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OscarCP, Lars220, Rand Alonin, Myst, Fred, Bluetrix, woody

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A big thank you to Nathan Parker on his really elaborated series of posts.

For the last couple of years I was looking into switching (back) to a Mac…

Over the years I have owned an Apple II, Apple IIC, Apple IIGS and did some publishing work on a Lisa.

My work at a bank made me develop application for the first DOS IBM compatible PCs, so I had to switch at home as well.

So, When Windows 10 was out and me using Windows 7, it was easy and the right time to switch to a Mac, or so I thought.

At first I was looking for hardware support  (3 X 3TB HDDs, AIO Laser printer, streaming video, audio.. to a streamer…printing to a wi-fi printer…)

ALL the storage devices needed NTFS read/write support. This could have been sorted by buying Paragon app.

The second were applications. I checked one by one for similar functioning apps but failed to find some very important, to me, apps.

As dual boot with Windows is not an option, I upgraded to a new Windows 10 laptop

I will be looking the  years ahead (not many left:-) for new options to switch.

 

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Nathan Parker, woody

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Paragon NTFS for Mac comes free with Seagate external HDDs. I use it all the time.
And you wouldn’t believe how well Parallels Desktop runs all versions of Windows on Macs. I do some really weird things with that setup – run diving scoring with Daktronics console and scoreboard (try USB to DB9 RS232 adapter to the console from a Win VM)

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Nathan Parker

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PKCano wrote:

And you wouldn’t believe how well Parallels Desktop runs all versions of Windows on Macs

If I need Paralles for Windows what the point in buying a Mac ?

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I just run Macs now for every-day use. But how could I support Windows Users on AskWoody without the Windows VMs of multiple versions of Windows (XP, Win7, Win8.1, Win10 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909 (Win10 changes as it progresses(?) ). Certainly don’t have room for that many PCs.

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Nathan Parker

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While I am using Windows 10 Pro at home to access my office computer and also using Office 365.  I maintain it by using this site and searching for options for repairs and updates.

OTOH it would be much easier for my wife to use another type of computer since she only needs it for viewing our accounts, paying bills, viewing videos.  I see where you have reviewed MACs.  We are looking for an option that not does require user maintenance.  Possibly a Chromebook (with sufficient Google updates), a Linux Computer, IPad or a MAC.  In your opinion, which of these would be the lowest maintenance/highest quality option?  Thanks.

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In terms of low-maintenance, Chromebook or iPad is going to be your best option, Chromebook more like a traditional notebook and iPad more like a tablet, although iPads now can run a Smart Keyboard/Trackpad.

For what it’s worth, I moved my mother from a Mac to an iPad years ago since all she does is online shopping, reading news, and watching videos, and she’s loved it and never looked back.

Your wife would probably love an iPad.

Nathan Parker

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ECWS

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If new Macs are too expensive for you, mention should be made of buying a used one. That was my path from Windows to Mac. I got a High Sierra imac for $350. Not the cutting edge, but it got me out of the Windows circus.

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Nathan Parker

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Thanks to PK and Nathan for the very helpful work they are doing with the Mac KB thread.

I would like to add to Nathan’s description of the Mac’s “Preview”, part of the core of Mac applications usually preinstalled, that is not just something for looking at images in the JPEG, PNG, etc. formats, or looking at a PDF file contents, but also has some pretty useful editing features for cropping images by “lassoing” them; for exporting, let’s say, a PNG file image to another file in the GIF format (*), that results in an image file considerably smaller without appreciable loss of resolution; to decrease the resolution in terms of pixels per horizontal and vertical line, etc. etc. I use it a lot and find it quite sufficient for many of my needs, such as making presentations illustrated with pictures pasted in from image files small enough to result, in turn, in a PPTx file sufficiently small to be emailed as an attachment to a message without it being stripped or even having the email blocked.

(*) To get the full set of file formats to chose for the exported image, one needs to keep a finger pressing firmly on the “option” key when selecting the format. Only in this way one can get to see and choose GIF and other formats that, otherwise, do not get shown in the scroll up menu. (For some reason having to do with some arcane copyright issue, I think, neither Apple nor MS favor GIF and try to keep it out of sight as much as possible but, if one tries hard enough to find it, it is there.)

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Nathan Parker

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I was surprised to see that WineBottler wasn’t mentioned (https://winebottler.kronenberg.org/). WineBottler is basically a compiled version of Wine that is designed to be newbie-friendly and easy to use, so you don’t have to compile Wine yourself.

As of February 2020 it does not support macOS Catalina, but the developer is working on it.

