Just remember that if you decide to use dual boot to load Windows that you MUST also have virus protection for the Windows side. Just because Apple's OSx has virtually no viruses that is not true for Windows - the fact that Windows is running on a Mac does not lessen its need for virus protection.

I recommend David Pogue's missing manual series specifically Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual http://www.amazon.com/Switching-Mac-...4735075&sr=8-2 There's no OS X Lion edition yet.

Like many have said switch is easy these days. Also, if you go in Apple store and explain them your situation they will be more than happy to assist you and show you all things Mac. "One on one" sessions and such

I am waiting for the store in El Paso to open up soon. As soon as it does, I will be there checking out a Mac.

Cloud based disk drives (like dropbox) are an excellent way to share and/or move files between machines (windows or mac) while you are transitioning.

I made the switch a couple of years ago after using a laptop for a couple of hours. The saying is true:

Once you go Mac, you never go back...

Isn't that how it goes?

Made the switch a few months ago, even started a thread about it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-how-what.html.

Haven't really missed windows much if at all. Getting used to the new interface was a bit of a pain for the first few days but now I feel right at home with it. Still have a windows netbook floating around for some windows only apps (KVS Tool beign one) but will eventually just switch to VMWare or Parallels on the mac.

Yeah I have Linux (Xandros) on the netbook that I'm typing this on and it's perfect. I've got the both the easy and full desktop modes enabled and I love it, specifically picked this over the windows option and very pleased that I did. Will at some point get a desktop with Linux on it and did fancy making a Hackintosh as well, just to see how easy it is.

Just took the plunge and ended up being 4 iMacs -- 2 for my office (my brother and I) and 2 (27inch screens) for our houses.

This post is from my office Mac and I love it. It is super fast and guess what -- no error messages all day unlike my PC.

The 27inch screen at home is gorgeous and my daughter loves how fast netflix movies download on it.

Other than a few quirks which I will work around, I will never seriously look at look at a PC ever agin.

Now -- on to file moving -- FUN FUN FUN

Here's a couple of useful tips that really helped with the transition:
-download quicksilver. Unless you're using it for something else, hotkey it with option+space. This'll be the fastest way to start up your programs.
-download istat pro. When you F12 it, you'll thank the stars for all the useful info it has on your computer.
-if you don't get quicksilver, finder does work pretty well for starting up your programs. It also works for simple arithmetic and as a dictionary/thesaurus.
-command+shift+4 starts the custom screen shot taker. Start the upper left point with your left mouse button and let go once you've encompassed what you need. command+shift+3 does a full screen.
-one thing that takes a while to get used to is that window resizing is in the lower right hand corner.
-F9 is awesome. F11 isn't too bad either.
-if you have some windows only programs, vmware fusion/parallels will run them in the virtual windows environment. You have to allocate space and have a copy of windows. As long as you're not gaming, there's no reason to do bootcamp.

At this point in launcher history, I would go with alfred instead of quicksilver. Much more usable functionality out of the box, easier to use/understand and it is supported currently.

If you bought that many systems, the Apple Store should definitely be helping you migrate data and transition to the Macs. There should be some beginner lessons available too.

They are helping us but I prefer to do some stuff on my own to learn it myself.

Also, if I run parallels for Windows, will I get viruses since it is Windows? Do I need to run a virus software just for the windows side?

For the windows side -- we will be using it mostly for accessing the internet on certain web sites that do not work with Mac. We do not have any programs that are only for Windows at work or at home.

Welcome to the mac world. Subscribe to tidbits.com weekly newsletter; lots of good stuff. Also they publish ebooks that help you learn the OS, etc., called the "Taking Control" series: http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/.

If you use Windows with Parallel or VmWare, you still need anti-virus program.

Good luck and enjoy

Ok, this is coming from a person who has been using Macs for over 20 years, so you're welcome to call it fanboy-ism if you want I just call it years and years of graphic design where Macs where the platform to work on.


Based on what you've said so far in this thread, I don't think you will need to dual boot into Windows.

There have been huge changes in the compatability of Macs since the transition to OSX in 2001. I haven't run across a website in years that I can't view using Chrome/Firefox/Safari on a Mac. Is there a website in particular that you are thinking of? Have you tried loading it in a different browser?

Sure, there are reasons to dual-boot Windows, especially if you use priopriety software for your work, but for what you've said you use your computer for so far, I don't think you need to.

If you decide you must dual-boot Windows, then you will need anti-virus on the Windows side.

Now that you got your Macs... make a clean switch and give it a try without loading Windows in dual boot for a couple weeks -- You might forget you ever thought of doing it in the first place