what was hardest by switch from pc to mac?

[rpg51]

The last thing I want to mention is that in my experience it is best to completely turn yourself over to mac and use mac software 100% for the first month or two. The beauty of the software is not always apparent at the start. The only thing I am using now that is non apple is the MS Word version for mac. My life at work is such that without that things get too complicated for my pea brain. I have the rest of Office installed but I don't use any of it. I use Mail for e mail (with add ons) and Cal for calendar. iPhoto is on my list to start working with. Airplay is great - especially with the Airfoil add on.

 

[thasan]

Nothing hard really, Mac is a very simple os; if all fails you can always bootcamp.

But i miss copy & paste

mmm...xtrafinder? give a try...free and works well!

 

[thasan]

Here's the list of os x stuff I sent Josh that I think your mom might find helpful. The website www.macupdate.com is the best place to find os x software and discover cool stuff. Also, a great bunch of free starter apps can be found if you search for "Lifehacker Pack for Mac". .......

--you can easily add or change keyboard shortcuts for most natively written apps using the keyboard preference. I can show you how to do this if you're interested.

wow! i learnt quite a few things too +1

 

[Zelnaga]

Folder structuring and viewing especially when I have ALOT of files in one area. Personally I preferred Windows folder views but its not a biggie. Another feature was the windows snap. But BetterTouchTool helped me with that.

Apart from that not much. Be prepared to narrow down your choice of PC games aswell obviously. Still some great selection of games on the mac though.

 

[jdag]

for me:

hardest
- learning how to use finder effectively, in the beginning i thought it was way to chaotic, but that's just adapting.
- shortcuts, but again also just adapting
- figuring out how the os is structured, what's the root folder ea, where are my fonts, my userdata... That kinda stuff

bestest
- installing programs, just by simply dragging it to the folder
- no more constantly updating drivers and such
- way less malware
- since recently: Appstore

but basically apple's os on the whole was a big relief on terms of simplicity and stabillity. It just works.

+1

 

[Haiku214]

The only reason why I still use windows is for games.

 

[ccapman670]

The hardest thing for me when I switched was figuring out what to do with all the free time I had that I was used to spending troubleshooting and removing viruses.

 

[kennyap]

Mac is so simple to use when you know how of coarse like anything
The best thing about a mac is been able to multi task have lots of programs open all at once which you couldn't do on a windows machine.Other great ting about the mac is there is no really any viruses around to harm your mac.Me personally i do a lot of video editing and converting and photo editing so a mac is great for me because it does it so well and so easy too.
I would suggest going to apple store and haven a go on one before you make your mind up because you might not like it at all its not a thing everyone likes some people like it some people don't like it at all and the end of the day it down to personal preference.


hope it helps you out a bit and you get a nice machine sorted out

I've had 15+ years of windows machines, and currently have one Win7 machine. Switched to Mac about 18 months ago.

The first thing I wanted to see was my mac hard drive and everything it contained, so I could understand my brand new Mac computer. So I installed a program called Mac OSX Explorer which I think helped me see what is quite a different operating system layout - root, user, and program directories, etc.

System Preferences is the equivalent of windows Control Panel.

I had to learn some differences regarding networking in OSX, which is somewhat different, but not difficult and I would say more intuitive/more user friendly. And I'm not talking about networking between Mac computers (a five year old could do this), but about Mac OSX working with other network devices.

There are quite a few differences which are very positive about Mac OSX: Program installations install by simply moving the installation file/folder into your Applications folder.
OSX is much better at multitasking; and the only viruses I've seen are windows files that I accidentally downloaded.
Every windows computer I've had gets more slow and bogged down as time goes on, sometimes within just a few months. Program installations greatly accelerate this process in windows machines. This doesn't happen in OSX: my four Mac computers still run just as nice and smooth as when I bought them, even though they're loaded with programs and are used just as frequently as my previous windows machines.
Hope this helps.

 

[MacWanter]

Well I will be swapping from PC to Mac soon enough. I've used Mac at my friends house a TON and have enjoyed it. They are very powerful, clean, and simple to use machines. However, if you are going to swap over, make sure programs you use on your PC will work on OSX (or most of them) There are usually substitutes that work better or worse than the programs on your PC.

However, with downloading things, do not worry. OSX is virtually virus free. And that you are free to do so. Apple is very reliable to their products, so if you have a problem, you should be able to call them and get it fixed, or if you have a simple question, right over the phone for no fee. Enjoy the iMac experience!

 

[kennyap]

for me, first was cut/copy paste...but that was solved with xtrafinder.
my most annoyance to mac is inability to cut paste file directly on to mail (need to do copy/paste).

Cut/Paste confused me at first too, but this works for me fine:

1. Command+C = Copy
then you can do either:
2a. Paste while leaving a copy of the file : Command+V
or
2b. Paste while cutting the file : Option+Command+V

 

[lexvo]

Mountain Lion supports Cut and Paste, although it works a little differently than Windows. In the Finder, you don't cut the file, but select the files that you want to move, press cmd+c. Then to move the file to a new location you press alt+cmd+v instead of cmd+v.

Thanks for sharing! This was the last thing I was missing when switching from Windows.

----------

The last thing I want to mention is that in my experience it is best to completely turn yourself over to mac and use mac software 100% for the first month or two. The beauty of the software is not always apparent at the start.

Exactly. After 3 years I'm still using Mac software only and I try to keep my iMac as standard as possible.

 

[thasan]

Oh yea..I miss automatic slideshow of windows preview has a slideshow but u have to start it through the menu...

 

[81Steven]

For me the most difficult thing was the mouse acceleration…

*

 

[dancj]

For me:

Hardest
- Learning how to use Finder effectively, in the beginning I thought it was way to chaotic, but that's just adapting.