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Nathan Parker, Microfix

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Thank you very much for this comprehensive guide.

I am in a slow, unintentional migration away from WinX. I’m taking an ‘ecosystem’ approach to the migration. I figure I can go Apple, Android, or Linux. This guide makes it very clear how to go the Apple way.

My wife has an iPhone 11, an iPad (2019), and an Android tablet. She (and I) are very accustomed word processing in Word – not New Word (2007 and newer), but Classic Word (2003). I’m curious what you might recommend to complete my wife’s migration away from WinX and associated hardware while maintaining our computing customs.

Thanks again,

RamRod

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Nathan Parker

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Libre Office – works on Mac and Linux. Handles .doc, .docx, .xis, .xlsx and Power Point.

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Nathan Parker, RamRod, Microfix

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This is excellent work.  I was perfectly satisfied with my Win 7 PC, but faced with the prospect of having to move to Win 10 and most likely a new PC as well, I decided a few months ago that a Mac made sense for me.  I’ve spent this time researching how to do this and that on a Mac and watched many, many youtube videos.  They can be a great source on how to set up and operate a Mac.  Last weekend I finally made the move and bought an iMac from the Apple Store.  These last few days have been stressful as I began using a Magic Mouse and Apple Key Board for the first time and looking up this and that.  PK Cano’s tutorial is a good rear view mirror look at what I have been trying to learn on my own.  So far, I really like the Mac and it’s been a great brain exercise.  If you want a Mac…go for it.  I think you’ll like it.

iPhone 13, 2019 iMac(SSD)

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Nathan Parker

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I did some Topics on some very basic Mac setups in the MacOS Forum maybe a couple of years ago. If you go to the very end of the page list and work backward, there is info on how to set up Finder close to Windows Explorer, and info on non-Mac apps that you are familiar with you can add (FireFox, ThunderBird, Libre Office VLC Player, etc).

And Nathan Parker has added a world of recent Topics since then.

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Nathan Parker

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Wow!  Thank you @parkernathan !

This is one of the best startup guides I’ve ever seen targeted specifically to Windows users curious about switching to modern Apple OS products.

How about a section on integrating Mac’s into a Windows AD network with full seamless access to corporate file shares and plotters/printers? 

And for folks in the Engineering and Architecture fields, AutoDesk now has a native AutoCAD (and Maya) application.  Sadly no Revit . . . yet.

 

~ Group "Weekend" ~

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Nathan Parker

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Readers Digest online magazine has a recent article about Mac laptops that may be of interest for newcomers considering switching to Mac (?)  The article has lots of pictures with short brief descriptions.  Maybe this might be helpful for some ?

15 Things You Didn’t Know Your Mac Laptop Could Do

https://www.rd.com/advice/things-you-didnt-know-mac-laptops-could-do/

Amazing Truths Revealed: Link to Simply Magnificent AskWoody Knowledge Bases

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Nathan Parker

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Thanks everyone for the comments!

I forgot to mention Paragon NTFS. It is an excellent app for those who need NTFS Support (that’d be good to add to the guide).

I mentioned WINE but forgot to mention WINEBottler. I’ve had issues getting it to package apps on a test Mac I worked on, but I could be “doing it wrong”. I can run more tests.

Apple used to have a Mac Integration Basics guide for AD users. It seems the last one they released was for Sierra, so it’s a bit dated:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/mac-integration-basics-10-12/id1207918989

I could review it and prepare something similar a little more updated, but in the meantime, that might help.

Nathan Parker

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Reading the guide before purchase of Mac mini. Great info! Thank you!!

Question on this https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/2000020-mac-guide-for-windows-users-wanting-to-switch-p-3/#post-2170221

The one difference is Apple does not allow one to sign into a Mac using an Apple ID, so logging into a Mac will use a separate user account password from one’s Apple ID.

https://support.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/set-up-your-mac-apd831707cb3/mac
This says:

Sign in with your Apple ID: Your Apple ID consists of an email address and a password. It’s the account you use for everything you do with Apple—including using the App Store, Apple TV app, Apple Book Store, iCloud, Messages, and more. Sign in with the same Apple ID to use any Apple service, on any device—whether it’s your computer, iOS device, iPadOS device, or Apple Watch. It’s best to have your own Apple ID and not share it. If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you can create one during setup (it’s free). See Apple Account on Mac.

