I'm considering switching to a mac, but one of my concerns is that I'll have to purchase mac versions of all my software. I know there is VPC, but from what I've heard, it's not very fast. Is there any program or service for consumers that will physically convert PC programs to run on Macs? Or, will PC emulation be built in to OSX sometime in the future?
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possibly a switcher
- Thread starter idunno
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idunno said:
You could look here, and see how much of that software you get for nothing with the O/S. Then there are freeware native and X11 apps...
Virtual PC is good for reasonably intensive tasks, and runs all the proprietary stuff I've ever asked it to (VS.net Visio, mainly). Have a dig around.
Don't forget some built-in OSX stuff might replace some of your apps.
Just list your apps here and we can help (with determining VPC performance or whether there are free alternatives)
Just list your apps here and we can help (with determining VPC performance or whether there are free alternatives)
idunno said:
You probably will have to buy Mac versions of some of your software. However, Macs come with a lot built-in.
iLife, Safari, Mail, iCal, Address Book, iChat, Quicken (in some), AppleWorks (in some), the Finder can burn media, OmniGraffle (like Visio, in some), OmniOutliner (unique outline format notetaker, in some).... The list goes on and on. BTW, the reason I say "in some" is that depending on whether you get a Pro or Consumer machine, the software package is slightly different.
You may want Office 2004, but that's about all I can think of (unless you're using some pro apps).
brap said:
If you're using Virtual PC for Visio, check out OmniGraffle Pro from omnigroup.com. It's similar but better and can read one of the two Visio formats.
VPC 7 is coming out this summer. Wait and see what it brings. It's supposed to be much faster and will probably be able to run most of your programs.
Best wishes,
JOD8FY
Best wishes,
JOD8FY
Like others said list your programs here and you will probably find that most or all can be had for very little money or free...with some exceptions of course.
If you are a student or educator you can get things much cheaper as well.
We might be able to help you pick out a cheaper mac that will do everything you want it to do and save you enough money you can affort to buy the software you need if you need to purchase any.
Like another said, some macs come with word processors(appleworks) and financial programs(quick books and quicken on certain computers) for free along with a few games(tony Hawk 4), etc. so let us know what you need to do on the computer and what programs you like and we will set you up with costs, software and hardware options,e tc.
If you are a student or educator you can get things much cheaper as well.
We might be able to help you pick out a cheaper mac that will do everything you want it to do and save you enough money you can affort to buy the software you need if you need to purchase any.
Like another said, some macs come with word processors(appleworks) and financial programs(quick books and quicken on certain computers) for free along with a few games(tony Hawk 4), etc. so let us know what you need to do on the computer and what programs you like and we will set you up with costs, software and hardware options,e tc.
I'm waiting on VPC 7 myself so I can run MSMoney (sorry I'm just not a Quicken person) and Streets and Trips (Route 66 or whatever it is is kinda weak).
I bought Office 2004 (essential),
Photoshop CS and
I did a cross platform upgrade from my existing Acrobat Pro 6 license on the PC.
Logic Express (I'm checking it out b4 I buy Logic Pro)
Tip: If you use Adobe apps, call and ask about cross-platform upgrades. All it took for me was 6$ shipping and a signed "letter of distruction" saying I have destroyed the pc version and am no longer using it. Even swap. More than fair I think.
I need to pickup Dreamweaver sometime, but sadly I can't upgrade from my old v3 pc copy.
The rest of the apps I plan on buying are some little shareware stuff and a few games.
As people have said a lot of goodies come with the Mac out of the box. iLife is a handy biggie. If you really wanna break it down all you need is Office 2004 and perhaps VPC. Sad that you can't escape Microsoft (haha), but they do make a solid office suite.
-jim
I bought Office 2004 (essential),
Photoshop CS and
I did a cross platform upgrade from my existing Acrobat Pro 6 license on the PC.
Logic Express (I'm checking it out b4 I buy Logic Pro)
Tip: If you use Adobe apps, call and ask about cross-platform upgrades. All it took for me was 6$ shipping and a signed "letter of distruction" saying I have destroyed the pc version and am no longer using it. Even swap. More than fair I think.
I need to pickup Dreamweaver sometime, but sadly I can't upgrade from my old v3 pc copy.
The rest of the apps I plan on buying are some little shareware stuff and a few games.
As people have said a lot of goodies come with the Mac out of the box. iLife is a handy biggie. If you really wanna break it down all you need is Office 2004 and perhaps VPC. Sad that you can't escape Microsoft (haha), but they do make a solid office suite.
-jim
Xenious said:
VPC and Office are both Microsoft. You can escape but sooooo many businesses want things done in Word format, it's hard to get something else that will save as Word. I don't think it's impossible though. Earlier versions of AppleWorks would save as Word.
Good luck.
Often there are "side - grades" that are like upgrades. The difference is an upgrade gives you a newer version of a peice of software you own for a fraction of the full retail price where a sidegrade gives you a different version of a peice of software you own for a fraction of the retail price.
Hmmm....well thanks for all your input. I probably won't be switching for a while though (I think I'll just wait til my current machine and software is out of date....well in that case, maybe a few months 
). IMHO, if Apple really wanted to attract switchers, they'd come up with their own VPC-type program and integrate it into the OS (and make it better then VPC while they're at it).
). IMHO, if Apple really wanted to attract switchers, they'd come up with their own VPC-type program and integrate it into the OS (and make it better then VPC while they're at it).
7on said:
yeah, osx comes with so many great apps built in. apps you would have to buy on classic os or windows.