Windows User wants to Switch to Mac

I've had it with Windows! I want to buy a Mac system for the first time. I want to use the system to publish a newsletter and create a web site. Is the G5 the way to go? Can somebody recommend a nice Mac system for this? What software should I use from which a local print shop can generate the hard copies?

Well I'd suggest looking at the Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3 GHz, or the Quad 2.5 Ghz models. My reason for suggesting these two is that both models come with a good quality video card with 256 MBs of RAM. Since you will be working with graphics, its a good idea to have a decent video card, and the base card in these models is adequate for your tasks, though of course you could always change the video card to a different model to gain a bit more graphics performance if needed (you can configure the g5 at the Apple store).
Other reasons for the recommendation is the larger hard drive that comes stock in these models. As for processor performance, the Dual 2.3 is pretty good, and should be adequate for your needs. The Quad 2.5 is, well, just a beast. It has been benchmarked in graphic performance with applications of the type you would be using as the fastest desktop computer available in either the Windows or Mac world. Of course benchmarks have to be taken with a grain of salt, they are easily manipulated, and of course if you wait a week a different benchmark will come to a different conclusion.
If you already have a monitor, you should be able to use it with your new Mac. However, if you need a monitor as well, be sure and look at third party monitors, as well as the Apple monitors.
Corel released Corel Draw graphic suite 11 for OS X some time ago, so if you want to stay with Corel you can, though I do not believe they intend to do any updates to the product.
InDesign is a good choice, as is Adobes Creative Suite. The Creative Suite is available in various configurations, including one that has InDesign, GoLive (web design) as well as their graphic manipulation apps, Photoshop, Illustrator and more.
InDesign, after a slight slow start is accepted at just about all graphic design and printing serves, should you need those type of services.
In January, Apple will be holding their annual Mac World in San Francisco. It's usually a good time to look for "specials deals" from the various software and hardware companies that make Mac products. It's also a time when Apple announces new products, so you may want to keep an eye out for any announcements that may interest you.
Tom N.

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I have CS3 for Windows but want to switch to Mac, how would I go about this?

I have CS3 Design Premium for Windows on an old laptop but want to switch it to my new Mac, how would I go about this?
Do I have to pay for an upgrade to CS6, then somehow switch the license then download to my Mac? Also, I'm a student so it would be a student priced upgrade.

You can either upgrade or move to Creative Cloud. But since you’re a student an upgrade does not exist so just pick the student version you want and go with that.
Bob

I'm a Pc user wanting to switch to a Mac. . .

Hi, I currently am sharing a PC with my brother. We both use it a lot and one computer isn't big enough for the two of us. So i was hoping to buy a Mac Mini. Only problem is, I don't have that much money to spend. Because I also need the money for a keyboard, mouse and monitor.(I know everything is expensive and I didn't expect to pay $200, I do know the value of a dollar.) So I can probably only afford the 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo. And I'm not a genius when it comes to some things and I'm new to Mac's so I have some questions.
1. 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor vs. 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor?
2. Can I get a 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor installed later on if I start out with the 1.5 Solo?
3. If so, how much $$$ will it cost me?
4. Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) vs. Double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)?
5. 512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM): how much $$$ to upgrade to 1GB memory?
I hope for a reply as soon as you read this.
-please and thank you,
Switch
Pc user wanting to switch to a Mac Windows XP HP Pavillion a1125c Media Center PC

hey, its fantastic your switching to a mac!
to answer your questions
1. 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor vs. 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor?
In terms of performance the extra .16 GHZ power would not be worth it unless you are running professional programs (in which case dont look at a mac mini)
2. Can I get a 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor installed later on if I start out with the 1.5 Solo?
THe processor is soldered directly to the motherboard (or as mac call them "logic board") so an upgrade will be nearly impossible
3. If so, how much $$$ will it cost me?
sometimes you can find a new logic board at a spares supplier, unless you are a good electro-head i would stay clear, a lot of hassle changing one
4. Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) vs. Double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)?
do the same job but the superdrive will burn your dvds, if you copy dvd films then you will be disappointed coz theres no software to do this.
if you burn data to dvds then i would go for it, external dvd drives arent good for macs, external hard drives are fine.
5. 512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM): how much $$$ to upgrade to 1GB memory?
apple will charge you a fortune for this, probably about $100. if you are farmiliar with the inside working of a pc, it is cheaper to buy some on ebay, DDR2 is the stuff you want. But if you cant fit it your self and you dont know anyone who can, best to get it from apple
any other questions, just holla
Peace y'all

I am a new mac user and I switch to mac due to the graphics that it brings. I do website in pc and I heard iweb is the best.NOW i heard that iweb will be discontinue. so what is the best application there for website using MAC OSX lion?

