View Full Version : windows guy going to macs
Are there any good forums out there for mac discussion? I'm a windows guy who is making the switch from windows/dos for the past 22 years (started on a comadore 64 when I was 4) to a mac for the first time. My fiacee really wants one and I figure if we have one in the house I'm going to need one so I know how to fix her laptop when she screws it up. But rather then playing catch up when they get here I'd rather hit the ground running and have a working knowledge of what's going on with the OS and what some must have problems are. I'm already getting VMware so that I can still run my old copy of office....hey I'm cheap that's a couple boxes of cigars I can buy with what that softwear would cost.
Thanks all
King James
02-17-2009, 05:37 AM
congrats! I switched 4 years ago with no regrets.
macrumors.com is a good site. Also alot of good information reading around the apple.com website.
tenbaseg
02-17-2009, 05:42 AM
congrats! I switched 4 years ago with no regrets.
macrumors.com is a good site. Also alot of good information reading around the apple.com website.
:tpd:
Macrumors and the Apple site are the forums I frequent. The only thing you have to watch out for is that the Apple forum is censored by Apple. Rumors and speculation on future products discussions don't last too long on there.
Appleinsider.com is another one to try as well.
Smokin Gator
02-17-2009, 06:04 AM
I have been a Mac user since 1987. If you need anything shoot me a PM.
macpappy
02-17-2009, 06:09 AM
Congratulations.
Macs are easy to use and there are very few viruses or worms that have been written to attack Macs so that is a good thing. The bad news is that it does happen occasionally so you'll still need anti-virus software.
My first recommendation is to buy the Apple Care warranty. It will cost you a couple of hundred extra but it is worth the money as it covers just about anything that can go wrong with your computer. It also gives you good telephone tech support access and from my experience these people know what they are doing.
Mac user since 87 as well. Feel free to PM with any questions. The forums at apple.com are a great resource as well. Just like here, lots of FOGs willing to help a newbie without giving any attitude with the answer. In terms of what's new, etc, I keep an eye on tuaw.com and macnn.com
goalie204
02-17-2009, 06:34 AM
Use both a mac and a windows pc for many years, if you need any help feel free to pm
Congratulations.
Macs are easy to use and there are very few viruses or worms that have been written to attack Macs so that is a good thing. The bad news is that it does happen occasionally so you'll still need anti-virus software.
My first recommendation is to buy the Apple Care warranty. It will cost you a couple of hundred extra but it is worth the money as it covers just about anything that can go wrong with your computer. It also gives you good telephone tech support access and from my experience these people know what they are doing.
i was planing to get the applecare after the ne that comes with the computer runs out. what are some must have programs for a mac? im getting vmware what else do i need who makes a good skin for a macbook? thank god for internet on cell phones since the net at work is down
Buckeye Jack
02-17-2009, 06:39 AM
Long time Mac user here....I have always enjoyed macmentor.com as well....seems as though it is down right now for updates.
mmblz
02-17-2009, 06:55 AM
for general news, macintouch.com
Hardcz
02-17-2009, 06:57 AM
shoot me.
Will do... LINUX FOR LIFE!!!
macpappy
02-17-2009, 07:14 AM
i was planing to get the applecare after the ne that comes with the computer runs out. what are some must have programs for a mac? im getting vmware what else do i need who makes a good skin for a macbook? thank god for internet on cell phones since the net at work is down
Buy the Applecare when you buy the computer. There are things it will cover that the normal warranty does not. As for what else you need it depends on what you are going to use the Mac for. I use both my desktop and macbook pro for work 90 percent of the time so I mainly just have the apps I use for work. I hear iLife is good but I have no experience with it since I use Office for Mac and the Adobe Creative Suite (Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc).
As others have posted, the Apple website is a good place to start and most of the Macintosh specific forums will give you some good information.
Blueface
02-17-2009, 07:15 AM
Well, the comedy with Mac and me is well documented.
However, can't see myself going back to PC.
I love my mac and the simplicity.
I love Time Machine as a very simplified way of backing up the entire computer and being able to go back at any point in time and recover anything I may suddenly need again that I had deleted.
I love the way my iPod, iPhone and MacBook all sync and MobileMe.
