Is it easy to change from PC to Mac?

Question

I have a PC, but am considering getting a Mac when the time comes to buy a new computer.

Most of my files are music (mp3, aac, wma), and jpegs. Will going over to OSX be painless?

Answer 1

It should be pretty painless. Burn your files on CDs and feed them into the Mac. Everything that is a standard format is openable. I now have a new imac and transfer files constantly with the PC world. Picture files like jpeg are totally standard. Even Windows media video can be played by just downloading a plug-in converter. If you use Microsoft Works documents(.wps) it makes more sense to convert them first to Word .docs on your old PC, although I find you can rip them open with Tex-Edit plus when on Mac. (A free converter from Works to Word is available from Microsoft). Word is totally standard and you just have to download Neo Office for free and you can drop your Word docs or Excel docs onto its symbol and they will open right up. Feel free - join the Mac world and you won't regret it. And Mac has always been the machine of choice for musicians and composers.
I would add that Macs are pretty upgradeable machines, although you do not do major surgery on them. Even the first iMac (bondi blue, Oct 1998) working on OS8.1, could work successively on OS8.5, 8.6, OS9, 9.1,9.2, and OSX. And work well. And it just needed more RAM put in it, & once only. I have Apple's guarantee that my iMac bought with OS10.4.7 and upgraded automatically by Apple to OS10.4.8 from the net one month later for free, (I just had to click on a button and they did it all for me ), will work fine with the major new OS they are bringing out in April 2007 and which is expected to knock Vista out for six. And Apple give you such a wide choice of peripherals software that it is most unusual not to be able to go on running your printer etc through a series of OS upgrades.
As for Apple being totally different from Windows, that is a myth, except that Microsoft Patch Day will be a thing of the past. The machines are very similar in basic operation, since both producers have learnt from each other far more than they would like to admit. I have been using both worlds since Windows 95.
And if you want to play your PC only games, you can divide your Mac in to two partitions and install XP or Vista on the other partition, using BootCamp or other software. Then you get on playing! But make sure you get one of the latest macs with Intel (Core Duo) processors.

Answer 2

Moving your files over is no problem at all. In fact, if you buy your Mac from the Apple Store and take your PC in with you, they will move your files to your new Mac for you for free! They also have free workshops for "switchers" to teach you about the new interface.

If you are unable to buy from an Apple Store, you can either burn your files to one or more DVDs to move them over, or you can transfer files over ethernet. I recommend ethernet if you have more than the 4.7GB that will fit on a DVD. If you have a very small amount of data, you can use a USB thumb drive to move files as well.

To transfer over ethernet, just hook an ethernet cable between the Mac and the PC. You do NOT need a cross-over cable. A standard ethernet cable will do. On you Mac, go to the Sharing pane of System Preferences and select "Windows Sharing." Turn that on for your user. You will now see text explaining what IP address to direct your PC to. Use Explorer on the PC to go to that address. Now you can simply drag and drop files into that Explorer window.

My one caveat with this is that if you have any purchased (DRM-protected) WMA files, they will not work in iTunes. Otherwise, your mp3s, AACs, and non-protected WMAs should drag and drop into iTunes just fine. JPEGs can drag and drop into iPhoto.

Answer 3

Well, going over to Mac won't be a problem. But let's say you would love to upgrade your computer later on. Mac cannot be upgraded.

Once you go mac, you will someday want a Pc, since a Pc is best known a computer entertainment.

With Mac, though, you'll be free of viruses. That's the only advantage Mac has over PCs. If you like to play games, note that Mac won't allow you to play the most intensive games.

But Macs are great for music and photos... Because I'm a guy who loves to be the latest in computer technology, I'll always remain a PC fan... However, Once your Mac becomes old, it remains old... But with a Pc, you can continuously upgrade.

Answer 4

I have been a PC user for many years both with work and at home. About a year ago I had the chance to buy a second hand iMac G4 from work and have never looked back. The mac is so simple and easy to use, once you get used to it you will wonder how you stuck with the PC's for so long.
The only draw back with macs is the high cost of accessories from apple.

Answer 5

I've heard bad things about the iMac and Mac desktops in general, so I'm switching my laptop for a Mac Book in the near future.

I'd suggest reading a few reviews online and then make up your mind, but don't commit yet 'cos it depends what you look for in a computer.

Answer 6

1. Yes and no for some.
2. Yes.
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

Answer 7

the pc and mac are completely different. you'll have to learn all over again.