Mossberg offers resources for Windows users interested in switching to Apple Mac

16 Comments

The Wall Street Journal’s Walter S. Mossberg answers questions about technology for his readers.

Q: I am about to switch to the Macintosh after many years using only Windows PCs. Is there a good book to help me with the transition?

A: In addition to the many books about how to use a Mac in general, there are two that were written specifically to guide Windows users in making the switch to the Mac’s OS X operating system — though in my experience most Windows users can successfully switch without a book.

One book, called “Switching to the Mac,” is by David Pogue. The second, called “Mac OS X for Windows Users: A Switchers’ Guide,” is by David Coursey. Both authors are veteran technology writers. Neither book takes into account the latest Mac operating system, called Tiger, because they were published before Tiger appeared. But either should still be a strong guide to making the switch. The Pogue book is also slated to be updated next month with a new edition that covers Tiger. Mr. Coursey has also just published “The Mac Mini Guidebook,” which, while focused on Apple’s newest low-end model, has a lot of content on switching and covers Tiger as well.

In addition, there is a wealth of material on Apple’s Web site on how to switch from Windows. An entire section of the site, devoted to switching, can be found at http://www.apple.com/switch . A basic tutorial on the Mac can be found at http://www.apple.com/support/mac101 .

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: For our Windows-only friends: If you’re considering adding a safe, powerful, elegant, and fun Mac OS X machine to your computing arsenal, information about how to do so smoothly, can be found here. For inexpensive entry to the Mac platform, you might want to take a look at Apple’s new Mac mini which starts at just US$499 — it just might be the perfect machine for you.

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16 Comments

  2. I know people who could benefit from this information.
    GOT to hand it to Microsoft, though, for grabbing folks by the short and curlies!
    FIRST thing is to get more info out there about Macintoshes.
    POST all ideas as to get the news out here.
    AGAIN, this is info we’ve got to get out to more potential switchers!

    Reply

  5. Just an idea: lots of Mac Switchers are students or teachers, so maybe you should mention the $479 education price too when you talk about the Mac Mini.

    Even cheaper ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

    Reply

  8. The number #1 way people come to have learn about the Mac is having a friend who has one. Second is at the place they work and third is at school. Fourth by iPod/Apple Store visit

    So Mac Evangelism is a very important part of increasing sales for Apple. If your friend has one and your friends friends has a Mac, most likely you’ll get one too.

    The effective way to sell is to know your product

    1: define customers needs and answer questions

    2: don’t give them a excuse to say no (iBooks break? oh no!)

    3: ask for the sale

    4: if they say anything but “yes” or “ok”! then

    5: ask them if they have any other questions

    6: go back to #1

    Close the sale, you do not have to go off on a tangent about viruses and Microsoft and sound like a raving lunatic. Most PC users know about Win viruses anyway and attacking M$ attacks a mistake the future Mac user has made in the past.

    “Any other questions?” “No”

    “Ready to give a Mac a shot?” “Yep”

    Tagged and bagged!

    Here are some links to get knowledgeable about your platform choice

    http://appleintelfaq.com/

    http://braeburn.ath.cx/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=9&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

    http://138.202.192.14/~trembath/smon/tco.html

    http://www.apple.com/science/whymac/myths.html

    http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/But-Theres-No-Software-for-the-Mac-Right-37806.html

    http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/36120.html

    http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/But-Macs-Are-Slower-Right-36964.html

    http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/32837.html

    http://www.systemshootouts.org/processors.html

    http://www.vanwensveen.nl/rants/microsoft/IhateMS_A.html

    http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletinsByType/bul_vendor_list.html

    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1623595,00.asp

    http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/052305schwartau.html?vo&code=nlvoice1982

    http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2232

    http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=37481

    http://www.mail-archive.com/macinschool@mail.maclaunch.com/msg00104.html

    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/31/business/yourmoney/31hack.html?ex=1280462400&en=311d897de4ab090a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

    http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/press/021104.php

    http://www.nytimes.com/packages/audio/business/Seiden.mp3

    http://vx.netlux.org/lib/static/vdat/creatrs1.htm

    Reply

  9. “NOBODY really bothers with that “first post” stuff anymore”

    awwww…. he’s just jealous ’cause he didn’t get it. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”tongue laugh” style=”border:0;” />

    “GIVES the impression that you don’t have anything better to do”

    that’s the beauty of working out of your home… do what i wanna, when i wanna and as long as i manage time well its all okay and the money magically appears in my account… sweeeeeet!

    “A sure sign that time is all you have”

    well, i certainly dont have to waste it on a commute!

    “SHIT, it’s 2:40. Time to get back to work!”

    yeah… you’d better not get caught… sitting in your cubicle… wasting time.
    ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”rolleyes” style=”border:0;” />

    Reply

  15. “Sorry, Tempus. I couldn’t resist.”

    awww, what the hell… fugeddaboutit… what’s a little good natured ribbing between Macoholics.

    “By the way, I don’t do first posts, I don’t have a commute, and I don’t work in a cubicle.”

    touche.

    mostly do first post thing in the afternoons having done most of what i have to do in the morning and after the traffic has slowed down here. it’s mostly by accident… i’m in the habit of reading fast and typing fast… just happens.

    that being said, my day is done and i’m gittin’ away from this dang keyboard. got a houshold with kids and a cat to run here.

    later.

    Reply

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