Can I Do Everything on a Mac? :: My First Mac - Help Buying and Getting Started with Your New Mac

Quick Scan

The majority of key programs and files transition seamlessly. See the first table.

Some Windows programs are replaced by Mac counterparts. See second table.

Remaining programs that don't have a counterpart can be run in Windows on your Mac as necessary.

What Are All These Applications?

Why Buy a Mac – What’s the difference, really?

6 Reasons to Buy a PC Instead of a Mac

Helpful Mac Sites on the Internet

Can I Do Everything on a Mac that I Do on My PC?

By: Chris Kerins
Published: Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Categories: Before You Buy, Getting Started, Switching from Windows

Worried about what you will have to give up if you switch to a Mac? We'll break down what you can and can't do on a Mac that you do right now on your PC.

Let's start with three categories of compatibility: Seamless, Same but Different, and Uh-oh. For the sake of brevity, I'll try to stick to the most commonly used programs that cover most consumer computer uses.

Seamless. This group of programs are more or less the same as what you used to on a PC. They might look a bit different, but the Mac version works just as you're used to. Other than email, these programs comprise the bulk of typical computer use and are written by the software companies for both Windows and Mac using the same file types.

Windows to Mac Program Chart

Same but Different. In this group are programs that are written only for Windows but have a good or better match on the Mac. For these, you can get the same functions you are used to, but in a different software product. You shouldn't find much of a learning curve with this group since they are doing essentially the same thing.

Windows to Mac Programs Chart 2

Uh-oh. This last group encompasses the vast realm of niche Windows products too numerous to list here. If you discover that there are no adequate Mac software titles that can replace your vital Windows program, this is where Apple's shift to the Intel chips will really help you out. Your solution lies in running Windows on your new Mac.

Huh? That's right. Because Macs and PCs use the same Intel processors these days, you can buy a copy of Windows XP or Vista and install it on your new Mac. It may cost a few dollars to go out and buy Windows, but it will give the peace of mind that you can cover all your bases in a time of need.

Bonus Round. There are two benefits of switching to the Mac that are easily overlooked in this discussion. The first is you won't need to buy any anti-virus and anti-spyware programs for your new Mac. Not only do you get to save that money, but you also save yourself the headaches of installing them and keeping them up to date. The second benefit is the free group of iLife applications that come with your Mac. These iLife programs that help you manage, create and manipulate media are unmatched by anything available on the Windows platform.

So as it turns out, you can do everything on a Mac and more that you do on a PC right now. You might have to learn a few tricks, but My First Mac is right here to help you out, along with the rest of the Mac family.

Did I miss an important program that you use? Let us know in the Comments section below.

DIG DEEPER

Some of the programs mentioned above can be found here:

Elgato Systems EyeTV
FileMaker Pro
Omni Group's OmniGraffle
Flip4Mac Plug-in

I Use This ranking of top Mac software

Running Windows on a Mac

Boot Camp (Apple)
Parallels Desktop for Mac


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Your Comments:

The virus information is very, very misleading. There ARE viruses on Macs (plenty of them, and they are just as dangerous and harmful) just not as numerous as PC systems for obvious reasons. As Macs become more widely used though, that will change...

Mac users DO need anti-virus software, trust me.

Burr
10/12/2009 at 04:00 AM

Snow Leopard 'Guest Account' bug deleting user files, terrorizing children? (from Engadget)

Think your Snow Leopard woes are finally over? Don't go logging into that Guest account, then. A flurry of reports have surfaced around the web explaining that even an accidental login to one's Guest account within Snow Leopard could lead to mass deletion of all user files on the primary account, and when we say "mass deletion," we mean "mass deletion." The problem goes something like this: if one clicks on the Guest account after upgrading their machine to OS X 10.6, and everything hangs, there's at least a decent chance that all of your data will be evaporated whenever you surf back over to the main profile. Apple has yet to address the issue (at least publicly), but we'd probably recommend disabling Guest accounts on your rig(s) until all of this gets sorted. You know, unless you actually enjoy watching your data vanish.

BEWARE until apple fixes it.

mukhi
10/12/2009 at 08:21 AM

I agree with most of this article, but as some others have said, your information about viruses and spyware is REALLY misleading. There ARE viruses and spyware for macs. Sure, they're much less common, but they can still cause some serious problems if you run into them.

Luckily, it's easy to find free antivirus and antispyware programs on the web that work with Mac OS. Still, telling people who might barely be computer literate that they don't need antivirus is NOT a good idea.

Rycr
12/17/2009 at 01:38 PM

Burr and Rycr, the thing is there is no widespread problem of Mac viruses. Yes they are possible, but show me an article where more than 10 normal Mac using people are affected. It just doesn't happen outside of testing and competitions. People like yourselves have been issuing this warning that it is possible to infect Macs for 10 years and yet the result has always been the same.

Chris Kerins
12/17/2009 at 01:48 PM

@Chris Kerins
i agree that mac virus is not widespread, however, one "virus" thing becomes widespread when there are possibilities of infection. although # of mac users is increasing day by day, still only 10% or less of the world is using mac right now, therefore, there are not enough evil minds to create viruses for mac, it's not that it's not possible to make it.

mukhi
12/17/2009 at 04:09 PM

Don't forget google docs and openoffice for both mac and pc! both are legal and free!
(i recommend google docs, )

neil
01/01/2010 at 11:46 PM

Having about half completed the reading of "The World Is Flat", I see an ever-growing gap between the implementation of "Windows-style" approaches to meeting our information needs of tomorrow and less mention of "Apple-style" approaches.
What do you think of developing nations like India, China and Asian countries uring PC tools and approaches while excluding "Mac" approaches?

Brian Bradley
01/03/2010 at 11:20 AM

"not sure what hfs partition is but I installed vlc media player and it plays everything" - Noel Yii

If your like this person, i highly suggest you buy a mac. No, seriously, Heres why:
Macs are simple, and mostly idiot proof, this is due to a sacrafice is power, performance, ability, etc, etc. BUT, they are really hard to mess up. You can still do what most do on a mac, watch videos, suft the internet, email, so your good. However, if you at least know what a partition is, i suggest you stick with a PC. Its more complex, but yet, powerful, able, and with the right hardware (not avail. on mac) a high performance machine.

Cameron K
01/04/2010 at 01:01 AM

Brain, Microsoft gives discounts to companies in need, thus furthering their market. This is the reasoning behind more PC implementations. Also, although mac has several tools, and alot of them work together, as it stands, mac does not have all of the business sections covered. Its even noted by mac in their common "Im a Mac, And Im A PC" commercials. Its best to go with the full package instead of the half style. Especially since most of macs business related software is actually created by Microsoft themselves (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Frontpage). Apple just doesnt do business.

Cameron K
01/04/2010 at 01:06 AM

I hope you can answer a question here -- if not, where should I post my question. I am a new mac user and haven't been able to open my MS Publisher files. Your info above said Pages is the equivalent, but the files won't open. What do I need to do?

Thank You!!

Brenda
02/10/2010 at 05:16 PM