APPLE Computers, Mac info required fromMac Users

Stephane -

I'm not too familiar with Macs, but have heard they are far less prone to attacks and viruses.

Also, I once hired an admin who was a Mac-head.  She loved them, but couldn't use them to update my web and blogsites, for some reason.  Perhaps certain software is not compatible.

I would check with a local geek before you make the move, to be sure.

Eh?

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO (in the Lower 48!)

You will find a number of MacHeads on AR!  Here is an AR group that you should check out:  http://activerain.com/groups/macusers .

I bought a Mac a few months ago after years of being afraid to make the move.  I finally did it, and wonder why it took me so long.  I love it!  I had some compatibility issues at first, as there are some websites and programs that run best on Windows and IExplorer.  I've been able to work around those issues with no problems.

If you have compatibility issues with any programs you can install Parallels or a similar software, which allows you to run Windows on your Mac.  I do it all day long! 

I could go on and on about how much I love it.  I'd never go back to a PC.

Check out the group above ~ you might want to repost this blog and include it in the group for a lot of good feedback.  Good luck!

I've had over 25 Macs since 1984.  I've never had a virus NOR have I had antivirus protection software - ever.  Don't know a thing about it.

The Mac makes computing pleasurable.  It's intuitive.  They have the BEST customer support (if you ever need it, which is rare) in the business. In almost any business, actually (see Consumer Reports). It's everything that Windows computers are NOT.

People that use Macs LOVE their computers - and for a good reason - it HELPS you be more productive, it doesn't get in the way, as Windows has done fo many years. 

The only potential problem you MAY run into (it's rare, but it happens) is that your backwards MLS is set up to only be compatible with Internet Exploder.

In that case, you need to get a program ($79) called Parallels, which will allow you to run Windows simultaneously on your Mac.  But most up to date MLS systems work on the Mac just fine.  In fact, here in New Hampshire, our MLS just announced formal support for the Mac!

Take your Windows machine into an Apple Store and they'll transfer everything over for FREE.

Spend $99 a year, and you can go into a Mac store and have a 1 hour, one on one personal training session every single week.... all for $99.  If you need it...  it's so intuitive you probably won't!  (which is why it's so cheap - they KNOW nobody needs to come in for 52 weeks to learn how to use a Mac!)

Macs come with iLife... FREE.  Some of the best software out there - anywhere.  FREE.  Includes iWeb, which allows you to make very attractive websites with a minimal learning curve.  

Try it.... you'll like it.  If you offered me a pimped out, top of the line Windows machine with Vista today, I wouldn't even open the box.  I'd put it on eBay in a heartbeat.  I have no time to be annoyed.....

Funny story... a client of mine (a realtor) finally got his first Mac last year.  He was so excited, but when he got it, it sat on the floor for a MONTH.  I couldn't figure out why he was so excited, yet never opened the box!  He kept telling me that he was 'waiting for when he had a full day to set it up, get it working properly, etc...     I never knew what he was talking about, but.. fine... whatever....

Finally one day, one the phone... I said "what are you waiting for???? The Messiah?"  I ordered him to open the damn box and unpack the thing!

He opened it, put it on his desk, plugged it into the wall, plugged in the ethernet cable to his cable modem, pressed the ON button....and voila... He was online, he was hooked up, and he was running.  Perfect.  Took... literally..... 4 minutes.

He was shocked, because setting up a windows machine was a matter of locating the proper drivers, installing all his software, trying to set up his network, trying to make the printer work, etc.  And I've helped him with his last Dell, and it DID take a good part of the day, and several calls to Dell to get the network working.

The Mac worked out of the box.  Literally.  4 minutes.  Everything.  Network.  Wireless mouse.  Wireless keyboard, Wireless internet. Wireless back up. All worked perfectly.  

He's never looked back.  

Yes, I own a few mac laptops. But here in Rhode Island, the MLS system does now support Firefox or Safari and the IE version on mac is too outdated.

So check with your MLS sytem first before you buy a mac.

Again, if you are not using MLS on a mac, it is a different story.

Stephane:  You install Parallels, which will allow you to run Windows.  You can run Office on the Windows side, but you can also get Windows for the MAC, which I'm told is actually better than the version for Windows.  

The main idea is that you want to use the Windows side as little as possible, as you are still in the position to get viruses, spyware and all the goodies that Windows machines 'have' - even on the Mac.  So you want to use the Windows side only when necessary, or you're still susceptible to all the malware.  The good thing is, it won't affect your Mac side.  Just delete all the Windows stuff the reinstall XP or whatever system you use. (You actually can install XP and VIsta on your machine if you want... but WHY?  LOL)

The reason Macs don't get viruses is because the core of it is the UNIX operating system, which is very, very difficult to crack.  If you're running Windows, you're no longer using that system, so it's JUST like being on a regular Windows machine, with all the downsides as well!

And yes, I've heard Windows runs better on a Mac (in bootcamp mode, not virtual mode with Parallels) than on a PC!

Stephane, I use a 24" iMac for all my design work, running Windows right alongside all my programs using Parallels. VMWare Fusion is also supposed to be a great program for running Windows on a Mac. My only note of caution would be to make sure you buy a Mac with plenty of processing power and RAM.

Followup... the Realtor referenced in the above comments just ordered a MacBook - he's dumping his Dell laptop - and now he's 100% Mac.  He told me yesterday he can't sleep at night because he can't WAIT to get rid of his #$%@#$@# Dell computer which is just an ongoing nightmare (it's 13 months old). He said he never realized how much HASSLE is involved with Windows on a daily (hourly) basis until he started using his iMac and could spend 100% of his time working instead of shutting down virus popups, messages, and "allowing" or "not allowing"  every time he downloads something.  That's when his computer doesn't just SHUT DOWN without warning periodically....

He's very mad it took him so long.  But now he's a 100% convert.