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Switcher Hangout (Windows to Mac)
PC Refugee
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<blockquote data-quote="Amen-Moses" data-source="post: 322935" data-attributes="member: 114"><p>1) I currently have my XP PC set up to output to my LCD monitor and to my TV via component for watching movies. Can I do this on an iMac, or is it VGA/DVI (analogue) output only? </p><p></p><p>*** probably needs an adaptor but probably yes, ask at the store.</p><p></p><p>2) I assume if the above is true, I can use Front Row with the supplied remote (?) to watch movies on my TV? And use an optical connection to my amp to get 5.1?</p><p></p><p>*** yes</p><p></p><p>3) Can Front Row play things like DiVX/Xvid/H.264 HD AVI files? Is the DVD drive multi region, and is the apple software region locked? Currently I use Meedio which is a home cinema application which allows me to play DVDs, movie files in different formats, view pictures, play music, get the weather - etc.</p><p></p><p>*** Front Row will play anything that Quick Time can play, you may have to get something like VLC for other stuff and that won't work directly from Front Row.</p><p></p><p>5) I assume they are completely non-upgradable?</p><p></p><p>*** Apparently you can upgrade the CPU (and hard drive I assume) if you are handy with a tool kit and the RAM is upgradeable. The gfx chips are almost certainly soldered on to the main board though.</p><p></p><p></p><p>6) Is the Apple wireless keyboard and mouse the best to get, or should I get a 3rd party combo?</p><p></p><p>*** try them out for a while and see how you get on with them, I favour Logitech rodents myself but I haven't tried a Mighty Mouse yet.</p><p></p><p>7) What's the failure rate of these things like? Forgive me for asking, but if a component goes in my PC I can whip it out and replace it. Where as I assume iMacs have to go back to Apple, or to a local authorised service centre?</p><p></p><p>*** same as all computers you sometimes get a lemon but I've not heard too many horror stories about the new iMac and my old G4 iMac has never given me any trouble. If it really worries you that much get the Applecare package.</p><p></p><p>8) Now I have a Wii and a 360 I'm not too fussed about PC based gaming. All I use my PC for is viewing media, internet, MSN/ICQ and Office applications. I assume I can use Apple's version of Office which is I hope compatible with Microsoft's in terms of file formats? I would jsut want Excel (spreadsheets), Word (word processing), Powerpoint (slide show presentations) and I use Outlook, but I guess I can use whatever Apple email client is available. As long as I can add contacts and have a calendar I don't mind (although I think the OS has a good calendar built in?).</p><p></p><p>*** You have a couple of options here, 1) use Open office or one of its derivatives. 2) if you already have a copy of XP and Office either dual boot or purchase Parallels and install them. Apple doesn't have a "version of office" as such, it is a Microsoft product and whilst very different from the Windows version should be as compatible as any other version of Office with regard to files. (we still run Win2000, Win2003 and XP versions here at work and the only way to make them compatible with each other is to tell them to save in 97/2000 format)</p><p></p><p>9) What sort of restrictions are there that you can think of? It seems like a fairly closed world, speaking as someone who can google for any sort of application and get it working on Windows...</p><p></p><p>*** You can, with a little work, use almost anything that Linux has on offer plus with Parallels or Crossover use much of the Windows world as well. In addition there are stacks of Mac specific applications available and quite a healthy open source effort on Macs as well.</p><p></p><p>10) The hardware doesn't look to have changed much other than Intel chips coming in. Are iMac's going to be either refreshed soon or completely removed from the product line?</p><p></p><p>*** Nah, the iMac may completely change shape again like it has done on several occasions but it will be around for many years to come.</p><p></p><p>11) I guess a lot of you are waiting for the Leopard OS! If I get an iMac with whatever the current one is, would I have to pay for the upgrade? I assume there are no set release dates for it yet?</p><p></p><p>*** Yes, Yes (although it won't be an upgrade, Apple has always sold only one version of the client OS which workls on all machines) and Yes.</p><p></p><p>Amen-Moses</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Amen-Moses, post: 322935, member: 114"] 1) I currently have my XP PC set up to output to my LCD monitor and to my TV via component for watching movies. Can I do this on an iMac, or is it VGA/DVI (analogue) output only? *** probably needs an adaptor but probably yes, ask at the store. 2) I assume if the above is true, I can use Front Row with the supplied remote (?) to watch movies on my TV? And use an optical connection to my amp to get 5.1? *** yes 3) Can Front Row play things like DiVX/Xvid/H.264 HD AVI files? Is the DVD drive multi region, and is the apple software region locked? Currently I use Meedio which is a home cinema application which allows me to play DVDs, movie files in different formats, view pictures, play music, get the weather - etc. *** Front Row will play anything that Quick Time can play, you may have to get something like VLC for other stuff and that won't work directly from Front Row. 5) I assume they are completely non-upgradable? *** Apparently you can upgrade the CPU (and hard drive I assume) if you are handy with a tool kit and the RAM is upgradeable. The gfx chips are almost certainly soldered on to the main board though. 6) Is the Apple wireless keyboard and mouse the best to get, or should I get a 3rd party combo? *** try them out for a while and see how you get on with them, I favour Logitech rodents myself but I haven't tried a Mighty Mouse yet. 7) What's the failure rate of these things like? Forgive me for asking, but if a component goes in my PC I can whip it out and replace it. Where as I assume iMacs have to go back to Apple, or to a local authorised service centre? *** same as all computers you sometimes get a lemon but I've not heard too many horror stories about the new iMac and my old G4 iMac has never given me any trouble. If it really worries you that much get the Applecare package. 8) Now I have a Wii and a 360 I'm not too fussed about PC based gaming. All I use my PC for is viewing media, internet, MSN/ICQ and Office applications. I assume I can use Apple's version of Office which is I hope compatible with Microsoft's in terms of file formats? I would jsut want Excel (spreadsheets), Word (word processing), Powerpoint (slide show presentations) and I use Outlook, but I guess I can use whatever Apple email client is available. As long as I can add contacts and have a calendar I don't mind (although I think the OS has a good calendar built in?). *** You have a couple of options here, 1) use Open office or one of its derivatives. 2) if you already have a copy of XP and Office either dual boot or purchase Parallels and install them. Apple doesn't have a "version of office" as such, it is a Microsoft product and whilst very different from the Windows version should be as compatible as any other version of Office with regard to files. (we still run Win2000, Win2003 and XP versions here at work and the only way to make them compatible with each other is to tell them to save in 97/2000 format) 9) What sort of restrictions are there that you can think of? It seems like a fairly closed world, speaking as someone who can google for any sort of application and get it working on Windows... *** You can, with a little work, use almost anything that Linux has on offer plus with Parallels or Crossover use much of the Windows world as well. In addition there are stacks of Mac specific applications available and quite a healthy open source effort on Macs as well. 10) The hardware doesn't look to have changed much other than Intel chips coming in. Are iMac's going to be either refreshed soon or completely removed from the product line? *** Nah, the iMac may completely change shape again like it has done on several occasions but it will be around for many years to come. 11) I guess a lot of you are waiting for the Leopard OS! If I get an iMac with whatever the current one is, would I have to pay for the upgrade? I assume there are no set release dates for it yet? *** Yes, Yes (although it won't be an upgrade, Apple has always sold only one version of the client OS which workls on all machines) and Yes. Amen-Moses [/QUOTE]
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