Need new Computer- PC or MAC?

[timeos2]

Easy choice - Just read this

Here is a sure fire way to decide what OS/computer is for you:

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/407898_339249249429338_1547846162_n.jpg

 

[hypnotiq]

I <3 that comic.

 

[pjrose]

I Love it!

 

[LannyPC]

I currently own a PC with Windows 10 but the computer has pretty much passed its expiration and useful date (nearly nine years old). As I contemplate getting a new one, I too am torn between a PC or Mac. I realize I am exhuming a thread that's over eight years old so much of the info in this thread is probably out of date.

My main question though is, if I were to switch to Mac (yes, generally more expensive, I know), could I transfer all of my programs, data, and files from my current PC? What differences and/or complications might there be? I have a lot of data and files that I don't want to lose. And yes, I currently have a passport that is currently holding many files and data from even older previous computers (all PC) that I would like to keep.

 

[DaveNV]

Data will transfer. Programs mostly won’t. You’d have to install the programs you use (MS Office, for example) on the MAC. The issue is that older software versions are not usually compatible with new operating systems. So the software would need to be upgraded. If you run any unusual software, you’d have to make sure a Mac version exists. Once your programs are ready, your data files can usually be moved, opened in the new Mac software, and saved as a Mac version of things. It’s a process, but unless you have something incompatible, you’d probably be ok. If not, you’re better off sticking with a Win 10 machine. (But you’d still need to install your software on a new PC, which might also require upgrading.)

Good luck!
Dave

 

[SmithOp]

You wont need M$Office on a Mac, OpenOffice is free and will read msoffice file formats. The free Mac office suite will open them also.

If you have military service you can shop online at the Exchange, good bargains on some items and no tax/free shipping. I purchased my wife an iPad Pro for xmas and she loves it, hasn’t touched the old Win10 computer sitting on the desk.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[LannyPC]

You wont need M$Office on a Mac, OpenOffice is free and will read msoffice file formats. The free Mac office suite will open them also.

Okay, thanks for that info. It's not software that I would want to transfer if I went with a Mac. It would mainly be photos and documents that were mostly printed on Microsoft Word or Office.

 

[bbodb1]

Okay, thanks for that info. It's not software that I would want to transfer if I went with a Mac. It would mainly be photos and documents that were mostly printed on Microsoft Word or Office.

My last hardware purchase was a late 2012 Mac Mini- before that I used various Windows machines.

My experience with transferring my documents and photos from Windows to Mac was a breeze. I have never looked back since making the switch.

Recently I made what is likely the last upgrade to my mini and changed to a SSD and that increased the mini's efficiency such that I can likely get about 2-3 more years of use from it. The most recent Mac OS is the last I will be able to upgrade to I believe (Catalina).

I should get something over a decade's worth of use from my Mini. I have yet to see any Windows machine match that.

Just some food for thought.

 

[DaveNV]

Okay, thanks for that info. It's not software that I would want to transfer if I went with a Mac. It would mainly be photos and documents that were mostly printed on Microsoft Word or Office.

If the bulk of your files are just saved data like that, you should be good to go. As I said, if you have any one-off software items, it might be a problem to find a compatible program to read the files. But Word or Office files shouldn't be an issue.

Dave

 

[pedro47]

Great advice from DaveNW and bbodb1.

 

[Rolltydr]

You obviously have concerns with all the data you want to transfer so that will weigh heavily in your decision. I switched to a Mac about 15 years ago and absolutely love them. I was in IT and we never had anything but Microsoft Windows pc’s at my company. I couldn’t believe how much faster, simpler, intuitive, and bug-free the Mac was. Just strictly from a reliability and ease of use standpoint, you can’t beat the Mac, imho. The only reason I would ever recommend a pc over a Mac is if initial cost is an issue.

 

[controller1]

You obviously have concerns with all the data you want to transfer so that will weigh heavily in your decision. I switched to a Mac about 15 years ago and absolutely love them. I was in IT and we never had anything but Microsoft Windows pc’s at my company. I couldn’t believe how much faster, simpler, intuitive, and bug-free the Mac was. Just strictly from a reliability and ease of use standpoint, you can’t beat the Mac, imho. The only reason I would ever recommend a pc over a Mac is if initial cost is an issue.

I agree 100%. I was over IT when I retired in 2012. About three months after retirement I moved our household completely to Mac and have never regretted it. I was so tired of fighting viruses and rebuilding my PCs. Haven't had to do any of that with my Apple equipment.

Our two MacBook Pros are approaching 8 years in age. I never had a PC laptop last that long. We've had no degradation in performance at all.

 

[bbodb1]

I agree 100%. I was over IT when I retired in 2012. About three months after retirement I moved our household completely to Mac and have never regretted it. I was so tired of fighting viruses and rebuilding my PCs. Haven't had to do any of that with my Apple equipment.

Our two MacBook Pros are approaching 8 years in age. I never had a PC laptop last that long. We've had no degradation in performance at all.

Just in the interest of curiosity and full disclosure, @controller1 - have you made any upgrades to the MacBook Pros since you bought them? I.E. Additional memory? Upgrading the hard drive?

 

[controller1]

Just in the interest of curiosity and full disclosure, @controller1 - have you made any upgrades to the MacBook Pros since you bought them? I.E. Additional memory? Upgrading the hard drive?

I doubled the memory of both immediately after purchase. I haven't made an upgrade to the hard drive. They both have a 250GB SSID. However, everything is saved to the cloud. I also use Apple's Time Machine and have a Western Digital external drive attached to my router for Time Machine backups.

 

[Passepartout]

Did you guys notice that this whole thread up to Post 78 was from 2012! I wonder how many of it's original participants are even on this side of the lawn! Or at least still active on TUG. We hope they are well and that those waiting 'on the other side' are R.I.P.

Jim

 

[bbodb1]

Did you guys notice that this whole thread up to Post 78 was from 2012! I wonder how many of it's original participants are even on this side of the lawn! Or at least still active on TUG. We hope they are well and that those waiting 'on the other side' are R.I.P.

Jim

Lanny did acknowledge that but your point on the original participants is a unique and colorful way of phrasing your question!