Moving From A Win Box to iMac

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Hope this is the right spot. I haven't purchased a iMac yet, still deciding what I should choose. My question is since I've been on Windows since DOS 3, I do have a lot of doc's (word) and photos (jpeg & raw) is the change over going to be very difficult and what am I up against? Music not a concern because I have been using iTunes, I'm assuming I'll be able to transfer the files. Will I have issues getting on to my home network or is a matter of just logging into it? Any help appreciated.
 
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IBM PC-DOS 3 came out in late 1984-early 1985. If you have Word documents from that timeframe, and they are critical to you, you really should invest some time and get them updated to a newer format. If they are still on floppy disks, I'd consider having them moved to modern storage media as well. Floppy disks are not considered reliable long-term storage and do eventually fail. I'm kinda surprised you can use them on semi-modern Windows.
 
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I'm going to assume that your .doc files are from a relatively recent version of Word, and not from back in the '80s and '90s. That said, you can either get Office for the Mac, or import them into Pages, the free word processor that comes with the Mac. If the documents are simple, they should import pretty well, but if there are complex formatting, embedded riles, etc, then the change to Pages can be a bit more challenging. The jpeg and raw files should copy over pretty easily as they are a standard format.

As for connecting to the network, the Mac is much more easy to get into the network than any Windows system I've ever used. Just power it up, turn on Wifi and it will find your wireless router and offer to join. You give the password for the network and you are done. From that point on, the Mac will connect each time it's powered on.

You can also migrate your personal files from the Windows system, assuming it's relatively new and also not from the '80s. Here is Apple's article on how to do that: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204087
 

chscag

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Microsoft Word for the Mac or Mac Office has no problem importing and opening very old Word docs. I have docs from very old versions of MS Office for Windows (Office 97 and earlier) that open with my current version of Mac Office (2011). However, as Jake pointed out using Pages to open Word docs can be a task because of the formatting that may be lost.

As was mentioned by member "S.SubZero" Word docs from the Dos version of Word may or may not be readable by a current version of Word. Although, I do seem to remember with one of my older versions of MS Office for Windows that Microsoft provided a filter that could be used to read and edit those very old docs.
 
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KennyC
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Thanks SubZero, Jake and chscag. I apologize for how I wrote my question. I guess I was trying to point out how long I've been using win and trying to access what challenges I would be up against moving over. I have been updating Office, now using 2007. Most my doc's are saved recipes, woodworking (some have pics included), computer notes, etc you get the picture. Seems like it should't be to big of a challenge which is good to know. Thanks guys for the replies and suggestions, again sorry for the misleading question.
 
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No problem, Kenny. Just read that article on Migration Assistant I linked before you do anything with the Mac. If you can connect your PC and the Mac with an appropriate cable, then at the first boot up, before you create an account or do anything else, you will be asked if you want to migrate data. Take that opportunity to do the migration and all should go pretty well. Your data will be migrated and all the security permissions set for you to be able to use them right away.
 

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Thanks Ian for article, will read it. I kinda know what most of what I would like just a couple of choices unsure. I'm using a 24" hd monitor so my mac choices are 21 or 27 and am afraid the 21 may seems smaller to what I'm using. The other choice whether going with the i5 or i7 processor. The nice thing about the 27 I could install more rem if necessary.
 

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It appears we won't see an upgrade to the iMac until next year or perhaps even later. And there is always a chance that Apple will lock down the 27" models the same way they have with the 21.5" models. In other words, no user upgradeable memory. The new iMac Pro (very expensive) is not memory upgradeable by the user, and the newest Mac Mini requires disassembly to upgrade the memory.

If you see a discounted bargain on a new 27" iMac, it might be a good time to buy one. Just make sure you buy it from an authorized Apple reseller such as B&H Photo in NY or even Best Buy. B&H in NY has free shipping and they do not charge sales tax for certain out of state sales. You would not have to pay sales tax living in Florida.

As far as the choice between an i5 or i7 processor is concerned, unless you're into video editing or number crunching, stick with the i5. The only thing I definitely recommend is ordering the machine with a large enough SSD. Stay away from Fusion Drives.
 
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KennyC, As another longtime Windows user that has moved over to the MAC world I would suggest that when you do get your MAC that you look into a Vertiual Machine (VM) program. This will allow you to have a working copy of your Windows running on your new MAC. There are Paid and Free VM's. Who would have thought that you might want a running copy of Win 7 after 3 years on a MAC. :)

KenK
 
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KennyC, As another longtime Windows user that has moved over to the MAC world I would suggest that when you do get your MAC that you look into a Vertiual Machine (VM) program. This will allow you to have a working copy of your Windows running on your new MAC. There are Paid and Free VM's. Who would have thought that you might want a running copy of Win 7 after 3 years on a MAC. :)

KenK

KenK Thanks for t he suggestion. Question, when you run a VM program does that run under that program bootcamp?
 
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No, a VM runs in its own environment. I have Parallels to run Win7 for one application. So when I want that application, I start up Parallels Desktop, which is the launcher, then boot Windows within Parallels. I get a Windows desktop in a window under macOS, where I can do what I want. It looks and feels like a Windows system completely. When I shut down the VM, it goes through the full Windows shutdown, then the environment is closed and I'm back to the Parallels desktop, which I can then quit. While Win7 is running, I still have full access to the Mac and all that it does. When the cursor is in control of Windows, it looks like a Windows icon, but changes back to the Mac version when it's working for the Mac OS.

EDIT: I should add that in a Bootcamp solution you chose which OS to boot at boot time, so the entire system is one or the other. But there is some overhead to the VM approach as the hardware is being simulated by software whereas in the Bootcamp solution hardware is hardware.
 
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KennyC, sorry when I replied to you I misstated that I am using VMware I'm not I am using VirtualBox. I don't have any experience with Parallels. I would suggest that you look into ALL of the VM's programs and even give some a try to see what works for you.
PS: you will need to create a CLONE of your Windows, Keep a copy of that to use for testing the VM programs.

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You might consider getting a Mac Mini and then you can use whatever sized monitor you want. The new one does have upgradeable RAM though the process is apparently very lengthy.

The 27" iMac 5K is very nice though, I have the 2015 model and I'm extremely happy with it.

As far as VMs go, I tend to view them as more of a last resort. I wouldn't jump into the Mac world with the assumption that "oh, the second I run into something where I think the only solution is Windows, I'll throw a VM at it." VMs are not a cure-all and there's things they do and don't do (or do well). They are also yet another OS to maintain and care about (and buy). For the general non-gamer who has a basic app set, a VM is not necessary. macOS is going to do web browsing, Email, IMs, arguing on the internet, word processing, spreadsheeting, presentations, bragging about having a Mac.. the things people tend to do with computers.
 
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Jake thanks for that full explanation about VM & bootcamp too. Seems that if you need to work in windows a VM has an advantage over bootcamp giving you access to both without rebooting into each.

KennK good sugestion on creating a clone, I do also hace a win laptop so not sure if putting win on mac will be necessary for me.

SubZero I have considered the mini but kinda promised the wife she could have this new monitor if I go mac. Going to an apple store (over an hour away) to talk and look at some mac's and talk to some folks there. Unfortunately BB store by me have very little knowledge about apple and only usually display 1.
 

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