Finally, after twenty-plus years of using Windows, I decided to take the plunge and switch to Apple’s new iMac Computer. I genuinely didn’t have a legitimate purpose for switching; however, after years of hearing how Apple made Windows look anemic, I determined it became time to see for myself what it was all approximately.
I did my homework earlier than shopping for the iMac. The largest venture I noticed was protective of my funding in Windows software that I used in commercial enterprise and my personal life. I researched the numerous methods to run Windows below MAC OS and determined that VMWARE changed into my quality alternative. VMWARE permits you to run a guest working machine (i.E. Windows) below a number operating machine (i.E. Mac OS). I also determined that I had to buy a bootable reproduction of Windows. My modern laptop did not deliver with a bootable replica of Windows. It had a photo on a partitioned pressure. Therefore I could not load it below VMWARE. So I decided to purchase Windows 7 Premium Edition. My closing software buys changed into EyeTV, a cable TV interface unit that connects to a USB port on the iMac. My contemporary Windows laptop had a constructed-in TV interface. I enjoyed watching TV in the privacy of my workplace, and I wasn’t about to give that up.
I bought the iMac 27 inch I7 with eight gigabytes of ram from a local pc provider. It became twice the rate of a comparable Windows pc. This gave me pause, but I determined to take the plunge besides. The staff changed into young, courteous, conversant in MAC, but they failed to talk Windows. I do no longer speak MAC. I concept I became overseas. I determined that it’d be great if I researched, on my own, the questions I had.
I commenced my conversion efforts by listing all of the software and peripheral drivers (e.G. Network printer) I had to keep and/or replace from my modern Windows pc. Next, I moved all my Windows private records documents (consisting of Outlook e-mail documents) to my network force. At the same time, I moved the files; I additionally wiped clean up the folder structures. This was something I have promised myself to do for a long time. Finally, I sponsored up my entire Windows Computer. I did this because I would be de-installing practically all my Windows software. Without a recuperation method, I might be prone to an interruption in my commercial enterprise sports.
I got my new iMac home and quickly set it up. There are the simplest 3 elements: a 27-inch monitor (gadget unit protected), a wireless keyboard, and a wireless mouse. I observed it a piece tough to discover the on/off button, which is flush set up in the rear of the unit. However, once turned on, my iMac did a satisfactory task of setting itself up, locating my domestic network, and connecting to it.
I had no revel in with the iMac net browser Safari, so I only used it to download and set up Firefox, my internet browser of preference. Next, I downloaded and installed all of the peripheral drivers I wanted. The iMac drag and drop version for putting in software program changed into a welcome and best wonder. I became even more amazed while my network printers and my community scanner were achieved without any issues. I felt a warm tingle of pride.
Even as I become downloading and installing, I become familiarizing myself with the iMac person interface without taking the academic. I found the keyboard cumbersome to apply. It is virtually too small for me and no longer has the format that I am used to. Second I located the iMac anchoring of the application menu bar (e.G. Report, edit, and so forth.) to the top of the display screen really aggravating. In Windows, the application menu bar is anchored to the top of the utility window. Neither were large drawbacks, but after several hours hitting the incorrect keys, I decided that I had to get a full-length keyboard which I bought the following day.
My final assignment becomes the installation of VMWARE, Windows 7, and the software merchandise I needed to run below Windows. First, I installed VMWARE and Windows 7. I became surprised at how brief and simple the effort changed into. Lastly, I eliminated each software program utility from my contemporary Windows laptop and installed them underneath VMWARE. MS Office 2007 Professional, MindManager from Mindjet, Cisco Network Magic, and Adobe 8 Professional were the big ones, and all of them hooked up without issues. I discovered it extraordinary that every one the software functioned properly and that each one peripheral labored. Even Cisco’s Network Magic seemed satisfied with the brand new association. I credit score VMWARE for this achievement.
I was feeling pretty positive about myself, so I determined to purchase and install Office 2008 for MAC. I wanted to begin my transition from caterpillar to butterfly as speedy as possible. So I downloaded and installed Office 2008 without problems and checked it out. I observed it labored extra like MS-Office 2003 than MS-Office 2007. Then came the largest sadness. The turned into no MS-Access in Office 2008, and MS-Outlook became changed via Entourage.
I looked Entourage over and figured I could live with it and started looking for methods to import MS-Outlook pst documents. I ran into a first-rate avenue block here as Entourage does no longer directly import MS-Outlook 2007 statistics. I researched the net but did now not locate any conversion software that met my desires. I become finally compelled to put in MS-Outlook under my VMWARE Windows, something I did now not want to do, and populating it with my pst files. I am currently maintaining MS-Outlook as an archive and the usage of Entourage moving ahead. I had to add my contacts from my Blackberry into Entourage. I still cannot believe that Microsoft might permit something like this to appear within their personal product line.
The conversion is now entirely, and my Windows laptop has been shut down for suitable. In conclusion, I discovered the general conversion experience become suitable. I am eventually used to the iMac interface and probably do 75% of my work under MAC OS. However, I nevertheless question the conversion value (approximately $3,500), and I am still trying to find the productivity gains.