Switching to a Mac For Dummies : [Learn to: choose the Mac that's right for you ; Transfer your files from Windows ; Connect your Mac to the Internet by using a wireless network ; Get the most from Mac OS X Snow Leopard and create cool projects with the i

Switch to a Mac with ease using this practical, humorous guide Want to try life outside of Windows? You've come to the right place. Users are switching from PCs to Macs in droves, and now you can, too, with this helpful guide. In a fun, but practical way, the book walks you through the entire process-hardware and software-including selecting a Mac, moving files, setting up security, and getting the most out of all the fun stuff that makes Macs famous, such as the iLife suite, and more. This book is fully updated for the new generation of Mac hardware and software, including Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the iLife suite, and the latest trends and tools Explore running Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp, how to switch your applications, converting your business to a Mac, getting online, and more Plus, you don't even have to give up Microsoft Office, thanks to Microsoft Office for Mac-so get this indispensable book and join the fun! Switching to a Mac for Dummies 1 About the Author 5 Dedication 5 Author’s Acknowledgments 5 Contents at a Glance 7 Table of Contents 9 Introduction 19 About This Book 19 Foolish Assumptions 20 How This Book Is Organized 21 Typographic Conventions 22 Icons Used in This Book 22 Where to Go from Here 23 Part I: Informed Switching Starts Here 25 Chapter 1: Why Switch? Demystifying the Mac Mantra 27 Be Happy You Waited 28 Take Your Best Shot 28 Considering All Aspects — Advantage Apple 33 Switching Sides Can Sting 37 Chapter 2: Meet the Mac Family 41 Checking Out Common Features 41 Connecting on the Go with Your Apple Laptop 43 Furnishing Your Lair with Mac Desktops 51 Getting the Right Graphics Processor 60 Adding On and Filling In 61 Chapter 3: Deciding What to Buy 71 Selecting a Conversion Strategy 72 Figuring Out What’s on Your Windows Computer 76 Navigating from PC to Mac Ports 78 Using Your Old Equipment with a Mac 84 Getting Ready to Buy 92 Shopping for Your New Mac 98 Part II: Making the Switch 101 Chapter 4: The Big Day: Setting Up Your Mac 103 Unpacking and Setting Up 103 Configuring Your New Mac 109 Chapter 5: Mac OS X for Windows Users 115 PC and Mac: We Have a Lot in Common 115 Adjusting to the Differences 116 May I See the Menu, Please? 125 Filing Away in OS X 129 The Finder Is Your Friend 132 Enjoying the Difference 139 Chapter 6: Moving Files from Your PC to the Mac 143 Backing Up and Movin’ On 143 Recovering Data from a Damaged PC 149 Dealing with Common File Types 153 Purging Your Files Before Disposing of the Disk 156 Chapter 7: Switching Applications 159 Keeping Your Appointments with iCal 160 Processing Words and Numbers 161 Accessing Databases 170 Finding Graphics and Design Programs 171 Replacing Specialized Programs 174 Adding Functionality As You Need It 175 Part III: Connecting Hither and Yon 177 Chapter 8: Getting Your Mac Online 179 Using Your Current Internet Account 179 Upgrading Your Internet Service 183 Starting Up Your Web Browser 186 Switching Your E-Mail to Your Mac 190 Instant Messaging 197 Chapter 9: Networking the Mac Way 201 Getting Wired with Ethernet 201 Networking Wirelessly 207 Getting Personal with Bluetooth 214 Networking in Other Ways 216 Sharing Files over Your Network 217 Chapter 10: Staying Secure in a Connected World 219 What Makes a Mac More Secure? 219 Protecting Yourself with Passwords 220 Hardening OS X 231 Part IV: More Software, More Choices 239 Chapter 11: Easy Listening with iTunes 241 The Magical iPod 242 Getting Started with iTunes 243 Filling iTunes with Music and More 245 Chapter 12: Picturing iPhoto 251 Getting Started with iPhoto 252 Organizing the iPhoto Way 254 Editing Your iPhotos 258 Sharing Photos in Slide Shows and Prints 259 Moving Up to Aperture 261 Chapter 13: Producing Movies and Music on Your Mac 263 Producing Your Own Epic with iMovie 263 Burning Movies with iDVD 269 Composing Using GarageBand 270 Chapter 14: Building Your Space on the Web 275 Creating a Web Site 276 MobileMe for You 282 Social Networking from your Mac 283 Chapter 15: Enjoying Other OS X Goodies 285 Adding Handy Widgets to the Dashboard 285 Controlling Windows Fast with Exposé 288 Organizing Work Areas with Spaces 290 Searching for Files with Spotlight 291 Saving Time with Automator and AppleScript 293 Chapter 16: Oops, It’s a PC: Running Windows on Your Mac 295 Pulling the Rabbit Out of the Hat 296 Getting Started with Boot Camp 298 Virtualize Me 299 Imitation, the Sincerest Form of Flattery 302 Part V: Specialty Switching Scenarios 305 Chapter 17: Switching with the Whole Family in Mind 307 Macs for Kids 307 Macs for Seniors 319 Macs for Specific Needs 322 Chapter 18: Switching Your Business to Macs 329 Why Use Macs in Your Business? 329 Macs in Small Businesses 333 Macs in Midsize Businesses 334 Macs for the Enterprise 334 Chapter 19: Desktop to Dashcode: OS X Advanced 335 Peeking at the File System Structure 335 Commanding Unix 339 Developing Software on a Mac 344 Part VI: The Part of Tens 347 Chapter 20: Ten Terrific Troubleshooting Tips 349 Take Care of First Things First 349 Watch the Spinning Beach Ball 350 Reboot a Hung Mac 351 Reconnect to the Internet 352 Handle Printing Problems 353 Reset Passwords 354 Eject CDs, DVDs, and Flash Drives 354 Track Down Weird Noises 355 Prevent Running Out of Disk Space 355 Keep Your Mac Safe and in Tiptop Shape 356 Find Help 357 Chapter 21: Ten Ways Your Mac Can Help the Planet 361 Saving Energy with Energy Saver 361 Organizing Your Accessories for Power Savings 362 Running on Alternative Power 363 Monitoring Power Use 363 iChat AV: The Green Way to Visit 364 Automating Your Home 364 Living the Paperless Portable Life 365 Curing Cancer 365 Retiring Old Electronics Responsibly 366 Switching a Friend to a Mac 366 Chapter 22: Ten Creative Uses for Your Old PC 367 Sell It on Craigslist 367 Load Ubuntu Linux on It 367 Give It to Charity 368 Use It as a Pedestal 368 Have Your Kids Take It Apart 368 Enjoy It As Art 369 Use It for Target Practice 369 Disconnect from the Internet 369 Keep It for Old Media 369 Recycle It Safely 370 Mac Speak versus Windows Speak: A Translation Glossary 371 Index 397

