I'm making the switch from Windows - What do I need to do?

[Amblinman]

Okay, so after years of slavish devotion to PC's, I'm finally going to be purchasing my first iMac. Will I be able to transfer all of my files over from my pc to my new iMac? Can I just do this via CD or do I need some special software? I already know I'll be purchasing Office for Mac, but do I need anything else?

Also, if I have Mac Office, do I need iWork?

 

[HLdan]

Okay, so after years of slavish devotion to PC's, I'm finally going to be purchasing my first iMac. Will I be able to transfer all of my files over from my pc to my new iMac? Can I just do this via CD or do I need some special software? I already know I'll be purchasing Office for Mac, but do I need anything else?

Also, if I have Mac Office, do I need iWork?

I don't know how old your PC is but you should be able to easily connect your PC to your new iMac via the ethernet port and transfer all of your files or you can do it with a CD if you prefer. There's also a piece of software called Move2Mac http://www.detto.com/mac-file-transfer.html?gclid=CIDK-qTot44CFRNkYwodHXKIww.

I would really recommend using iWork rather than the current version of Office. 2 reasons, iWork is optimized for the new Intel Macs so it will run a lot faster. The iWork suite is feature rich and my PC friends really like when I send them spreadsheets created by Numbers plus the Pages handles XML files.
The iWork suite is fully compatible with Office 2003 and 2007 with an exception of a small feature which is best suited for corporate file exchange.
The cost for iWork is only $79.00 and comes as full working trial version on the iMac.
If you want MS Office it's best to wait until Office for Mac 2008 is released in January. I would recommend ordering your iMac with the wireless Mighty Mouse.

 

[gazelleintense]

Okay, so after years of slavish devotion to PC's, I'm finally going to be purchasing my first iMac. Will I be able to transfer all of my files over from my pc to my new iMac? Can I just do this via CD or do I need some special software? I already know I'll be purchasing Office for Mac, but do I need anything else?

Also, if I have Mac Office, do I need iWork?

you can use cd or usb thumbdrive.. office for mac is a good idea. you don't need iwork.

lots of free or shareware apps you may want..

clamXav for antivirus (just in case), fetch and/or transmit for ftp, flipformac... graphicconverter, camino, firefox... cocktail (utility)... realplayer.. this is just some basic apps I use, cant live without...

you may want/need others im sure...

 

[Amblinman]

I don't know how old your PC is but you should be able to easily connect your PC to your new iMac via the ethernet port and transfer all of your files or you can do it with a CD if you prefer. There's also a piece of software called Move2Mac http://www.detto.com/mac-file-transfer.html?gclid=CIDK-qTot44CFRNkYwodHXKIww.

I would really recommend using iWork rather than the current version of Office. 2 reasons, iWork is optimized for the new Intel Macs so it will run a lot faster. The iWork suite is feature rich and my PC friends really like when I send them spreadsheets created by Numbers plus the Pages handles XML files.
The iWork suite is fully compatible with Office 2003 and 2007 with an exception of a small feature which is best suited for corporate file exchange.
The cost for iWork is only $79.00 and comes as full working trial version on the iMac.
If you want MS Office it's best to wait until Office for Mac 2008 is released in January. I would recommend ordering your iMac with the wireless Mighty Mouse.

Forgive me for asking for clarification - but are you saying I can read Office documents using iWork and vice versa when I send iWork documents to PC users, their Office can translate it?

 

[HLdan]

Forgive me for asking for clarification - but are you saying I can read Office documents using iWork and vice versa when I send iWork documents to PC users, their Office can translate it?

Yes. Pages in iWork is a multi-function program. Along with being a straight word processor after you finish typing your document you can save it in Word format, PDF format, Pages format (of course), plain text or rich text format. Anyone using MS Office on Mac or Windows will see your document the way you saved it. If you save Pages as Word doc or Numbers as an Excel spreadsheet the icon will appear to the receiver as if you were using MS Office. Keynote is very much compatible with PowerPoint.
Right now I am highly recommending iWork as I use it for my business. It's fast and Intel centric. The current version of MS Office for Mac is slow and is not Intel native plus it cost a lot.

 

[emptyCup]

If you need to routinely interact with people who use Office then you should get Office for the Mac. If you just need to read, and occasionally send, Office documents, then iWork is a bargain. There are many fine Mac word processors, most of which can open Word documents well enough to read. Pages does the best conversion I've seen so far.