You've got that right. I'm more used to it now, but I'm still not convinced that Windows Explorer isn't much better than Finder.

----------

Mountain Lion supports Cut and Paste, although it works a little differently than Windows. In the Finder, you don't cut the file, but select the files that you want to move, press cmd+c. Then to move the file to a new location you press alt+cmd+v instead of cmd+v.

Thank you! That was driving me mad the other day.

 

[SpyderBite]

Both do the same thing for most consumers. In fact, the biggest obstacles for most consumers is realizing that nothing changes except the interface. You still click on a mail app icon to get your mail and a browser app to surf the net.

Beyond that, I recommend the One to One membership for only $99 when you buy your Mac. Unlimited 30-60 min lessons on any topic with an Apple Creative Specialist for a year.

 

[Lampmeister]

The biggest challenge to the switch is getting used to not constantly fiddling with the computer to get it to do what you need. The best part? Same!

 

[micke1967]

Hi Thanks all for all valuable input...
I think Ive got some really good input and also links to more info here...
And it feels rather reassuring that it doesnt seem as there are many who has made the switch and then had regrets...

Only doubt I have right now is what to buy really...
My guess would be an iMac but Im a bit worried about forum remarls on problems with dead pixels and heating and..well stuff...
Anyways..my headache and still "what to buy" is rather nice headache...

I also have found some free ebooks for dummies on the net that i will try and read up on...
again thanks..and if you have more useful tips...please write them here...

For example....does it exist some sortof list on like the 10-15 programs/apps/software that would be the first to get and install on a mac and why??

best regards Micael

 

[macjunk(ie)]

why?

OP, one question: Why do you want to switch ?
Win 7 was good...Win 8 improves over Win 7.

I have been using Macs the past 6 years. If you had asked me then, I would have told you to go for a Mac straight away. But those were Win XP and Vista days. Mac OS was indeed very stable then.

Today, the gap has decreased due to improved Windows and a less stable Mac OS - (not an assertion, just IMHO). In such a scenario, I don't think it is worth locking yourself in Apple's ecosystem cause it is an expensive affair.

If you go Mac OS, then you have to completely rely on Apple for the hardware too. This is very important to note! Apple does not have a great track record in updating all its product ranges in a timely manner. Case in point, the recent iMac upgrades were long overdue! If you needed an iMac desperately in March, you would have to pay top dollar for a year old tech. If you are in Windows, no such problem...either try Dell, HP or whatever suits your fancy to get the latest hardware. Very often, even if the product lines are updated, they are relatively more expensive than their counterparts even if you account for the high quality materials used in the construction of Macs.

If it is Apple's aesthetics you are after, there is no beating them at it but you have few manufacturers who have come close. Asus ultra books, Samsung Series 9 etc. These are pretty good looking machines.

I will stress on the importance of choice here. When I dipped into Apple's pool, I was blinded by all the shininess.

As of today, apart from the smooth action trackpad, I don't see how Mountain Lion is better than Win 8. Both of them are different operating systems with a different workflow. You will take time adjusting in either case. But one comes with a lot more choices than the other.

Regarding viruses, more viruses are written for Windows than Mac but if you use common sense, you can have a virus free Win system too. Not that difficult.

But if you really want to switch, know that it is quite easy. Apple has something here.

 

[cosmicjoke]

hardest: waiting for updated hardware

what i like about my mac most is that i can easily tech support my parents, who live 2500 miles away from me, w/ ichat screen sharing, rather than trying to explain something to them over the phone lol.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

For me the hardest "change" is the inability to just add/change a piece of hardware like graphic cards, adding network adapters and such.

But for such "needs" (desires) I keep my little self-build server (just heavy updated)

No other real problems

 

[R.OG]

NO PAINT....
Still bothers me lol.
Everything else was a breeze.

Lol. I don't know why but not having MS paint bothers me also. Learning to navigate OSX with only the keyboard was the hardest part for me.

 

[micke1967]

Hi
reasons for wanna switch...
well first off I will keep my HP at home I believe wich is on XP by the way...and is old but rather stable even though I had it cleaned for trojans last weekend...
But at work I will work with windows for foreseable future I guess...and have a work laptop..HP Elitebook high spec with windows 7...
And I guess I dont really see the greatness of win 7 yet...
espacially when doing remote logon and similar stuff..

Anyway reasons for switch..
Well first I really like Apples design...
Second if I just buy a new windows laptop or all-in-one it would sort of just being a new computer some fatser some better ...but still more of the same really...and I would play around with it for a week and 2 and then business as usual...
If I on the other hand get an iMac then It would be a totally new thing...and I would likely spend a lot of fun time learning mac and looking for softwares that makes life on mac easier...well at least I believe I will have more fun since theres more to learn..
I also are not so sure I would want a touchscreen for my desktop really...which leaves iMac to be almost the only some sort of high spec desktop...
Then again the design is very nice...

I will use the iMac basically for:

• surfing the web
• editing photos
• organizing photos
• same for movies..
• limited gaming and no 3d games at all
• Recording music (play the guitar)

hopefully discover and having fun with garage band..
best regards micael

 

[iHailCarlo]

Honestly I have never had any issues when we made the switch. Everything just worked and was a lot easier to manage. There are some programs that you have to find, but they are there. You shouldnt have any problems.

 

[mchoffa]

I switched a little over 10 years ago. Back then it was a bit harder because software choices were rather limited (like the browser... IE for Mac anyone?! YUCK!), but now it's a pretty level playing field. The learning curve with OS X now shouldn't be as bad as it was back then, and even then it only took me a couple weeks of digging to get the hang of it, and then I never looked back.

 

[dasx]

My father just got himself a 2011 refub Air. I swear the transition has been easier than it was for him going from Windows XP to 7. Word.

Edit: he's 61.