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Switching to a Mac - First Impressions and Adjustments
By Dave Peterson | March 21, 2008
My MacBook Pro Arrived on Monday and I’ve been spending the evenings this week setting up software, my network connections, and generally getting to know the system. Having been a Windows user for 15+ years, there is definitely some adjusting to do. The first night felt like a right-handed person eating left-handed. I knew the concepts of what I was trying to do, but there was nothing natural feeling about it. I’m told that a two week adjustment period is to be expected for a long-term Windows user. By Wednesday, I was understanding where things were and how to do what I wanted a bit better. A major step was accomplished when I established a network link with my Drobo, which I plan to have accessible to both the Mac and the several Windows machines on my network. The Drobo will also be important in the transfer of files, as I intend to back up all my working data there, then pull individual files over to the Mac.
The VMware installation (and Windows XP within it) went very smoothly. The only bump was when I needed to insert the Windows install disc, but couldn’t because the previous install disc was still in the drive, which the VM had already taken over, and the on-screen methods of disc eject were not available to me. Later that night the disc eject key was pointed out to me; I’m not sure if that would have worked or not in that situation. But, it was a simple matter of shutting down the VM, ejecting the disc that was in the drive, inserting the Windows disc, and starting the VM again.
I am very impressed by the speed of start up and shut down. The night I was installing the VMware, I first powered up my Windows machine, then started the Mac. The Mac starts up in maybe 20 seconds; the Windows machine is five or more minutes. I started the VMware installation, and it was 80% complete by the time the Windows machine was finally booted and ready to do work. Shut down is even faster, probably five to ten seconds.
There’s a lot about the Mac that I appreciate, but I’m definitely still in the adjustment period. There are times when it’s good to put it away for the last half-hour of the evening and just do a couple of things in the familiar Windows environment. But I’m aiming to have my last applications with frequently changing data (iTunes and email) migrated over in the next couple of days, then hopefully I can just start up one computer in the evening, rather than two.
Topics: Switching to a Mac |
March 27th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Welcome to the wonderful world of Apple!
I spent 20 years running, maintaining and supporting windows PC in tech support on a large international corporate network. After about a week of using my iMac (bought in Nov ‘07) I vowed never to go back - ever.
You won’t regret it. Once you get over the “how do I accomplish this task” etc you’ll be fine.
If you need any help give me a shout
Richard
March 31st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Good luck with your new MBP! I checked one out in MacTown the other day, and even though I’m a PC-girl I was impressed. I’m adding GadgetyTech to Google Reader. It is much easier that way
April 1st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Dave,
Great post! I’m so glad I switched to Mac as well (December 31st, 2007).
Love it…
Great blog!
Jeff McCord
www.jeffmccord.org