I am a new mac user and I switch to mac due to the graphics that it brings. I do website in pc and I heard iweb is the best.NOW i heard that iweb will be discontinue. so what is the best application there for website using MAC OSX lion?

It is now confirmed that iWeb, and iDVD, has been discontinued by Apple. This is evidenced by the fact that new Macs are shipping with iLife 11 installed but without iWeb and iDVD.
On June 30, 2012 MobileMe will be shutdown. However, iWeb will still continue to work but without the following:
Features No Longer Available Once MobileMe is Discontinued:
◼ Password protection
◼ Blog and photo comments
◼ Blog search
◼ Hit counter
◼ MobileMe Gallery
All of these features can be replaced with 3rd party options.
I found that if I published my site to a folder on my hard drive and then uploaded with a 3rd party FTP client subscriptions to slideshows and the RSS feed were broken. If I published directly from iWeb to the FPT server those two features continued to work correctly.
There's another problem and that's with iWeb's popup slideshows. Once the MMe servers are no longer online the popup slideshow buttons will not display their images.
Click to view full size
However, Roddy McKay and I have figured out a way to modify existing sites with those slideshows and iWeb itself so that those images will display as expected once MobileMe servers are gone. How to is described in this tutorial: #26 - How to Modify iWeb So Popup Slideshows Will Work After MobileMe is Discontinued.
It now appears that the iLife suite of applications offered on disc is now a discontinued product and the remaining supported iApps will only be available thru the App Store from now on. However, the iLife 11 boxed version that is still available at the online Apple Store (Store button at the top of the page) and those still on the shelves of retailers will include iWeb and iDVD. Those two apps were listed in small, gray text on the iLife 11 box that I bought.
Personally, if I didn't already have a copy I would purchase one to have it for reinstallation purposes if ever needed.
This might be of some interest to you at this time: Life After MobileMe.
OT

I am a windows user that has converted to Mac and loving it but when I updated to Lion my wireless internet dongle would not work anymore and the Macbook Pro does not recognise the device at all so I am unable to reinstall it again. Any ideas

I am a windows user that has converted to Mac and loving it but when I updated to Lion my wireless internet dongle would not work anymore and the Macbook Pro does not recognise the device at all so I am unable to reinstall it again. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Go to Finder > Preferences then select the General tab
Make sure External disks is selected.

Hei , i was window user an just switched to ipone 6 , can i merge my contacts group from windows to IOS ? please quide

hei , i was window user an just switched to ipone 6 , can i merge my contacts group from windows to IOS ? please quide

Right, I finally managed to get it sorted out.
iCloud only accept version 3.0 vcards, and the one I was using were version 2.1 so that's why it wasn't picking it up. So the easy way to get that sorted out is, use a gmail account.
I know you don't wanna do it because you think it's too much hassle and stuff, but trust me it only takes 5 minutes and that's it.
1. Create a Gmail Account.
2. Export your Old VCard files to the Gmail Account.
3. Now Import them from Gmail to your PC again.
And, that's it, that's just makes the new imported version in 1 file contains your all contacts in version 3.0. Now you can just upload that on icloud and then sync it with your iphone.
That's what I did and it worked, and I am sure if you wanna replace this file in the Contacts folder under your User Account in Windows and then try to sync Contacts in Tunes, it should work, but as I said, I did it with iCloud and it worked for me. So aye, that's pretty much it. Phewwww..
Been searching for it for the whole day and it took 5 minutes in the end, badass...
Anyway, don't lose hope and always Google for everything!

Heading to college next year want to switch to mac

I have been considering switching to a mac for college but i have a few questions.
1) Is the Heating up of a Macbook that big an issue?
2) Does Microsoft Office come with Every Macbook?
3) Is Microsoft Office as Easy to use on a Mac as it is in a Windows Machine?
4) Does Aim Work well with a Mac?
5) Can i speak with other people on aim while using iChat?
6) Will my HP ipod work with a Os Mac?
7) Could i Email a paper from Microsoft Office to a Wndows computer?
8) Will i have a much better time on a Mca than my crashig virus filled Windows machine?
Gateway Windows XP

