Switching from PC to Mac?

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 10:36pm

I searched and couldn't find any topics on this per se, but how easy is it to do? I'm SO impressed with the Apple products I have (iPod, software), and everyone I know who has a Mac raves about it, but what's the.... adjusting period for figuring out how to do everything on a Mac? I'm sort of clueless, really. Have you had a lot of problems with software compatibility?

Also... iBook vs. Powerbook, opinions? There's such a large price difference, and while I'd like to have the best thing on the market, is the Powerbook worth $700 more? I'm a college student/hopeful grad student in a largely non-technical field, so I just need it for routine use but I'd like it to last as long as possible. Any advice?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 10:40pm

I'm also looking to switch; my PC is giving me so much crap, and people are constantly raving about their MACs. I was wondering some things similar: would I have to reconfigure my iPod? Is it tedious? I have my files from my PC backed up onto DVDs that I can play in a computer, or in my external DVD player/burner that plugs into a USB. Would those files be able to be read by and placed on a MAC, or do I risk losing things because they can't be read? Most of the files are simple things: video files, music files, photos, word files, etc.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 10:45pm

Many say that it is quite easy to switch. In fact, Apple's willing to do it FOR you, I believe. The only problem I have with MAC is that it's so inaccessible. I'd have to get in the habit of checking for everything, if it's compatible with MAC. But, that also means that less viruses made for MACs.


But you should wait a bit if you're thinking of switching. Apple is going Intel and that's just going to be mind-blowing.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 10:47pm

What do you mean by checking for everything? I think I'm going to go down to the Apple store and talk to someone.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 10:55pm

I think that Macs are getting so popular that most popular software is compatable... you can get MS Office for Macs and use Outlook/Excel/Word, right? That's definitely essential.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:08pm

Right. I'm just a big computer freak, so I get games, downloads, and programs galore. And I've just never developed the habit of checking if it's MAC compatible or not. I'm sure I"m just making a big deal though.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:10pm

It is extremely easy to switch. I have a Imac and a Ibook. I do wish that for the laptop I would have gotten a Powerbook. The computer is basically the same. But the Ibook is made out of plastic and after a while the keys on the key board become loose. They snap right in.. But it is annoying.

I have macs at home and till last year we had pc's at work. I switched everyone over. Make the switch. You will never go back.

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:38pm

I am a part of the Apple cult. I strongly encourage you to switch to Mac. You will be happy. You will never frown again.

I even have an Apple sticker on my car. And I am NOT a computer geek like Aigoo. I just love my Mac that much.

*You can even run Virtual Windows on your Mac. Which means if you have Windows programs that you can't live without, you can run them on your Mac with Virtual PC. It's a great feature, so I've heard.*

And yes, Office (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) are all available for Mac. Apple has made it so you have almost no trouble switching.

Go to an Apple store and talk to them. They can answer any question you have.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:06am

I also switched from a PC to Mac a few years ago. I have had two iBooks (I recently bought a newer, faster iBook and kept the old one for "storage"). My husband has an iBook and a Powerbook. I have had no major complaints, although I've had problems with the screen a couple of times that required the computer to be sent in for repairs. The AppleCare repair service is phenomenal and the turn-around time from door to door is unbelievably fast.

I can't imagine voluntarily going back to a PC. Ever.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:10am

Thanks for the replies, guys. (Hah, rhyme!)

More raves, just as I expected. How is it adjusting to not having a right-click feature and differnet command keystrokes? Whenever I use Macs, I always have trouble figuring out things like that.

So the AppleCare protection plan is a must-have? Eek... an extra $250, this is getting pricey.
Updated On: 12/2/05 at 12:10 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:14am

I forgot that MACs don't have right click. How does that work?

It's the tiny things like that that I know will irk me at first.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:36am

I was talking to a friend about switching to a mac and I had said that my hesitation was not being able to right click (I am set in my ways) and she says there is a new mouse called mighty mouse or something that lets you right click.

Normally for the right click options on a mac you have to use keyboard shortcuts.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:38am

oh please....MAC sucks.....PC are the way of the future. Most schools have switched to PC....no way EVER would I own a MAC

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:42am

You're kidding, right? Most of the public computers that my school owns are Macs.

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:43am

Elphaba is being an idiot.

She's going to melt for her lies and deception.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:43am

My school has a deal with dell.

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:47am

You can't spell "devill" without "devill"

[Aigoo]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:48am

So does mine, and they're quite fast, but I really want to switch to MAC. Maybe next birthday. (Which is, unfortunately, a year away).

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 1:14am

Switched to MAC about a year and a half ago.
It was very easy and I'm NEVER going back to PC.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 2:14am

um..'devil' has one 'l' in it...?

and yeah, although i'm on a pc, it's oh-so-painfully obvious that macs are the way of the future. no question.


i've also been toying with the idea of switching over. my laptop's fine (it's a toshiba), but i just love how streamlined all the mac products are, and i do like the idea of immunity from viruses. plus i like shiny new things!

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 2:26am

um...someone needs to cash their "humor" check in because they're obviously broke.

[DaysOfWine&Roses]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 6:56am

Make the switch.

http://www.apple.com/switch/

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:04am

Macs are amazing. They are so easy. It's the best switch you can ever make. Out of all the macs in my household, we've NEVER once had a virus. They are not virus prone at all. I've had so many PC viruses, but Macs are so much safer.

The best thing would be going to the apple store and talking to someone there. They can help you a lot, and will make the switch very easy.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:18am

I'd do that, but we have like four Apple stores in my entire state and none of them are near me, so I'm probably going to have to rely on online info/purchasing.

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming! Powerbook--really that much better? I'm way leaning towards iBook, since there doesn't seem to be a student discount available for Powerbook.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:46am

Their online information is extremely extensive, but if you call them, they're also very, very helpful, in case you can't make it to a store.

iBooks are the tiny ones, right?