Swopping to Apple

[GK Fanatic]

I've always had home computer systems from PC World and the like and always had the usual Windows 98,XP etc. However I've seen, and had good reports about the Apple equivalent. Without entering the world of high tech jargon can anyone tell me if the programmes provided with Apple systems are compatible with my Windows XP Microsoft databases, Word etc.??
I really don't want to be starting from scratch if I get it. The guy in the shop said the programmes on Apple are great and that viruses have a harder job gettin into that system.
DISCUSS ???

[Ethel]

Many programmes, files and software are not compatible with both.

Don't forget your camera, scanner, printer, mp3 player, satnav and so on may not work with Mac.

Macs are no better protected from viruses - there are just a lot less of them out there.

[crossroads]

Run a virtual macintosh machine inside the windows os
EG: Run mac from windows.

[crossroads]

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstati on/

[vehelpfulguy]

The thing with Apple PCs & laptops is that both the hardware AND the software are made by Apple.

This has advantages and disadvantages.

Because Apple design both the hardware and software they work very well together. Macs are also usually very easy to use.

BUT it does make the Apple more expensive than the PC equivalent.

Also, Apple tend to keep tight control over the hardware that can be added to a Mac and you often have to buy it from them (and Apple hardware is more expensive).

The PC platform on the other hand is more open, and anyone can make hardware and software for the PC platform.

This helps keep the price down, and it is possible to go out a buy very inexpensive parts to upgrade your PC. Also PCs are very easy to upgrade.

PCs have about 90% of this market compared with Macs 10% so there is far more software available for the PC platform, and because it is such a huge market the PC versions are often cheaper than the Apple versions.

There is also much more freeware and shareware available for the PC platform.

Another thing to remember that if anything goes wrong with your PC it is very easy to find a friend or relative to fix it.

Trying to find someone to fix your Apple on the other hand is much more difficult and you may have to finish up paying someone to fix it.

Remember also that most companies in the UK use PCs so skills on the PC platform are going to be more useful in any job that you do than Apple skills.

You need to think VERY carefully if you are going to move from the PC platform to the Apple platform.

[fo3nix]

Ethel -- I'm sorry, but that's simply not true.

"there are just a lot less of them out there" is what every Microsoft fan says. Mac OS X _is_ more secure than Windows XP (and in several ways, Windows Vista). Same goes for freeBSD, and various distributions of GNU/Linux. When you use other systems, you realise how rubbish Windows is at security.

Back to topic:

Mac OS X is very good at detecting hardware and working it fine. Your printer, mouse, whatever, will likely work straight away with no issues. If there are, you can visit the manufacturer's site and download the latest installer, and it'll work. Occasionally, there is some obscure hardware that doesn't work. I've never heard about any though, really.

Files -- you can get equivalent programs that work on the Mac to open your files. For example, Microsoft sell a version of their Office suite for the Mac. This'll open your powerpoint files, Word, Excel, etc. Note that you can't use any of your old Windows software. Macs run Mac OS X, and the programs themselves are totally incompatible. However, the files that these programs create can almost always be opened on other platforms, including the Mac.

*** This is very important. To solve this problem -- what programs do you use? If there are equal or very similar progams available on the Mac, then you'll be fine. But there are some programs that there is no equivalent of on the Mac. Sage Accounting systems for example are Windows-only. Macs can't open those files.

If you can, goto your nearest Apple store and try out the various Macs. An iMac may be great, but something else may fit your need.

Also note that since the software and hardware are more combined, you can get support far more easily. apple.com/support is brilliant, and there is no Windows equal.

[GK Fanatic]

Thank you all especially fo3nix ,your advice was extremely helpful. I had heard that the apple support was excellent so I'm on the verge of going for it.

[name2897]

In short, yes, you just have to buy the windows office CD made for apple and install it on your computer.
And apple Is easy to use, all icons are on the main screen, no pop-ups and computer never crashes either. You won't regret switching to it.

[GK Fanatic]

Thats what I wanted to hear !! Many thanks !!

[fo3nix]

You may also be interested in using OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office. It's a very good free replacement. Available for both Windows and Mac, as well as other platforms, although on the Mac it's currently called NeoOffice (for political reasons, still good and free).

Finally, if you're in full-time education, you can get a sizeable discount by buying from Apple online though your university or college's network.