1) Heat isn't that much of a problem. If your dorm room is well air conditioned, you won't have much of a problem. Watch out for heat if your going to put it on your lap for a long period of time; a common problem with all laptops.
2) Microsoft Office comes with all Macbooks, but it is only a 30 day trial. You will have to buy the retail version to have it forever.
3) Microsoft Office has the same easy features as the ones on Windows (PCs). It also has a nice GUI (Graphical User Interface). You may have to adapt to the MAC version (2004), because somethings are placed differently here and there.
4) AIM does work will with a MAC, but I do not suggest using iChat. I suggest using AdiumX which can be found at http://adiumx.com. Also, make sure your wireless connection is using "interface robustness" and make sure that your school firewall isn't blocking AIM for best connection.
5) iChat connects to AIM or whatever you want it to. So if I get your question correctly, yes. Use AdiumX though, that program for instant messaging is much better. (You can have multiple services online without duplicate buddy lists, You can also change how it looks, sounds, etc. to whatever you want it to be.)
6) Yes, your HP iPod will work with your Macbook running MacOS X, the HP part was only a retail partnership for HP to sell iPods. (I have an HP iPod myself and it works like any other iPod connected to a Macbook)
7) Yes, you can eMail a Microsoft Office document to any computer. Office 2004 (MAC Version), will be able to save as a Office 2003 (Windows Version), but there are some features that the MAC Version has that the Windows Version has so Microsoft implimented a system called "Compatibility Check" to make sure you know if your document is compatible with the Office 2003 Version. You will not be able to open .docx or Office 2007 documents (Office 2007 will be the newer version for Windows which will be released with Windows Vista XP Ultimate).
8) Yes, in my personal experience in coding for Windows and other companies, having a MAC for my personal use is perfect since I do not want to worry about viruses, crashes, or anything else in my "personal" time. To my knowledge in macs, there are no known spyware or viruses to Macs. MacOS X also has one of the best graphical interface and is probably the next generation operating system.
That should be everything, if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Have fun with your new Macbook when you get it!
Edit: Microsoft Office 2004 costs $99 for the Student/Teacher Edition.

Windows Users can access shares but Macs Can't

Running 10.8 on the server and here is the below problem I am having
1. Windows users can access the file shares read/write (even though they create permissions wrong, another day to takle that since I already tried ACL)
2. Macs running 10.8 and Mavericks
     Open the server in finder on a user machine. Can sometimes see the two share folders. Other times just get the spinning wheel.
     Now if you are so brave to click on the folder then finder will spin forever.
     It locks finder up so hard that you can't shut down the machine without holding the power button. Other programs will run just fine, it only affects finder.
I tried connecting from the mac with smb:// to see if it is an AFP issue but it just sits on connecting forever.
I looked through the logs and don't see anything. But my knowledge of logs is terrible.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Thom

Running 10.8 on the server and here is the below problem I am having
1. Windows users can access the file shares read/write (even though they create permissions wrong, another day to takle that since I already tried ACL)
2. Macs running 10.8 and Mavericks
     Open the server in finder on a user machine. Can sometimes see the two share folders. Other times just get the spinning wheel.
     Now if you are so brave to click on the folder then finder will spin forever.
     It locks finder up so hard that you can't shut down the machine without holding the power button. Other programs will run just fine, it only affects finder.
I tried connecting from the mac with smb:// to see if it is an AFP issue but it just sits on connecting forever.
I looked through the logs and don't see anything. But my knowledge of logs is terrible.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Thom

I have Adobe Flash CS3 for Windows. Recently I switched to Mac and the serial key won't work.

Can I change my Windows version to a Mac version without buying the program all over again?

Hi,
Unfortunetely Flash is platform specific which means if you have windows you cannot install it on mac.
Adobe offers cross platform from Win to MAC but only applies for current shipping version. You need to request for cross paltform upgrade and pay the upgrade price..
Please see : http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/order-product-platform-language-swap.htm l
Hope this helps.

I ordered Photoshop for Windows. I want to switch to Mac

Hi
I ordered Photoshop Elements for Windows by mistake - I would like to switch to the Mac version.
How do I go about this?
Cheers
David

photoshop elements is a cross-domain app. you can use your serial number with the mac version, too.
just download the mac trial and install with your serial number.

