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PC to Mac FAQs
Planning to make the Mac move? Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Macintosh computers. Macs are more reliable, stable and easy to use than their PC counterparts. Both software and hardware on any Mac computer are developed by the same company, Apple Inc. This is the number one reason that Mac's a so reliable.
MBS has been following the same policy since 1990, offering several Mac-related services under the same roof. We are here to serve you with sales, training, support, consulting and service all for the Mac.
Is Microsoft Office available for the Mac?
Yes. Microsoft Office 2011 for Macis available, and it works like the Windows version. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files created on a Mac are compatible with Windows. You can also open Office documents created on a Windows PC.
Can I run Windows on my Mac?
Yes. In addition to Microsoft Office, most popular applications are available for the Mac, too. But if you want to use a particular Windows-only application and you have a copy of Windows XP or Windows Vista, you have a few options:
- If you want to run Windows natively — as if your Mac were a PC — you can use Boot Camp, which is included with Mac OS X Snow Leopard on every new Mac.
- If you want to run Mac OS X and Windows side by side, you can purchase Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware Fusion. Install one of these applications, and you can use Windows programs right next to your Mac applications, without having to restart.
Will my PC devices (cameras, printers, hard drives, speakers, Bluetooth devices) work with a Mac?
Almost any device that connects to a computer via USB, audio cable, or Bluetooth will work with a Mac. For example, the Mac includes support for thousands of the most popular printers from Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, and others. And a Mac is smart enough to know what to do when you plug in your digital camera: It opens iPhoto and asks if you want to import your recent photos.
If you have questions about a specific peripheral or accessory, visit the manufacturer’s website to find out about Mac compatibility or call us at (301) 590-2555, we can quickly find out which drivers are available for your peripheral.
Will my Mac work on campus?
Yes. No matter what kind of network you want to use, whether wired or wireless, a Mac will fit right in. You can share files with any computer on your network, browse the web, access school servers and files, and get all your email. You can also access secure networks with the built-in VPN support.
Is a Mac reliable?
When you buy a PC, you’re buying hardware from one company and an operating system and software from other companies. Not so with a Mac. Because Apple builds both the computer and the software that comes with it, they’re literally made for each other. This means that a Mac rarely freezes or crashes. Occasionally an application might quit, but it won’t affect the rest of your system. And Mac OS X resists most viruses, so you can do anything - without worrying about losing everything.
Real People who Switched to Mac...
What kind of support can I expect?
Every Mac comes with service and support that’s consistently voted the best in the business. If you have a problem in the first year of owning your new Mac, you can take it to an Apple Retail Store to get it fixed or figured out. And if you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, you extend your service and support to up to three years. As an Apple Authorized Service Provider, we accept the Apple Limited One Year Warranty as well as the AppleCare extended warranty.
Are Mac computers secure?
Yes. While no computer connected to the Internet is 100 percent immune to viruses and spyware, the Mac is built on a solid UNIX foundation and designed with security in mind. The Mac web browser, Safari, alerts you whenever you’re downloading an application - even if it’s disguised as a picture or movie file. And Apple continually makes free security updates available for Mac owners. You can even have them download automatically.
Is it easy to learn how to use a Mac?
Every Mac is created with the guiding principle that computers should be easy to use, so you can spend more time doing what you love and less time figuring out how your computer works. If you’ve never owned a Mac, you may need a little time to get used to it. But within a week or two, chances are you’ll get along like old friends. And because all Mac applications are designed to work in the same, intuitive way, once you learn one application - iTunes, for example - you’ll quickly pick up iPhoto, Mail, or any of the other software that comes with your Mac. As an Apple Authorized Training Center, we offer Mac OS X Introduction Training in our Gaithersburg facility on monthly basis.
How do I move my files to a Mac?
The easiest way is to let us do it. If you buy a Mac at MBS and bring in your old Mac or PC, we can move all your files for you. Or you can use a USB or FireWire hard drive or a local network to transfer photos, music, documents, and more.
Will my keyboard and my “right-click” mouse work with a Mac?
Yes. The Mac is compatible with virtually any keyboard and multibutton mouse, even the ones you use with your PC. Just plug them into the USB port on your Mac and start working. You can also use the Magic Mouse, which comes with every iMac and Mac Pro.
If you get a desktop Mac, then you can also use the the new Magic Trackpad, the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer. It uses the same Multi-Touch technology Mac users love on the MacBook Pro. And it supports a full set of gestures, giving you a whole new way to control and interact with what's on your screen.
Will my current email service work on a Mac?
Yes. You can access your current email in two ways:
- View web-based email — such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and MobileMe mail — in the Safari web browser.
- Use the Mail application in Mac OS X. Simply enter your email account information and you’re good to go. If you have email messages in Microsoft Outlook on your PC, you can transfer them to your Mac using inexpensive third-party software.
No matter which method you choose, you can continue using your current email address.
Can I instant message on my Mac?
Yes. Your Mac comes with iChat, Apple’s instant messaging application. iChat supports AIM, Google Talk, and MobileMe. In addition to text messaging, iChat allows you to video chat with friends and family on campus or around the world. Microsoft and Yahoo! offer Mac versions of their instant messaging applications, too.
Which web browsers will work on my Mac?
Every Mac includes Safari, the fastest web browser in the world. You can also use Mac versions of Firefox, Opera, Chrome and others.
What software is available for the Mac?
Thousands of titles, including the most popular applications you need for school, are available for the Mac. You’ll find everything from Microsoft Office and Rosetta Stone to Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Creative Suite.
Mac users are getting a huge great collection of games covering every genre, and it's happening faster than ever thanks to services like Valve's Steam.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have more Mac-related questions. We are here to serve you M-F from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (eastern time). You can contact us by phone (1-888-354-0100 / 301-590-2555) or email.
