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Help, Guides, and News on making the Switch To Apple Macintosh Computers
Topics
- Analysis (22)
- Apple Hardware (99)
- Apple Retail (1)
- Apple Software (37)
- Choose Your Mac (2)
- Commentary (41)
- Deals (43)
- Earnings (33)
- Enterprise (15)
- Get a Mac (14)
- How To Switch (11)
- Macworld (6)
- Market Share (49)
- Misc (10)
- New To Mac (3)
- News (68)
- Peripherals (1)
- Reviews (41)
- Security (13)
- Site Features (1)
- Steve Jobs (17)
- Switch Stories (17)
- Switcher Tips (4)
- Third Party Software (19)
- Verizon (1)
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How To Switch Topic
I've been asked numerous times for my advice on how one goes about buying a Mac. One of the most common questions is "How do I buy a Mac?" Other questions that I've frequently find myself answering are "Where is the best place to buy a Mac?" and "How do I get the best possible price" The answers to these questions are not necessarily mutually exclusive and depend on numerous factors. The most noteworthy include:
Potential switchers need to realize that Mac OS X although similar in some respects to Windows, works differently. At the most basic level Mac OS X and Windows are similar in that they offer users a graphical user interface (GUI), point and click with a mouse, folders, windows, applications/programs to perform essential tasks, and the ability to connect to peripherals.
This guide provides a brief overview of how to use a Mac. For a more comprehensive learning experience, visit the Switch To A Mac Guides for a wide range of topics, guides, and tips.
For Windows switchers, Mac OS X will take time to learn however; it’s intuitive and relatively familiar so Windows users will become productive in a short amount of time. My view is that when compared to Windows, Mac OS X is easier to learn, requires fewer keystrokes to accomplish tasks, and results in greater end user productivity. When I switched to a Mac, I felt uncomfortable but over time I've found the OS X environment to be more user friendly and easier to use than Windows. This article/post highlights the major components of the OS X environment and is geared towards helping those who are new to Mac OS X.
Professional, Consumer, Prosumer, or Transitive?
Mac users generally fall into one of two primary classes, Professional or Consumer. There are however two additional user types to acknowledge, Prosumer and Transitive. All four user types are the focus of this article as identifying your user type will help you choose your Mac and make the switch that much easier. Based on your primary user type, Apple has hardware and software to cater to your computing needs and requirements. Apple currently offers six Mac models that can be customized to suit your unique style and needs. A benefit of purchasing a Mac is that the hardware and software are truly integrated, Apple designs both the hardware and the Mac OS X operating system.
Clearly, Macs are showing up more and more in everyday places. Perhaps a family member, friend, colleague, or classmate has recently switched and you want to understand what encouraged them to buy a Mac. Perhaps you're seeing more people using Apple products and want to know why there's so much Apple and Mac buzz these days. Perhaps you've made the decision to purchase a Mac but need some help on how to move forward.
If any of these situations apply, you need to start thinking about and answering a few or all of the following questions:
- Do you have some questions about Macs or simply want to learn more about what today's Macs have to offer?
- Are you a Windows user tired of the PC platform?
- Have you had enough of Windows' security holes and vulnerabilities?
- Are you willing to free your computing experience of viruses, spyware, malware, malicious code, and exploits?
- Are you ready to start enjoying your computing experience?
- Are you ready become a more productive computer user?
- Are you ready to become a more knowledgeable computer user?
- Are you ready to leverage today's digital lifesytle with ease?
- Do you own an iPhone and/or iPod and considering purchasing your first Mac?
This is the first post on how one begins the process of switching to a Mac. The objective of this post is to get you to start thinking about the answers to a few general but simple questions:
- Where to start?
- What kind of user are you?
- Which Mac should you buy?
- What misconceptions have I heard about Macs?
- How do you use a Mac and OS X?
- Will I be able to use my existing documents and files?
- Can a Mac handle today's popular file types?
- What to transfer and install on your new Mac and how?