The iMac G5: A PC user migrates to a Mac

[MacBytes]

Category: Reviews
Link: The iMac G5: A PC user migrates to a Mac
Posted on MacBytes.com

Approved by Mudbug

[nagromme]

Some useful tips and links in there, for getting data and settings moved from PC to Mac.

And a two-button mouse IS useful--I'm a fan of 5 or more! (I also like the one-button simplicity and use my Apple mouse about half the time.) But just to counter the "one button fear factor" of Windows users: Macs don't NEED a second button the way Windows does. A second button on Mac is a great shortcut--NOT the primary way of performing major tasks. And the Control key on the keyboard does the same thing. Oh, and your PC USB mouse will work fine on Mac. So take the plunge

[Santaduck]

The utilities mentioned in the article were good information to know, such as move2mac.

I'll respectfully disagree about the mouse button issue; on my kensington trackball, i have one of the rightside buttons set to control click, and it does make life a little easier than the ctrl-click. On my iMac g5 I'm bearing w/the 1-button BT mouse if only b/c I'm hoping Kensington will release a BT version of their smaller trackball (the orbit)... anything but Logitech trackballs...

Plunging is a big deal, esp. when you have existing content or crucial apps in XP, but apple does make it nice w/iLife, Mail, and browsers. I can understand some trepidation in handheld syncing (might have to get a utility at markspace.com, for example with a Clie) or with peripherals (might have to use Hamrick's vuescan for unsupported devices), but I agree that most switchers among the consumer class, once they do take the plunge, would never go back.

[nagromme]

I agree, it does make life easier if you're used to it. But it's not vital on Mac the way it is on Windows.

(BTW, I seem to be the only Mac user I know--including switchers!--who wants more than one button! They all use the Apple mouse even if they also own a 2-button. Simplicity has its appeal.)

[shamino]

Originally Posted by nagromme

(BTW, I seem to be the only Mac user I know--including switchers!--who wants more than one button! They all use the Apple mouse even if they also own a 2-button. Simplicity has its appeal.)

Well then, I'm number 2.

I use an MS Wheel Mouse Optical on my G4. I need three buttons for certain apps (like Emacs) that are written for three buttons (and are a pain to use with keyboard equivalents.) I've also grown quite addicted to having a wheel on the mouse and actively dislike using mice that don't have them.

[shamino]

Overall, it's a well written article. Just a few minor nits to pick:

1: VPC isn't a Windows emulator, it's a PC emulator. It runs (or is capable of running) an ordinary off-the-shelf installation of Windows, as well as many other PC operating systems.

2: I agree that the lack of multi-button BlutTooth mice is a significant problem. People that want such a device should write letters to Microsoft and Logitech requesting one. I suspect they're not made because BT mice are not common in the PC world, but the manufacturers may think differently if they see a lot of demand from the Mac world.

3: If the RF dongle from the wireless MS Mouse is ugly, it can be hidden. Paint it white and affix it to the back of the Mac (preferably with something removable, like double-sided tape.) Not as pretty as something built-in, but better looking than a black box hanging out the back.

4: The chip in the Detto USB cable isn't an accelerator (even though they advertise it as such.) It's an interface necessary for connecting two computers via USB. (USB does not allow to root-hubs to be connected on a single bus.) With their cable, each computer connects to the chip, not to the other computer. The chip acts as a router to allow data transfer between its two ports.

Detto claims that the chip is an accelerator, but their posted speed (500M in 15 minutes) is 4.4Mbps - well below USB 1.1's top speed. It's faster than their parallel port cable, but only because USB is faster than a parallel port, not because of any special acceleration hardware.

[Yvan256]

Originally Posted by nagromme

[...] But just to counter the "one button fear factor" of Windows users: Macs don't NEED a second button the way Windows does. A second button on Mac is a great shortcut--NOT the primary way of performing major tasks. And the Control key on the keyboard does the same thing. Oh, and your PC USB mouse will work fine on Mac. So take the plunge

Yeah, but just like Windows keyboards have a "control" key, it's still faster to right-click if you've already got your hand on the mouse. Also, Windows users are used to that way of doing thing. And since the end-result is the same, it's best to use the mouse if that's your way of doing things. Windows or OS X, both can use the right-click or the keyboard key.

And yes, I will be taking my Logitech ergonomic USB mouse when I switch. I just need to find a good IBM USB keyboard and I'm set (why oh why did I buy a PS/2 keyboard...). Since I've known I wanted to switch though, I didn't buy a single piece of hardware that wasn't OS X compatible (USB MIDI adapter, for example).

Anyway, the Apple mouse and keyboard will end up on eBay. That's one way of lowering the computer's cost. ;-)

[neoelectronaut]

Originally Posted by Yvan256

Yeah, but just like Windows keyboards have a "control" key, it's still faster to right-click if you've already got your hand on the mouse. Also, Windows users are used to that way of doing thing. And since the end-result is the same, it's best to use the mouse if that's your way of doing things. Windows or OS X, both can use the right-click or the keyboard key.

And yes, I will be taking my Logitech ergonomic USB mouse when I switch. I just need to find a good IBM USB keyboard and I'm set (why oh why did I buy a PS/2 keyboard...). Since I've known I wanted to switch though, I didn't buy a single piece of hardware that wasn't OS X compatible (USB MIDI adapter, for example).

Anyway, the Apple mouse and keyboard will end up on eBay. That's one way of lowering the computer's cost. ;-)

You know, I find that other than for games, the One-Button mouse works very well. (Ever try to play Diablo 2 or a FPS with just one button and no scroll-wheel? I don't reccomend it.) Though, I don't even play that many games anymore, not on my computer anyway.

I find that OS X is better built than Windows, in the fact that much of the time you don't even really need the right mouse button. Typically you can use drag-and-drop for many of the tasks that a right button would accomplish. It does the same thing, just in a different way.