About to switch

[clearlynuts]

Not anti-Mac, but the time seems right for me to buy a Mac. I've weighed the options, and I'll likely go with the PowerMac dual 1.8 - over the AMD Athlon64 I would have built for myself - betting on software vendors putting the two procs to good use in their software. I was hoping, however, that someone might point me in the right direction or outright correct me for the following issues:

1. Does anyone have anything good to say about Intuit's Quicken for Mac? I've read plenty of bad things. I'm not surprised considering I stopped using Quicken and TurboTax because of Intuit's crappy product development and customer service.

2. Does anyone who has used Trillian on Windows know of a comparable product? They really got integrated IM right, in my eyes.

3. Is there a comprehensive hardware compatibility list somewhere so I can check my peripherals? Mostly, I'm wondering about my scanner, which is pretty old (HP ScanJet 4100C) but very serviceable.

4. What kind of pricing scheme does Apple generally do for OS upgrades? If Tiger is released weeks after I buy, how much will it cost to upgrade the OS on the machine I buy, based on history?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[RBMaraman]

I can only answer questions 3 & 4:

3. Usually, check with the peripheral's vendor to see if it's compatible. Look to see if Mac OS X drivers are available for your scanner. If they are, then most likely, they are already built into the OS.

4. If you buy a new Mac after the EXACT release date for the new OS is announced, you can get it for $19.99. Tiger won't be released for several months, so if you buy now, you'll have to pay $129 for the OS. Just so you know, no exact release date has been announced.

 

[KingSleaze]

1. I don't know what negative things that you've heard about Quicken, I happen to like the ease of use in keeping track of where my money comes from and where it's going. I don't use all of the features it has built in. You could probably find something else cheaper, with a smaller feature set to do what you want, I didn't really care to go to any big search- I'm not using the latest version anyway. I like it, it does what I need it to do.

 

[bbarnhart]

1. I use Quicken, but it does not have all the features that Quicken for the PC has. If you are looking for a checkbook register app, it does work. Online access is spotty. There are plenty of work arounds for getting you online data.

2. Fire

3. What kind of connecter does the scanner have? If it is USB, it will probably work. There is an app that will work with most scanners. Can't think of it right now.

4. US$129. There is a grace period, but I don't know what it is. 'Tiger' or the next version will not be release for a few months.

 

[clearlynuts]

Most of the bad pub I've seen on Quicken revolves around their charging extra for online banking for Mac customers, which in turn has caused some banks to not support Mac. I'll certainly have a PC around so that I can keep using my current MS Money.

My thanks to everyone who responded.

 

[quidire]

Not anti-Mac, but the time seems right for me to buy a Mac. I've weighed the options, and I'll likely go with the PowerMac dual 1.8 - over the AMD Athlon64 I would have built for myself - betting on software vendors putting the two procs to good use in their software. I was hoping, however, that someone might point me in the right direction or outright correct me for the following issues:

Welcome to the "neighborhood", as it were. I switched this past October, and I can assure you I haven't had a moment's regret about the decision.

A few general resources:

1. Apple's site for switchers
2. Panther Compatible Devices (just because something isn't on this list does not mean it won't work with OS X, but this is the first place to check) (I answer your question about your scanner below)
3. MacUpdate (you can find almost any piece of software for the Mac on here; its current version and comments about it)
4. This forum

There are many others, but it's a start.

I happen to have been corresponding with a new switcher yesterday; here is what I told him. It is a list of software and hardware to look into.

1. Does anyone have anything good to say about Intuit's Quicken for Mac? I've read plenty of bad things. I'm not surprised considering I stopped using Quicken and TurboTax because of Intuit's crappy product development and customer service.

You don't get Quicken w/ a PowerMac; you get Intuit's more powerful QuickBooks. Should you google Quicken vs. Quickbooks, there are several comparison reviews out there.

2. Does anyone who has used Trillian on Windows know of a comparable product? They really got integrated IM right, in my eyes.

There are several: (in order of my preference; to each their own of course)

1. Adium X (Obviously I use this one, and thus am biased towards it)
2. Fire
3. Proteus

All but Proteus are free and GPLed in fact (if that matters to you)
Proteus you can try out for a certain amount of time, and is $15.

While any of these three support any protocol you are likely to have heard of, iChat supports AIM and Jabber (IIRC) and has a best-of-breed video-conferencing apparatus.

3. Is there a comprehensive hardware compatibility list somewhere so I can check my peripherals? Mostly, I'm wondering about my scanner, which is pretty old (HP ScanJet 4100C) but very serviceable.

I do not think it does work. Apple doesn't mention it, neither does HP list any Mac support. You can always try plugging it in, but it is unlikely to work.

4. What kind of pricing scheme does Apple generally do for OS upgrades? If Tiger is released weeks after I buy, how much will it cost to upgrade the OS on the machine I buy, based on history?

Do realize that everyone buying a retail copy of Mac OS X is in fact upgrading. Once in a blue moon Apple will have a discount on upgrading for people who buy a computer after a major announcement if the product isn't available for a little while. (For example the Mac World - San Francisco expo ended 1/14/05, iLife '05 was only available 1/22/05. Anyone buying a computer in that week got a discount)

However other than that sort of situation, there is no discount; the price will almost certainly be US$129. Tiger will almost certainly be released at the Worldwide Developers' Conference, which will be in mid-July. If you are buying a computer anytime soon this is a moot issue anyway.

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

You are very welcome I hope this helps in some way.

-RS

 

[scott182]

I couldn't get the 4100C working on my system, and there's no mention of OS X drivers on HP's site, so you might be out of luck. Newer HP scanners do work with OS X. You'll love Macs and OS X especially...enjoy!