Newbie thinking of buying a Mac.

Quazzie

Hi.

I'm thinking of buying a Mac but am a total Apple newbie (iTunes and iPhone don't count for much). I like the feel of the computer and have heard nothing only good things about them, but I've a few questions.

1. I understand that some programmes won't run on both Windows and Mac but there are ways around some of them i.e iWork for word, excel etc. Is there a way to make AutoCAD work on Apple?

2. Will every piece of software I own and every plug in instantly become defunct?

3. What is the minimum Ghz and Ram spec I should be looking for. I realise this is hugely based on money but what is realistically the minimum and what should I be aiming for.

charlesD

1. I understand that some programmes won't run on both Windows and Mac but there are ways around some of them i.e iWork for word, excel etc. Is there a way to make AutoCAD work on Apple?

You can use something called Wine to run many Windows Programs. A company called CodeWeavers makes a program called CrossOver, which makes this really easy.

You can just install CrossOver, then select the program you want to install and put the CD in. It makes it really simple and works with a lot of programs, including Office and lots of Games. I think it costs like thirty bucks, but it greatly simplifies the installation process.

Breezer

Quazzie2002 wrote: »

1. I understand that some programmes won't run on both Windows and Mac but there are ways around some of them i.e iWork for word, excel etc. Is there a way to make AutoCAD work on Apple?

There is a Mac version of Microsoft Office. Or, like you said, you can use iWork, or free office software like OpenOffice. A Mac version of AutoCAD is not available it seems, but you can run Windows on a Mac in several ways (boot into it using Apple's Boot Camp program, or run it in a virtual machine using software called Parallels or VMWare Fusion (paid for separately). You need a Windows licence to do this. Crossover is an option as well, as charlesD said, but it doesn't tend to work as well since it only emulates Windows rather than actually running Windows. But you don't need a Windows licence to run Crossover (you do need to buy Crossover though, so you may as well pick up an OEM copy of XP on eBay IMO).

2. Will every piece of software I own and every plug in instantly become defunct?

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Do you mean will you be able to run Windows .exe files? If so then no, not in OS X (although as I've said, Macs can run Windows too). But Mac versions of most commonly used software are available, and if not there's usually an excellent alternative.

3. What is the minimum Ghz and Ram spec I should be looking for. I realise this is hugely based on money but what is realistically the minimum and what should I be aiming for.

Completely depends on what you want to do with it. Can you give us an idea, apart from AutoCAD?

ZENER

Probably not going to be popular for this but...

Choose a computer that does what you want it to do. From your sig you're interested in CAD. It seems obvious then that you're used to AutoCad or the likes on Windows. You also mention you have "plugins and software" you use on - I presume - a windows machine. From that info I'd guess that Windows is doing what you want it to do and your interest in the Mac hasn't been a practical decision based on your background. Stick with it is my advice. Changing to Mac is a big step when you've already set up your career and abilities using Windows.

Yes some will say you can run Windows on a Mac and they're right , you can. But why buy a Mac then if you're only intention is to run Windows on it ? It's like owning a garage full of Ford spares and buying a Fiat !! :cool:

My 2c !

ZEN

Breezer

ZENER wrote: »

Yes some will say you can run Windows on a Mac and they're right , you can. But why buy a Mac then if you're only intention is to run Windows on it ? It's like owning a garage full of Ford spares and buying a Fiat !! :cool:

Fair point, I wasn't suggesting the OP buy the Mac purely to run Windows. I never understood people that do that. But if it's only one or two programs that need Windows, I'd never hesitate in recommending a Mac.

Like I said OP, if you can give us an idea of what exactly you plan on doing with the computer, we can be of more help.

Quazzie

I use AutoCAD in work so its not my main tool at home (where I am thinking of getting the mac). I want to use it for web browsing, music, etc and just have it as my leisure comp but I would have to have AutoCAD on it too. I don't use it at home that often but I till need it. Push come to shove I could always just use my current pc as just a CAD only comp, by deleting almost all other programmes, therefore releasing the RAM and hopefully speed it up. (is this even right??)

In point 2 I am just asking about stuff like my printer, USB web cam, etc and plugging my digital cam into it. All that kind of stuff is that similar or do i need to have to get special software for that.

Basically after using my iPhone, and a friends Mac for a bit I think its just overall a better feeling and friendlier machine to use.

In regards to 3. I would like to be able to use it for a programme called Archicad which is similar to AutoCAD but requires massive amount of RAM. I hate slow computers and would rather spend a bit extra to get something that is more fluid and a bit quicker. This is the system on my current Dell PC, so this is what I am used to but I would prefer something a bit faster if possible. Any sugestions what I should be looking for

Processor AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Processor Speed 2.15 GHz
Memory (RAM) 2048 MB
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Operating System Version 5.1.2600


P.S thanks for all the replies already, and also thanks for whoever moved it.

charlesD

Breezer wrote: »

There is a Mac version of Microsoft Office.

I have heard some bad things about Office 2008 for the Mac, plus if he already had a copy of office, he could use it without having to purchase a new one.

Crossover works for a whole host of other applications too. Honestly though I picked it up free this week, when they gave it away as a promotion, so I guess I am probably biased

You are right that a virtual machine will preform better and be more robust. They are easy to set up on a Mac too, so if you have a key, this probably would be better if you have a windows license.

Breezer

Quazzie2002 wrote: »

I use AutoCAD in work so its not my main tool at home (where I am thinking of getting the mac). I want to use it for web browsing, music, etc and just have it as my leisure comp but I would have to have AutoCAD on it too. I don't use it at home that often but I till need it.

