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A guide for switching to a Mac

lifehacker.com — "What follows is a round-up of everything that stuck out to me when I made the move to my first Mac. I'm still a dual-OS fellow, but after I've figured out the ins and outs of my Mac, it's by far the place I find easiest to get things done. If you're delving into Macs for the first time, the following should come in handy."

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  • richdrogpa, on 10/12/2007, -7/+25Just what I was looking for;) Thank You.

    Since Christmas I'm playing on my g/f's Macbook and find OSX truly amazing. Need to get my own Mac notebook soon...
    • HaxityHaxHaxed, on 10/12/2007, -51/+12Might want a guide to balance your checkbook, avoid random shut downs, and dodge exploding batteries while we're at it.
    • rmxz, on 10/12/2007, -7/+7Any guides for recent Linux->Mac converts? I'm in the kinda unusual position of having never learned Windows (here in silicon valley it's not that uncommon, since many of the better alternatives (apple, next, hpux, solaris, irix, a half dozen linux vendors) are all local companies). That got me into a whole bunch of habbits (like the 3-button mouse) that make using an apple tricky. However I'm pretty convince I'll be getting an apple laptop this month (sick of the PC OEMs forcing Windows on laptops. A comparison between Linuxes and Apples would be quite useful to me; and would probably also be quite useful for people going from Apple->Linux environments (say, people with Apples at home who work in a place who's big servers are Linux).

      However I'm pretty much
    • inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -21/+12> Might want a guide to balance your checkbook, avoid random shut downs,
      > and dodge exploding batteries while we're at it.

      How about a guide to blocking Digg trolls?
    • Ireland, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10"Chances are you've opened a file or program on your Windows desktop by selecting the file and then hitting the Enter key to launch it. If you're anything like me, you do this a lot. The problem is, when you try doing the same thing on your Mac, your Mac thinks you want to rename the file instead of open it (don't ask me why). If you want to open the file, you have to hit Cmd-O (for open)."

      If you're going to be selecting the file with your mouse why not do a second click?
      Otherwise pretty good article.
    • digitalrift, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2@ inkswamp: it's called blocking the apple section. Thanks, now you will soon be eaten by GRUEs.
    • Emanji, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Thank you very much for this post. I am a long long time windows user. I'm a network administrator and I work with windows every day, mainly server 2003 and XP. After working with Windows all my life (since window 95) I've decided that my next computer is going to be a Mac. The new 17in MacBook Pro is just too good of a computer to pass up. I love everything about it from the design, power, and value, it's just an awesome machine. Unfortunately I am a total noob when it come to OSX, this article is going to help tramendously. lol now all i have to do is save up that $2500 :P
    • SicKn3sS, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1:O WTF!? Undercover Apple advertiser? How else is this possible?
    • posure, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@Ireland
      Because you don't always select a file with a mouse. I don't currently have a Mac so I don't know offhand if Macs have this ability (I'm going to be buying a MBP in the future though); but I quite often open up a folder, type the first few letters of the filename to auto-select it and then hit enter to open it. Keyboards are much faster than using a mouse as long as you know what you're looking for.
    • haxorjoe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@posure
      try Quicksliver, you just hit a keyboad combination and while you type, it brings up suggestions, for example, if I type "ca" the only item that I have that starts with those 2 letters is Camino, so it shows up and I press enter and it opens, you can do a lot with that app
    • bradleyland, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Posure, there is an alternative shortcut as well, and it's rather intuituve. When navigating the directory structure in Finder cmd+down-arrow will take you into the selected folder. It will also open the selected file. cmd+up-arrow takes you up one folder.
  • PicklePower, on 10/12/2007, -8/+9I just got turned into a Mac user yesterday =P (not with one yet, but definitely is going to be my next purchase).
    • TheWorm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Stupid question but to save my desktop clutter can someone please respond......what do you do with dmgs, and the mount drive once you install the app?
    • MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13Once the installation is complete, you can either store them (nice way to keep a small backup of the original app) or just trash them. They're no longer really needed once the install is complete.
    • Hintzer22, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3parrot beat me to it
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6TheWorm,

