!

I watch my buddies deal with worms etc every week.

I’ve had this a year and still haven’t had a single problem. Praise the Lord!

5 Adrian Ronaldson remarks:
#5) On August 1, 2004 3:43 PM

I have just ported over to a Mac G4 (OSX 10.3) from a P4. This was a big move for me, as I run a studio (Roland VS-2480) which was connected via 2 RPC-1 digital audio cards offering me 16 channels of i/o to Sonar.

At present I am running the G4 with both cards and a MBox with Pro-Tools 6.4. I plan to buy Logic Audio 6.4 soon….

Very happy - extremely so! Thanks MacZealots - I would recommend this move to anyone!

6 Ariel remarks:
#6) On September 28, 2004 11:17 PM

I just switched to a Powerbook for school. I am majoring in Chemical Engineering. It is wonderful the most wonderful piece of machinery I have ever owned. I had used a Dell at home and a custom AMD 64 machine. But MAC OS X was very easy to learn and I even use the x11 terminal which is great since I’m trying to teach myself web develepment and setting up php and mysql on my computer couldn’t be easier than it is on MAC OS X. The only bad thing is that there is bend on the left side of my 12” powerbook. It still functions perfectly though, and looks good too! :D

7 Calihafan remarks:
#7) On October 3, 2004 3:52 PM

I am a student who is very interested in Web/ Graphic design. I have a fairly intimate knowledge of Photoshop, and am trying to learn Dreamweaver. I am saving up for a 12-inch PowerBook with a little extra ram (maybe like 768), and this article has been very helpful. However, are there any PowerBook owners who have found 768 not enough? Too much? I mean, it is 300 extra dollars.

This article is very informative. Could someone contact me so I could talk to them about their switch? I don’t know anyone who’s switched, only a few graphic designers who have used them throughout their careers. Any help would be great, before I plunk down at least 1600 for a PowerBook.

8 Tacguy remarks:
#8) On October 22, 2004 7:45 PM

I again became very interested lately in buying an Apple. The last time I was considering switching was when the G4 came out, but I could not find them for a month and had to stay with my current PC. Well, a few years later and here I am again in the same fix. I want a new Apple G5 2.5 Dual, but there are none to be found anywhere in the L.A. area. This is the home of Hollywood, Mega-studios and design shops, but not one Apple computer. I can now understand why Appple doesn’t have a broader user base, you can’t get them. Several of the stores I spoke with also aid the same thing about the high-end iMac. They don’t have any and no one can tell when or if they will ever get them. It is liked going to a car dealer and they don’t have any cars for sale. I guess I will stay with the PC, at least they are available.

:( Apple lets me down again.

9 Samir remarks:
#9) On May 8, 2005 1:28 PM

I am still agonizing about switching to Mac since it has close to zero awareness and support in my country India. In fact very few people know there exits such a thing wich will solve all their problems.

The new Mac mini @ $500 fits perfectly in the Indian Computer buying consumer still they have priced it at $681!!!!!!!! . No, there are no special inport duties etc in India.

Also no retail outlets even no print or TV adds.Considering my country is one of the fastest growing computer markets in the world this is sad no rather stupid.

Only few weird Mac fans like me.

10 Smctainsh remarks:
#10) On August 15, 2005 12:57 AM

I have been planning to switch over to a Mac for quite some time, as I have been using PC’s for all my life and found them not to be powerful enough. This article has reaffirmed my intentions of buying a Mac. It is very informative, and there is no doubt that my next notebook will be a PowerBook/iBook (mostly likely a PowerBook, as I plan to be a web developer when I go to university - I am currently in high school).

Thanks MacZealots, you have helped me to decide to switch to a Mac! :)

11 Beebe remarks:
#11) On January 2, 2006 11:27 PM

Has anyone out there with an iMac G5 moved their Quicken financial information from a PC? I’m considering moving to a Mac, but I’m not sure about the Quicken that comes with the G5. My present PC has Quicken for Small Business 2000, and I don’t know if the G5-loaded Quicken is comparable, or whether I should pay the $200. extra for QuickBooks. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

12 Ryan J. Bonnell remarks:
#12) On January 3, 2006 7:17 AM

For the past few years Apple has bundled the most recent version of Quicken with any new Mac purchase.

Intuit has an overview of what the difference are between the Mac and Windows version of Quicken, as well as support documentation on what data files can be migrated from older versions.

Moving Quicken for Windows data to Mac has always been an arduous task. It still is, but Intuit’s support site has a description of the process. It involves exporting the data from Quicken for Windows and then importing it from the Mac version. (Note: The document is written on the assumption on using Quicken 2006.)

Quicken and Quickbooks are two entirely difference beasts, but you can also find out the differences the two from Intuit’s Web site.