I love iPhoto and iMovie and the simplicity of use.
I love that to delete a program......well......you do just that........you take it to the waste basket. Hmmm......what a novel idea.
I love the SUPPORT and constant feeds with tips. They take you to a tutorial video that even I can't mess up. There is a tutorial video for just about anything you need, or at least it seems that way.
I am now trying to figure out how I can get rid of my PC to buy the big screen desktop as these "old" eyes can use a big screen break once in a while and away from the 13" laptop and I can then totally kiss the PC world completely good bye.
The Professor
02-17-2009, 07:18 AM
I'm a longtime member of "All Things Macintosh" over at DSLR. It's a pretty good community.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/macdsl
Welcome to the Dark Side. :tu
I'm a longtime member of "All Things Macintosh" over at DSLR. It's a pretty good community.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/macdsl
Welcome to the Dark Side. :tu
i thought the DARK SIDE was the cuban slope lol. who makes a good macbok skin frank told me one but i forgot what the name is
macpappy
02-17-2009, 07:38 AM
Mac user since 87 as well. Feel free to PM with any questions. The forums at apple.com are a great resource as well. Just like here, lots of FOGs willing to help a newbie without giving any attitude with the answer. In terms of what's new, etc, I keep an eye on tuaw.com and macnn.com
The first Mac I used was a 512Ke with an external floppy drive and a blazing processor speed of 8Mhz. I was really flying with my Mac SE30 with its 68030 chip and 16Mhz. processor speed.
I now have an aging Mac PowerPC Dual 2.0Gb desktop I bought two months before the switch to Intel chips and a Macbook Pro Core 2 Duo (Penryn) 2.4Ghz processors.
The Professor
02-17-2009, 07:41 AM
i thought the DARK SIDE was the cuban slope lol. who makes a good macbok skin frank told me one but i forgot what the name is
they're both about as expensive and addictive. :dance:
skin? SKIN?!? why would you clothe something so beautiful naked? I've never covered up my macs -- just be sure to store them well when you travel. if your bag doesn't have a good laptop compartment, get a neoprene case for it. just go to best buy or an apple store and you should be able to pick one up for $15 or so.
BC-Axeman
02-17-2009, 07:55 AM
Windowz is the dark side.
they're both about as expensive and addictive. :dance:
skin? SKIN?!? why would you clothe something so beautiful naked? I've never covered up my macs -- just be sure to store them well when you travel. if your bag doesn't have a good laptop compartment, get a neoprene case for it. just go to best buy or an apple store and you should be able to pick one up for $15 or so.
eh white gets dirty it an get scratched ect id like to get a blue or black or red skin for it
The first Mac I used was a 512Ke with an external floppy drive and a blazing processor speed of 8Mhz. I was really flying with my Mac SE30 with its 68030 chip and 16Mhz. processor speed.
I now have an aging Mac PowerPC Dual 2.0Gb desktop I bought two months before the switch to Intel chips and a Macbook Pro Core 2 Duo (Penryn) 2.4Ghz processors.
SE was my first, (upgraded it with a 20MB external, woohoo) though I worked on a plus before that. Now new Intel iMac (plus an eMac and Spring 2001 iMac) at home, MacBook Pro at work.
The Professor
02-17-2009, 08:46 AM
Might as well add my Mac genealogy too.
Mac Plus --> SE --> SE FDHD --> Classic --> Macintosh IIsi --> Quadra of some kind --> Clone of some kind....
<<break from macs :(>>
PowerMac G4 AGP --> iBook G4 --> PowerBook G4 --> MacBook (Core2 Duo) --> back to the PowerBook G4 :(
King James
02-17-2009, 08:55 AM
I think we need an "official" mac thread on CA....and sticky that bad boy :tu
Sr Mike
02-17-2009, 09:23 AM
Add me to the Mac long time user. I started with a Mac Plus; SE, Classic, Classic II, PowerBook G3. Currently I have a Quicksilver G4 and iBook G3.
In between I dealt with the wife's Dell, which after multiple upgrades it went to all hell and crapped out. So I built her a new and awesome computer last June with all the goods, but I still prefer Macs.
