I have always used Windows based laptops but am thinking of replacing my current laptop with a Mac. In looking at them, I see that some have the Mac OS and WIndows Vista as well. Why would I want both on a laptop? Won't the Mac OS run all of my Windows programs. Which model would you recommend? I do a lot of graphics work, run large programs - Microsoft Office, Adobe Pro, Paint Shop Pro, etc. and like to have the ability to have several running at the same time.
Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks!
2008-03-13T09:48:12Z
I don't know why, but I had the impression that programs like Office would run on WIndows as well as Mac. How about Adobe Acrobat Pro, etc.? It will be expensive to replace these programs!
2008-03-13T10:09:56Z
I have always used Paint Shop Pro for graphics. I believe that this program only runs on Windows. Will I have to with with Photoshop for Mac?
2008-03-13T12:22:01Z
I am very computer literate when it comes to Windows, but since that is all I have ever used (well, since the DOS days, LOL) I am not familiar with other operating systems. I have just heard such good things about Macs, particularly with graphics work, and decided that might be the way to go for me. I have actually already ordered a MacBook, but some of the answers I have gotten here are making me doubt my decision. I am just not sure now what would be best for me. It was my understanding the the Mac OS was more stable then Windows and with all of that I run I thought Mac would handle it better than Windows. Now, I don't know what is best.
Anonymous2008-03-13T09:37:26Z
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Hi, Mac OS X and Windows r both completely separate operating systems. OS X is based on Unix and Windows is based on the NT kernel. They r in no way similar at all, every little things is different, that is why OS X is better than windows.
I recommend the Macbook or if u have enough cash Macbook pro. You will need to buy Mac versions of all your current software. There is Microsoft Office 2008 for Macs.
You only need both Mac OS X and Windows Vista on your laptop if u have some programs or games that don't have an OS X version. Games usually never have an OS X version and Windows is still the best platform for gaming. You might also need both operating systems if u develop applications for both.
I hope I helped.
Good Luck and take care!
Edit: You will have to buy the Microsoft Office for OS X, the latest version is 2008. From your questions I gather u don't know much about operating systems. Unix and Windows r both separate. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac is there. You won't be able to run windows programs on OS X natively.
As for Adobe Acrobat Pro, here is a link to the Mac version for u: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/index.html Yes u will need to buy it again for OS X.
You could buy Windows Vista separately and install it using boot camp as well.
Edit 2: Hi again, yes u can use photoshop for Mac OS X as well. Please check whether all the programs that u r used to r available for the OS X system other wise switching will be a pain.
A Macintosh will not run any of your Windows programs using the Mac OS. You will have to have Mac versions of all programs to run using the Mac OS.
You can also boot a Macintosh to allow you to use Windows OS and run Windows program that way. That will not be any better than running them on a Windows OS computer.
Many of the popular programs are written to run on both Mac and Windows. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, etc all have Mac versions that are excellent.
Unless you absolutely need Windows for some proprietary programs, I would switch everything to Mac and leave Windows in the dust.
There is a program called Fusion that is perfect for running both programs on Mac. I have found it difficult to find good Bible software for mac, so I need to run some Window based programs on my computer for study. Also there are some other programs I use often on the Windows side.
Mac computers now have a duo core processor that enables you to partition part of the drive, so that older window programs can be run. All window files can be read from the Mac OS, but you do not have the ability to change anything. Mac uses a unix file system while windows uses a fat 32 file system.
My recommendation for you would be to get a PC laptop. I hear a lot of bad things about the Mac laptops. The Macbook air supposedly runs pretty hot, the processor runs at like 88C under max load. And I have 2 friends with Macbook pros that literally caught fire. If you're going to do a lot of intense graphics stuff, your laptop will likely run hot. So using something that has a reputation for catching fire might be a bad idea. http://youtube.com/watch?v=JYuhxwa9n1s http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Am2ObA6PQweX1iHBiWVJpe8jzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20071202115039AAg3abk
Plus a PC laptop will cost much less, and you'll have all the software you're used to doing graphic work with.