I made the switch from PC to Mac nearly 4 years ago now, and I haven’t looked back.
Why did you move to mac? (Or what are the reasons you are thinking of making the switch to Mac?)
For me, it was a work decision - I was working in a graphic arts and print-production environment, and even in the enlightened days of the early 21st century if you wanted to work in those industries you had to have a Mac to be taken seriously. Today, things are different. With Apple Stores popping up all over the globe - and every new Mac shipping with all the software you need to live the Digital Lifestyle - Macs have moved on from being seen solely as a tool for the creative professional to something that fits well into every home.
Gone are the days when people would say, “oh, you have a Mac,” like it was something you didn’t mention in polite company. Today, people exclaim, “Oh! You have a Mac!” (for truly, they are a vision to behold).
Oh yes, Macs have come a long way since the days of the Beige Box.
They have also come a long way since the days where transferring files from PC to Mac seemed like it needed a PhD in Astro Physics along with a Computer Science Degree (it scared me at the time - I only have a Computer Science Degree).
If you are reading this you most likely fall into one of two categories: either you have recently gone through the Mac switch, or you are thinking of switching from PC to Mac.
Either way, if you are a recent convert to Mac you will have questions - as I did when I did the Mac switch - and hopefully you will find some answers here.
Do you run your business from a PC or keep all of your important files there? (I did, both) You will want to know how to make sure that everything gets across safely from Windows to Mac, from your Microsoft Word files to your emails (most files will work on both machines and you get free email software with your Mac). Once your things are there, you’ll also want to know that there are programs on the Mac that will do the same things as the ones on your PC (you can get a copy of Microsoft Office for your mac, and there are thousand of programs available, so you should find one that matches).
You’ll probably also want to know why the CONTROL key doesn’t work like it does on a PC (use the CMD key on a Mac where you used CTRL on a PC and you should be fine - CTRL+C becomes CMD+C for Copy, for example).
It’s knowing little things like this that make moving from PC to Mac easier.
Have you have heard that Macs help you do creative things? Do you want to know what opportunities the move to Mac will bring you and your family? You’ll want to know about all the great software that comes installed for free on every Mac. Do you have a digital camera? Use iPhoto for downloading and organising your photos, showing them to friends in a slideshow, and even having books printed! Got a video camera? Use iMovie for getting the footage off the camera and actually making movies (do you have a backlog of tapes like me?) Want some music to go with your slideshows and movies? Use garageband to make an original composition (if you are musically inclined). When you’re done, use iDVD to put it all on a standard DVD to send to your friends, family, or customers.
If you are thinking of making the Switch Mac then you will want to know some more about why Mac owners love their Macs and what all the fuss is about. Things like, “have you really never had a crash?” (not in 4 years and on 3 machines, no), and “do you really not have virus problems?” (not so far, no), and even “are they really that easy to use?” (oh yes!)
This isn’t just a place for people moving from PC to Mac, though. You might have got a Mac as your first computer (good choice!) But be assured, this isn’t a place for techno-babble. No PhD’s required! (Although if you’ve already got one, good for you!)
For new Mac users, you’ll want to know how to get the basics done
Also, even if you have had your Mac for a while, you may find something of interest here.
Wherever you came from, and whatever it is that you want to get from your move to Mac, hopefully what you find here will help you. Think of this as a Little Mac School, where you can learn about Macs from the very first steps.
Let me know in the comments if there is anything in particular you’d like to know about.
As a first step on the road to harmony with your Mac, I recommend getting a copy of the book Switching to the Mac by David Pogue (I highly recommend David’s Books on a wide range of Mac topics). I’ll do full review of the book in another article, but for now I can say that it is an excellent reference for those who want a one-stop shop for quick answers to a wide range of questions about the switch from PC to Mac. Click on one of the links below and grab yourself a copy now.
Links:
From PC to Mac Book at Amazon.com
From PC to Mac Book at Amazon.co.uk
