Now that some of you have bought a Mac and thrown out the old PC, how is it working out for you? I want to get an iMac for the business b4 the years end, but concerned about software, and if it will be compatable with my printer (Xerox phaser 8400), etc...

Thanks!

Joe

They are pricy, but the folks that have 'em seem to love 'em. My computer guy says "don't do it", but I am still tempted. I hope some folks that have long-term experience with Macs
will post on this subject.

What software do you need to work with? You can get MS Office for the Mac - and it is a whole lot nicer than it is for Windows. I know that sounds weird but it's true. The Mac version is really slick.

You will also enjoy iWorks. It has a nice Word Processor and Spreadsheet built in. And it has presentation software that kicks PowerPoint's butt.

The other applications that come bundled with your Mac in iLife are fun to work with too. The iMovie application is sweet.

If you are using a single-user version of Quickbooks - you could switch over to QB for Mac. But the Mac version doesn't support multi-users. And the Mac version doesn't have some of the same functions as the Windows version. So you will want to look closely at that.

You can install Parallels on your Mac for $80. That allows you to install a copy of Windows onto your Mac (as long as you own a copy of Windows). You can then install and run Windows files on your Mac. This allows you to run Mac and Windows software on the same desktop. It works pretty well.

Another Windows option is to run Boot Camp (included free in the new OS). However Boot Camp requires restarting and booting into Windows. So you wouldn't be able to have both operating systems open on the desktop simultaneously like you can with Parallels.

Now the million dollar question... Is it perfect for your business? I think that mostly depends on your accounting software needs. If you can live with QB for Mac (or a Mac alternative such as MYOB), then you will LOVE the Mac.

What you will LOVE about a Mac is its user interface. It is fast, slick to work with, and it's really addictive. I just upgraded my Macs to the new OSX Leopard over the weekend and it's a nice operating system.

The Mac is superior to Windows as far as I can see. I LOVE it! It's what I use at home (an iMac and a MacBook). Can I use it to run Excellent Supply? Nope. I have too many Windows specific programs and software solutions that won't port over to Mac smoothly. But I would think for a typical carpet cleaner's needs, you may find that the Mac would work just fine.









Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com

Thanx, Rick! Do you run quickbooks on it? That's my #1 concern, if I can transfer my current quickbooks 2003 to the mac w/o losing info...

Thanks again -

Joe

Here's a link comparing the Mac and the Windows versions of QB.
There are some differences - so make sure the Mac version has what you need.
http://quickbooks.intuit.com/product/accounting_software/pro_mac_financial_management_software.jhtml?view=switching


If QuickBooks doesn't work for you, MYOB software might do what you need.
It's pretty good Mac accounting software. Here's a link.
http://www.myob-us.com/products/2006_accountedge/

I don't personally do any accounting on my Macs. My Macs are home machines. Accounting gets done on the office computers and they are Windows systems.

I don't see an easy way for Excellent Supply to switch to Mac at this time. We have some serious software applications that are Windows based. Perhaps there will be more business apps for the Mac in the future (interest in the Macs is really heating up).

I look at the Macs as my creativity machines. I do my creative work on the Macs. And I do my grunt work on Windows. The Macs are cool. But at the same time, a PC is a PC. So don't expect it to make breakfast for you.

Some things that are great about Mac is that they are NOT susceptible to viruses (since viruses are written to attack Windows PC's). The Mac software is a pleasure to work with (the software is FUN). And it is a very intuitive system (of course making the transition from Windows takes a little adjustment - but it's not bad at all).

I think the operating system is designed to truly squeeze the juice out of the hardware so you get more operating bang for the buck sitting in the driver's seat, as far as performance goes. Macs cost a bit more than a Windows PC - but I think you get what you pay for.

Go to an Apple store and play with some Macs. But be forewarned - they're pretty enticing, so you will most likely be leaving the store with a new computer under your arm










Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com

Speaking on the repair side, there is/will be a higher service fee or troubleshooting cost over all. But the new mac save data and the recovery proccess is alot easy.

Some simple steps are needed to network them to windows systems/networks.

mac has been using intel proccessers for a while so take a big bite, thats a poun!!!

Steve

Macs are wonderful, stable, easy, and fun. Since they now have intel processors there is an $80 program called "Parallels" which lets you run windows XP or Vista within a mac os window. So when you need or own windows specific software you just run it, right alongside the mac software! Is really cool...You need to own the microsoft os, but it installs easy, runs easy, and has been very stable for me for the last six months or so.

Macs are wonderful, stable, easy, and fun. Since they now have intel processors there is an $80 program called "Parallels" which lets you run windows XP or Vista within a mac os window. So when you need or own windows specific software you just run it, right alongside the mac software! Is really cool...You need to own the microsoft os, but it installs easy, runs easy, and has been very stable for me for the last six months or so.