Windows applications on Apple?

[iainrkemp]

I have long been loyal to Windows based PC's and always avoided Macs as they never seemed to be as very compatible.

Like most people I use IBM Windows at work with Apps like Office, Adobe, and so on. I am looking into getting an Apple Powerbook and wondered if any of you had any advice or warnings?

Is there a Microsoft Office for Apple Powerbooks? Can I share Microsoft Office files between the systems? Potential problems? Thoughts?

Cheers,

- Iain

 

[scottian]

you can get office:mac. and files are transferrable from windows to mac and vice versa.

and on my soapbox, macs are just as compatable as windows. windows apps wont run anywhere unless windows is installed same goes for macs, although you can get emulators, connectix do a good virtual windows emulator which will run on a mac and allow you to install and run windows based apps from a virtual window on the mac desktop. Im not aware that there is a Mac emulator that does the same on windows based PC's. Macs are more reliable

"My God! It's full of stars...

 

[iainrkemp]

So you reckon there isn't really a compatability issue?

I guess my main conern is I want to continue to use Office applications, and want to be able to share files between home and office. From what you said it sounds like I wouldn't have any problems with that which is cool.

Are there any disadvantages to Macs as compared to PC's that come to mind?

Can you tell I've never before dared to change from my PC?!

Cheers!

 

[tperkins]

I have been on PC's since 1991 and as of two years ago started working on a MAC. The MAC, in my opinion is a whole lot easier to use and deal with than a PC. That is once you get used to it and understands how it works.

I still work at home on a PC and I don't like it a bit!!!

Tony Perkins

 

[jimoblak]

Check out apple.com's software section to see the variety of applications for Mac OS.

While switching to Mac can make one's life considerably easier, you may find a major cost in purchasing new software for a new platform as most licenses are not cross platform.

For Microsoft Office users, check out openoffice.org - a free office suite that easily handles Microsoft Office documents. I put Open Office on every computer I work on (even if Microsoft Office is already present). If you have money to burn, Microsoft Office for Mac is still really nice.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[jmaddone]

I have been using Office X for Mac for 3 years, and have yet to have a compatibility issue with a Windows Office file. The only thing is that there is no MS Access for Mac, (which is something I rarely use on the Windows side answays). But there is FileMaker, MySQL, and many other database programs for the Mac so that shouldn't be a big issue. Just making you aware of it. Also if you were looking for windows emulator, if you do decide to buy MS Office, the professional version comes with Virtual PC in with the rest of the office bundle (Word, Excel, Entourage, etc..), but it is $499 dollars. A good site to look for MS programs for the mac, try Mactopia. There are a few free MS programs there (Messenger, Remote Desktop, etc). After all that is said, you are making a good choice, and I have not yet regreted converting yet.

 

[iainrkemp]

I did wonder about lack of MS Access in the Microsoft Suite as I never saw it mentioned. But I suppose if there is an effective Windows Emulator that I could run Access if I absolutely had to (and I hope I never find myself in that life or death situation!). Is the Windows Emulator effective?

 

[drlex]

It's effective in that it allows the mac to emulate a PC, but it's not fast (I find it runs better in Classic than in OS 10.3.4) and there might still be a compatibility problem with G5 macs. However, a new version is expected, now that it is owned by Microsoft and their excellent mac division.


soi la, soi carre

 

[drlex]

Had I not pressed Submit so quickly, I could have put in this PR piece, issued today:

Microsoft has sent Virtual PC 7 to manufacturing and the application that lets you run Windows on a Mac will begin shipping in October. The software is G5-compatible and has been signficantly rewritten for OS X 10.3.
VPC7 with Windows XP Professional will be included in the Professional Edition of Microsoft's Office 2004 suite and will also be available separately, with a choice of XP Home or Pro, Windows 2000, or without any PC OS version.

The release has been delayed by the wait for the latest major update to Windows XP, which was finalised just last month.

Highlights of the new version include: zero configuration printing - VPC now uses the OS X print drivers; improved graphics handling; fast save that allows VPC to be put to sleep; extended preferences; cut and paste between the Mac and Windows platforms; and support for Mac and PC peripherals.

soi la, soi carre

 

[denice]

I was a PC person for so many years, and since I switched industries to graphics i found I needed a Mac. Being an excel *self identified* expert I only found one issue with the two OS versions of the program. Absolute Value does not exist in Mac:X Excel. If you dont use it, then its not a problem, that is the only function I havent found an equal or better function. Word, Powerpoint work perfectly, acces is not mac cabable just yet.

Just my two cents.
~D

Denice
Mac OSX, Running Classic for Quark 4.1. System G4.