      put the mount drive in the trash (doing some removes the instance on the desktop. It doesn't put anything in the trash) when you're done installing its contents. (Its just a virtual disk)
      The DMG is just the compressed file. delete it if you don't need it or archive it someplace if you do.
    • TheWorm, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7thanks
  • noogiewoo, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6I've had a macbook for a month and have learnt most of the basics, this has some more advanced stuff though, appreciated!
  • se1zure, on 10/12/2007, -23/+8Step 1) Buy a Mac
    Step 2) ...
    Step 3) PROFIT!!!!!!!!!
  • monergism, on 10/12/2007, -10/+15Add to the list "Avoid being a rabid fanboy".
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -8/+6Important advice as long as those keeping their PCs "Avoid being a rabid fanboy."
      It appears my advice came a bit late for you and your comment.
    • avihappy, on 10/12/2007, -10/+10I hate to play your devil's advocate, but think why they are fanboys for Macs.
    • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -13/+8@avihappy
      the same reason their are fanboys for the PC perhaps?
    • avihappy, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5Because they love their computers and hate to see others bashing them.
    • SystmBetatester, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4agreed. no mac fanobys
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6fullphaser,

      My first response to your question was... "becuase they don't know the alternatives?"
      But that didn't make sense as it can't be the "same reason" as Mac users are aware of their options and chose a Mac. That's far less often the case with PC users.
    • inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12Can we get off this "all Mac users must be fanboys" thing already? There are loads of Mac users who are not fanboys--the vast majority of them to be perfectly honest. It's probably the same percentage of the whole as Windows and Linux fanboys. Don't assume that the few dumb-ass zealots out there posting loads of pro-Apple tripe to places like Digg and elsewhere speak for the rest of us. I've been involved in user groups and Mac forums for over a decade and can assure you that the overzealous fanboys are a vocal minority.
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7inkswamp,

      I don't think the problem is the large amount of "fanboys." Rather, it's that PC users are feeling overwhelmed by all the good products that Apple is releasing and thus the positive feedback as a result of it. They can't fathom that its actually an Apple resurgence they're seeing and instead relegate it to an increase in what they've previously regarded as a "vocal minority."
    • Arramol, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7I don't think anybody's under the impression that all Mac users are fanboys, but there is a very vocal minority out there who would buy Steve Job's excrement as long as it was white and glossy, then loudly inform everyone else what idiots they are for not doing the same. For those of us who are OS agnostic (I freely switch between XP and Ubuntu, wouldn't object to using OS X), it gets really, really irritating.
      • ReDoEr, on 10/19/2007, -0/+0dugg for voice of reason (I use a Mac and sometimes XP)
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4Arramol,

      until Apple stops selling best of breed products and releases its first iExcrement the positive feedback you're hearing so often is the result of building such great products.
    • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1@kelly

      I was just going to say each system has its benefits and problems but if you want to demean all PC fanboys as to stupid to have ever used another system go right ahead. I don't see nearly as many mac users wiping out OSX in favor of Linux yet it is held as the poster child of alternative computing.
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@fullphaser

      "I was just going to say each system has its benefits and problems"

      They do. However, Apple tech typically has fewer problems and greater benefits.


      "if you want to demean all PC fanboys as to stupid to have ever used another system go right ahead."

      I never called them stupid. I said that they criticize without full perspective.


      "I don't see nearly as many mac users wiping out OSX in favor of Linux yet it is held as the poster child of alternative computing."

      I see some Mac buyers installing Linux though I've been seeing more Linux users go Mac. Perhaps its because it is OSX and not Linux which is held as the poster child for alternative computing.
    • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2@kelly

      "They do. However, Apple tech typically has fewer problems and greater benefits."
      Sorry but I consider cost and lack of developers a major issue.
      "I never called them stupid. I said that they criticize without full perspective."
      Funny, usually we are the ones who have used OSX, Linux distros and the works, but we simply prefer a well maintained PC.
      "I see some Mac buyers installing Linux though I've been seeing more Linux users go Mac. Perhaps its because it is OSX and not Linux which is held as the poster child for alternative computing."
      Funny that as often as I hear about the year of the Linux desktop just about every year, and how elitism just doesn't quite compare to free software on cheap boxes
    • slantyyz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5@kelly/@fullphaser

      Guys, get a grip. They're just computers. Can't we all just get along?
    • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Define fanboy. I often respond to people who post inaccurate information about the Mac platform. Does that make me a fanboy? If someone says "Oh your Mac can't play games." I am compelled to say "well yes, actually it can. Here's how you do it" Again, does that make me a fanboy? I really don't think so.
    • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@slantyyz

      lol, its nothing man, I doubt either of us are actually frustrated with the other, or at least I know I am not, its to keep the entertainment up, and hopefully people will either learn something or get a good laugh out of our "argument". I could personally care less, but PC fanboys aren't all stupid I have met quite a few with some brains. There is just this general consensus in the tech community PC fanboys are stupid, Mac fanboys are elitist, and Linux fanboys are single.
    • slantyyz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@fullphaser

      As someone who has 2 Macs, 2 Windows PCs and an Ubuntu server, I must therefore be single, stupid and elitist.

