Computer mythology One of the most prevalent statements about Macintosh is that they are more expensive than other brands of traditional PCs. On the surface this appears to have some validity, but there are comparisons and then there are comparisons. Reports that itemize prices for hardware, screen size and memory are narrow in scope. These reports seldom if ever take into account that a new Macintosh comes with an array of truly impressive software. Buying equivalent software for a new PC pushes the price up very quickly. And Mac users can rest a lot easier with regard to virus threats. The absence of serious virus threats to Macs saves money and eliminates major worries in the contemporary world of malicious hackers. Myth number two Another often repeated tale is that software for Macintosh is limited, that businesses all use Windows® applications for that reason. For starters, the most widely used software, like the Microsoft Office suite, comes in Mac versions that have flowed seamlessly to PCs for years. (Users of Office for the Macintosh frequently come to think that the Mac version is more convenient to use than the PC version they learned on.) Additionally, there are more than 2,000 software titles for the Macintosh, some of which have become industry standards, such the powerful Adobe products. Few people realize that Adobe PDF documents, now a de facto format for virtually all industries, is technology born in a fledgling Macintosh environment in 1993. Myth number three Perhaps the third most repeated line is that Macintosh is not compatible with the vastly dominant world of Windows®. As any network administrator will tell you, PCs, Unix machines and Macs work side-by-side in countless professional matrix situations. An MSWord document or a Power Point presentation created on a Mac will flow with no problem through email downloads or network transfers to any other computer that utilizes MSWord or Power Point. The Macintosh Mail program can import, export or merge accounts as simply as a handshake when encountering other mail programs.

Macintosh Basics • Why switch to a Mac • Why switch Part 2 • Order the book

Apple continuously updates support for the way Macs interact with web-based applications. The Macintosh was aimed toward Internet convenience a long time ago. It still is. The most recent version of Safari, the Macintosh Internet browser, runs quickly and dependably on both Macs and PCs.

If you have a program or some files that absolutely must remain in the Windows environment, it’s even possible to run Windows Vista or XP on a Mac. Apple’s Boot Camp utility can create a Windows partition on the more recent Intel-based Macintosh computers, although most Mac users wonder why anyone would want to do so. There us also third party software that creates a ‘virtual’ environment to run Windows®.

Macintosh Basics is a friendly, casual approach to enhancing the way you interact with the computer in your den or office. It’s also possible you’ll come to understand why Macintosh users sometimes wear a slightly smug smile when they hear PC people glumly talk about virus invasions, searching for the right ‘driver’ for a printer, or running an .exe program three times to make it work.

This guide also offers a few simple procedures that can help keep your machine running smoothly, plus lots of easy-to-understand tips for using your Mac on a day-to-day basis. Whether you want to take a few steps toward becoming a genuine power user, or just simplify the way you surf the Net and send email, a Mac running Leopard OS X can take you there.

After more than 20 years of looking at assorted Mac computer screens, I’m a firm believer in the stability of the operating system and Macs in general. Traveling down my professional and personal roads I’ve converted a number of friends and colleagues to Macintosh. As far as I know, none have ever wanted to go back to that ‘other’ kind of computer.

Read Mac Basics to discover why.

G.W. Smithe

Computer mythology

One of the most prevalent statements about Macintosh is that they are more expensive than other brands of traditional PCs. On the surface this appears to have some validity, but there are comparisons and then there are comparisons.

Reports that itemize prices for hardware, screen size and memory are narrow in scope. These reports seldom if ever take into account that a new Macintosh comes with an array of truly impressive software. Buying equivalent software for a new PC pushes the price up very quickly. And Mac users can rest a lot easier with regard to virus threats. The absence of serious virus threats to Macs saves money and eliminates major worries in the contemporary world of malicious hackers.

Myth number two

Another often repeated tale is that software for Macintosh is limited, that businesses all use Windows® applications for that reason. For starters, the most widely used software, like the Microsoft Office suite, comes in Mac versions that have flowed seamlessly to PCs for years. (Users of Office for the Macintosh frequently come to think that the Mac version is more convenient to use than the PC version they learned on.) Additionally, there are more than 2,000 software titles for the Macintosh, some of which have become industry standards, such the powerful Adobe products. Few people realize that Adobe PDF documents, now a de facto format for virtually all industries, is technology born in a fledgling Macintosh environment in 1993.

Myth number three

Perhaps the third most repeated line is that Macintosh is not compatible with the vastly dominant world of Windows®. As any network administrator will tell you, PCs, Unix machines and Macs work side-by-side in countless professional matrix situations.

An MSWord document or a Power Point presentation created on a Mac will flow with no problem through email downloads or network transfers to any other computer that utilizes MSWord or Power Point. The Macintosh Mail program can import, export or merge accounts as simply as a handshake when encountering other mail programs.

Forget those myths: Macs are compatible with all computer environments