Which seems to contradict the statement from the guide. I’m confused. Do I logon with the same Apple id as I use on iOS devices or create a separate user account? Donna

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Your Apple ID works to log in to Apple Services on any Apple device.
I do not use iDrive (equivalent of Win OneDrive or Google’s GoogleDrive) as storage for my personal data (Docs, pics, music, etc.) But I do use iCloud (free 5GB storage) to sync my contacts, calendar, etc between my Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Macs). Because what I store on iCloud is very small (no docs, pics, music or videos, etc), I have 4.1GB or that 5GB still unused in spite of the fact that I have 6 assorted Macs and MacBooks, an iPhone and iPad.

The Apple ID and password are NOT the individual device ID and password. When I want to use the App Store, I log in to the App Store with my Apple ID.  When I complete my transactions, I log out of the App Store. My iCloud sync logs in to iCloud with my Apple ID on startup, but it is only necessary if I want the sync across devices to be current.  But the login to each of my devices is local.

It works sorta like Windows Local ID and a Microsoft ID. You can log into a Win PC with a Local ID and only log in with the MS ID when you want to use specific Services (MS Store, MS365, MS Gaming, etc). But I feel Apple is much less aggressive when it comes to forcing a 24/7 login for everything and grabbing all your data than MS is..

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Ok now I understand thank you!  It’s the logon for the device vs. the Apple ID.

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Thank you for a great guide, very useful and informative.
I do have one question, if I was to purchase a Mac, what specs would you recommend?
I know a Windows machine needs a higher CPU, ram, and storage, but for a macOS machine, what would you recommend?
This would be a general use computer, ie. Internet, Video watching, using apps like Sketchup and Excel.
Would the new M1 CPU be recommended?
Thanks

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I bought an M1 Mac Mini (16GB Ram, 1T SSD) about three months ago. It does everything I need including running a Parallels VM with an ARM-based OS.

The thing you have to remember is that M1 is ARM-based, not x86 64-bit. Be sure the programs you want to run are capable. With Rosetta, you can run some apps, but not all. I am running FireFox ARM, WaterFox (Rosetta needed), Thunderbird, Adobe Reader, Calibre, Trend Micro, VLC Player, Libre Office, Parallels Desktop.
There is a thread in the MacOS Forum on M1 compatible apps.

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WSmclancer

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Dear All

I don’t want to take away from the wonderful job that has been done by PCKano in his Mac Guide for Windows Users Wanting to Switch, but I feel I ought to add my pennyworth of thoughts to the discussion, for two reasons:

First, I am a long-time Windows user, since the early 1990s, although I have dabbled with Macs a little.  Everybody who had a mac kept telling me how great macs were, and how easy to use, including very computer literate people that I greatly respect.   And more and more I was getting annoyed with Microsoft, their arrogant ways, and all the problems that users of this forum are so familiar with.  So, instead of upgrading from Win XP at home, (which I loved, and was still using at home long after it ran out of support) and Windows 7 at Work, I bought a beautiful new iMac for the home.

Second, I have just suffered the change over at work from Windows 7 to Windows 11, so I can see first hand how Microsoft has made an absolute hash of its upgrades.  The change is dramatic, and rather unpleasant, to put it mildly, particularly if one has spent a lot of time customising one’s old PC, using macros etc.

My opinion. One cannot fault the quality of the Mac hardware, which is beautiful. Generally speaking, the regular updates and the programs are not too bad. Macshave a lot in common with Windows programs (They keep stealing ideas off each other) and presumably one can gradually get used to a mac.  But I warn you, it takes a <u>long, long</u> time. I have tried really, really hard, constantly researching how to do things, and yet, after 3 years, I still feel completely at sea, as if I am a rank beginner.  So many short-cuts and key functions are different from Windows. There is lots to dislike about the Mac, because one knows that so often there is a better way to do things – either the Windows Way (and it hurts me to admit that, because of the way Microsoft behaves), or else one can find an add on program for Windows that can be installed to do it for you.    It is the myriad of little things in a Mac, that trip one up constantly, that are so annoying.
Just a few examples.  Why is there no “Save As”  menu item, unless one presses the Option key as well as Command+S?  Why can’t you simply scroll through one’s list of photos the way one can on Windows? Almost everything takes twice as many steps.  Why can’t I change the log in screen away from the horrible Mac colours? . Why Does Apple Mail print so badly – i.e. so small?  Forget about Apple’s Numbers and Pages (the equivalent of Excel and Word); they are useless in comparison.  Outllok has so many ridiculous flaws.  But try using Apple mail. It is amateurish in comparison.  Yes, Apple provides the cloud, but it is just a clever way to suck more money out of you – one is forced to pay to add capacity, because their back-ups hog so much space.  If you plug in a USB to take copies of some files, why does Apple litter the USB with other little random files?  Have you tried using an Apple mouse or Keyboard?  So pretty. So terrible to use in comparison to the basic Windows ones. So, one changes one’s mouse, but then the software is not fully compatible!  And, boy oh boy, will you be lost in the all the new names for programs.  Apple has this wonderful forum where, yes you can ask questions.  But don’t dare even mildly criticise anything about Apple or its software. – the AI algorithm or site invigilator will shut down/delete your post so quickly you won’t know what has happened.  The whole Apple approach is to control you and lock down everything, far more than in Windows. It becomes extremely irritating when one is used to the “freedom” of Windows.

