IMac

[Butthead]

if i were to buy an IMac for my home use, what would be the easiest and most cost effective way to transfer my PC files over? Itunes files, TurboTax, etc. Be simple -- I am computer stupid.

[jkhonea]

if i were to buy an IMac for my home use, what would be the easiest and most cost effective way to transfer my PC files over? Itunes files, TurboTax, etc. Be simple -- I am computer stupid.
If you're going to be using some PC programs, you can't just load them on. You will either need to load an emulator or Boot Camp (Boot Camp comes with the Mac). You would also need to buy a copy of Windows to install, but we can get that for you for about $149.00 or so. With Boot Camp, when turning the computer on, you tell it to load either into Mac or Windows. This is a little bit of a pain, but not terrible. I'm not fond of the emulation programs as the computer basically has to think twice for everything it does.

Itunes will be easy, when you hook your iPod to the computer, it will download them and change the settings to Mac based automatically.

If you need to know more, I can explain in greater detail. I've been using Boot Camp for about a year and have no problem at all with it. Like I said, little nuisance, but not terrible. You can get the Mac version of the word processor, spreadsheets, Power Point and such for about $49. They export and import directly to Windows. Works great.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the 27" iMac. Beautiful computer and a great deal in my opinion.

[Rottie]

No need for a Windows virtual machine or boot disk unless you have Windows-only programs like Visio you need to use. I have to work on all 3 platforms (Mac, Linux, Windows) and can do all of it from my Mac except Visio and Visual Studio. Use OpenOffice (it's free) and it can read/write all your MS Office files. Most other Mac programs have Windows file read capability (like using QuickTime to play any WMV files you might have). I have Parallels Desktop and WindowsXP/Pro on my MacBook because I need them for work. Even then, I rarely have to use it.

I've been a Mac fanatic for a long time and I can help you if you need to know what to use to replace a Windows app. There is even a project that emulates MS-Project and can read/write its files.

David

[jkhonea]

He had mentioned Turbotax. That's the main one that I'm not sure if there's a Mac version. If there is one, if its as bad as the Mac version of Quickbooks, he'd be better off having the Windows side. Other than that, Pages and such run great. Think they're just as good as Office for all intensive purposes.

[JSKeezy]

Shot ya a PM!