You would be surprised, the white is much more difficult to scratch than you think and really does not get all that dirty. Mac changed the casings because of those very reasons. The programs that come with macs now are fairly nice. What are you looking to do with your Mac?
Add me to the Mac long time user. I started with a Mac Plus; SE, Classic, Classic II, PowerBook G3. Currently I have a Quicksilver G4 and iBook G3.
In between I dealt with the wife's Dell, which after multiple upgrades it went to all hell and crapped out. So I built her a new and awesome computer last June with all the goods, but I still prefer Macs.
You would be surprised, the white is much more difficult to scratch than you think and really does not get all that dirty. Mac changed the casings because of those very reasons. The programs that come with macs now are fairly nice. What are you looking to do with your Mac? internet papers music photos maybe some gaming ect
Sr Mike
02-17-2009, 02:57 PM
Your new Mac should have you covered. Learn the programs that come with the computer before going out and spending.
Internet, your Mac will come with Safari, personally I do not care for it and use Firefox and Opera. You will also have a lot less problems with viruses and such. Microsoft has so many ways of getting into the systems that hackers go for those far more readily than Macs. It is also better known that Microsoft is a system that has out a lot of money and hardware into businesses, as such hackers really want to get into those systems. Having extra virus protection for the Mac is a good idea anyway.
Your Mac will most likely have Appleworks, when I worked in a printshop, this was called ClarisWorks at the time, it covered many areas. This will give you great options for your papers. The program is similar to Microsoft office all in one. Do not expect Photoshop quality, but it is really user friendly and one can pull some great work off of it, one of my favorite programs I can always rely on.
Music, well you have iTunes pre-installed too. I do not have any outside programs as all my music is done on the Microsoft.
Photos, you will get iPhoto, this is a really good program, take the time to learn how to use it, you can create all your albums, crop, and etc. If you are of a creative mind, you can use Appleworks and do a lot of playing around with your photos.
Gaming, prepare for some disappointment. Microsoft has good control in the gaming department and Mac is more into the toys and graphic programs. A bit of a paradox, but remember, it is Apple.
fuubar
02-17-2009, 06:43 PM
For gaming there isn't too much native to the mac. But you can always use something like boot camp to have a little slice of windows for gaming.
Your new Mac should have you covered. Learn the programs that come with the computer before going out and spending.
Internet, your Mac will come with Safari, personally I do not care for it and use Firefox and Opera. You will also have a lot less problems with viruses and such. Microsoft has so many ways of getting into the systems that hackers go for those far more readily than Macs. It is also better known that Microsoft is a system that has out a lot of money and hardware into businesses, as such hackers really want to get into those systems. Having extra virus protection for the Mac is a good idea anyway.
Your Mac will most likely have Appleworks, when I worked in a printshop, this was called ClarisWorks at the time, it covered many areas. This will give you great options for your papers. The program is similar to Microsoft office all in one. Do not expect Photoshop quality, but it is really user friendly and one can pull some great work off of it, one of my favorite programs I can always rely on.
Music, well you have iTunes pre-installed too. I do not have any outside programs as all my music is done on the Microsoft.
Photos, you will get iPhoto, this is a really good program, take the time to learn how to use it, you can create all your albums, crop, and etc. If you are of a creative mind, you can use Appleworks and do a lot of playing around with your photos.
Gaming, prepare for some disappointment. Microsoft has good control in the gaming department and Mac is more into the toys and graphic programs. A bit of a paradox, but remember, it is Apple.
the two games I play *WoW and Americas army) both have mac versions so I'm set there. I also plan to run vmwear. For "must haves" I didn't know if there were any free programs that macs can benefit from. On my xp box I have powertools/tweakui, and others. Didn't know if macs had stuff like that. I know it comes with konfabulator which is cool and i'm looking forward to messing with that
floydp
02-17-2009, 06:54 PM
i thought the DARK SIDE was the cuban slope lol. who makes a good macbok skin frank told me one but i forgot what the name is
http://www.skinit.com/ has a bunch of different ones Kevin.
http://www.skinit.com/ has a bunch of different ones Kevin.
what were the ones that you were looking at when we were at your place? they seemed nice.