But what about the New Windows 11.  Well, three months since I changed over, I still curse Microsoft for making my life more complicated, instead of making it easier. In my opinion there is nothing, not a single thing, that is better in Windows 11 than Windows 7 (or even Windows XP), except for a very few hidden security features.  99% of all the stuff they have added in the last 10 years is a waste of time. Bloatware is such an appropriate description! The start menu is screwed up. The desktop is rubbish. The colour schemes are horrendous. The task bar is ruined and won’t go to the top (but at least I can find a replacement – I can’t change the Apple one!)  etc. etc.  But, you, the reader, knows the Microsoft flaws.

So, bottom line – there are many advantages to both Apple and Windows, and lots and lots of disadvantages to each. The change-over from Windows to Apple Mac is much, much more difficult, and time consuming, than one would expect, and it raises one’s blood pressure dramatically!  The change-over of a Windows upgrade is almost as bad as changing to an Apple, but not quite.  So, if you are thinking of changing from Windows to Apple, for goodness sake, research it very carefully. I suggest you start by reviewing web sites that comment on Apple’s flaws and faults, not those which hype Apple (like most do).

RobB

RobB

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I went thru the same thing in 2020 with my new iMac…moving from an aging Win 7.  Couldn’t have done it without You Tube how to videos.  Now, I pretty much ignore new features with each update unless I need them and stick with the basics.  Only learn what I need to know.  I do keep a notebook with notes on things I might forget.  Having said that, I’ve never looked back. I love my Mac…and iPhone.

iPhone 13, 2019 iMac(SSD)

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Hi I haven’t made the switch yet but been thinking and talking about it for a loooong time. Got sidetracked with family stuff.  I was so busy, I couldn’t imagine adding one more thing to my to do list! But things have quieted down, thank God.  So I am ready to make the switch from Win 10 Dell laptop to an M2 Mac Mini. I think the good news is things have progressed since I started looking!!! I decided the new M2 Mini is a great choice (over a Macbook).  Just have to find a suitable portable monitor (and a keyboard, mouse, hub, adapters, etc. etc.) so I can take it on the road.

Your & Robbs posts are helpful and a little scary. I was hoping and somewhat expecting the Apple experience to be better, but Robb’s comprehensive post is sobering ; (

I do not have extensive experience with Macs, though I did use Pages and Numbers for a few months working at a summer camp and I couldn’t agree more, Word + Excel are superior products.  I really like them. I would never switch to the Apple equivalents.  Also, I’d  heard Outlook on Mac is not so great. I’m sure that will be an adjustment for me.

Anyhow, I want to make the move and hope it’ll be ok. Can you share which You Tube videos you found most helpful?

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Libre Office is Mac compatible. ThunderBird is not Outlook, but it can be a descent substitute.

If you go to the very earliest entries in the MacOS Forum and work backward, you will find a series of Topics I did comparing MacOS with Windows – Mac as a walled garden, Finder vs Explorer, etc. It’s old, but much is the same now. Things are in different places, but the basics are essentially the same. I’ve never looked back!

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I’ve never looked back!

ok well that’s encouraging! : ) thanks for the info PK, i will check it out.

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Good luck with the move, DMT3904.

By the way, I forgot to mention that I have made extensive use of PKCano’s wonderful articles, which are extremely helpful. Thanks again PKC.

If you are going to move to a Mac, DMT3904, do yourself a favour and learn some essential shortcuts, per below.