Other than software you routinely use, I suggest you get David Pogue's Switching to the Mac. It will get you up to speed more quickly. Best wishes.

 

[bluedoggiant]

Okay, so after years of slavish devotion to PC's, I'm finally going to be purchasing my first iMac. Will I be able to transfer all of my files over from my pc to my new iMac? Can I just do this via CD or do I need some special software? I already know I'll be purchasing Office for Mac, but do I need anything else?

Also, if I have Mac Office, do I need iWork?

no, u can get iwork and not get office, pages can easily import windows documents, numbers may have problems importing excel spreadsheets, i recommend that u get ur mac in october becuz their new OS is coming out then, u will be able to open office documents and stuff in a new feature their adding, their new os is AMAZING:

also check out the page apple made for it : http://www.apple.com/macosx

 

[RRK]

Here is another option. Run windows under boot camp and use your windows version of office, also get iWork for the OS X side. After you get used to things you will probably boot into windows less and less and less. Also good for all those old games you own and the ones that don't come out for the Mac.

Oh and I do not agree with the suggestion to get a wireless mighty mouse. They are neat but I would say only about 10% of the people I know of like them. Go ahead and get a logitech mouse or whatever you prefer.

 

[Jimmdean]

As long as you're freeing yourself from Windows, you might as well free yourself from office as well - take a close look and you probably don't actually need it. this day and age you don't need to pay for your office apps - give NeoOffice a try...

 

[Amblinman]

I appreciate all the input thus far. So here's my deal:

I'm a consultant, I work from home. I try to avoid using Office when possible, but I do some basic excel stuff and Word, virtually nothing else. It sounds like I might be able to get away with just iWork.

My other question is does the iMac come with all that neat stuff I see it loaded with in the stores? The calendar, the address book, the photo stuff, etc.

 

[bluedoggiant]

I appreciate all the input thus far. So here's my deal:

I'm a consultant, I work from home. I try to avoid using Office when possible, but I do some basic excel stuff and Word, virtually nothing else. It sounds like I might be able to get away with just iWork.

My other question is does the iMac come with all that neat stuff I see it loaded with in the stores? The calendar, the address book, the photo stuff, etc.

yes it does, and it also comes with a suite of apps called ilife, check it out here: http://www.apple.com/ilife, its for video editing, photos, music making and web design, and alot more!

 

[HLdan]

I appreciate all the input thus far. So here's my deal:

I'm a consultant, I work from home. I try to avoid using Office when possible, but I do some basic excel stuff and Word, virtually nothing else. It sounds like I might be able to get away with just iWork.

Well if that's the case then you are definitely a candidate for iWork 08. You will actually be surprised how powerful this suite of apps is for $79.00. Apple's suite of apps are always top notch on features. NeoOffice is nice and free but it's slow and you will get annoyed with that and it's presentation software doesn't work well with Powerpoint.
The nice thing is you will be able to try out iWork 08 fully before paying for it.

 

[Amblinman]

I'm almost dreading working with an iMac after a week or so and getting that feeling of "WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU DO THIS SOONER?!"

 

[gazelleintense]

some info here you may find helpful

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

 

[Much Ado]

I'm almost dreading working with an iMac after a week or so and getting that feeling of "WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU DO THIS SOONER?!"

True, but then again there's never been a better time to switch. The new iMacs are beautiful, you should love it.

 

[iPhil]

some info here you may find helpful

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

Or

Easy Way if Mac bought in  retail store

 

[Hibbsy]

I appreciate all the input thus far. So here's my deal:

I'm a consultant, I work from home. I try to avoid using Office when possible, but I do some basic excel stuff and Word, virtually nothing else. It sounds like I might be able to get away with just iWork.

My other question is does the iMac come with all that neat stuff I see it loaded with in the stores? The calendar, the address book, the photo stuff, etc.

Go with iwork it is working well for me so far (similar requirements to you) I have opened windows office documents at home and had no issues with word, excel or powerpoint. I have yet to test track changes from word to pages but other than this it meets my needs for occasional office work and the odd home letter or spreadsheet.

Also imacs come with a office for mac demo loaded which you can try ...I did for about an hour and found it more confusing than iwork so deleted the stupid thing.

 

[Amblinman]

Or

Easy Way if Mac bought in  retail store

WOW - awesome. That is absolutely what I'll be doing. No reason to drive myself crazy making the switch.