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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 09 2013 at 4:24pm | IP Logged
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This might be irrelevant due to the $$$$, but DH was asking if I wanted a new laptop or an iPad for post-surgery. I'm way behind on the times, I don't have an electronic reader, nor an iPad or iPod. I have my iPhone and a PC laptop, still Windows Vista.
I was considering switching to a MAC Book instead of keeping with a PC. I mainly work in Microsoft Office, with lots of documents, scanning, .pdfs, HTML, and graphics. I don't do gaming, nor do we watch much on my laptop.
I'm concerned about the switch making my files become incompatible. I've tried Open Office, and that changes the formatting and makes things wonky, and I don't really relish changing all my files. I know I can buy Office for MAC.
So if anyone has done the switch, was it hard? Was it more expensive in the long run? Is the learning curve great?
I'd love all input!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Sept 09 2013 at 4:38pm | IP Logged
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We switched about 20 years ago and have never looked back! I'll let others share more recent perspectives on their experience, but I did want to mention that all your Office files will be fine on a macbook. There will be no difficulty transitioning.
I have Office on my mac. I don't prefer it over iwork, but I often convert my mac/iwork files to Office files with ease, and can open and work in Word/Excel/PP with ease. It should be a matter of backing up your files, loading Office on your new laptop, and then just bringing them onto your new macbook. In fact, I was opening a REALLY old Excel file of my mom's on my mac just last week. The file is probably almost 18 years old, and I could open it and work with it just fine.
So...just wanted to eliminate that as a variable in any consideration.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Betsy
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| Posted: Sept 09 2013 at 5:13pm | IP Logged
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Jenn,
We switched 3 years ago. I really like my MAC. I can sympathize with you about having files switch over.  I don't remember any personal problems, but I had much less at the time that I would *need* to convert. I get emails with different documents and I always get a screen that says there are error or something like that--however, I am still able to read them.
I thought for sure that I would want Office on my computer, however, I really, really like Pages. One of the best features (which everyone might have now) is that I can save my files as PDFs. This is great when I want to have something printed at Staples or if I share a file over email.
On the other hand, my dh HATES Numbers, and if it was cheaper I would get Excel for him. For the small amount of simple spread sheets that I create Numbers is okay, but limited.
One of the reasons that I initially really liked the MAC was the help you could get for the first year (for an extra cost). I went in every 3-4 weeks to learn all that I could. They also have the help bar--or what ever they call it--if you need to bring it in. Over all, I have gotten good help there but it can still be frustrating.
The only thing that I kind of hate abut my MAC is the MAC store. Besides having to go there for help there is a whole new way you need to learn to navigate the store. Mind you there are no directions or help anyhwere, you just have to know that some random person is who checks you in....which you learn after you were waiting there for 30 mins and they cancled your appointment because you didn't check in and no one ever told you too. You know, that Steve Job's thinking outside the box kind of experience... 
Oh, and for what it's worth, I have an iPad too. I personally would get a laptop over and iPad for "work". I don't mind checking email or the internet on there, but I wouldn't make a Pages document on it. Well, maybe if I got a wireless keyboard and plug in mouse...but by time you do that.....
Let me know if you have any more questions.....
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 09 2013 at 5:29pm | IP Logged
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How do you choose how much file space? The choices are fewer than a PC, which I like, but I'm still not familiar with terms.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Betsy
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| Posted: Sept 09 2013 at 6:52pm | IP Logged
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We went with the middle priced one and it has been more than enough for me.
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Sept 09 2013 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
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I had the benefit of a few teen boys as my tech support during the switch over from PC to Mac about four years ago, so I didn’t quite get the gist of all of that, they just “took over” and got it all done  
I LOVE my Mac, LOVE IT!!
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: Sept 10 2013 at 9:09am | IP Logged
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DS19 bought a Mac laptop of some kind. His biggest concern was transferring files. for a teen he is totally tech-clueless. But when he conceded defeat it took me 10 minutes to get the files transferred, including figuring out how. I still don't have a Mac, as my laptop is only 2 years old. Dh said when the laptops are done we are getting one.
DD9 uses an iPad for her school work. We added a word processor and haven't ran into anything she can't handle. She can print and scan to her iPad,, save in word format. For her the iPad is the best solution. Only thing is saving files. I would love to have everything save to one file for her school work. But scans save to the printer app, photos to her album and docs to docstogo. I am thinking with a little research we'll figure it out. But it's not bad since she uses those apps only for school anyway.
LOL.... in a moment of thought, dropbox or airshare will do that for me :)
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Mom to 4,
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ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Switching from PC to MAC?
