After 20 years as a PC user I am making the switch to the dark side in two weeks. I have finally realized the errors of my ways and am ready to make the plunge. That being said the fact is it’s still a PC world and I have some concerns.
I have read many reviews, posts and articles and have some ideas but would like to hear yours.
BTW I am buying the 24” iMac 2.4 upgraded to 2GB of ram.
My biggest concern is that the documents and files that I create on my Mac will be usable at my office on a PC. Most of the documents are Word & Excel. There are a number of options so let me list what I’m looking at and will await your advice. Thanks in advance for your input.
1) To create Word & Excel docs I could:
I think that iWorks will export its docs into Word & Excel formats, is that the way to go?
2) I am a web designer; not a good one but I do have a number of web clients. I use DreamWeaver. I don’t have the money to buy the DW suite for Mac so I’m going to have to use the windows version. This may partially answer question one.
This question is about iWeb. Is it a robust enough program to create relatively simple commercial web sites or is it more of a “What I did on my summer vacation” type of program?
It’s not clear to me if I can create web sites with iWeb and upload them to my existing server or if I have to use the .mac service. If I create a web page with iWeb can I then manually alter the HTML code, add meta tags and stuff like that? Can I export iWeb files to DW? And vice versa?
Here are a few of the web sites I have built and maintain:
http://www.newportstationers.com/
http://www.monarchstone.net
http://www.selectcigars.com
http://www.makoelectric.com/
3) I’m doing more and more work with video and have lots of .WMV files. How will I access them and use them with my Mac?
4) I just bought Adobe PhotoShop Elements & Premier Elements are iPhoto, iMovie & iDVD suitable replacements? I don’t make extravagant movies but would like to at some point. I do realize that Final Cut would be the next step but what direction would you suggest for now?
I didn’t see an option for GIF’s in iPhoto and believe that it is mainly a photo organizer, am I wrong?
5) Keynote- Is this just the Mac version of PowerPoint and if so is it worth buying? If I go with Keynote how will the PC world be able to view the presentations?
6) I need to create weekly flyers for my company. Currently I use mostly Word and occasionally Publisher. What would be the best Mac program to use to create good looking sales materials for my company and again how would I get them from my Mac to my PC office?
7) Most of my stuff is stored on an external HD. I know it will have to be reformatted once everything has been migrated over. As a Mac user should I still have the same back up concerns as a Windows user? What do the Mac gurus do?
8) I need a new router. Mine is years old and quite slow. Is the AirPort Extreme worth the $179? Or does it just look really hip? My daughter uses a PC laptop and connects wirelessly to our home network.
8) What’s the best way to get up to speed on everything? And/or what order should I take it in?
9) Am I over thinking all of this?
10) Will I be as cool as the Jackson Browne looking guy in the commercials?
11) Will women find me more attractive?
Thanks again if you took the time to read all this and especially for your responses. I’m very excited about making the switch but can’t afford a lot of down time so I’m a little paranoid.
I have read many reviews, posts and articles and have some ideas but would like to hear yours.
BTW I am buying the 24” iMac 2.4 upgraded to 2GB of ram.
My biggest concern is that the documents and files that I create on my Mac will be usable at my office on a PC. Most of the documents are Word & Excel. There are a number of options so let me list what I’m looking at and will await your advice. Thanks in advance for your input.
1) To create Word & Excel docs I could:
A- Run Windows on the Mac and switch back and forth using either Parallels or Boot Camp but I’d have to buy an XP OS. If I do that which XP should I buy?
B- Run the Mac version of MS Office.
C- Use iWorks
D-Use bothI think that iWorks will export its docs into Word & Excel formats, is that the way to go?
2) I am a web designer; not a good one but I do have a number of web clients. I use DreamWeaver. I don’t have the money to buy the DW suite for Mac so I’m going to have to use the windows version. This may partially answer question one.
This question is about iWeb. Is it a robust enough program to create relatively simple commercial web sites or is it more of a “What I did on my summer vacation” type of program?
It’s not clear to me if I can create web sites with iWeb and upload them to my existing server or if I have to use the .mac service. If I create a web page with iWeb can I then manually alter the HTML code, add meta tags and stuff like that? Can I export iWeb files to DW? And vice versa?
Here are a few of the web sites I have built and maintain:
http://www.newportstationers.com/
http://www.monarchstone.net
http://www.selectcigars.com
http://www.makoelectric.com/
3) I’m doing more and more work with video and have lots of .WMV files. How will I access them and use them with my Mac?
4) I just bought Adobe PhotoShop Elements & Premier Elements are iPhoto, iMovie & iDVD suitable replacements? I don’t make extravagant movies but would like to at some point. I do realize that Final Cut would be the next step but what direction would you suggest for now?
I didn’t see an option for GIF’s in iPhoto and believe that it is mainly a photo organizer, am I wrong?
5) Keynote- Is this just the Mac version of PowerPoint and if so is it worth buying? If I go with Keynote how will the PC world be able to view the presentations?
6) I need to create weekly flyers for my company. Currently I use mostly Word and occasionally Publisher. What would be the best Mac program to use to create good looking sales materials for my company and again how would I get them from my Mac to my PC office?
7) Most of my stuff is stored on an external HD. I know it will have to be reformatted once everything has been migrated over. As a Mac user should I still have the same back up concerns as a Windows user? What do the Mac gurus do?
8) I need a new router. Mine is years old and quite slow. Is the AirPort Extreme worth the $179? Or does it just look really hip? My daughter uses a PC laptop and connects wirelessly to our home network.
8) What’s the best way to get up to speed on everything? And/or what order should I take it in?
9) Am I over thinking all of this?
10) Will I be as cool as the Jackson Browne looking guy in the commercials?
11) Will women find me more attractive?
Thanks again if you took the time to read all this and especially for your responses. I’m very excited about making the switch but can’t afford a lot of down time so I’m a little paranoid.