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PC Tech want to learn MAC

R

rgyt

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2006
3
0
Hello,

I was wondering if someone would give me some advice. I am a PC Technician and would like to learn how to repair Macs and use the software; I have never used a MAC or repaired one. I was going to purchase a used MAC to practice with, but I don't know which MAC to purchase. Where do I start?
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!
:) :)
 
Well the first thing to learn is that it's Mac.

BUt in seriousness, I can't imagine that they're much different internally to a PC laptop or desktop in most cases.
 
As hardware goes, there really isn't much difference. Software is going to be the big difference.

Go and buy/find an old mac G4 and install OS 10.4 on it and see how it goes - you should be able to find one relatively cheap. But the main thing is you'll have questions after you get a machine - telling you anything now makes it harder to relate to the issue.

Have fun and good luck!

D
 
Welcome, rgyt. The first and perhaps most important thing to understand (my own opinion) is that Apple produces both the operating system, and the hardware it runs on.
This is what makes a Mac a Mac. This is why everything works so well.

As others have noted, you won't notice much difference in internal hardware components.(hard drives, CD drives, SATA cables, etc. ) Apple did design out RS-232 ports and parallel ports some years back, so don't be too shocked when you don't see them. Hmm, ok, make that quite a few years ago. No PS-2 ports either. Apple did use the proprietary Apple Desktop Bus ports, but those were designed out in favor of going all USB, which every likes much better.

For starters, one of the old Sawtooth (that's an Apple codename) G4's might be a good choice. A photo Not too expensive, and easily found.
 
yeah, are u talking about repair hardware or software of a mac?

software side, OSX is a branch of BSD, so the knowledge of that might be helpful.
 
As has been said it is the hardware plus the operating system that makes a Mac. Read David Pogue's "Switching to the Mac" to get a basic understanding of OS-X. While you are at Amazon you can search for "Macintosh Maintenance" for some books on repair. Since you are a professional I suggest you take cyberddot's advice and follow his link to learn about certified training.
 
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Could someone let me know how much a Mac like this is worth? I'm looking into buying a used one to get familiar with the hardware/software and someone wants to sale me one with the specs listed below.

Thanks.

Agp graphics power mac g4
500 Mhz processor
1 gig of ram
30 gig hd
 
That would be an excellent Mac to start out with - dont' plan on doing too much, though - like photoshop, as, that machine can't handle that - but it'll be able to handle Tiger fairly well, but nothing near a new Mac, obviously

You'll want to be able to fix OS 9, too... and, if memory serves, that machine will run OS 9. OS 9 is basically the same as OS 8, and OS 8 is basically a GUI layer with a buncha stuff™ over system 7.

If you know OS 9, you'll know all the Classic OS's.

I would get your hands on Tiger (preferably) or Panther and OS 9. You can be bumped to OS 9.2 via free upgrades on Apple's site.

What I'd do, anyway... :)
 
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