Tips for switching to a Mac?

Question

I've had my Sony VAIO for over 4 years now, and I'm thinking about getting a MacBook Pro. I've used it before and, in general, I like it. But I'm wondering if there's going to be a bunch of little things that end up getting on my nerves.

>> I use keyboard shortcuts (copy, paste, select all, select portions of sentences, switch between programs, switch between tabs, etc.) a lot, and I want to know the ease of learning the equivalents on the Mac.

>> Is MS Office for the Mac the same as for Windows? I've heard that are some functions that aren't in the Mac version.

I use my laptop mainly for: internet browsing, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, music, light photo editing, and the occasional movie.

Thanks!! Any other snags any one has hit when transitioning from PC to Mac would also be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I recently did what you want to do, so I'll share my experience with it.



Keyboard shortcuts took a little time, I still would instinctively use the Windows ones. I forced myself to use only the Mac for two weeks, and then I got used to it (I still have and use a Windows 7 desktop). The one that really took getting used to was the simple CNTL-ENTER when using a browser, but I got past that. Takes a couple of weeks. Suggestion? Use just the Mac for awhile, you'll learn the shortcuts faster.



Office is odd. There are some features in the Mac version that you don't see on the Windows one. But the layout is completely different. What you are using to clicking on isn't in the same place anymore. That bothered me. I ended up getting iWork, and honestly I prefer it now. Some of the tie-ins with iLife programs make it much easier. You have to learn it, but it's A LOT easier to learn than Office for Mac.



The one thing I truly miss from Windows is the availability of different music players. For the most part you are limited to iTunes on the Mac. I prefer MediaMonkey in Windows, and there is no equivalent on Mac. That was a "snag" for me. I'm used to it, but I still miss using a different player. If you are already iTunes-bound, it won't matter.



Light photo editing is GREAT on the Mac. You will find yourself toying with it a lot. If you think you may want Aperture, hold off on it. OS X comes right out of the box with some very useful photo-editing tools.



To be honest, you probably won't have much trouble. If you are good enough to get around programs like PowerPoint and Excel, you won't have a problem with it. Watch a couple of videos on the Apple Website to learn some basics, but it's quite easy.



Have Fun!

Answer 2

Apple has a web site designed specifically to help people switch from Windows to Mac: It's very well done:

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/



Here are the Mac OS X operating system keyboard shortcuts:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343



In general, the Mac version of Microsoft Office is a version ahead of the Windows version. Most major features appear on the Mac years before they find their way into Windows Office. For example Mac now has in Word these major features still not in Office 2010: Notebook Layout view (you can record audio notes with transcription), Publishing Layout View (a built-in publishing program right in Word). The biggest new feature in Excel 2010 is Tables, which first made their appearance in Excel '98 on the Mac. It took 12 years to finally port the whole thing to Windows. PowerPoint on the Mac has supported QuickTime for like 27 years, but the first year for QuickTime support in PowerPoint is 2010. There are some specific features that require Windows in Office (open source Active-X is the biggest one) that are not available on the Mac. On the whole, the Mac version is about 3 years more advanced than the Windows version of Office for the most used features.



The next version of Office for Mac is Office 2011, which comes out next month:

http://blog.officeformac.com/

Answer 3

Since Macintosh switched to Intel chips, IDE, SATA and USB (PC standards) Mac computers has succeeded in grabbing a part of PC's market but still lags behind in services and repairs. The cost of purchasing parts, still extends beyond the purchase price. In term of stability, reliability and security, Mac top Pc.

When it comes to O.S., Mac is far superior to Windows, but let's not forget Windows 7 and here I wouls say, it comes very, very close or a tie to Mac Snow Leopard. Another headache in owning a Mac, is that you have to buy a full version of windows in addition to the cost of the computer. Mac doesn't offer windows as a preinstalled option, thus unable to surf some windows sites.Downloading drivers, softwares have problems too. As you say, the use of the computer is, mainly for surfing the net, photo editing.. nothing business type,I would go for a Mac.

Have a nice day

Answer 4

actually allot of peeps have issues with learning macs which i though was suprising. first off don't beleive apple marketing, they do have issues and i see allot of questions about macs slowing down on here (even i was suprised). they don't have specifically good quality either, about 15 percent have needed or need repairs which is on part with most companys like dell or lenovo. ASUS and MSI are the best to only around 6 percent needing repairs. Honestly my grampa got a mac and is having a hard time with it, and there supposed to be easy and lock you out of doing stupid stuff. I don't use macs because they limit you on so much, you can only do what apple sets up for you to do.



There is a whole slew of OS out there not just windows and OS X. the easiest to switch to normally being called Ubuntu. Its Linux based so its open source and free. that means its extreamly well written because its open source, and free. Its much much faster then windows, never slows down, insanly customizable, doesn't get viruses, and I've herd allot of peeps having an easyer time switching to it then OS X, although switching to any OS will be a bit diffrent you can't expect to fall right in. if you want cool looks you can get it very much so in linux, google "compiz" and clock a youtube video. ubuntu is so fast i can run those effects on my 1.6GHz netbook with integrated graphics at full frame rates.



If you do go through with the mac then you can try a tip i heard had worked consistently for my Mac loving friend. Basically go through the whole process of selecting and customizing your mac on the apple website but at the last second right before you pay leave it in your cart and stop. the apple computer system will pick up on it and get someone from apple marketing to call you and offer 10% off if you finish the buy right then. its worth a try if you can wait around a week for the call (there server doesn't run OS X u know, its to unstable, even 1 slip up is devastating and OS X will crash every once and a while, which is to much)

Answer 5

Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1343



Mac 101

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/



Mac 101 Switch

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/



NeoOffice

http://www.neooffice.org/



Microsoft Announces Office for Mac 2011

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/189123/microsoft_announces_office_for_mac_2011.html

Answer 6

u do know that macs are WWAAYY more expensive at the same specs as say hp or toshiba right?so all in all,dont switch coz u might be very unsatisfied after the purchase.their software is different too,and more expensive.

Answer 7

Here is a tip don't switch too Mac because if you do than you will have to buy a lot os sofware and Crap that you don't really need. I recemend swithching to HP.