More Mac Basic Concepts Explained

More topics covered here....

http://computing.fandm.edu/training/osx/

Mac Windows and How they Work

I came across this excellent article which explains how to navigate through mac windows. I am sure you guys are going to love it.

http://computing.fandm.edu/training/osx/windows.php

Mac related Terms Explained

Especially for newbies, this is going to be helpful.

When people tell you-

1. I have a Mac!
Means - I am using Mac OS and i also have some Mac Hardware. Mac OS runs practically on all Apple products like, iMac, Macbook, Macbook Pro, MacPro and even the iPhone.

2. I am using an iMac!
Means - I am using Apple Desktop Computer. Apple iMacs are Apple's desktop computer series.

3. I am using a Macbook!
Means - I am using Apple's Entry Level Notebook Computer. Usually this system is extremely popular with the student community.

4. I am using a Macbook Pro!
Means - I am using Apple's Pro Series (meant for Professionals and its not entry level)
Notebook Computers. Usually this system is extremely popular with working professionals.

5. I am using a MacAir / Macbook Air!
Means - I am using Apple's thinnest Notebook Computer. Usually this system is extremely popular with working professionals and students.

6. I am using a MacPro!
Means - I am using Apple's Pro Series (meant for Professionals and its not entry level) Desktop Computers. Usually this system is extremely popular with design professionals.

Macbook Nano - Coming @ MacWorld 2009

Yes i know you are already holding your breath. Its the new MacBook Nano that you are seeing here and its true. Its a new multi-touch interface (no keyboard). Full SSD storage, fastest portable Mac machine ever built.

Apple seems to have pioneered touch screen devices. Mobile mac like this will come out soon. Technically its very much possible for Apple to produce this kind of PDA-cum-laptop. I’ve always wanted to carry a very thin light Mac (not an iPod/iPhone) running OS-X with Wi-Fi and bluetooth. Ofcourse loaded with Blu-Ray drive and Wi-Fi USB. Though its not a 12 inch, because we use it much more closely to our eyes than a usual screen.

(I just got off the phone with Steve Jobs, and he has confirmed this. Its really coming.)

Why Switch to a Mac?

There are now more and more reasons why you would want to switch to a Mac. Macintosh computers are becoming a more and more appealing alternative to Windows computers, and here is why:

(Have you faced bunch of hardware & compatibility troubles with Microsoft Windows Vista? Is Vista your computer's Thirsty Hippo?)

1. Beauty & Beyond

Apple stuff - It's simple design and elegant looking!

Apple produced hardware and software is insanely simple and beautiful looking. Look at the hardware of a iMac Machine, it is sleek, shiny and clean. It looks so modern, light weight and looks great compared to some of the ugly PC's out there. Software made for the Mac OS is also usually great looking (but you would always find exceptions here or there) and they come with a similar style than your Mac itself, light, sleek and shiny. Software made for the Mac is pleasing on the eye and navigation is indeed very simple. Finding the links and learning to use a Mac Software should relatively simple and of course, the help section for each application is very user friendly. I am sure you would find your ways through it.

Personally when i first started using the Mac OS (i first started with an iBook G4 running Mac OS X Tiger) i was really really impressed with it. Someone has rightly said, First Impression is the Last Impression. So the folks at Apple always make sure that their user's first experience is indeed a stunning one.

2. As Easy As Drinking Coffee

You have already known the most difficult thing, wont it be easy for you to know the simplest choice ever give to you to use?

Many Microsoft Windows users deter away with just the thought of switching to a Mac because they are of an impression thats its too hard to use, or they wont be able to use, or maybe they just dont want to learn a new (better) thing!

But let me tell you one real truth here, "ITS INDEED EASY TO USE A MAC THAN IT IS TO USE A PC". The whole OS is designed and organized in such a way that it is always very easy to find any setting or any stuff you could be looking for.

A friend of mine once told me, "If you know your way to drive a car on Indian Roads, then it shouldn't be difficult to drive in any part of the world". So i guess you know what i am coming to say!

3. Your important data is in Safe Hands

Its like you are in a Hydrogen Hummer!

Mac OS X is built on top of the BSD-UNIX Kernel (thats what i recall, correct me if i am wrong). If you do not know, BSD's are the oldest and the strongest Operating Systems around. But there were never so easy to use. Apple has turned that part over. Using the strong foundation of UNIX as a base, they have build a sleek and chic Graphical User Interface (GUI) on top. Thats the reason why Mac OS is reliably stable and secure.