A Mac sounds perfect then.

Push come to shove I could always just use my current pc as just a CAD only comp, by deleting almost all other programmes, therefore releasing the RAM and hopefully speed it up. (is this even right??)

Well, RAM gets used up by running programs rather than just having them there. A lot of programs do have smaller little helper programs that might be running in the background at start up. If you want to speed up an old PC the best thing to do is often to reinstall Windows, as it tends to get cluttered with a lot of rubbish over the years.

In point 2 I am just asking about stuff like my printer, USB web cam, etc and plugging my digital cam into it. All that kind of stuff is that similar or do i need to have to get special software for that.

It should work fine with no extra software unless it's ridiculously old or you're just unlucky. For example, my scanner won't work - Mac drivers are available at a cost from the manufacturer, but I just boot into Windows when I want to use it. That's it. Macs come preloaded with drivers for almost everything. The printer should be fine, the webcam maybe not, although if you opt for an iMac or a laptop you'll get an iSight webcam built in.

In regards to 3. I would like to be able to use it for a programme called Archicad which is similar to AutoCAD but requires massive amount of RAM. I hate slow computers and would rather spend a bit extra to get something that is more fluid and a bit quicker. This is the system on my current Dell PC, so this is what I am used to but I would prefer something a bit faster if possible. Any sugestions what I should be looking for

Processor AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Processor Speed 2.15 GHz
Memory (RAM) 2048 MB
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Operating System Version 5.1.2600

Have a look at the iMac range. The RAM can be upgraded when you order, but it's often cheaper and very simple to buy elsewhere and do your own upgrade. Crucial.com have good prices. When you're speccing out the computer, just think of it as a Windows PC because that's where you'll be running Archicad and the hardware is broadly similar these days.

Bear in mind that these are strongly rumoured to be updated before Christmas with better specs for the same price. Although there's a possibility they'll take FireWire off them.

Red Alert

I went to a Mac having used Windows and Linux (and a few very old Macs). They're really great computers once you get to know them, and I'm insanely happy with my Macbook Pro. The only big downside as I see it is lack of a docking station for the Macbook Pro's.

I run Windows through VMWare Fusion so that I can use Visual Studio and Microsoft Visio if I need to. It's worth the price and you don't have to screw around with partitioning your hard disk. Plus it looks cool when you can instantly switch from Windows to Mac OS desktops.

johnk123

Red Alert wrote: »

The only big downside as I see it is lack of a docking station for the Macbook Pro's.

That was one of the big issues my father had when i got him to switch to mac 2 years ago. He previously had a Vaio which had the docking station and it was a handy way to keep cables together etc. But in the end it didn't bother him really

J-blk

Perhaps the new LED display is a sign of Apple understanding that people want the ability to easily hook up laptops to their other equipment (though it is still a far way from the convenience of a proper dock)?

Talisman

Quazzie2002 wrote: »

In point 2 I am just asking about stuff like my printer, USB web cam, etc and plugging my digital cam into it. All that kind of stuff is that similar or do i need to have to get special software for that.

If they are usb devices should be supported on OS X. You can always check the manufacturer's website for OS X drivers.

In regards to 3. I would like to be able to use it for a programme called Archicad which is similar to AutoCAD but requires massive amount of RAM. I hate slow computers and would rather spend a bit extra to get something that is more fluid and a bit quicker. This is the system on my current Dell PC, so this is what I am used to but I would prefer something a bit faster if possible. Any sugestions what I should be looking for

Processor AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Processor Speed 2.15 GHz
Memory (RAM) 2048 MB
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Operating System Version 5.1.2600

What kind of Mac does your friend have?

The reason I ask is that you can use VMware Convertor to create a virtual machine image of your existing Windows system. Install the 30 day trial version of VMware Fusion on your friend's Mac and test it out. If the VM requires 2+GB RAM then obviously you'll need to have a Mac with at least 4GB RAM. VMware Fusion and AutoCAD demo

One thing to take into consideration is that a VM will do 2D work fine but 3D rendering will more than likely cripple the VM because it won't have access to the 3D capabilities of graphics hardware and rely on the computer processor.

Inishglas

One of the most important advantages that a Mac O/S has over Windows is that it is very unlikely to be attacked by a virus. If, however, you install and run a Windows operating system on your Mac you are exposing your computer to attack by one or more of the hundreds of Windows-friendly viruses and thus foregoing one of the great strengths of the Mac computer.

ZENER

Inishglas wrote: »

. . . to attack by one or more of the hundreds of Windows-friendly viruses . . .

ZEN

J-blk

Inishglas wrote: »

of the hundreds of Windows-friendly viruses

That gives a whole new meaning to those "Designed for Windows XP" and "Designed for Windows Vista" stickers .

Passenger

The iMac 20" is e999 and a perfect introductory machine for a Mac newbie.

Quazzie

And how do you think that'll fair against the specs I have listed for my PC above

Talisman

The basic iMac won't be much of an improvement on the specs of your existing system. It has a 2.4GHz dual core processor and 1GB RAM.

Quazzie

Talisman wrote: »

The basic iMac won't be much of an improvement on the specs of your existing system. It has a 2.4GHz dual core processor and 1GB RAM.

how expensive is it to upgrade the RAM to 4gb for example???

J-blk

From Apple directly it's a whopping €210 so don't do it! You can get the 4GB and install it yourself (I assume it's easy enough but I don't have an iMac) from:

http://www.crucial.com/eu

for about €65 delivered...