RobB

Apple has published an extensive list of Mac Keyboard Shortcuts{https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236}, but it is far too long, so here are the ones it is reccomended Mac users  learn as soon as possible:

• Command+Space: Launches Spotlight
• Holding Down Command+Space Launches Siri
• Command+Tab: Quickly cycles through active apps (similar to ALT+Tab on Windows)
• Command+H Quickly hides an app window (clicking on the app icon in the Dock restores the app window)
• Command+Q: Quits an app
• Spacebar after selecting a file in Finder: Launches Quick Look for the selected file.
• Command+Open+Esc: Force Quit an app (similar to Control+ALT+Delete on Windows)
• Command+C: Copy text
• Command+V: Paste text
• Command+X: Cut text
• Command+B: Bold
• Command+I Italics
• Command+P: Print a document
• Command+S: Save a document
• Command+T: Open a new tab
• Command+Shift+4  Take a screenshot of a section of the screen and put it on the clipboard to paste into a document (or
• Command+N: Open a new Finder window
• Shift+Command+N: Create a new folder in the Finder
• Command+Delete: Move a file to the Trash

This is my personal most useful list (Sorry about the formatting – I don’t know how to make it work here!):
Essential Apple Shortcuts
Function                                                                                                         Shortcut

Euro € symbol Word & Excel                                                                       Shift + Optn +2

GBP £ symbol Word & Excel                                                                       Optn +3

Plus Minus ± symbol                                                                                      Shift +1

At @ symbol                                                                                                   Shift + 2

Hash # symbol                                                                                                Shift + 3

Create a new Finder window (when in Finder)                                              Cmd+N

Copy File Path to clipboard (in Finder).  Select file                                       Rt Click, Copy path…

Increase font size to print from Apple Mail                                                    Cmd and +

Tab between open windows of a program (e.g.  Word, Excel)         Cmd + ~  (or ` [grave])
Keep pressed to scroll thru

Tab (or scroll) between open program windows                                            Cmd + Tab

Minimise all open windows                                                                                      Cmd+F3

Hide/Minimise the current program.                                                              Command+H

See all open windows, by shrinking them to separate parts of screen            F3

Close a window                                                                                              Cmd+W

Close all windows                                                                                           Optn+-Cmd+W

Close the current program.                                                                              Command+Q

Snip a picture of selected area and save to desktop where a Thumbnail will appear. (Select target with mouse, then release keys.)        Shift + Cmd +4

Snip a picture of selected area and save to clipboard where is held in memory, ready to paste. (Select target with mouse, then release keys.)   Ctrl +Shift + Cmd +4

Video a screenshot as you watch a video or move the cursor etc.                  Shift + Cmd + 5

Select multiple items: Press & hold the Cmd key, then click each item        Cmd key, then click items

Select All items.                                                                                              Cmd+A

Select multiple items: Press & hold the Cmd key, then click each item        Cmd key, then click items

Undo the last action                                                                                         Cmd+Z

Copy the selected item to the Clipboard                                                         Cmd+C

Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard                                        Cmd+X

Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app          Cmd+V

Copy the selected item by dragging to new location (e.g.  in Finder)
(The pointer changes to a + while you drag the item.)                                   Optn key + drag

Save As                                              Optn+Shift+ Cmd+S   or Optn + File Menu

Save a document                                                                                             Cmd+S

Print a document                                                                                             Cmd+P

Copy File Path to clipboard (in Finder).  Select file                                       Rt Click, Copy path…

Increase font size to print from Apple Mail                                                    Cmd and +

Redo the last action                                                                                         Shift+Cmd+Z

Jump to beginning of a line                                                                            Cmd+Left Arrow

Jump to far right end of a line                                                                          Cmd+Right Arrow

Jump to beginning of current word                                                                 Optn+Left Arrow

Jump to end of current word                                                                            Optn+Right Arrow

Jump to beginning of all text                                                                           Cmd+Up Arrow

Jump to end of all text                                                                                     Cmd+Down Arrow.

Find items in a document or open a Find window.                                        Cmd+F

Show the Get Info window for a selected file in Finder or desktop.              Cmd+I

Scroll through pictures in a folder.              Select a picture file in finder, press Space bar to open Quick Look, then Up/Down arrows to scroll thru all.

To move a file instead of just copying it:

1. Use Command-C to copy the file.
2. Use Option +Cmd +V to paste it.
3. This will <u>move</u> the file to its new location rather than just copying it (A really annoying habit of Apple’s, which constantly creates duplicated files everywhere if you forget “Option”, particularly if you share directories with another user.).

 

 

RobB

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Thank you Robb and PK ! Fortunately, I’ve been using some of those shortcuts on the Magic Keyboard with my Ipad.  I’m sure overall, there will be a big learning curve for me.  Throughout my career in technology, I was able to adapt to change easily and never had a problem with learning new things, but I’m older now ; )  Having the resources/help here is invaluable!  Donna

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Start a Topic if you need help. We’ll all jump in!

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dmt_3904

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