Considering move to MacBook Pro

Question

I have a G4 Quicksliver I have used for graphics for years. When I moved to freelance work a year and a half ago I purchased a Dell Inspiron 9300 because I was focusing on PowerPoint presentations and 99% of my clients used Windows. I have Virtual PC but it's just too slow.
With the advent of the Intel-based machines I think it would be great if I could sell both of my current machines and move to a single 17" MacBook Pro. I do need a laptop because I travel some for work.
Does this make sense? In addition to PowerPoint, I use PhotoShop (CS2) Illustrator 10, Quark 6.5, and some Word and Excel, along with Outlook and the occasional sound/video editor. Would I have to buy new software? Can I use my XP installation disks to install XP on the Mac? Can all my files from both my current machines be moved to a new machine without too much trouble? I am just not sure what to consider in making the move and I can't afford to drop thousands on new software.
G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G4   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

Answer 1

creativeminds,
In addition to what a_brody has said...
I have seen these same complaints concerning PPT Mac vs. PC, and responders have very clearly stated that Keynote presentations saved in PPT format are actually more compatible with PCs. In fact, the feedback I have seen indicated that Keynote presentations far exceeded similar PPT presentations in quality and compatibility. I don't use either, so I cannot speak directly to this. I'm sure someone will happen along who can give first-hand information.
Regardless of this, Let's keep in mind that you can always install Windows, in either Bootcamp or Parallels. Since your new MBP will come with 30-day trials of both Office and iWork, you have time enough to make a comparison and trial of both Keynote and Powerpoint, and to discover for yourself exactly what issues (if any) you might encounter. If it came to it, I might even be willing to let you try Keynote on my machine before you purchase (I'm in Orlando, but I frequently travel to Tampa for a couple days at a time).
What I am suggesting is that you give it a go without installing Windows, at least for a few weeks, and I'll tell you why. My sister only recently "switched" herself, in spite of the fact that she is a professional photographer in the Atlanta area, and I have been after her to "go Mac" for several years. Typical of her, she called me to ask about my recommendations as she was on her way to an Apple store, after she had made just about all her decisions regarding her purchase. Also typical, she ignored everything I had to say, and purchased Parallels along with her new 24" iMac, then immediately installed Windows.
Well, as soon as she started using the iMac, she realized that she had cut her turnaround on photo shoots down to less than 1 week, from as much as 6 weeks when she used her PC. Also, she quickly realized that she had absolutely no need for Windows. I'm sure she would tell you that the money and effort she expended on installing Windows was a complete waste.
As far as portage of files, the issues are few and far between. Any NTFS-formatted volumes you have can be read by OS X (though not written to), so transferring files to the Mac is simple. Going the other way requires a FAT-32 volume, so that files can be written from OS X.
Search on versiontracker.com for a shareware app called "Outlook2Mac." You will need this application on your PC to export Outlook data to a format that can be transferred to the Mac and imported into Mail, Address Book, iCal, etc. Just about everything else will take care of itself.
As you are a current Mac user, I know I am preaching to the choir concerning the benefits of throwing Windows... out the window (;-)). What you have not experienced, however, is the speed and power of these new (Intel) Macs, and it appears from your profile that you have not experienced Tiger, and all that it brings. If you absolutely need Windows, there is no reason not to install it, but I am suggesting that you give Windows-free computing an honest try. Since you do still have a separate PC, there is no reason why this "trial period" need affect your business. If, after a few weeks, you find that you absolutely cannot stick exclusively to the Mac, then go ahead and Install Windows on it and dump the Dell.
Scott