      My wife would probably only agree to the "stupid" point.
    • Arramol, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@kelly - I'm fine with positive feedback of Apple products. What I can't stand is the elitist attitude that some Apple users take, trolling threads discussing competing products, refusing to acknowledge any drawback to Apple products (yes, they're there; Apple isn't perfect either), grossly exaggerating problems with competitors, etc.
  • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2fascinating, because digg users are common children and we have the sensibility not to gather up how to make use of a simple operating system. Most of what OSX does is pretty much idiot proof, I mean you look at the picture and you go oh that is why there is a gui, to make this simple. OS's shouldn't require a training manual to make use of. I say this because this is digg, this isn't uncle Joe, and grandma penny. For the most part we have all been around computers so often that to pick up on a new OS would not require a manual.
    • Mirag3, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I'd like to read your post, but your awful grammar, punctuation, and capitalization made it practically impossible. Please attend school and then return.
    • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0I'd like to read your post, but it looks like an arrogant ***** posted it. You might want to have that removed from your face and get out of grammar Nazi school.
  • penneyisok, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5I actually just bought myself a macbook 2 days before Christmas. I was can't shop for other people and not myself I guess lol. For me the transition was pretty easy, but I have been seeing so many things about macs over the years on call for help with leo (in canada) among his other show online and just random things I seen on places like here. I really had a good idea on how it all worked but I think for the most part its a bit harder for average user (of course this doesn't include people on here) to make the switch. The only confusion I had was with installing and uninstalling programs. The whole dragging the icon into the application folder makes sense but it so different then windows. (at least for me)

    I held off on getting a mac for sometime because the appeal of the mac "fanboyism" really turned me away. But I have to say it is a great system. With that said, if people begin to notice me positing fanboy comments and digging all the mac rumors and crap on here...please come find me and beat the ***** out of me. Thanks!
  • ITAvenger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Holy crap I wish I had this guide when I bought my iMac 6 months ago. I was completely lost. I haven't made a complete switch, and never will, but the list of issues provided in the article are pretty much everything that had me scratching my head.

    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Oops... I just posted to the wrong thread here.
  • chogie, on 10/12/2007, -7/+8great guide, but with the cost of macs, doesn't do me a damn bit of good
  • superKduper, on 10/12/2007, -9/+4Apple will be out of business soon, after Steve Jobs is sentenced to Jail for fraud. You may want to run Windows or FreeBSD on your new Intel hardware.
    • greekgoat91, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5FreeBSD! what are you on? Linux is the way to go. I recommend Ubuntu to n00bs
    • kurios, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Can you fill me in on how Steve Jobs is being fraudulent? I would like to know.
    • t3hX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1He won't be sent to prison - the SEC has said they won't press charges. It was also said that the matter could have gone unnoticed had Apple not done their own investigation. Besides, Steve Jobs wasn't even involved with that, and so is not going to end up in prison if anyone does.

      http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/10/09/legal.experts.on.probe/
    • MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You have to excuse ol superK. Being a troll has reduced him to little more than a drooling idiot.
  • superKduper, on 10/12/2007, -15/+3Windows folks! Please mark this story as "SPAM"
    • Darrelc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Why is it spam? It was a good well written article that provided some good points. Hell, I dug it and I've got no intention of switching to a mac.

      Goes to show that there ***** on both sides of the computer camp.
    • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Zealots & retards: Ignore the Apple category if you don't want to see Apple stories.
  • ReallyChili, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2File under DUPE, LAME, and SPAM.
    • t3hX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2What? Your comment? Sorry, can't do that. How about a thumbs down and a block instead.
  • scottythebody, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1This is a pretty good article. I switched (back) in 2002 and have been so much happier with my computing experience. It's not for everybody, but it works great for me.