Seanohue
02-17-2009, 10:03 PM
For gaming there isn't too much native to the mac. But you can always use something like boot camp to have a little slice of windows for gaming.
But you still have to pay the nasty prices for Apple's hardware, which will get you far less for the money.
VirtualSmitty
02-17-2009, 10:14 PM
But you still have to pay the nasty prices for Apple's hardware, which will get you far less for the money.
It's higher but not as bad as it used to be. The 24" imacs have an option for the an nvidia 8800 card now too. Can configure a a decent system for under 2k, and the premium nets you OSX ;)
Sandman
02-17-2009, 10:17 PM
Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?
I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.
VirtualSmitty
02-17-2009, 10:24 PM
Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?
I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.
I can't see why you would. Sounds like your rig suits your needs just fine. You would probably be fine with a netbook for under $400 going by what you use your current lappie for.
Swampper
02-17-2009, 11:42 PM
WOW. Lots of mac guys here at CA! I was told long ago that I was a 'mac bigot'.
IIsi>G3 [got one the first week they were out]> Powermac G5 [current machine(Dual PowerPC)].
With a Mac, just turn in on and use it. Macintouch is my go-to site if I have any problems. Download Firefox and VLC.
Enjoy! :ss
Good_Stogies_Mon
02-18-2009, 02:17 AM
Welcome to the club. You will never look back. Here is another mac site to add to the list
http://www.macosxhints.com/
macpappy
02-18-2009, 05:24 AM
Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?
I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.
Which would you rather drive? A 2001 Honda Civic or a 2009 Porsche Boxster? In the end they both do the same basic thing - get you from point A to point B - but they do it with different style.
Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?
I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.
there are certain things i like to spoil myself with every few years. pcs are one of them. its the difference between a swisher and a partagas de partagas #1... they do the same thing but one is a hell of a lot more fun to use
Blueface
02-18-2009, 09:38 AM
there are certain things i like to spoil myself with every few years.
I tried that one on my wife.
She said no freaking way to letting me spoil myself with an updated, more modern, faster, tall, young blonde.:r:r:r
can any school me on if I should run a dual boot to xp/osx or if I should just run vmwear...or both?
is it worth looking at the refurbished macs?
Darrell
02-18-2009, 10:18 AM
Once you go Mac, you never go back. :D
I tried that one on my wife.
She said no freaking way to letting me spoil myself with an updated, more modern, faster, tall, young blonde.:r:r:r
should have gone with a red head :r
VirtualSmitty
02-18-2009, 10:30 AM
there are certain things i like to spoil myself with every few years. pcs are one of them. its the difference between a swisher and a partagas de partagas #1... they do the same thing but one is a hell of a lot more fun to use
Depends how you look at it. For gaming Macs aren't a helluva lot more fun to use. And for the same amount of money any mac sells for you can get a pc with much better internal specs.
I have an imac that was a Christmas gift. It's a nice computer, I like OSX more than windows, but it still isn't my favorite machine or OS. I wouldn't go out and buy one myself honestly.
I think that it comes down more so to personal taste and what one's definition of fun is.
Depends how you look at it. For gaming Macs aren't a helluva lot more fun to use. And for the same amount of money any mac sells for you can get a pc with much better internal specs.
I have an imac that was a Christmas gift. It's a nice computer, I like OSX more than windows, but it still isn't my favorite machine or OS. I wouldn't go out and buy one myself honestly.
I think that it comes down more so to personal taste and what one's definition of fun is.
I was more speaking to the "why go out and spend a ton on a pc" question then the mac vs pc question
online with apples cs now...have to say I'm a fan so far
theycallmedan'lboone
02-18-2009, 10:52 AM
macs are for LOSERS!
ok just kidding, I enjoy my cousins, but I'm too ingrained in my PC
Cigargal
02-18-2009, 11:01 AM
I had an apple 2e back in the early 80's...now I have a 13" Powerbook G4 and a 20" Imac desktop with the duo Intel processors. I love my Macs!!
