Thinking of getting a iMac.

[Charlie]

I've wanted a Mac for a while now and now I have the money I thought I might as well, is it worth the money I'll be paying for it?

Will I be easily able to transfer my files from my old XP computer to the Mac, mainly my music from 1 iTunes to another? Also, can I still download torrents on a mac? :P And anything else worth mentioning that I might need to know like what IM do I use etc. So I know if it's worth going through the trouble (if any) of changing to Mac.

[Flisker]

To all of them questions yep and mac os x is actually really nice :) I'd say go for it!

[HotelUser]

I've wanted a Mac for a while now and now I have the money I thought I might as well, is it worth the money I'll be paying for it?
I switched over, and I would not go back to using Windows on my main setup. OSX (the Mac operating system) runs much better (in my opinion) than Windows.



Will I be easily able to transfer my files from my old XP computer to the Mac, mainly my music from 1 iTunes to another?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329


Also, can I still download torrents on a mac?
Yes, there is a large variety of torrents for the Mac, and there's less worries about contracting viruses :).


:P And anything else worth mentioning that I might need to know like what IM do I use etc. So I know if it's worth going through the trouble (if any) of changing to Mac.
Microsoft has a MSN client for the Mac. There are also alternatives such as Adium or amsn.

If you got a Mac and decided to torrent/download illegally a application called LittleSnitch is essensial. It blocks outgoing internet traffic where you see fit. So if a cracked application tries to report it's illegal, LittleSnitch will stop it.

QuickSilver is pretty useful too. It allows you to quickly access your entire machine, right from one menu. You can move hundreds of files just by pressing several keys on the keyboard. I've found it quite useful.

Installing applications on the Mac is somewhat different than Windows (easier). If you're confused you should read this: http://guides.macrumors.com/Installing_Applications_in_Mac_OS_X

There are some Windows applications I've grown quite fond of, and to run those I either use CrossOver for the Mac, or VMware Fusion. CrossOver lets you run some (not all) Windows applications on the Mac, as if it were a native Mac application. VMware Fusion allows you to install Windows onto your Mac, only it's simulated. Meaning you run Windows at the same time as OSX.

[Barmi]

Being able to run your Windows applications alongside your Mac apps is really cool.

http://img.skitch.com/20090304-ef479dqt4gym9975gry97kgqgd.png

HotelUser covered a lot. Oh, and a great BitTorrent client is Transmission.

[Charlie]

Thanks guys. I think that I will switch over to Mac because as I've said I've wanted one for a while now and they seem really good. So, thanks for the replies +rep!

[Nick.]

Hold on a minute. Don't rush into anything. They are expensive machines and buying something without knowing the basics of it and whether you will like it is extremely foolish (not saying you are).

You should visit your nearest Apple Store and ask for a little tour of OS X. :)

[Recursion]

As Nick said, try every OS out first, so before you go out and buy a shiny £800 peice of sexyness go and try it out in an Apple store or even ask your school if you could have a play if they have any :]

[HotelUser]

Hold on a minute. Don't rush into anything. They are expensive machines and buying something without knowing the basics of it and whether you will like it is extremely foolish (not saying you are).

You should visit your nearest Apple Store and ask for a little tour of OS X. :)

Or he can buy it and return it if he doesn't like it within 14 to 30 days:).

[Nick.]

Or he can buy it and return it if he doesn't like it within 14 to 30 days:).
And pay the 15% restocking fee? Which would be around £150 for a near £1000 machine.

[HotelUser]

And pay the 15% restocking fee? Which would be around £150 for a near £1000 machine.


Ah, forgot about that. Around here, so long as you bring it back in one piece, they don't make you pay a restocking fee :)!