    That being said, I think the #1 tip for new users (and one of the biggest usability advantages in Mac OS X) is the "mile high menu". That means that the menu for whichever application you currently have active is all the way UP at the TOP of your screen. Just drag your mouse UP all the way and you can't miss it.
    • kelly, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3You mean as opposed to the same menu filling every single window thus reducing screen real estate to the size of a postage stamp?
    • hicamel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Actually, the "mile high menu" is the thing I least like about the Mac. But I had never considered kelly's point, so I'll think about it.
    • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Personally I love the uni-menubar but I think they kind of a crappy job implementing it in dual monitor mode. (both monitors should get a copy of the menubar instead of it sticking to one sreen exclusively, I hope they fix that in 10.5)
    • MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2deadbaby,
      I agree with that entirely. I just recently began using dual monitors and having to go back to the main window to just access the menu is nuts. If there is one thing I would love to see Apple steal from Linux/Unix and Windows is the each window with its own menu bar. Well that and the taskbar or a better implementation of it than Windows. The Dock is OK, but not always intuitive, even for a long time Mac user like myself.
  • ozziedog, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Mac has always been the computer for the graphic arts largely because it was easier to use and had a GUI interface long before PC. The reason it succeded in the graphics world is because the nature of the business is more owner operators–the buyer was the user. PC took over the business world because the people who had to use them weren't the people who bought them. The boss bought the cheapest computer they could get and didn't give a ***** about how difficult they were to use. Now I see little difference between the 2 platforms save the Mac is always more elegant.
  • PowerCat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Step number 1, dump all your games.
    • VanDaniel, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Not with BootCamp.

      I use my Windows partition for WoW. And only WoW. hehe.
    • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Are you sure about that? My 360, DS and PS2 still work just fine even though I use a Mac for my laptop. Maybe you're doing something wrong?
    • slantyyz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@deadbaby

      [sarcasm]
      Great! Now we can debate whether PCs are as good at gaming as consoles! Woohee, 2 religious debates in 1 thread!
      [/sarcasm]
    • fullphaser, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0"Not with BootCamp.

      I use my Windows partition for WoW. And only WoW. hehe."

      Or you could just buy the Windows machine for cheaps and drop off the proprietary I'm a mac fee.
    • Mirag3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Or you could just play WoW on your Mac in OS X. It is a universal binary, you know.
  • g33b33, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Can I play Defcon on a Mac? And maybe Half-Life Episode 2, Bioshock, Alan Wake, Halo 3 etc?

    I am asking seriously...as long as I can play decent games now and then I will move to a Mac.

    If I cant, then I will stick with Windows as it has never given me trouble and i just need to open office docs, stream movies to my 360 and do the knuckle shuffle to some top drawer porn now and then. More now than then actually :-)
    • VanDaniel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3You already have a copy of Windows, and BootCamp is free; so yeah, you can play all of those on your mac.
  • ggore, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7And as usual, within 5 minutes of this article being posted, and a couple of people saying they liked the article since it provided them some useful information and asking perfectly normal questions, the "fanboy" arguments start pouring in from people who enjoy acting or being juvenile and like seeing their name in print on the internet, thereby completely obliterating any civil or useful information from being gleaned from this posting and comments beyond reading the article for one's own information and enlightenment. It is for this very reason that I seldom read the comments on Digg, but in this one instance I can't help but speak out. For my own enjoyment I have made the effort to block my viewing any further comments from everyone that has used the word "fanboy" in these comments hereafter on Digg. I am sick to death of articles on any subject devolving into flame wars. I realize it will not clear out all the offenders but at least it's a start. I wish there were some way of stopping this juvenile behavior once an for all on here.
  • SicKn3sS, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1Wow Apple is really pushing their lame advertising campaign too far now. They make a new topic on Digg every day now. I can't even watch TV without seeing their stupid Mac commercial or ipod commercials. Just face it, nobody wants a god damn mac! The only thing it can do right is graphic design. Hardly any games or apps work on Mac anyways...
  • gib786, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Thanks for the guide! Ive been a pc fanboy for a long time, and always looked down on mac users and osx in general till i had a play with my friends macbook. Ive gone an ordered one today and it should be fun getting to learn the ins and outs of osx, whilst still using windows. Also I gotta agree with "ggore" im sick of all these falmewars between the minority of pc and mac users.
  • danceparty, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2how many of these ***** articles do we have to see?
    • t3hX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Have to see? None. You came to digg, you're choosing not to hide the Apple category, it's all your choice. Nobody's forcing you to do anything.
  • mtappenden, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1My parents know how to use a Mac. They have used mine often enough. The only thing stopping them making the switch is they need to be able to take all the data within their 8+ gigabyte PST files with them, and there seems to be no reliable way to do it. There are ways to get the email, but no reliable ways that we can find to get the contacts, todos, calendars...
    • peestandingup, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0There is a program called O2M (Outlook to Mac) that will do all that for you. All you do is run it on the PC & it converts all your Outlook mail, calendars, contacts, etc to a friendlier format that Apple Mail, Address Book & iCal can import. Its like $10 but it works GREAT!

