Well, after yet another inexplicable computer crash last week, I'm on the verge of making the switch. I've been to the Apple Store a couple of times already, and will probably make another pass or two before taking the plunge. Hey, when even your wife - who usually puts the brakes on hare-brained schemes - is pushing you to jump, you jump!
So, I put this thread out seeking the wisdom of Mac users. (Please spare me the pithy, not-so-witty Mac-hating and Mac-loving one-liners -- trust me, we've all been through the Mac-PC wars more than enough times to have heard 'em all.) I have absolutely no doubt I'll love making the transition, as I have been a Mac person for years (from the SE30 through the PowerMac 9600 personally, with a great secondhand G4 for my daughter now) -- I just never wanted to pay for the quality I admired... until now. I'm just hoping to make the transition as smooth as possible.
So, any tips from recent switchers?
As for specific concerns, I recently posted a few questions at Ask MetaFilter. While I don't know if anyone here rises to that level of geekiness, I figured I'd post the key issues.
Even if no one has any answers, I'll let you know how this great experiment goes!
So, I put this thread out seeking the wisdom of Mac users. (Please spare me the pithy, not-so-witty Mac-hating and Mac-loving one-liners -- trust me, we've all been through the Mac-PC wars more than enough times to have heard 'em all.) I have absolutely no doubt I'll love making the transition, as I have been a Mac person for years (from the SE30 through the PowerMac 9600 personally, with a great secondhand G4 for my daughter now) -- I just never wanted to pay for the quality I admired... until now. I'm just hoping to make the transition as smooth as possible.
So, any tips from recent switchers?
As for specific concerns, I recently posted a few questions at Ask MetaFilter. While I don't know if anyone here rises to that level of geekiness, I figured I'd post the key issues.
- Moving iTunes? I have lots of music, much of it purchased off iTMS and thus DRMed, and an iPod linked to my PC. How hard is it to move everything to the Mac? From what I've read, it's not too complicated.
- Networking. Apparently, this isn't a problem -- sharing files at least -- via a standard home network. I'm not sure if I'll be able to leave my HP OfficeJet 6110xi hooked up to my XP system and print through it, though.
- Software. I know I'm probably going to spring for Mac Office, and iLife for Garageband and iMovie. Oh, and apparently I can cross-upgrade Adobe Photoshop. Anyone use iWork? Is Pages a good replacement for Adobe PageMaker (which doesn't even exist anymore)? Does iSync work seamlessly with PalmOS devices (I have a Treo 650)?
- Hardware. This is the real question, and the fun one. Part of me still can't get used to all-in-one designs, so I was thinking of a well-spec'd Mac Mini and the most expensive display I can afford (20" Cinema Display?). But most folks are steering me toward the 17" iMac G5, for the newer chip and built-in imaging memory (I will be doing some audio and video editing). Anyone with experience with either or both configurations?
Even if no one has any answers, I'll let you know how this great experiment goes!
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