As of 2005 (almost 3 years ago, i don't know the latest figures) there were 114,000 known viruses for PC's running Microsoft OS Software and just a handful of them for the Mac. That adds up more to your system's security.

4. Ultimate Entertainment Machine

Everything you need to have a digital lifestyle is packed.

Mac OS X is bundled with so many applications to entertain the user. They come packed with a huge bundle of Multimedia Applications like Music Player (iTunes), Movie Players (Quick Time and iMovie), and many more like Garageband, iPhoto etc. You can just view the stuff, you also have a choice to test your dash of creativity. Try making a home movie or composing your music or even editing some videos. I am sure you would find a whole lot easy and rich experience.

I recently made my Family Photo Calendar using iPhoto. It was indeed just a few clicks and DONE..!! Ready to print.

5.True Plug and Play

Just Plug your hardware and Play with it!

Mac OS comes packed with drivers of almost anything that's available on Earth. Dont you worry even one bit, about whats going to happen to your printer or your digital camera, as a matter of fact, they might work even-better. Macs are filled up with drivers for almost anything you can think of. The same applies for software as well. I know there are a whole lot of software available for Windows, but think of it this way, Do you really need all of that? Also, remember there could be a better alternative software available for Mac.

These days most software providers have already released or are creating Mac versions of their products. Will you believe if i say, Microsoft has even created a version of Office that runs on the Mac and its called MacOffice. Last i heard was Microsoft has released MacOffice 2008 consisting of MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Entourage.

6. True "Right out of the Box eXPerience"

When you buy a Windows Computer, it can take you days or even weeks to set up it for you to use it the way you need. Everything choosing the right software for your needs, to installing them, can be a real pain. But thats not the case with Mac OS X. Almost everything that would need is available to you right out of the box. Try your hand at iLife, iWorks!

7. Communication - Just Got Better

Try Video Chat. Its available right out of the box. No need to install any fresh software or plug in any extra hardware. Bluetooth too, just works perfect. Try transferring some of your files to your mobile phone over Bluetooth!

The first time when i started using a Mac Machine at home, it almost instantly detected my Wireless Network and all i had to do was key in my WEP Key. In Windows it can be tiring. Also no problems with sudden connection drops. It just stays on till you need it to be on.

8. Low Specifications

Not your computer's Thirsty Hippo!

Mac OS X is really very low on overheads. Its extremely light weight and optimized and can run smoothly for ages. Windows systems, for no rhyme or reason, just slows down after a while (maybe needing a defrag or it could have caught a virus). Also, you don't really have to worry much about spending on getting a new computer if a new version is released. I am running Mac OS X Leopard on a G4 and its works like breeze.

Have you read about the strong hardware requirements for Windows Vista?

9. True All-In-One

So many versions to choose from! What you need today is available in one Edition? What you might need tomorrow is available on another Edition? What are you going to do in such a situation? Simple, swipe your credit card and buy the Ultimate Edition.

Windows Vista Home Basic Edition - $99
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition - $129
Windows Vista Business Edition - $199
Windows Vista Enterprise Edition - $199 (??)
Windows Vista ULTIMATE Edition - $219

With Mac OS X, thats just not the case.

Mac OS X Basic Edition - $129
Mac OS X Premium Edition - $129
Mac OS X Business Edition - $129
Mac OS X Enterprise Edition - $129
Mac OS X ULTIMATE Edition - $129

Mac OS X comes in one and only one version and everything is just neatly packed in it. Its always easy to activate and deactivate a certain feature.

10. You can keep Windows

Hmmm...!

After reading all that i have written above and you are still not convinced, then i must just tell you this - "YOU CAN RUN WINDOWS ON A MAC". Newer Mac Machines are built on Intel chips and thus its easier to run Windows on them. There is a software called Boot Camp that lets you boot into Windows on a Mac computer but this requires you to shut down your computer. There is now software called Parallel's that can let you run Windows in a Mac OS X, meaning both can run simultaneously.

There are a lot more reasons i can list here and this would go on and on. Don’t stick around on your slow, ugly, software-less Windows PC, switch to a Mac today and brighten up your world!