Windows user wants to make the switch

since it has become very attractive for me to buy an mac i decided to give it a shot
the problem is that i don not know which one to choose (mb or mbp)
so i ask you kindly to give me some advice in the matter =)
i currently own a PC and use it mostly for internet, listening to music, watching movies, play Flight Simulator and stuff like that
if it weren't for the FS part i'd already have bought a macbook
so my question is mostly "can I play a flightsim (FS2004) on a macbook?"
the macbook i have in mind is as follows:
2,0-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (white)
2GB RAM
160GB HD
please share your thoughts =)
thanks

The amount of video memory isn't really an issue. I've seen lots of comments regarding the 64MB video in the MacBook. I'm not sure where this came from. The MacBook's video allocates 80MB to start with... and then it will take more if it needs it and depending on how much total system RAM you have. Regardless, the amount of memory isn't really the issue here, it's the Intel processor. Fortunately, the minimum requirements on Flight Simulator 2004 are very low. I don't expect the MacBook would have any trouble running it well. Just remember that newer versions of FS may not run equally as well. The MS Flight Simulators tend to push the processor more than the graphics as they are designed more for accurate flight simulation (the processing of which is done by the CPU) vs. really snazzy graphics...
The minimum system requirements for Flight Simulator 2004 - A Century of Flight are:
• One of the following operating systems:
• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
• Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
• Microsoft Windows 2000
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Processor – 450-megahertz (MHz) processor
• Memory
• 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM for Windows 2000 and for Windows XP.
• 64 MB of RAM for Windows 98 and for Windows Millennium Edition (Me).
• Hard Disk Space – 1.8 gigabytes (GB) of hard disk space.
• Video – An 8 MB, 3-D video card.
• Audio – An audio card with speakers or with headphones.
• Modem – A modem that supports 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) or a modem that supports an Internet connection for multiplayer games.
• Joystick - A joystick is optional.

1st used ipod with pc, now, want to switch to mac, help!

I first used my mini ipod with my windows desktop computer. I recently purchased an apple notebook and wish to use my ipod with it, and not with my PC. However, because my ipod is formatted for windows, I cannot use it for my mac.
I've been searching through the forums for help on how I can achieve this goal of switching to the mac, but with no luck. Is there any way that I can reformat my ipod to a mac? (easy explanations please!) Thanks!

The really easy way to do this is to plug your ipod into the new (mac) machine, and once you see your ipod show up on the desktop/ itunes dock, go look for the program called "ipod updater." This program will prompt you to reset your ipod and reformat it to mac, and you will follow the steps of setting up you ipod as when you first acquired it. The downside to this is that you will loose all the files on your ipod. There are two things you can do if you want to transfer the music onto your new machine. 1) Go get the CDs and upload them onto itunes on your new mac or 2) go consult google to find a third party program that will allow you to take the files off your ipod and put them onto your new mac. To my knowledge, apple doesn't provide a method of doing this so you have to download another program.
If you decide to recover your ipod, that is use a third party program to get the songs off of it, then wait until that process is complete and then use ipod updater to reset your pod to your new mac. With your ipod still plugged in, go into itunes, rename your ipod, and let itunes automatically update your ipod. After that you can set it to manual again (you may have to unplug it first). I do not reccomend using a third party program to maintain large music libraries on both computers, you should choose one that will be your home computer and stick with it.

PC user wanting to swap to Mac has some queries.

Hi,
As the title suggests I have a few queries about swapping from PC to Mac. Firstly I've been informed that you can't directly compare speeds, processors, RAM etc of a PC with a Mac as MAcs run quicker, but is there a way of knowing what an equivalent mac is compared with a specific spec PC. I understand PC specs but not sure how they translate to Mac. For example, my current Laptop has Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz processor with 4GB RAM (I'm wanting to improve on this spec), what would the equivalent Mac be?
I use my laptop for Full HD video editing and use Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9, and have found out this is not compatible with Mac. The only equivalent software I've seen for Mac is Final Cut Pro X, but I'm not prepared to pay £199 for this, especially considering the fact you can get Sony Vegas..... Platinum 11 for £30. Therefore I would need to partition my Macbook and run windows 7 (unless someone can recommend a good video editor for Mac which is much cheaper). Is it free to install windows 7 on a Mac or do you have to buy software? If so how much is it? Would it still recognise AVCHD?
One issue I have with Sony vegas on my current laptop is that it takes ages to render HD video, it can take hours (literally) to render 10mins of video. I don't know if this is down to the OS, RAM, processor or Hard drive, or something else. When editing I only have this one program open as using any other program (even the internet) is painfully slow. Would having a quad core i7 processor and 8GB RAM speed up the rendering process? Do Macs speed this process up, or if you are running it in windows mode would it be exactly the same as running it on a PC?
When ripping music to the Mac can you only rip in AAC/ALAC or can you rip it as MP3 so it's more 'universal'? I have music systems that can't read AAC :-/
Finally, when having a quick 'play' with a MacBook in store (PC world) I noticed that when I opened new Windows/apps the window did not fill the entire screen, and when you opened up further windows/apps you could see them stacked over each other a bit randomly. Can you change the setting so that the windows fill the entire screen, and can you set it so that this happens as default?
Sorry for all the questions, but I want to make sure a Mac's right for me before forking out thousands of pounds.