      http://www.littlemachines.com/
  • theunderground5, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1step 1. plug in mac
    step 2. use
    • Hindu_Wardrobe, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2step 3: OMG WHERE R MY GAMEZ??????
      step 4: get pissed, commit suicide
  • wbienek, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I run a Mac Pro 3 ghz and run Windows Vista because I cant find a good asp editor like VS 2005 and a multiple tab FTP client like cute ftp...
  • fallenone05, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"On Macs, the Backspace key as you know it is called Delete. And the Delete key deletes from right to left, just like the Backspace key. If you want to delete text from left to right (Ă  la the Windows Delete key), you have to press Function-Delete (particularly if you're on a laptop).

    Finally, if you want to delete a file or folder from the comfort of your keyboard, select the file and press Cmd-Delete. It'll go straight to the Trash."

    WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY? A little to complicated, what's up with all the two-key combination to do almost anything? And why not just add a right click? Why should I have to use two hands to hit the option + click to do what a right click would do? Next storey....
    • t3hX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The Mighty Mouse has a right button, and the laptops - put two fingers on the trackpad and click. Don't like it? Plug your PC mouse in, and it will work fine.

      The Delete/backspace thing doesn't matter - it's just what's on the key. It's in the same position, and does the same thing.
    • fallenone05, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1dude, thanks for enlightening me, I really didn't know you could do that, very cool...I'm thinking about getting a mac book pro...
  • wbienek, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I "Love" Mac hardware. The OS is another story- I don't see that Macs were made for "developer" types though: The 2 button mouse thing is proof, Its an "End User " O.S. out at the box.

    btw, the captcha here SUX! (if youre using a tablet pc)
  • SuperNick, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Mac OS just seems to be not as good as Windows honestly. I mean two delete keys? Pressing enter to rename? The dock? Moving files from CDs to the hard drive isn't as easy as click-and-drag.

    It seems to me, a person who has never used a computer before would be better off on something else. Windows is easily maneuverable but also allows for advanced techniques.

    Though there are some things Mac does better than Windows. Installing programs is pretty easy. The menu bar always being at the top is nice.
    • Hindu_Wardrobe, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Actually, I hate the fact that the menu bar is always at the top. I'd like to be able to move it.
      We need to port GNOME and KDE to Windows and Mac already. And full ports, not any Cygwin *****. Then I would be extremely happy.
  • SoxFanNH, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1LMAO
  • studioguy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Great timing for me, I just bout a MacBook Pro. I spent a lot of time researching the right Apps to pick and the best way to migrate my music, photos, email, etc. I wrote a post that may be helpful for switchers.

    http://blog.mauronic.com/?p=44
  • deathmatch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Ill be getting my very first macbook pro :D by the end of this week.
    Honestly, iv been skeptical of macs but i used the mac labs a lot at my university. (Less people in that lab because most people are PC junkies)
    This guide is awesome. TY
  • till, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Since I got a mac at work, I also set up my mom with one and I can't say I was so extremely happy with all the switching. Not saying that it's particularly apple's fault but I had to download 20 other apps first to get all the exports going. True is that now that everything is on the mac it's (probably) better.

    The thing is I really have a hate-relationship with Apple Mail, which seems like the worst MUA (Mail User Agent) ever, because it just does not behave very mac-like (unlike the rest of the system). And then there is this - excuse me - damn versiontracker website where just too much pay-ware is listed as freeware (annoying) and then the quality of the software is really bad. Taking into account that the system itself is rock-solid (hey, UNIX!) and most of the software you pay for seems to be a 100% more usable than most applications on the Windows, it's frustrating to see that the free software on the mac blows so much (compared to free software on windows).

    Anyway, just my 2 cents. I'll probably switch myself later this year - just need to find a deal on a mac-book. ;-)
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