Making Everything Easier!

Switching to a Mac® for Dummies

2nd Edition

Learn to:

• Choose the Mac that's right for you
• Transfer your files from Windows®
• Connect your Mac to the Internet by using a wireless network
• Get the most from Mac OS® X Snow Leopard and create cool projects with the iLife® suite

Arnold Reinhold

Switching is almost as easy as using a Mac, and we'll guide you all the way!

So you've decided to join the more intuitive, less virus-prone world of the Mac? Congratulations! This book tells you what to expect, how to choose a Mac (if you haven't already), and how to make the switch a breeze. Discover all the cool preloaded software, how to make your Mac talk to your iPhone and iPod®, and how to work the Mac way.

• Meet the family — compare MacBooks and the Mac mini, iMac®, and Mac Pro
• I'm a Mac, and you're leaving a PC — see what's alike and what's different, and learn to use Apple menus and the Finder
• Can I keep it? — find out what peripherals will still work with your Mac
• Moving day — transfer your files, address book, and content stored on other media
• Get connected — set up your Internet service and e-mail application, and connect to your printer and other peripherals
• iLove all these apps — play, buy, and organize music with iTunes®; edit, sort, and share photos with iPhoto®; make movies with iMovie®; and more
• Safety first — learn what makes Macs safer and why strong passwords are still important
• If you just can't say goodbye — see how to run Windows® on your Mac

Open the book and find:

• How a Mac can simplify your life
• Special advice for seniors and parents of young kids
• Tips on keeping your Mac updated and secure
• Ways to unleash your creativity with photos, audio, and video
• How to configure your new Mac
• Help with switching specialized software to your Mac
• Mac networking instructions
• How to get both WiFi and backup capability by using Time Capsule®

Switch to a Mac with ease using this practical, humorous guide Want to try life outside of Windows? You've come to the right place. Users are switching from PCs to Macs in droves, and now you can, too, with this helpful guide. In a fun, but practical way, the book walks you through the entire process-hardware __and__ software-including selecting a Mac, moving files, setting up security, and getting the most out of all the fun stuff that makes Macs famous, such as the iLife suite, and more. * This book is fully updated for the new generation of Mac hardware and software, including Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the iLife suite, and the latest trends and tools * Explore running Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp, how to switch your applications, converting your business to a Mac, getting online, and more Plus, you don't even have to give up Microsoft Office, thanks to Microsoft Office for Mac-so get this indispensable book and join the fun! Demonstrates how to become adjusted to the Macintosh operating system and how to transfer data from a Windows system to a Macintosh, discussing topics such as moving files and Macintosh equivalents to Windows-only programs.