LukeD wrote:
Yes, the OP should buy whatever they want, Mac or PC.
However, the OP has come here to ask Mac questions.
A Dell Latitude is not a notebook for video editing, and it is not supported as such by any of the major software developers.
You would need a Dell Precision for editing.
A Mac will run Windows far better and faster than any Dell for the simple reason that Windows on a Mac is a clean, no crapware installation. Any Dell comes with several pounds of bloatware.
If you want a Kia, buy a Dell. If you want a Mercedes-Benz, buy a Mac.
This is not a fanboy opinion, but an easily verifiable fact by reading computer reviews and sales figures.
Good luck!
Physically, a MacBook Pro will last longer because it is made of durable anodized aluminum versus cheap cracking plastic on PCs.
PC companies make almost no money on notebooks. It is clear that they cut corners.
Add AppleCare, and there is just no credible comparison.
I digress from the OP's questions, but the nonsense of some needed to be addressed.
Ok lets addrees some of this.
But First Thank you fane_J. A voice of reason.
A Dell Latitude can have as good video card as a Dell Precisions. And if I wanted I could change the video card I ordered with my Latitude to any that is available for that model at time of production.
A Mac comes with either Video card A or B and can NEVER be changed. Even if it goes bad the only way to change it is to Replace the complete motherboard which includes both the CPU and GPU. They are Soldered onto the Motherbaord. Nor can you ever upgrade the CPU because it is Soldered onto the board. You can on a Dell notebook.
Have you ever heard that you can format any hard drive on any computer and install the OS clean without the makers included FREE (read that KWrap) software? Well you can. And I am sorry but Mac's also come with K_Wrap ware. Photobooth? iChat? and especially iTunes. And some of the Mac software you can't uininstall.
The reason a Mac will run Windows is because they Use the Same Hardware. Better then a dedicated Windows PC? No I am afraid not for one simple reason. You can not wipe the drive of a Mac and install Only Windows. You first have to install OS X then partition the drive and install Windows. You HAVE TO USE Apple supplied software to access some of the hardware included in a Mac. Also you can only have that One partition for Windows. Try to make a second partition and you break both Windows and OS X.
My Dell Latitude is ALL Metal. Not one plastic piece to the case. If you ever looked inside a MBP you would see many plastic pieces.
No PC makers make money on notebooks, just where did you get that. Notebooks are not Printers where the manufacturer makes money on the Ink they sell.
My Dell came with a 3 year warranty, mail in, included with the original cost. And I could of gotten Accidental Damage Next Business Day On Site service for somewhere around and extra $200. Dell Complete Care Warranty.
That is far less then I paid for the Applecare warranty for my MBP and I can't get Accidental Damage or On Site Service for a Mac.
No credible comparison, Again just where do you get that. With the Dell I don't have to Make an Appointment to have it looked at and then be told it isn't covered.
An YES some this nonsense had to be Addressed.
Which is not digressing from the OPs question.
Thank you.

HT1461 when in windows how do you switch to mac ?

When in windows 7 how do you switch to the Mac side?

apaldrian wrote:
Allen, thank you for your help. Could you let me know what Win support file and where can I down load it. Peter Aldrian Captiva FL
The Windows Support Software is available in Boot Camp Assistant (in OSX), download it, put it on a flash drive and reboot to Windows, install the Support Software.

Windows user wants to Paint

Does Mac have anything where I can just draw something simple?
Power G5 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Hi, E.
Mac OS X does not include a built-in application list MS Paint or MS Paintbrush. However, there are many third-party alternatives that are also good values.
- For structured diagrams, I'd recommend OmniGraffle. New Macs often include a trial version of this application.
- The drawing/illustration tools in AppleWorks may be just the thing. A nice little suite that includes spreadsheet, word processing, presentation/drawing. Good value.
- You can do some decent drawing, as well as photo manipulation, with Graphic Converter. Very inexpensive for what it does! Awesome! Likewise, new Macs often include a trial version.
- EasyDraw is another popular application. Folks that used MacDraw -- which I believe was like Paintbrush, i.e. a built-in app, ages ago in Mac history -- like EasyDraw and it can work with old MacDraw files.
As noted in another post, you can investigate other solutions by searching MacUpdate or Version Tracker.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Windows User wants to Switch to Mac

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