King James
02-18-2009, 11:13 AM
can any school me on if I should run a dual boot to xp/osx or if I should just run vmwear...or both?
is it worth looking at the refurbished macs?
don't know much about refurbished macs, but as far as using bootcamp for osx/xp I have it setup on mine and it works well. I rarely use XP...but it is there for me just in case
piperman
02-18-2009, 11:24 AM
but as far as using bootcamp for osx/xp I have it setup on mine and it works well. I rarely use XP...but it is there for me just in case
Same here, If I don't use it unless it is something Mac does not support
King James
02-18-2009, 11:59 AM
Same here, If I don't use it unless it is something Mac does not support
mhm. I think in the past 6 months I've used it once because I had a word document I couldn't get to open in word on the mac. I know there is a way I could have gotten it to, but it was late at night and I didn't feel like messing around so just switched over and printed....then started having withdrawals and switched back to osx :tu lol
Sr Mike
02-18-2009, 04:20 PM
I was thinking about using XP on my iBook, but it did not make any sense for me to do it. I know it is popular with college students, they can have all their apple needs together and XP for school.
is Iwork worth the money?
VirtualSmitty
02-18-2009, 07:03 PM
is Iwork worth the money?
Try the demo after you get your mac, it can be had on apples site. I didn't think it was all that hot personally. Neo Office works fine for me!
Ace$nyper
02-18-2009, 07:27 PM
is Iwork worth the money?
You'd know if you need it more then we do, not to come off rude though.
I need it and use it daily.
AD720
02-18-2009, 07:42 PM
Try the demo after you get your mac, it can be had on apples site. I didn't think it was all that hot personally. Neo Office works fine for me!
Ditto on the Demo.
You can try OpenOffice too.
VirtualSmitty
02-18-2009, 07:50 PM
Ditto on the Demo.
You can try OpenOffice too.
Yep, forgot about OO. I use it on all my other PCs, haven't actually tried the Mac Aqua version yet.
Seanohue
02-18-2009, 07:58 PM
It's higher but not as bad as it used to be. The 24" imacs have an option for the an nvidia 8800 card now too. Can configure a a decent system for under 2k, and the premium nets you OSX ;)
Yea I saw that; base price is $1.8K though, and $150 for that upgrade, when the card is only $120 from Newegg. You can get a system of greater specs, including OSX and a 24" monitor for under $1K still.
Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs ;)
King James
02-18-2009, 08:32 PM
Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs ;)
You are not worthy!
VirtualSmitty
02-18-2009, 08:36 PM
Yea I saw that; base price is $1.8K though, and $150 for that upgrade, when the card is only $120 from Newegg. You can get a system of greater specs, including OSX and a 24" monitor for under $1K still.
Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs ;)
Have you ever tried installing OSX on a pc? It's freaking painful!
got my order placed:
2 macbooks
1 copy of vmware
family copy of iwork
and a Advanced Tactical Briefcase - Custom Version by blackhawk not bad for a nights work
Ace$nyper
02-18-2009, 08:48 PM
Yep, forgot about OO. I use it on all my other PCs, haven't actually tried the Mac Aqua version yet.
It's not bad at all really.
I have both OO and Iwork.. I like having something for if I'm lending my lap top to a class mate for a project real quick, happens often.
King James
02-18-2009, 09:13 PM
got my order placed:
2 macbooks
1 copy of vmware
family copy of iwork
and a Advanced Tactical Briefcase - Custom Version by blackhawk not bad for a nights work
not bad at all :tu
macpappy
02-18-2009, 09:24 PM
Yea I saw that; base price is $1.8K though, and $150 for that upgrade, when the card is only $120 from Newegg. You can get a system of greater specs, including OSX and a 24" monitor for under $1K still.
Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs ;)
I guess pricing has changed some since I last looked. Just a couple of years ago to get a PC that was comparable to the Mac I was using would have cost a couple of hundred more because most PCs weren't built as higher end computers.
What you do with the computer also makes a difference and frankly, if someone isn't doing anything more than internet, writing a few papers and playing games then I don't see why they would switch from PC to Mac.
I've worked in publication design, photography and graphic design for over 20 years and Mac was way ahead of PCs for most of that time. It has become somewhat more equal, but I stick with Macs because I find the software I use works better than the PC versions - and I have used both versions.
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